[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1193]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      INTRODUCTION OF THE RONALD V. DELLUMS FEDERAL BUILDING BILL

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                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 1999

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing 
legislation to name the Federal building in Oakland, CA after our 
distinguished former colleague Ronald V. Dellums.
  Ron came to Congress in 1971 with a plan to change the system and 
improve the Nation. In many ways he accomplished just that. He saved us 
from many weapons systems that we did not need, could not afford, and 
probably could not control. And more than any other Member of Congress, 
he helped to clearly illustrate how an overfed military budget was 
literally starving our children, our schools, and our communities. He 
brought the titans of apartheid to their knees and dragged a reluctant 
American Government along the way. He fought for the civil rights of 
all Americans.
  Ron Dellums was truly a unique Member of Congress. His passion was 
his fuel, but his passion did not blind him. He was clear, incisive, 
instructional, and inspirational. He was a tireless champion for peace 
and justice. Ron Dellums will always be remembered as one of Congress' 
great orators, colorfully and articulately dancing in the well of the 
House to draw support for his positions.
  Naming this Federal building in Oakland for Ron Dellums will serve as 
an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the challenges that our 
colleague championed. If we learn to carry the convictions of a more 
just society with us to work every day as he did, perhaps we will be 
able to make America an even better place and the world a bit safer.
  I would like to thank my colleague from California, Jerry Lewis, for 
his coauthorship of this bill, and the 104 members who are original 
cosponsors. In addition, I extend my thanks to the members of the House 
who approved this bill in the 105th Congress. Unfortunately we were not 
able to secure passage of the bill before the end of the session. But I 
introduce this legislation again today with confidence that it will 
reach the President's desk for signature. Ron will finally be 
recognized with a fitting monument for his 27 years of service to this 
institution and to our country.
  The people who will go in and out of this building with Ron's name on 
it can take pride in knowing that he cared about them, he fought for 
them, and he left a mark in Congress and in this country in their 
names.

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