[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7876-S7877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF ALDERMAN LORRAINE L. DIXON

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would like to take this moment to 
commemorate the life of Lorraine L. Dixon, Alderman from the 8th Ward 
in the City of Chicago.
  Born on Father's Day, June 18, 1950, in the south side neighborhood 
of Bronzeville, she was the youngest of five children born to Edwin and 
Edra Godwin. Alderman Dixon grew up surrounded by friends and family 
including her four brothers Edward Jr., Eddie, Andrew and John. She was 
particularly close to her brothers Eddie and John who would do anything 
to protect and please their little sister including taking the blame 
for accidents. After attending Fuller Elementary School and South Shore 
High School, she graduated from Chicago State University in 1972 with a 
Bachelor of

[[Page S7877]]

Science Degree in Secondary Education and a minor in English 
Literature.
  Alderman Dixon's career in the public service began soon thereafter. 
After graduation she became a member of the 8th Ward Young Democrats 
Organization and became the vice president of the organization in 1977. 
In that same year and again in 1978 she was elected Woman's Vice 
Chairman of the Cook County Young Democrats.
  From these positions she went on to work for current Cook County 
Board President John Stroger during his 1980 congressional campaign, 
and thus began a strong alliance between these two public servants. 
President Stroger was a mentor to Alderman Dixon throughout her years 
of community involvement and work for her constituents. Her years of 
service with President Stroger were representative of the intense 
loyalty she had for her colleagues in public service.
  Alderman Dixon next held positions with the Chicago Department of 
Human Services, the Chicago City Council Committee on Zoning and the 
Committee on Energy. She also served as an aide to Alderman Keith 
Caldwell, who represented the 8th Ward at the time.
  Lorraine Dixon's career as an alderman began when she was appointed 
by Mayor Richard M. Daley to complete the term of the late Alderman 
Keith Caldwell in June 1990. Her commitment to the position was 
demonstrated by her scheduling of weekly Monday night meetings with 
constituents of the 8th Ward. Alderman Dixon won her first aldermanic 
election to represent the 8th Ward in 1991 and won overwhelming 
reelections in 1995 and 1999, demonstrating the support she inspired 
from her constituents. During her years as the standard bearer for the 
8th Ward, she served as Chairman of the Human Relations Committee and 
Chairman of the Subcommittee on MBE/WBE and Affirmative Action Matters. 
In 1993 she was elected President Pro Tempore of the Chicago City 
Council, becoming the first woman in the history of the Chicago City 
Council to be so honored. Then in August 1994 she was elected as the 
first woman to serve as Chairman of the Committee on the Budget and 
Government Operations. From this powerful committee she was able to 
oversee taxpayer dollars used to support programs in the city that she 
loved. She served her ward, and the entire City of Chicago, with 
passion and grace.
  Her dedication to the public was equaled only by her dedication to 
God and her unwavering faith gave her courage as she battled breast 
cancer. Alderman Dixon's faith gave her the strength to overcome the 
anguish of being diagnosed with this grave disease and to continue her 
work in the 8th Ward during the last days of her life. She worshiped at 
Christ Temple Cathedral and was active within the community of the 8th 
Ward, where she is remembered by many for her willingness to come to 
the aid of those in need. The constituents of the 8th Ward will not 
soon forget her kindness.
  Alderman Dixon was a member of many community boards and professional 
organizations and from these activities she was able to hear and 
effectively respond to the issues and needs of her constituents in the 
8th Ward. Her involvement touched many lives. Lorraine L. Dixon was a 
true leader and a true public servant. Her accomplishments in life 
leave a rich legacy to all who knew and respected her. She has left an 
extended family that includes her mother, Edra, her brothers Edward Jr. 
and Eddie, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and close personal 
friends. I was honored to call her a friend and I will miss her warm 
smile, boundless energy and personal commitment to help those in 
need.

                          ____________________