[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JUSTICE MARTIN DIES, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM TURNER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Justice Martin Dies, 
Jr., who recently passed away on May 14, 2001 after a full life of 
eighty years.
  Justice Dies, the son of U.S. Congressman Martin Dies Sr., and Myrtle 
Dies grew up and was educated in Orange, Texas. He later attended the 
University of Virginia in Washington, D.C. and later, Stephen F. Austin 
University where he received his B.S. degree. When the United States 
entered World War II Justice Dies left college to volunteer with the 
Navy.
  While at officer's school in New York, Martin was chosen as Commander 
of the Third Battalion. He was later presented a Gold Sword at 
graduation as the outstanding member of the Battalion. In the war, 
Martin saw extensive naval combat in both the Philippines and in 
Okinawa, for which he received several medals and military citations. 
After Justice Dies' ship was ordered to repel the Japanese invasion at 
the Battle of Leyte, the entire crew received the prestigious 
Presidential Unit Citation for bravery.
  Near the end of the war Justice Dies saw duty as Captain of the 
U.S.S. Richard W Seusens.
  Following the war, Justice Dies completed his legal education at 
Southern Methodist University Law School. In 1947, he was named a 
member of the Barristers at SMU. While attending law school, he married 
Ruth Marie White of Lufkin in 1946. Upon graduation, he began 
practicing law with the firm Dies, Anderson and Dies.
  In 1959 Justice Dies was elected to the Texas Senate from the Third 
Senatorial District. During his tenure in the Senate, he was widely 
recognized as a moving force in the effort to modernize government 
services for the disabled, for which he received numerous awards. 
Additionally, Justice Dies took great interest in improving the Texas 
park system. In 1965 the 750 acre park at the Dam B. Reservoir was 
named in his honor. The Martin Dies, Jr. State Park has been widely 
praised as one of the most beautiful and visited public parks in Texas.
  In 1969, Justice Dies was sworn in as Secretary of State of Texas. 
Two years later, he was appointed Chief Justice of the 9th Court of 
Appeals where he served with distinction until his retirement in 1989. 
During that time he served on the Texas Judicial Council, serving four 
years as the President of the Council. He also received the Texas 
Handicapped Person of the Year Award, was a fellow of the Texas Bar 
Foundation, and served as a member of the Judicial Manpower Commission.
  Justice Dies will be remembered for his great courage, his high moral 
and ethical standards, and above all, his compassion for others. We 
share our grief with his family at his passing, as we were honored to 
share the joy of his life.

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