[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING REPRESENTATIVE J.J. PICKLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man whose 
presence in this chamber raised the level of civility and decency and 
lifted the hearts of each and every one of us. Yesterday, with a number 
of my colleagues, I attended the funeral services of Representative J.J 
``Jake'' Pickle of Texas. This was a man whose gregarious spirit and 
good humor over 31 years was a welcomed addition to the proceedings of 
the chamber, and whose passion and determination to achieve a better 
life for all Americans were evident in his every day good will and 
efforts.
  Jake was a natural politician because he loved to serve the people 
and realized that serving the people meant knowing them. He went out of 
his way to greet and meet individuals who were constituents, who were 
Americans, and who were simply human. In formal meetings or walks to 
this chamber or sitting around the office, Jake always had a welcoming 
and calming smile accompanied by a hearty greeting and oftentimes an 
affectionate bear hug. He was a lightening rod of energy and enthusiasm 
and infused that passion and concern into everyone he came in contact 
with.
  That passion and dedication to the public carried over into his work 
in this chamber. I had the honor to work with Jake on the Ways and 
Means Committee and I know he was committed to helping the public in 
every way possible. He was not blinded by partisanship but believed in 
the right ideals and direction for this country. In the 1980s, as chair 
of the Social Security Subcommittee, he worked across party lines to 
achieve reforms in the system that would guarantee the program for 
future generations. He built alliances with members of different 
ideologies on issues of importance to him, Austin, Texas, and the 
American public.
  His bonds and connection to public service were rooted in principle 
and a desire to do what was right. He often stated to me his worry in 
1964 over the Civil Rights Act. He knew that legislation to secure 
rights that had been long denied to African Americans was overdue and 
right; yet he also knew of the strong opposition to civil rights 
legislation in his congressional district and Texas. He took the 
unprecedented and dangerous (for a Texan) step of supporting that 
legislation, which has moved the country so far in terms of race 
relations. He knew the importance of addressing the issue of race in 
America and ensuring that all Americans were treated equally in this 
country. While he received President Lyndon Johnson's personal 
appreciation for that action, he was concerned that he would not be 
returned to office. Fortunately, the people of Austin saw the greatness 
of this man and reelected him fifteen times.
  There was clearly something superb about the Gentleman from Texas. He 
was willing to work for and do the work of the people. His smiling 
face, his generous handshakes, and his willingness to put his neck on 
the line for the right cause were a welcomed part of his role in the 
House of Representatives. I miss working with Gentleman Jake as he 
would readily discuss and debate the issue of the day with anyone and 
with a hearty smile on his face.
  There were several well-written obituaries earlier this week after 
Jake Pickle's death which captured much of the spirit and essence of 
this fine public servant. The one I found most meaningful is the one I 
submit for the Record today to share with my colleagues. It is an 
editorial from Jake's home town newspaper, the Austin American 
Statesman, paying him as high a compliment as any elected official can 
achieve, asserting that it was ``A Privilege to be Served by Pickle.''

                   A Privilege To Be Served by Pickle

       June 19, 2005--Elected officeholders rightly talk about the 
     privilege of serving the people. Occasionally, though, an 
     officeholder comes along so complete in dedication, energy 
     and humanity that the community is privileged to have his 
     service. And having Jake Pickle for a congressman for 31 
     years proved just such a privilege for Central Texas.
       Jake--anyone could call him Jake; that was fine by him--
     always enjoyed being the center of attention. He was a 
     terrific storyteller, in part because he so obviously loved 
     telling a story. Audiences, in turn, couldn't help but enjoy 
     and start laughing at his stories, and soon he was laughing 
     at himself and their reaction, too.
       Another reason people liked him was that he so obviously 
     relished being with people. He was a born politician, someone 
     who really did get a charge out of meeting, being with and 
     helping people. And he found in public office a perfect way 
     to live out an honorable and useful life: Help others, and 
     bask in the thanks.
       But Pickle was far more than the glad-handing, back-
     slapping pal, as good as he was at that. He deeply believed 
     that government could do things to help and protect ordinary 
     people, and that's how he used his office in Congress. As he 
     rose in seniority in Congress and the influential House Ways 
     and Means Committee, he became chairman of its Social 
     Security subcommittee, which in the early 1980s faced the 
     same kind of fiscal problems it does today.
       Here's an excerpt from the 1992 edition of the American 
     Almanac of American Politics describing Pickle:

     ``While other Democrats went out and demagogued the Social 
     Security issue on the campaign trail, Pickle pointed out its 
     problems and worked hard as the architect of the Social 
     Security rescue of 1983, when benefits were in effect cut by 
     raising the normal retirement age over the years to 67 in the 
     next century. He was a serious player on tax reform and on 
     trade; he has come forward with well thought out amendments 
     to help rural hospitals, to strengthen the Caribbean Basin 
     Initiative and to tax foreign subsidiaries. Recently he has 
     been looking closely, and to their discomfort, at government 
     sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, not 
     because they seem to be in trouble now, but because he wants 
     to avoid huge unanticipated obligations of the sort generated 
     by federal deposit insurance of savings and loans.''

       If only he were in Congress today!
       Pickle worked hard for Central Texas, not just in committee 
     meetings and on the floor of the House of Representatives, 
     but by coming home and asking us, repeatedly, what we wanted 
     him to do. He kept doing it so well that we kept sending him 
     back, until he decided it was time for someone younger to 
     fight the good fights.
       It was a privilege to have him represent us, and we're 
     sorry he won't be telling us any more good stories.

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