[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN REMEMBRANCE OF DON ALEXANDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. POMEROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember a good man and a 
great American, the Honorable Donald C. Alexander. Don's recent passing 
was a great loss to those who loved him and to our Nation as a whole. 
He was a man of dignity and integrity whose brilliance was exceeded 
only by his kindness and generosity of spirit.
  Don is perhaps best remembered for his distinguished tenure as head 
of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the 1970s. Don always stood 
firmly on the side of right, and famously resisted President Nixon's 
attempts to use the IRS to persecute his political enemies. This was 
utterly in character for Don--he hated injustice in any form, and 
fought against it his entire adult life. He was a dedicated public 
servant, and served on numerous Federal commissions, including the 
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission.
  Don never bragged about his distinguished military service, but he 
was a true American patriot who loved his country deeply. He was a 
twice-decorated veteran of World War II who served in Europe as a 
forward artillery observer and received the Silver Star and the Bronze 
Star.
  Don was an honors graduate of Yale and Harvard Law School and one of 
the smartest tax lawyers our country has ever seen. His wise counsel on 
tax policy was sought by Members of Congress across the political 
spectrum, including myself. Don believed that the tax code could be an 
instrument of justice, and worked his entire adult life to make it more 
simple and more fair for every American.
  Don never quit trying to make this country better. He came to work 
every day well into his eighties. His thorough knowledge of the tax 
code on a technical level, the legislature process on a practical 
level, and the context of the times on a historic level made his 
counsel and guidance second to none.
  In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Don was a loyal 
and loving friend. He was the consummate gentleman, and his unstinting 
generosity and courtesy were widely admired. Don had a sharp wit, a 
ready charm, and a perpetual twinkle in his eye. He was always humble, 
kind, and loving to those around him. He will be dearly missed, but 
never forgotten.

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