[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S4100]]
        TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM LOUIS ``BILL'' DICKINSON

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to my friend, former 
Congressman William Louis ``Bill'' Dickinson, who recently passed away 
after an extended illness. He represented the Second District of 
Alabama as a Member of Congress from 1965 to 1993.
  Bill was born in Opelika, AL, on June 25, 1925. After graduating from 
Opelika public schools, he enlisted in the Navy, serving from 1943 to 
1946 and then joined the Air Force Reserves.
  After graduating from the University of Alabama Law School, Bill 
returned to Opelika where he practiced law before becoming an Opelika 
city judge. He later served as a judge of the Lee County Juvenile 
Court, and as a judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
  In 1964, Bill was elected as a Republican to Congress for the Second 
District of Alabama. He was known to his colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle as an honest and collegial statesman and a first-rate 
legislator. The people of southeast Alabama were proud of Bill's work 
in representing them in Congress, as evidenced by his election to 14 
terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bill never wavered from his 
conservative principles. It would be difficult to count the ways that 
Alabama and our Nation benefited from Bill's time in Congress. Though 
we did not serve together, I knew him well, campaigning for him when I 
was in college and benefiting from his strong support and wise advice 
since I have been in the Senate.
  As a long standing member of the House Armed Services Committee, he 
worked arduously for our men and women in uniform. His work was 
decisive in supporting military bases in Alabama that have become 
strong, enduring installations like Maxwell Air Force Base and Fort 
Rucker. He was a fixture on the Armed Services Committee, serving 10 
years as ranking member. Indeed, it was ironic that if he had chosen to 
seek another term, he would have been the chairman of the House Armed 
Services Committee. As the committee's leading Republican, he gave his 
support to President Reagan's defense buildup in the 1980s which helped 
to bring down the Soviet Union. Our Nation's military continues to reap 
the benefits of programs and policies adopted under his watch.
  There are times when our Nation has to defend itself and Bill 
Dickinson fully understood that reality. That knowledge made him a 
steadfast advocate for the proposition that the best way to peace was 
through strength.
  Finally, despite all of his accomplishments, Bill's family and his 
many friends will miss his wit and humor. As we say in the South, he 
was ``good company''. People loved to hear him speak. The smiles on the 
faces of the audience would start even before he reached the podium. 
His humor and a realistic approach to life were surely great assets to 
his work.
  He is survived by his wife, Barbara, four children, and 
grandchildren. They have all been superb citizens, and I am proud to 
say that his son, Bill, worked for me when I was attorney general doing 
a great job for the people of the State of Alabama.
  Our State and our Nation are better places because of Bill 
Dickinson's leadership. Let his service be an example for those of us 
who continue to serve in public office.

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