[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MR. AUBREY BOOZER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert into the Record, two 
tributes to Mr. Aubrey Boozer, Jr., of Austin, Texas, who passed on 
December 23, 2003. While I did not personally know Mr. Boozer, his son, 
Lyndon K. Boozer, has been a great friend since I arrived in Washington 
almost twelve years ago. Lyndon often spoke of his father and the 
profound impact that he had on his life. Two tributes follow, which I 
believe capture the true essence of a life well lived. The first is the 
eulogy which Lyndon delivered at the memorial service for his dad, and, 
the second is the obituary which appeared in the Austin American 
Statesman.

                                 My Dad

               (By Lynden K. Boozer, December 30, 2003.)

       ``As you know, my Dad recently moved to DC. About a month 
     ago, he was over for Thanksgiving Dinner.
       After getting everyone's attention--he commanded it--he 
     told this story he had heard from LBJ Ranch foreman Dale 
     Malechek about a preacher at a Bar B Que. Now I won't tell 
     this story as well as Dad because he was a master 
     storyteller--one of the best. But it seems the Reverand was 
     thanking the Lord for the Blessings and went on and on and 
     on. Finally, after about 10 minutes, Dale turns over to Dad 
     and says: ``You reckon the Bar B Que ain't done yet?''
       That was the last story I remember him tell, and I remember 
     it like yesterday. Dad liked to keep things simple. And 
     short. So we won't keep you from your Bar B Que today, but I 
     just wanted to share a few of my favorite things about Dad 
     because he had 78 full years of life.
       He liked Westerns, Cowboys and old War movies, maybe 
     because it reminded him of his days in the Navy. WW II he 
     used to call it, the only ``good'' war.
       He loved to cook--and he was a master in the kitchen. Laura 
     and I used to wake up on Sunday mornings to the wafting aroma 
     of bacon and eggs, biscuits and cream gravy. For most of his 
     adult life, we remember him as a big, authoritative man. He 
     was strong willed and stubborn which meant it was ``his way 
     or the hightiway.'' His way was usually right.
       Even though his body gave out this year, his mind and 
     spirit were still tough as nails. He organized his move to 
     Washington like he did everything else, with precision and 
     fortitude. He didn't look back. His goodbyes were short. I 
     suspect it was because he knew he'd be back soon.
       Beneath his tough exterior and grumpy ways was a kind heart 
     that overshadowed his modest outward appearance. He didn't 
     care about much except his family and his close friends whom 
     he tested on a regular basis. He loved his dogs whom he 
     entrusted to Laura. They are alive and well.
       He loved my Mother deeply, and she was his axis of life. A 
     close relative said, ``Well, you know why he died before 
     Christmas? He wanted to spend it with your Mom.'' There's 
     some truth to that...
       They were so different but were there for each other 
     through it all--Houston where they met, New York City where 
     they loved, Washington, DC where they grew, Mexico City where 
     they enjoyed and finally Austin, Texas where they settled 
     down and raised a family.
       And after Mom died in 1998, he visited this very grave site 
     almost every week until his health was too poor. Our friends 
     here at Cook Walden remember, especially Evelyn Williams.
       He never stopped wanting the best for Laura and me. And he 
     was proud of us I'm told. He wouldn't say so to us but we 
     knew it because everyone always said so.
       He was truly a Classic, a stand up guy, funny and honest 
     and a straight shooter. Independent, And a proud Democrat. He 
     didn't mince words and in this day of political correctness, 
     he was a refreshing opinion.
       His values were ones to live by, and we will. We miss you 
     Dad, and will think of you every day. While we cannot cheat 
     father time, the past lives within us and is eternal in our 
     hearts and minds. You will always be remembered.
       We love you, Pops.

   [From the Austin American Statesman, December 28, 2004, Obituary.]

                           Aubrey Boozer, Jr.

       Aubrey Boozer, Jr. was born in Clint, Texas. He was reared 
     in Houston, Texas, having attended John Reagan High School, 
     graduating in 1942. He immediately volunteered for military 
     service. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy during 
     World War II, he enrolled at Southwestern University, 
     Georgetown, Texas, in 1946 where he was President of the Pi 
     Kappa Alpha fraternity, and a varsity basketball player. He 
     earned a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated in 1951.
       Aubrey held various positions in government service, 
     including a post at the United Nations in New York City, with 
     the Civil Service Commission, then with the Treasury 
     Department in Washington, D.C., and the Office of Economic 
     Opportunity with the Johnson Administration. He and his wife, 
     Yolanda, who was on the staff of President Lyndon B. Johnson, 
     lived in Washington, D.C. during the 60s. He subsequently 
     served in the U.S. Foreign Service at posts in the U.S. 
     Embassy, Mexico City, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and wartime Saigon, 
     South Vietnam, where he was Special Assistant to the 
     Ambassador. He was awarded a commendation from the U.S. Army 
     for ``Outstanding Work and Cooperation with All Government 
     Agencies and the Vietnamese Government for Community 
     Relations in the City of Saigon.''
       After service to his country for the second time in 
     Vietnam, he operated restaurants in Austin, Waco, Temple and 
     College Station, Texas, for the Monterey House Mexican Foods, 
     Inc. He was also Vice President of Operations for the company 
     in Houston, Texas.
       He was preceded in death by his wife, Yolanda Boozer; and 
     by his Mother and Father. He had no brothers or sisters. 
     Survivors are Lyndon, a son who resides in Washington, D.C.; 
     a daughter, Laura of San Francisco, California; and two 
     grandchildren, Jordan and Kyle. He is also survived by 
     cousins, JoAnn Harris, Charles Hale, Alec Hale Reid, and Amy; 
     and nieces, Diane VanHootegem, Christine Rayburn and Rosalind 
     Johansson, all of whom he cared for very much.

  Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to honor the life of Mr. 
Aubrey Boozer. I ask that my colleagues join me in expressing 
condolences to this fine family.

                          ____________________