[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 117 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO JUDGE HOWARD A. DAWSON, JR.

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the longest 
serving judge in the history of the U.S. Tax Court--Judge Howard A. 
Dawson, Jr.--who will mark his 50th year as a Federal judge on August 
21, 2012.
  Judge Dawson, a native of Okolona, AR, comes from a family of 
Arkansas educators. Because of his groundbreaking work to unify many 
rural schools in Arkansas, Judge Dawson's father was dubbed ``Dr. Rural 
Education.'' That reputation earned Judge Dawson's father a position 
within the Department of Interior and the family relocated to 
Washington, DC.
  Judge Dawson started his Federal service right here at the U.S. 
Capitol complex. A fellow Arkansan, Hattie Caraway--the first woman to 
win election to the U.S. Senate--helped Judge Dawson get a job as an 
elevator operator in what is now the Russell Senate Office Building
  During World War II, Judge Dawson served as a captain in the U.S. 
Army, where he was stationed in France and Germany. After the war, he 
earned his law degree at George Washington University School of Law. 
Judge Dawson eventually joined the Internal Revenue Service Office as 
chief of counsel after a brief time working in private practice. In 
1962, Judge Dawson was appointed to the Tax Court bench by President 
John F. Kennedy.
  Well respected among his peers, Judge Dawson was chosen to be chief 
judge three times during his five-decade tenure. He has authored over 
1,200 opinions, but he is also known for contributions that extend 
beyond his legal writings.
  As a judge, Dawson worked with fellow Arkansan, Wilbur Mills, to help 
shape the legislation that created today's U.S. Tax Court as an 
independent judicial body under article I of the Constitution.
  In order to help self-represented taxpayers, Judge Dawson worked to 
establish the small tax case procedure to simplify and allow tax 
litigation to be more accessible. He became the first judge in charge 
of the small tax case division.
  I would like to recognize Judge Howard A. Dawson, Jr., for his 
commendable service as a Federal judge. I am proud of his contribution 
to our Nation and to the Natural State.

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