[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SENATOR ALAN J. DIXON

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                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2014

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and celebrate the 
life and service of former United States Senator to the State of 
Illinois, Alan J. Dixon, who recently passed away at his home in 
Fairview Heights, Illinois, on Sunday, July 6, 2014, one day short of 
his 87th birthday.
   Sen. Dixon, born in Belleville, Illinois, on July 7, 1927, led a 
life dedicated to service to the great State of Illinois and to our 
nation. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of 
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his law degree from Washington 
University in St. Louis. He also served our nation in the Navy Air 
Corps during World War II.
   Sen. Dixon began his political career as a member of the Illinois 
House of Representatives, for which he served from 1951 to 1963. He 
followed that by serving as a member of the Illinois State Senate from 
1963 to 1971. In 1970 he was elected Illinois State Treasurer and then 
Illinois Secretary of State from 1976 until 1981. In 1981, Sen. Dixon 
took office as the U.S. Senator from Illinois, a position he held until 
1993.
   Sen. Alan Dixon, who served the State of Illinois for more than four 
decades, was known as someone who got along with everyone. He happily 
would work with his colleagues across the aisle in order to get things 
done, a characteristic that is in short supply today. He also was 
recognized for his hard work, honesty, and gentlemanly conduct. 
Following his career as a public servant, Sen. Dixon returned to 
practice law with the Bryan Cave law firm in St. Louis.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to again commemorate the life and 
service of Senator Alan J. Dixon. I am very grateful for his service to 
our State and Nation. His passing weighs especially heavy on my family 
and I, as my father had the distinct honor to serve as his Chief of 
Staff for 23 years. Sen. Dixon is survived by his wife, Jody, three 
children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. It is my 
hope that I can live up to the example he has set forth as a statesman.

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