[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE CHARLIE WILSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, today we are here to honor the life and 
work of my good friend Representative Charlie Wilson, whom I had the 
pleasure of serving with in the House of Representatives for 13 years. 
Charlie was a unique person, one of a kind, and he will be missed 
dearly by his family, friends, and colleagues in the House.
  Charlie had a very special and unique side to him. He knew when to be 
tough, he knew when to laugh, he knew when to speak his thoughts, but, 
above all, he knew how to serve the people of this great country and 
his district.
  At the age of 23, after graduating with a bachelor of science degree 
from the U.S. Naval Academy, Charlie joined the United States Navy, 
where he attained the rank of lieutenant. After serving as a surface 
fleet officer for 4 years, he was assigned to the Pentagon as part of 
an intelligence unit that studied the Soviet Union's nuclear forces.
  At the age of 27, Charlie was elected to the Texas Legislature, and 
in 1961 he was sworn into office in the State's capital in Austin, 
Texas. For more than 12 years, Charlie was known as the tough dog in 
the State capitol, and he was also often called the ``liberal from 
Lufkin, Texas.'' During his time in the State legislature, he fought 
for Medicaid, tax exemptions for the elderly, the Equal Rights 
Amendment, and a minimum wage bill.
  In 1972, while I was an elected county commissioner in Texas, Charlie 
was elected to the House of Representatives from the Second District of 
Texas near Houston. He served in Congress for 11 terms and did not seek 
reelection to the 105th Congress and resigned on October 8, 1996.
  Charlie was known in the Halls of Congress as ``Good Time Charlie,'' 
but it was an appropriate name for him. He was very funny, joyful, and 
full of life--and very humorous. After he retired from Congress, he 
settled down, he got married, and he was at peace with himself and 
looked more comfortable and at ease. Charlie truly enjoyed life.
  In 2006, we asked him to come and visit with us in Corpus Christi, 
and this was when his book came out, ``Charlie Wilson's War.'' He gave 
time to the people in the district and signed and autographed every 
book.
  I remember one of the stories--and some of the stuff that I know 
about Charlie we probably wouldn't be able to say here in the House, 
but he enjoyed life. He brought a beautiful young lady from Russia to 
visit the United States, and they asked Charlie, ``Are you going to 
give her secrets?'' He said, ``The only thing I am going to give her 
are Victoria's Secrets.''
  That was Charlie Wilson. He was a great guy.
  There is much I can say about Charlie--he was one-of-a-kind. I served 
with him diligently in the House of Representatives. I will miss him 
dearly, as well as my colleagues from the Texas Delegation. We all 
loved and cared for Charlie dearly, and I know we will continue to work 
together in unison for the betterment of our state and country.
  On February 10, 2010, this country lost a great person and my friend, 
Charlie Wilson. May he rest in peace.
  I offer my condolences to Charlie's wife, Barbara Alberstadt. May God 
bring peace to her, his family, friends and loved ones. May Charlie be 
with the Lord.

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