[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E73-E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. RONALD V. DELLUMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ronald V. Dellums on 
the occasion of his 80th birthday. Mr. Dellums has had an incredible 
career in public service, advocating for change and reform in many 
areas of government affairs.
  A proud Oakland native. Ron attended both McClymonds and Oakland 
Technical High School, and went on to graduate from San Francisco State 
University after serving for two years in the United States Marine 
Corps. He later obtained his Masters of Social Work from the University 
of California, Berkeley.
  Mr. Dellums began his career as a psychiatric social worker and 
political activist for the African-American community. In 1967, he was 
elected to the Berkeley City Council, where he provided three years of 
extraordinary service. In 1970, he was elected to serve the 9th 
Congressional District of California in the United States House of 
Representatives. During his 27-year tenure in Congress, Mr. Dellums 
fought strongly for peace, justice and equality. As a freshman member, 
he adamantly spoke in opposition to the Vietnam War, going as far as 
setting up an exhibit of war crimes next to his office.
  For fourteen years, he campaigned to end the apartheid policies in 
South Africa. In 1986, the U.S. House of Representatives passed his 
sponsored legislation, the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which 
placed trade restrictions against South Africa and led to immediate 
withdrawal by American firms. Although the bill had broad bipartisan 
support, it was vetoed by President Ronald Reagan. However, the Senate 
and the House overrode

[[Page E74]]

Reagan's veto, making it the first ever override of a presidential 
foreign policy veto. Mr. Dellums served as Chairman of the House 
Committee on Armed Services where he advocated for the inclusion of 
gays and lesbians in the military. Furthermore, Ron co-founded the 
Congressional Black Caucus in 1971, an organization representing 
African-American members of the United States Congress.
  Mr. Dellums retired from Congress in 1998 but continued his public 
service as a legislative lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He served many 
clients including the Peralta Community College District, AC Transit, 
and the San Francisco International Airport. In 2006, he was elected 
Mayor of Oakland and he immediately worked to address the city's public 
safety issues by implementing a community policing program and was able 
to bring the city's police force to 837 officers, the highest in the 
Department's history.
  On a personal note, I am honored to have served as an intern and 
member of Ron's staff for eleven years. He taught his staff to stand on 
principle and for what was right, even if it was politically unpopular. 
He reminded me and his entire staff to provide quality constituent 
services and casework, for we were hired to ``serve the people.'' Ron 
also taught us the art and skill of negotiation, even with those we 
disagree with, and to achieve results without compromising our 
principles. He exemplified the finest in public service and set a new 
standard for elected officials. For that, we are deeply grateful.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District, celebrate the 
extraordinary life and service of Mr. Ronald V. Dellums and wish him 
continued success, happiness, and well-being for many years to come.

                          ____________________