[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 152 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H12073-H12078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE JULIAN C. DIXON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 6, 1999, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, the flags on this building are flying at 
half mast, recognizing the departure of one of this body's most 
respected and best loved Members. Julian Dixon was a kind of gentleman 
that engendered the kind of respect that all of us would like to have 
as Members of this august body. So it was no wonder that, when I 
arrived here 8 years ago, he was one of the first people that I sought 
out to sit down with.
  I had heard of Julian Dixon before coming here. I had read a whole 
lot about him and was particularly impressed with the fact that, at one 
of this body's most crucial times, Julian Dixon was called upon to 
chair the Committee on Ethics. It was his performance in that 
chairmanship that I believe maintained the stability that needed to be 
maintained in order to get the House of Representatives through that 
particular juncture.

                              {time}  1815

  He was admired for his work there, but also admired for the work he 
performed as Chair of the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia of 
the Committee on Appropriations. That is one of the most difficult 
positions that one could be in because, as all of us know, the District 
of Columbia has a problem of taxation without representation. And of 
course that is a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, and 
the person who chairs that subcommittee has probably more to say about 
the well-being or the ways and means of the District of Columbia than 
any other single person. Julian's performance on that subcommittee 
endeared him to all of the people in the District.
  And then, of course, at the time of his death he was serving as the 
ranking member on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 
Julian Dixon's performance there had to be admirable because, as all of 
us know, that is a special committee, one that requires a special kind 
of person. And of course everyone who knew Julian knew that he had 
within him the capacity to do well as ranking member on that committee. 
Many of us had looked forward to the day when Julian would be chair of 
that committee. But as the omnipotent and omnipresent being willed it, 
such would not be the case.
  Julian Dixon was the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. 
As its current chair, it is with great respect that I requested this 
time this evening so those members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
who were not here on Friday, when we received news of his death and of 
course then entered into a spontaneous special tribute to him, so

[[Page H12074]]

that they would have an opportunity to come to the floor this evening 
and pay their respects to the life and legacy of Julian Dixon and to 
impart to his wife, Bettye, and his son, Cary, how much we share in 
their loss.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Watt), who will manage the rest of this time and, 
hopefully, recognize those Members as they come to the floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy, the time originally allocated to the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) will be controlled by the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Watt).
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman 
of the Congressional Black Caucus for reserving the time for those 
Members who were not able to come to the floor on Friday of last week 
when we suddenly found out about the death of our good friend and 
colleague, Julian Dixon.
  Mr. Speaker, I would now yield to my colleague, the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, 
and on this sad and solemn occasion I am reminded of the words of that 
poignant song ``Gone too soon.'' Last Friday, we lost more than a 
mentor, a colleague and a friend. Last Friday, we lost a steady hand, a 
true heart, a penetrating individual.
  Julian Dixon left this life at a time when he had command of it. As 
ranking member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as 
an influential member of the Committee on Appropriations, he was in 
control. That is why, with a heavy heart, I rise to express my 
condolences to the family of Julian Dixon whose untimely passing we 
mourn. His wife, Bettye, and his son, Cary, should know that while 
their grief is heavy, comfort may be found in those close to them, 
friends and family who will gather, and increase their gathering, on 
Wednesday morning, December 13, to acclaim his life and to celebrate 
it.
  This husband and father was indeed an American hero; the wind beneath 
the wind of so many of us in Congress. For some 22 years, Julian Dixon 
gave of himself to the people of West Los Angeles. With dedication and 
determination, he took on the tough task while undertaking his 
responsibility with concern and compassion. He preceded me by some 
years as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. He was 
always there to give a steady hand and advice.
  He stood firm, never wavering on behalf of the voteless citizens of 
Washington, D.C. He worked hard to make sure that legislation was 
passed to give Dr. Martin Luther King his day. And while he was never 
loud or boisterous, he was always heard and respected.
  Julian has now been called to rest, to reside in a place of total 
peace. God's fingers have gently touched him and he now sleeps. I am 
confident that he has left a lasting impression on those who came to 
know him, and the principles that guided him now serve as guideposts 
for those he leaves behind.
  I am also certain that throughout his life he remained a caring 
friend, a devoted and loving family member, and a committed and 
dedicated father and husband. He shall surely be missed. I feel 
certain, however, that while our hearts are heavy and our grief is 
great, he would want all of us to rejoice in his life and the time he 
spent on this earth among his friends and the citizens of this earth.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important to offer a special word to his 
wife and son. It is my hope that they will be comforted by the fact 
that God in his infinite wisdom does not make mistakes. ``Your husband 
and father will live on forever in your hearts and minds through your 
cherished memories of his life and the time you had with him. Please 
continue to support one another.''
  Let all of us here remember that death is not the end of life; it is 
the beginning of an eternal sleep. Julian Dixon, son of the District of 
Columbia, quiet soldier, shall sleep on. He lived his life in sacrifice 
so that millions of us and others could live our life in pride. He has 
labored long and effectively. He now rests.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), for yielding 
to me.
  It is with deep sadness that I stand here tonight to pay tribute to 
our colleague and friend, Julian Dixon. It is so painful and it is so 
very hard and difficult. This country has lost a true friend. The State 
of California has lost a friend. The city of Washington, the Nation's 
capital, has lost a true friend.
  Julian was not just another colleague. He was more than the 
representative of the 32nd Congressional District of California; he was 
more than a member of the Congressional Black Caucus; more than a 
member of the House Committee on Appropriations and the ranking member 
of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He was like family 
to me and to many of us here in the Congress.
  Julian was a wonderful and kind man. He was a gentleman. Many times 
in this body we refer to each other as being honorable. This man, this 
good man, was honorable. He had the ability to calm troubled waters. He 
had a way of soothing hurt feelings. He was an effective Member of this 
body who could get things done on both sides of the aisle by mending 
broken bridges. This man we salute and honor tonight was a builder of 
bridges, a builder of bridges of understanding and bridges of 
compassion. Julian Dixon was a voice of sanity in the midst of 
confusion.
  Mr. Speaker, as I said before, it is so hard to believe that Julian 
Dixon is gone; that he will not be here voting with us any more. I do 
believe that his free spirit, his kindness and his good nature, will 
always remain in our hearts, in our minds, and in this very Chamber. 
Julian cared for his colleagues, his friends, the people who elected 
him, and even the people he did not know.
  As I said, he loved this city, the State of California, and this 
Nation. He was wonderful to work with. He never sought the limelight. 
He just did his work. He was just good to be around. He was a dear 
friend and he was my brother.
  Mr. Speaker, for this Member, it is still shocking; a sense of 
disbelief. It is so unreal and yet it is so painful. We have lost a 
member of our family. It does not matter whether we are Democrats, 
Republicans, or Independents. It does not matter whether we are black 
or white, Asian or Hispanic. We are family. We are one family. We are 
going to miss Julian.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to close by saying to Bettye, Julian's beloved 
wife, that we will keep you and your family in our prayers. Thank you, 
Bettye, for sharing Julian with California, with all of us, with the 
American people and the rest of the world. He will be deeply missed.
  And Julian, I say to you, Sweet prince, take your rest.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and 
I rise today to honor our departed friend and colleague and Alpha Phi 
Alpha fraternity brother, Julian Dixon. Not only was Julian Dixon 
respected for standing up for the rights of all people, he was also 
known and respected for the soft spoken and thoughtful manner with 
which he accomplished those goals.
  Julian Dixon worked tirelessly for the cause of civil rights. His 
position on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the 
Judiciary of the Committee on Appropriations enabled him to maintain 
the Nation's commitment to civil rights by his advocacy for agencies 
such as the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and the U.S. 
Commission on Civil Rights. During the 104th Congress, he worked to 
pass bipartisan legislation to establish a memorial to Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. in our Nation's capital.
  Once the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Julian Dixon was 
active in the fight in the mid-1980s to impose economic sanctions on 
racially segregated South Africa. Perhaps more important than his 
dedication to social justice, Julian Dixon was highly regarded for the 
way in which he worked for his goal. He did not seek the limelight or 
engage in demagoguery. Instead, he worked behind the scenes building 
bridges between Members.

[[Page H12075]]

  As an agent for social justice, Julian Dixon himself embodied the 
principle of judiciousness. As the leading member of two committees 
requiring a sensitive and judicious approach, the House Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct and the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence, Julian Dixon served with distinction. On the Subcommittee 
on the District of Columbia of the Committee on Appropriations, where 
he served as chairman, Julian Dixon consistently advocated for fairness 
for Washington, D.C., refusing to let partisanship interfere.
  But judiciousness is not only characterized by evenhandedness, it is 
also characterized by a reasoned approach to problem solving. Julian 
Dixon regularly did what was extremely difficult in a political 
environment. He disregarded the emotional appeal and made decisions 
based on a reasoned approach. In fact, Julian Dixon possessed a level 
of intellectual integrity that is rarely found in politics today. 
Julian Dixon has shown us that it is not just what one does that 
matters, but also it matters how one does it.

                              {time}  1830

  He was a champion for justice and a gentleman who taught us 
cooperation, reason, judiciousness in doing what is right and 
necessary. As we honor his life today, I hope we can best honor him not 
just through our words but also through our actions.
  Thank you, Julian Dixon, for showing us the way.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) the next chair of 
the Congressional Black Caucus.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague 
for his leadership this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend, Representative 
Dixon. I always called Mr. Dixon the quiet storm because his strength 
was known just as soon as he spoke words, but he never spoke loudly and 
his words were always respected. He was my mentor, my teacher, and my 
friend. And Bettye, his dear Bettye, is also my friend and she has my 
deepest sympathy.
  My friend, Julian, inspired me politically and personally. 
Politically he was a profound legislator and an effective architect of 
democracy. Personally he was a dependable friend, a shoulder to lean 
on, a voice of encouragement. He had a complete view of America. He 
aggressively fault for the bear essentials of democracy, home rule and 
a voice for all Americans. He was an advocate for crime prevention 
programs, the poor, civil rights, education, labor, small and minority 
owned businesses, immigrants, Federal technology programs, and much 
more.
  Julian did all of this. And yet, he was not flashy. He did not have 
to be seen all the time. And though his actions were praised with 
numerous awards and honors, he was humble. That was just Julian. My 
friend, Julian, was always willing to do the hard work, do the heavy 
lifting, be a friend to many.
  America is truly indebted to Julian Dixon as a congressman, and I am 
truly indebted to him as a friend. No longer will I hear his voice when 
I need advice, encouragement, or just a friendly hello. Julian's 
reassuring voice is gone, but his spirit lives on. And I will always 
attempt to reach back and grab his technique to try to get things done. 
He has been called home for a well-deserved rest much too soon, much 
untimely. But I will say, rest well, Julian. Your job was well done and 
we all thank you for your efforts.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield to the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) the person in 
this body who probably had among the closest relations with our dear 
friend and colleague, Julian Dixon, because of his service on the 
Subcommittee on the District of Columbia and their close association.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Watt) for his work in the Congress and for his work on 
this special order. If any Member would be on the floor in memory of 
Julian Dixon, this is the Member.
  I want to begin by offering my profound sympathy to Bettye and to 
Julian's family. I was in an airport when I was paged and told by my 
staff that Julian had died suddenly. I can only say to you that the 
shock of that revelation left me personally heartbroken and that 
personal heartbreak is repeated throughout the District of Columbia.
  I want to say a few words this evening about three aspects of 
Julian's life: his institutional relationship to this House; his 
relationship to his own district as a quintessential legislator; and 
his unique relationship to the place where he was born, the Nation's 
Capital.
  Julian was once honored as one of 12 unsung congressional heroes. Is 
it not such a fitting way to remember Julian? For this very able Member 
of this body was at once collegial and courageous but he shone so 
bright that he did not even tell anybody. And when you have what Julian 
had, others will sing your praises.
  This was a complicated man. Julian Dixon was a man of deep 
convictions, for example on race and justice issues. And yet, if you 
walk the halls of this body, I think you would find that Representative 
Julian Dixon was regarded as the ultimate bipartisan Member.
  How can you be a man of such deep conviction without being neutered? 
Julian showed us how; collegial, courageous, able. In a very real 
sense, Julian was a member's Member. And nothing indicates that more 
than his service on two of our committees, the Committee on Ethics and 
the Committee on Intelligence. Those are very difficult committees and 
only Members who are first among their peers are assigned to such 
committees.
  Imagine, any of us imagine, what it would mean to have to preside at 
the Committee on Ethics when your own speaker, your very good friend, 
was brought up and ultimately sent away. Could we handle that 
assignment and be left with the respect of our peers on both sides of 
the aisle? I submit that there are few Members who could have done so 
and that Julian Dixon became an especially towering figure in this body 
when he managed to do so with great dignity and fairness.
  Let me say a word about Julian's relationship to his own district. 
What he has done for his district in 11 terms reads like an 
encyclopedia of great benefits. How is he able to do this? He is a man 
who knew why he was sent here. Here was a man who was first and 
foremost a legislator.
  Now, Julian would appear to speak when he had something to say and 
when it was important to speak. That is why everybody listened when 
Julian opened his mouth. So he did not take to the floor to spread his 
extraordinary wisdom, much as I wish he had. He decided who he was in 
this body and he decided to legislate, to legislate on the Committee on 
Appropriations and to legislate bills.
  Now, I respect Members for whoever they decide they are. There are 
legislators that decide they want to be an expert in a particular work 
of a committee, and Members look to them for the expertise they build 
up over the years. There are Members who specialize in just talking, 
and sometimes they have a lot to say and we listen to them. But if you 
think about it, the work of this body is legislation. And Julian 
decided that, even given his multifaceted set of talents, he was going 
to be a legislator. And what he did for his district means that it will 
be many years before his or any other district can attract such a 
legislator.
  You have got to be real focused. You have got to do more than just 
put the bill in. You have got to do more than get up on the floor and 
wave the flags. You have got to do the grunt work that gets it done. 
And his district had the enormous benefit from his service in this 
body. This was a senior Member who knew how to especially get funds for 
his district.
  When you think about what this man did for the institution, 
particularly on the two committees which have I named, the Committee on 
Ethics and the Committee on Intelligence, his institutional service to 
this body is far and wide. But when you think of what he did for the 
institution and then you move to what he did for his district, he is 
already way into overtime. Somehow or the other, Julian Dixon, when he 
came to Washington, decided that he was going to serve the District of 
Columbia.
  My friends, they do not pass out rewards for that except in the 
District of

[[Page H12076]]

Columbia. And we do not have the vote in the Congress, and there is not 
a lot of money to be collected here. Besides, Julian was an automatic 
vote in his district. So why in the world would he serve the District 
of Columbia? From the beginning, he got on our committee and for almost 
15 years chaired the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia.
  This is a sacrifice. With his seniority, chairing some other 
committees definitely brings rewards. It is hard for me to think of a 
single reward for chairing the Subcommittee on the District of 
Columbia. Here was a Member who took the orphaned District of Columbia, 
the city without a State, the smallest guy on the block, and decided 
early on that he was going to represent two districts. That is exactly 
what he did. He represented my district, which did not have a vote, and 
gave it all that any Member could.
  When I came to the Congress, I was naive enough to try to get to 
serve on the Committee on Appropriations. After all, my appropriations 
is the only one that ever comes over here. I finally figured out that, 
without a vote on the House floor, I would never be able to serve on 
the Committee on Appropriations. Not to worry. The District had far 
better than I shall ever be on the Committee on Appropriations.
  Now we see the problems that the District has on the Committee on 
Appropriations. Now, do not think that when the Democrats were in power 
it did not also have similar problems. It was always a struggle. And 
all I can tell you is that if Julian Dixon is on the field for you in 
such a struggle, that battle is going to be won. And year after year, 
he won the battle for the District of Columbia.
  He had an extraordinary relationship to the District and to me. It is 
interesting, as close as I was to Julian, I never saw him give the 
District a pass. He knew just how much oversight to give. You give 
enough oversight so that you are dealing with the money. You never give 
oversight to the business of the city, which is, after all, the 
business of the city. You always respect home rule. You hold the city 
accountable for the money that the Congress gives the District. But you 
are always deferential to the people who must govern the District. 
Balance perfect.
  Julian was born here. I learned that he went to the same elementary 
school that I went to. He and I never knew one another. He left very 
early. He became a Californian when he was a very young child. But the 
loyalty, the sense of being drawn to the needy, which is what a city 
without the vote is, of being drawn to his hometown overwhelmed any 
avarice or any sense that we should be left out there with a Member 
less committed to this city.
  Here was a man finally of immense ability, total command of budget 
and legislative matters, a perfect sense of balance and judgment, yet a 
man whose life was devoted to justice and full of compassion, a quiet 
force in this body.

                              {time}  1845

  Julian Dixon's death has created a vacuum in this House. The space 
will be filled with ever-lasting memories of this Member.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
North Carolina and as well my colleagues. Now with heavy hearts but 
maybe some moments to think, we have come to the floor to raise up our 
voices, albeit not as eloquent as Congressman Julian Dixon deserves, to 
pay tribute to him.
  Last Friday when the shocking news made its way to the floor of the 
House and to our various committee rooms, many of us, overtaken with 
the grief, attempted to say some words of solace and comfort to the 
family. It was very difficult at that time to put all that you might 
have wanted to say in a manner that was befitting of the great American 
that the Honorable Julian Dixon was and will continue to be in our 
minds and hearts.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to mark the sad passing 
of my colleague and friend, Congressman Julian Dixon of California. 
There is a lot that I could say, but a day or week, not even a month 
would allow me enough time to express all that Julian C. Dixon was to 
his family and colleagues, his friends, constituents, nor to the good 
works that God allowed him to perform here on Earth.
  A son, which Julian Dixon was, of course, is a mother and father's 
best hopes and dreams personified. A husband, which Julian Dixon was, 
is a wife's best friend, companion and adviser. A father is a 
counselor, aide and active participant in the life of his child. 
Congressman is the title bestowed to those special few among us who are 
selected by the residents of our respective communities to represent 
their best interests in our Nation's democracy. A leader is a pillar 
for our community of public servants who populate the halls of power 
within the Federal Government.
  These are only a few of the titles that the Honorable Julian C. Dixon 
has gathered during his brief 66 years with us. To Bettye and his son, 
let me say that no matter what we all conclude today as we honor him, 
none of those words could provide the total comfort of the loss you are 
feeling now. Might I say personally that I wish I could give Julian 
Dixon another 66 years so that each Member of this body, 435, would 
have the personal opportunity to feel his judgment, his leadership, his 
soft tone, his personal charge and charisma around the issues that he 
so loved. But we will not have that.
  I am gratified that as a Representative from the 18th Congressional 
District of Texas, I can claim the friendship of Julian Dixon through 
the Members that preceded me and who knew him so very well. How special 
it is to have a congressional district in its entirety have a special 
relationship with a Member that does not even represent my 
constituents. Julian Dixon knew many of my predecessors, and they spoke 
well of him and loved him. Congressman Dixon honorably represented his 
constituents, the residents of the 32nd Congressional District of 
California, for 22 years. He was first elected in 1978 to serve the 
residents of the 32nd District of California, which includes the 
greater Crenshaw community in Los Angeles and the city of Culver City.
  Julian Dixon's reputation as an intelligent, politically savvy team 
player with high ethics and tough judgment made him a mover and shaker 
on Capitol Hill early in his career here in Washington. Julian Dixon 
was appointed to the House Committee on Appropriations and rose to 
become the chairman of the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia 
where he championed the cause of the disenfranchised District of 
Columbia residents, giving them a larger voice in their ability to 
govern their city, believing in them as Americans and having the right 
to represent themselves. As a Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee 
on Defense, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary 
and the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, he believed in 
putting people first. And on the Appropriations Subcommittee on the 
District of Columbia, Congressman Dixon made his mark. He was not to be 
denied in his efforts to champion the valid cause of the residents of 
the District of Columbia. They had an eloquent and strong and fair and 
convincing voice in Congressman Dixon.
  As a Member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Congressman 
Dixon also found ways to balance the needs of the poor residents of his 
district with the responsibility of the Nation's defense needs. How 
difficult a task, what a conflict. There would be many times that we 
would come to the floor of the House and turn to him and ask him about 
the different choices that had to be made, but we knew that if 
Congressman Dixon was behind the vote and wanted the green to go up on 
the score card, he had researched it, he understood it, he believed in 
it and it was right.
  He sponsored a loan guarantee act for small businesses hurt by 
military base closings and defense contract terminations. He always 
thought of the fellow or lady that would be disenfranchised because of 
some effort, some vote, some initiative that passed on the floor of the 
House. I believe Congressman Dixon was boldly a liberal and proud to 
stand under that banner. He was not apologetic as some have been 
because of the scorn shown to public servants that work for justice

[[Page H12077]]

and equity for the poorest Americans or those who did not vote or those 
that could not claim that they had a voice here, while ensuring 
fairness for all. That is why so many have come to the floor from both 
sides of the aisle to praise him, because he did reach out or he did 
make the effort to ensure that all understood that he sought only 
fairness in this body.
  In living his conviction to serve all of his constituents, he stepped 
in with dire emergency supplements for Los Angeles after the riots in 
1992 and the Northridge earthquake in January 1994, always looking 
back, always ensuring that if he could give a helping hand, he would be 
there to do so.
  Because of his impeccable character and, I believe, his style of 
leadership and his commitment to the Democratic Party, he chaired the 
Rules Committee at the Democratic National Convention in 1984; and 
later in 1989 he chaired the House Ethics Committee where he also 
served with distinction and, I might say, courage. It is difficult to 
oversee the plight of one's colleague and friend. He did so with 
dignity, and he did so, as we will remember him, with the ultimate keen 
eye toward someone's humanity.
  In acknowledgment of his keen leadership, the Congressman became 
ranking member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, 
making him the highest ranking Democrat on that exclusive 16-member 
panel. The 106th Congress marked Congressman Dixon's 11th term in the 
House of Representatives. His work as a public servant was highly 
respected and his stature as a statesman unmatched. For this reason, 
Julian will be missed by Members from both sides of the aisle.
  Julian Dixon, while serving in the House of Representatives, lived 
the lessons of life in earnest, truth, justice, equality and compassion 
for all. I do believe that as we read the words that are in bold above 
the head of the Speaker, ``In God We Trust,'' that Julian Dixon had, in 
his own evenhanded and very genteel demeanor, a special God and a 
special relationship that kept him always able to bring people together 
and to provide a quiet hand, a quiet resting comment that would draw us 
to the point of resolution and conciliation as opposed to anger and 
anguish and frustration. I thank you, Julian, for that. I thank you for 
finding your spot on this House floor and taking your seat and allowing 
us to come and raise our voices in inquiry as to what decisions we 
should make or what these issues meant. I thank you for taking the 
questions from new Members as you presided over the intelligence 
initiatives and the various appropriation matters. I thank you for 
having your special compass.
  And so I would like to close my remarks about this very special 
friend not only of this body but of this Nation with the words of the 
Lord as recorded in St. John Chapter 10, verse 27 to verse 30:
  ``My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. And I 
give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish. Neither shall 
any man pluck them out of my hand.''
  God has called Julian unto himself, I know to the great dismay of his 
loving family, his staff who loves him so dearly and I offer to them my 
greatest sympathy, and to all of his constituents and to America. And 
now it is our heavy burden to continue Congressman Dixon's example 
without his guidance and maturity. Let me pledge to you as we miss you 
that he will continue to be our friend and we will seek to find our 
place where he wants us to be.
  We will miss you, my friend. I wish you Godspeed. Thank you very 
much. God bless you, Julian, and God bless America.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the dean of the Congressional Black 
Caucus.
  Mr. CONYERS. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt) for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in mourning the unexpected loss of 
our friend, Julian Dixon; and I extend my deepest sympathies and 
condolences to his family, his wife, Bettye, and son, Cary, and his 
dear friends from one end of this country to the other. I had the 
pleasure of serving with Julian in this body for 22 years. In the 
process we became good friends working on many issues of justice and 
peace. He was an extraordinary public servant who was the 
exemplification of dignity and integrity at all times. His passing is a 
profound loss for this Nation and this Chamber. He was a defender of 
the principles of democracy and a champion for civil rights, equality 
and justice.
  Julian served this institution in so many capacities. He served in 
his most important role as that unique and distinguished representative 
from the 32nd District of California, advancing the needs of the 
communities in Culver City, parts of West Los Angeles and the greater 
Crenshaw area. In addition to representing his people with passion and 
dedication, he served on the House Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence as the ranking member and as a member of the 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. I also remember the leadership 
he displayed as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
  My fondest recollection comes from working with him on legislation to 
make the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a Federal national 
holiday. He continued his efforts to honor Dr. King by working to 
establish a memorial to Dr. King in the Nation's Capital. On a cultural 
note, I noticed and remembered that we participated in many discussions 
about our favorite music, jazz. I not only found him to be extremely 
knowledgeable about the subject of jazz but he also knew and supported 
the artistic efforts of many of the musicians. Whenever I had the 
opportunity to visit Los Angeles, I would seek out Julian to find out 
where the artists in the area were performing.

                              {time}  1900

  When time allowed, I would always make use of Julian's 
recommendations, and I will always remember with great fondness our 
mutual love for jazz and the endless discussions between us on this 
unique art form.
  Julian Dixon was a gentleman of exceptional stature and character. He 
was a fierce protector of democratic principles and a mighty warrior 
for civil rights and fairness. I will dearly miss his powerful spirit 
and friendship. I extend my prayers and condolences to his family and 
to all those saddened by his loss.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my thanks 
to the number of colleagues who have participated in this special order 
in tribute to our good friend and departed colleague, Julian Dixon. A 
number of Members on Friday, immediately following the announcement of 
Julian Dixon's death, had the opportunity to come to the floor and 
express themselves and that has continued today. I am aware, however, 
Mr. Speaker, that a number of our colleagues have not been able to make 
it back today.
  Let me just wrap up, Mr. Speaker, by saying a few words. First of 
all, obviously on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and the many 
other Members of this body, we want to extend our sincere condolences 
to the family of our friend, Julian Dixon; his wife, Bettye; his son, 
Cary; to his staff; to his constituents, not only those in his 
congressional district but those in the District of Columbia and 
throughout the Nation whom he served so well for the years that he was 
in this body and in politics.
  Many of us, when we come to this body, seek out and observe people 
and try to emulate them and identify with them. We call them our role 
models. Those of us who do that, and I am one of those, all considered 
Julian Dixon a role model. Even those of us whose styles may have been 
more vocal and sometimes more shrill aspired to be like Julian Dixon 
because he could influence others, not so much by shrillness or public 
speaking but just because of his wisdom and knowledge of issues and his 
quiet, calm way of dealing with issues. We admired that about Julian.
  He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He respected 
others, regardless of how they chose to express themselves. He quite 
often, after I would come to the floor and make statements, he would 
come and say you really made a good speech. He fortunately never came 
and said I made a bad speech, but probably when he thought I was making 
a bad speech or overdoing it he just maintained his quiet, cool, calm 
demeanor and did not say anything.

[[Page H12078]]

  I admired this man immensely, and I think we all admired him 
immensely for that gentle approach, that gentlemanly approach to 
issues.
  As many of my colleagues have said today, it would take a special 
person with a special kind of relationship to other colleagues in this 
body to chair the Ethics Committee, and to chair the Ethics Committee 
during a time when the Speaker of the House was being investigated and 
to steer this body through that process and still have the respect and 
admiration of all of his colleagues.
  I think that probably summarizes and personifies the kind of person 
that Julian Dixon was, and that all of us perceived him as being; a 
balanced, thoughtful, gentlemanly person. He is going to be missed by 
this body, by his district, by America, and I personally will miss him 
immensely.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to again express our sincere condolences to 
family, friends, staff, constituents.
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, as the leader of the Democrats in the 
House and as a Member of the House, I rise to express our collective 
grief and sadness at the suddenness of this very, very, very negative 
event that has happened to all of us.
  I have served here nearly my entire time with Julian Dixon, and, as 
others have said, I have never known a more gentle, conciliatory, 
wonderful human being as we have known in Julian Dixon. He served in 
this body in the most sensitive and difficult positions. He served as 
chairman of the Committee on Ethics in some of the stormiest and most 
difficult times in our past; he has been ranking member on the 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; he has been a subcommittee 
chairman and then ranking member on the Committee on Appropriations.
  All of that is important, but I guess what is most important to me, 
and I think to all of us, is that he embodied to us the best in public 
life. He was a beautiful human being. He loved others, he cared for 
others. Everything that he did was with grace and excellence. He 
typified what it means in this country and in the world to be a public 
servant.
  We are deeply saddened by this unexpected tragedy. Our hearts and our 
prayers go out to his family, go out to his constituents, go out to all 
of his beloved friends, in California and around the country.
  To the members of the California delegation, all of us give our 
deepest sympathy, and all of us will pray in the days ahead for the 
comfort and understanding on behalf of his family and his loved ones.

                          ____________________