[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1504-E1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE LIONEL VAN DEERLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor our former colleague, and 
my good friend, the Honorable Lionel Van Deerlin of California. He 
passed away on May 17th in his San Diego home at the age of 93.
  Everybody referred to him as ``Van.'' He served in this House from 
1963 until 1981, and was a friend and colleague of mine on the 
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. Throughout his career he 
maintained a marvelous wit and a generous spirit. He was a warm and 
gentle man.
  After his defeat, Van went back to the newspaper business he loved, 
writing columns for the San Diego Tribune and then the Union-Tribune. 
In one recent column he decried the bitter partisanship of today's 
Congress, saying ``Twenty-five years ago in Congress you not only 
trusted the opposing party, you enjoyed their company. Today, they 
hardly even speak.''
  During his last 4 years of service, from 1976-80, he was the Chairman 
of the Communications Subcommittee. It was a tumultuous time to preside 
over that important panel. The Justice Department had filed an 
antitrust suit against the then-integrated AT&T, and sought to divest 
the company of its manufacturing subsidiary, known then as Western 
Electric. In response to the Justice Department's lawsuit, AT&T's 
supporters in the Congress introduced the ``Consumer Communications 
Reform Act,'' which would have ratified AT&T's status as a monopoly.
  All of this fell into Van's lap when he became Chairman of the 
Subcommittee. At the time, competition in communications was in its 
infancy. Competitive suppliers of telephone equipment were beginning to 
spring up. But competition in long distance was still a novelty. Van 
knew that if the Congress ratified AT&T's monopoly, consumers would 
have lost an opportunity to shop around and obtain equipment and 
service for less. So he came up with a plan to forestall the 
legislation (which was extremely popular) to educate his Subcommittee 
while giving the competitors an opportunity to gain a foothold in the 
marketplace.
  Van announced his intention to draft a ``basement to attic'' re-write 
of the Communications Act of 1934. And he proceeded to do just that. In 
1978 he introduced H.R. 13015, the ``Communications Act of 1978.'' 
Although the bill was never approved by the Subcommittee, he compiled 
an impressive hearing record and began to build the consensus that 
competition in communications was good for consumers.
  The following year he introduced H.R. 3333, another attempt to re-
write the Communications Act. Again, the bill was not reported by the 
Subcommittee; however Van's untiring efforts expanded both the record 
and the emerging consensus. And in 1980, the year of his defeat, he 
introduced H.R. 6121, which was approved by both the Subcommittee and 
the full Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
  In 1980, Van was defeated for re-election. In his concession speech 
he again demonstrated his wry wit and sage perspective, saying ``Having 
been elected by the people in this district for nine consecutive 
elections, it would hardly be appropriate to say that they've taken 
leave of their senses this time.'' And so ended the career of a 
remarkable public servant.
  But the efforts that he put in motion did not end there. Building on 
the hearing record that Van compiled, and the growing consensus that 
competition should govern the delivery of communications products and 
services, Congress continued its effort to update the Communications 
Act of 1934. In 1982 those efforts were interrupted by the Justice 
Department's announcement that it had settled the AT&T litigation. That 
settlement resulted in the 1984 divestiture of the Bell Operating 
Companies, and established the industry structure that persisted for 
the next 15 years.
  In 1993 the House revived its efforts to update the 1934 Act, and in 
June of 1994, by a vote of 423-5, passed H.R. 3626. While the Senate 
did not complete action on its bill, efforts to update the law 
commenced anew in 1995. The result was the enactment of the landmark 
``Telecommunications Act of 1996'' the following year.
  Those of us who had been involved in these efforts from the beginning 
recognized that we were building upon the foundation that Van had laid 
back in 1977 and 1978. He was the visionary that realized that the days 
of AT&T's monopoly had to end, and he was the one who began the effort 
to build a consensus in favor of competition.
  Early in 1996, the White House contacted my office to see who should 
be invited to attend the signing ceremony for the ``Telecommunications 
Act of 1996.'' I suggested that they invite Lionel Van Deerlin, the man 
who got the ball rolling nearly 20 years before. And so in February, 
1996, I entered the Library of Congress to witness the President 
signing this important new law. And there was Van, my old friend and 
colleague; smiling as always.
  That was the last time that I saw Van. After his defeat I missed his 
cool-headed leadership and ready wit. It was great to see him that day, 
and I was glad that he lived to see his efforts come to fruition with 
the enactment of the new statute. This body has lost a good and decent 
colleague, who made valuable contributions that extended well beyond 
his years of service. And I have lost an old and dear friend, whom I 
will miss. We were better for his presence.
  I am inserting for the Record the eulogy of former Representative 
Lynn Schenk.
  The following is the text of the Eulogy for Rep. Lionel Van Deerlin, 
delivered by his friend of 30 years, the Hon. Lynn Schenk, on the 
occasion of his Memorial and Celebration of Life at St. Paul's 
Episcopal Cathedral, San Diego, California, at noon, on Saturday, June 
14, 2008:

       I have been given the high honor of speaking to you today 
     about a most extraordinary man--Lionel Van Deerlin--our dear 
     Van. I thank the Van Deerlin family, his children and 
     grandchildren for this special privilege.
       Van's ``life journey'' was marked by so much accomplishment 
     that it would take hours to recount--I will do my best to 
     touch on the highlights.
       This man, with a giant heart, who looked at life through 
     the softening lens of humor, has brought us together today, 
     but he would not want us to mourn him. Instead he would

[[Page E1505]]

     want us to celebrate his life and enjoy one another's 
     company.
       As I share a few reflections, it is OK if you want to tune 
     me out and remember your own ``Van'' stories--there are so 
     many!
       On May 17, the Nation lost a great American, a family lost 
     a cherished patriarch and we lost a dear friend.
       Van died peacefully--just as he lived every day of his long 
     and celebrated life--surrounded by family and friends. And 
     just like Van, he closed his eyes for the last time only 
     after finishing his column for the SD union tribune.
       Van was born in L.A., a true native son of California. He 
     went to public school in Oceanside and graduated from USC, 
     where he was editor of the daily Trojan, something for which 
     this Bruin long ago forgave him.
       He began his civilian career in journalism in Baltimore and 
     Minneapolis, where he met the love of his long life, Mary Jo. 
     They eloped to a marriage that lasted 67 years ending only 
     with Mary Jo's passing last October.
       During WWII, Van served in the Army where he was on the 
     staff of ``Stars and Stripes''. After the war, the Van 
     Deerlins returned to San Diego to raise their family, Jimmy, 
     John, Victoria, Elizabeth, Susan and Jeff.
       Van joined the SD Sun and became the city editor of the SD 
     Journal, a paper founded by Clint McKinnon, the first 
     Democrat to be elected to Congress from SD.
       Van loved the job, but the siren call of TV was too much to 
     resist.
       He used to tell a hysterical story about those early TV 
     days. The TV studio was in Tijuana. Then, as now, economics 
     drove the medium. So on weekends the inside studio was used 
     to tape commercials while the live news was broadcast from a 
     parking lot outside. A picture backdrop of sunny SD was used 
     to hide the cars and trucks in the lot.
       One evening it began to rain, drops were rolling off Van's 
     forehead and the backdrop swayed in the wind, while the lead 
     cameraman was in a fistfight with the director! Undeterred 
     Van carried on like the trooper he was, that is, until a wet 
     cat threatened to jump into his lap!
       The versatile newsman credited his exposure on TV for his 
     first election victory, becoming the second Democrat from the 
     then very Republican SD area to be elected to the U.S. 
     Congress.
       Van was reelected 9 times. By the time I met Van, more than 
     30 years ago, he was a high ranking member of the majority 
     party. I was in awe, but with his ready smile and corny jokes 
     he immediately put me at ease. I am certain many of you here 
     had similar first meeting with this ``king of the one 
     liners!''
       I have many memories of Van and Mary Jo, but one of the 
     earliest is also one of my fondest. In the mid 70's as a 
     White House fellow, I had access to the presidential box at 
     the Kennedy Center, but only on a last minute basis when no 
     one really important wanted it. One late afternoon I got the 
     word the box was mine for that evening. I don't know what 
     possessed me to call Congressman Van Deerlin to invite him 
     and his wife, because surely he would decline.
       But he didn't! He accepted with glee.
       As we stepped from the anteroom into the box he was more 
     excited than I!!
       As you would expect, all heads turned to see who was 
     occupying the presidential box. Not wanting to disappoint, 
     Van proceeded to the rail and in his best royal nod and wave 
     acknowledged the crowd! With his patrician looks, they all 
     must have thought he was a visiting king or at least a 
     prince!
       Van served on the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign 
     Commerce and chaired its communications subcommittee. 
     According to his friend and colleague, Cong. John Dingell, it 
     was a tumultuous time, but Van maintained his marvelous wit 
     and generous spirit.
       Competition in communications, especially long distance, 
     was in its birthing stages. The Justice Dept, ATT and 
     potential competitors were in heated battle.
       All this fell into Van's lap. He announced his intention to 
     draft a ``basement to attic'' rewrite of the communications 
     act of 1934. And that he did, compiling a comprehensive 
     record to show that competiion in Communications was good for 
     consumers.
       It was Van's work that provided the foundation for the 
     Telecommunications Act of 1996. Again, according to Cong. 
     Dingell, Van was the visionary who realized that ATT's 
     monopoly had to end.
       The committee was renamed Energy and Commerce and John 
     Dingell is the long time chairman. John Dingell sends his 
     deepest sympathies to Van's family.
       He said into the Congressional Record ``this body has lost 
     a good and decent colleague who made valuable contributions 
     that extended well beyond his years of service. And I have 
     lost an old and dear friend, whom I will miss. We were better 
     for his presence.''
       I had the privilege of sitting in the Van Deerlin seat for 
     a brief period, and on his subcommittee.
       His cool headed leadership and ready wit were much 
     remembered. One day during a contentious hearing, the doors 
     opened and in slipped two gentlemen. I recognized Van 
     immediately and slipped a note to the subcommittee chairman, 
     Ed Markey who along with Al Gore, was a protege of Van's. Ed 
     halted the proceedings to introduce Van and the room 
     literally erupted in a standing ovation.
       He tried to stop this spontaneous outpouring so he could 
     introduce the gentleman with him who he also wanted 
     acknowledged in this manner, former Republican Congressman 
     Bob Wilson!
       How utterly Van!
       While there was never a doubt that Van was a staunch 
     democrat, he was a gentleman who treated friend and foe, ally 
     and opponent with dignity and respect. His campaigns were 
     dignified and there was decency in everything he did. As his 
     son Jeff said, ``Van was a sweet and decent man''.
       The contentious and vitriolic political scene today was a 
     source of consternation for him. Not too long ago, Van 
     famously said, ``twenty five years ago in Congress you not 
     only trusted the opposing party, you enjoyed their company. 
     Today, they hardly speak''!
       Van accomplished so much for San Diego during his years in 
     Congress. He was simply one of the most productive Members 
     ever to represent this area. He authored the appropriation to 
     pay for a second border crossing at Otay Mesa, this, before 
     there was wide spread appreciation of the importance of cross 
     border cooperation.
       He used his position in the majority to help his SD 
     colleague in the minority, Republican Bob Wilson, in Bob's 
     signal support for the Navy and Marines, including funding 
     for the Naval Hospital in Balboa Park.
       Van and Bob worked together to promote work for SD's 
     shipbuilding and repair industry.
       And Van fought long and hard for the appropriation for the 
     Veteran's Hospital in La Jolla. His insight and involvement 
     extended to where it should be located and by whom it should 
     be designed.
       In fact, if the right people are listening, I suggest that 
     the VA Hospital be named for Lionel Van Deerlin!!
       During his 18 years in the House, Van's accomplishments 
     were so far reaching that we still benefit from them today 
     both here in SD and nationally.
       He was a nature lover and a sportsman with only binoculars 
     in his holster.
       Because of his love of nature, he was an ardent 
     environmentalist. Van, ahead of his time, successfully pushed 
     for revisions to Federal law allowing California to set 
     tougher emission standards than the rest of the Nation.
       In 1975, Van politely, but firmly, shall we say 
     ``encouraged'' the Navy to restore Imperial Beach's vanishing 
     sand, which it did.
       With an assist from the young Congressman Al Gore sitting 
     next to him, Van helped create C-Span, which had been 
     resisted for years by his colleagues.
       Van was a ``Carrie Nation'' about congressional ethics! He 
     voluntarily disclosed his and Mary Jo's personal finances--a 
     first in Congress, and sought the expulsion of Adam Clayton 
     Powell from Congress for ethical violations. That took 
     courage and character, something Van had in abundance!!
       The face of Public Broadcasting was sculpted by Van. The 
     Corporation for Public Broadcasting might not--no, would 
     not--exist today were it not for Lionel Van Deerlin!
       But it wasn't all work and no play during those DC days--
     for example, Van moonlighted as the manager for his staff's 
     softball team. He selectively challenged the only Capitol 
     Hill team to have never won a game--Congressman Charlie 
     Wilson's team. Suffice it to say that Mr. Wilson's team 
     finished the season with one victory.
       Undaunted, Van cannily next challenged the diplomats and 
     staff of the Irish Embassy, knowing full well that softball 
     is not played in Ireland. (Pause) the Embassy of Ireland 
     finished the season undefeated one-zip!
       Even in electoral defeat, Van maintained his humor and 
     perspective. After losing his reelection bid in 1980, he said 
     ``having been elected by the people in this district for nine 
     consecutive elections, it would hardly be appropriate to say 
     that they've taken leave of their senses this time''.
       There are so many stories from the rich, full and well 
     lived life of Lionel Van Deerlin. Each of you I'm certain 
     could fill hours telling Van stories.
       John Martin, the former ABC News correspondent, talks about 
     how Van's role in getting him an overseas assignment was ``a 
     turning point in his life.''
       John says, ``Van was gracious, smart, looking out for the 
     little guy and funny, just the combination we need in public 
     life''.
       The person Van considered his fourth son, Rudy Murillo, 
     Van's dear friend Paul Peterson and my husband, Hugh Friedman 
     would, for the past decade, meet regularly for lunch. Van 
     filled the table with his joyful presence, as he surgically 
     dissected the events and issues of the day with his wit and 
     insight. For Paul, Rudy and Hugh, that fourth chair will be 
     hugely empty now.
       His colleagues in the media will miss him enormously.
       As we know, after Congress, Van returned to his first 
     professional love, journalism. For a couple of generations of 
     SD news people, Van was both a matchless source and quite 
     often a friend in need. He relished doing his column, he 
     loved journalism and journalists.
       The Washington Post editorialized after Van's death ``a 
     happy warrior as both a Congressman and columnist, his column 
     reflected the man. A lively, engaging writer, he left no 
     doubt about his liberal views, but he relied on his quick 
     wit, a firm grasp of the issues and a lifetime's store of 
     anecdotes to provoke and persuade.''
       So true.
       Van was also an educator, teaching communications classes 
     at SDSU (where there is

[[Page E1506]]

     a chair named for him). His students felt blessed to have had 
     the benefit of his wisdom.
       He was a mentor to so many younger Democrats, cheering us 
     up when we lost, and cheering us on when we won. We will 
     always cherish his concern, his generosity and his support.
       Personally, I will always remember his standing by my side, 
     wearing his biggest grin, as I announced my own candidacy for 
     Congress.
       Although he lived life long and full in nearly 94 years, 
     those of us who knew him are still greedy for more of this 
     remarkable man and his life partner, Mary Jo.
       But we must be content with the legacy he has bequeathed to 
     us. By his work in Congress, through his leadership, his 
     teaching and writing, and by the example of how he lived his 
     life, he has taught us many lessons. He taught us the 
     importance of giving of yourself to your fellow citizens, he 
     taught us that working together we can accomplish much, he 
     taught us to delight in shared achievement and not be 
     concerned with who gets credit. He showed us how to be 
     upbeat, positive, and happy. He taught us that politics can 
     be fun, that losing is not failure, an opponent is not the 
     enemy.
       He taught us to treat everyone respectfully. He taught us 
     about dignity and decency, and the sweetness of life as it 
     should be lived, with enthusiasm, zest and verve--filling 
     every moment to the fullest. He taught us to believe as he 
     did, in the innate goodness of humanity.
       He taught us to be loyal to our friends and to love our 
     families as he so unconditionally loved his.
       Lionel Van Deerlin--a man of character, integrity, and 
     humility. Van--classy, enthusiastic, fun.
       We should celebrate him the way he would want us to, with 
     happiness and joy in having had this sweet and decent man in 
     our lives.
       Yes, we will miss the twinkle in his eyes, his witty 
     tweaking of the high and mighty. Yes, we will miss his 
     friendship and his presence, but we can best honor this 
     consummate man of good will by embracing the lessons he 
     taught us.
       He left us with an ineffable sense of optimism and hope, so 
     let there be no sadness, because surely he is with his 
     beloved Mary Jo whistling an old tune and telling her a corny 
     joke.

                          ____________________