[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 86 (Monday, May 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. THOMAS DIXON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2023

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Mr. Thomas Dixon, a civil rights icon and the founding President and 
CEO of the Tacoma Urban League, whose impactful leadership in our 
region will be felt for generations to come.
  Mr. Dixon was born in 1931 in Sparta, Georgia, and recalled the 
incredible influence of his family, including his father, who was a 
doctor, and his grandfather, who was formerly enslaved, and became one 
of the largest Black landowners in the county. Encouraged by his family 
to pursue higher education, Mr. Dixon came to Tacoma, Washington after 
enlisting in the United States Air Force. He received his bachelor's 
degree at Sophia University in Tokyo while serving in Japan and earned 
his master's degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, 
Washington.
  Mr. Dixon belonged to a remarkable generation, who bravely carried 
the weight of responsibility in leading Tacoma through the Civil Rights 
Era. In 1966, he continued his life of service as the first Director of 
the Hilltop Multi-service Center, where he dedicated his time and 
energies to improving the lives of people in Tacoma through housing, 
job training, and educational opportunities. Just two years later, Mr. 
Dixon began his tenure as Executive Director of the Tacoma affiliate of 
the National Urban League. Throughout the 34 years he served in this 
role, and through his pioneering involvement with the Tacoma Pierce 
County Black Collective, Mr. Dixon was a tenacious and visionary 
leader, pushing for racial, social, and economic justice in our region. 
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to our community, he 
was honored with the Laureate of the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize in 
2015.
  The Tacoma community has joined in mourning Mr. Dixon's passing on 
April 26, 2023, at the age of 92. Our hearts are with his wife, Sylvia, 
his family, and the countless individuals who held him dearly, as we 
express our deepest gratitude for the legacy he built. When reflecting 
on his career and life lived, Mr. Dixon was quoted as saying, 
``Everything I have done, I would try to do it again.'' May we all 
continue to do our part in keeping his spirit of service alive into the 
future.

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