[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        TRIBUTE TO MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD A. AUSTIN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise and will be joined later by 
some of my colleagues to pay tribute to a man who was a mentor and a 
very dear friend, a man who defined the words dignity and respect. I am 
talking about Michigan's former Secretary of State, Richard A. Austin, 
who died last Friday at the age of 87.
  Dick Austin was a man of great vision and one of Michigan's most 
distinguished and honored, accomplished statesman. He was Secretary of 
State for 24 years, having been first elected in 1970 and reelected a 
record five times. I had the great honor of nominating Dick Austin at 
three of our party's State conventions, and each time I had to struggle 
a little harder to try to squeeze it all in because Dick had 
accomplished that much in the preceding 4 years.
  Under Dick Austin's direction, Michigan became a leader in highway 
safety and voting rights. He brought us one of America's first safety 
belt laws, spearheaded the drive for child passenger safety 
legislation, and won awards for his efforts to stop drunk driving. 
Thousands of people are alive in Michigan today because of Dick 
Austin's tireless dedication to safety.
  Mr. Speaker, he helped to enact a landmark voter registration law 
that served as a model for other States and paved the way for the 
eventual passage of the national motor voter legislation. Millions of 
people in Michigan found it easier to exercise the franchise because of 
Dick Austin's determination to eliminate barriers to voting.
  Dick was a great innovator. He automated the Department of State and 
transformed a department that consumers were upset about for its 
agonizing inefficiency. He did that, and made it into one to the best 
run, best managed and most highly acclaimed departments in the Nation.
  Dick Austin was a pioneer in many fields, breaking down barriers with 
his intellect, self-confidence, and his dedication to hard work. He was 
the first African American certified public accountant in Michigan. He 
was the first African American candidate for mayor of Detroit, and the 
longest serving African American elected to statewide office.
  He was born in Stouts Mountain, Alabama, the son of a coal miner who 
died when Dick was just 11 years old. His family moved to Detroit where 
he worked his way through school, never letting hardship become an 
obstacle to success. An academic and track star, he gave up a 
scholarship to Wayne State University when his family faced hardship. 
Undaunted, Dick sold and took night classes to earn his degree as a 
CPA.
  Dick Austin was the perfect combination of competence and decency. He 
was full of charm, and he was as honest as the day is long. He was a 
gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He served the people of 
Michigan with grace and dignity. He lived by the values that he 
preached. He was someone who took to heart the words of the prophet: 
``To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.''
  In good times and hard times, Richard A. Austin was always there. He 
was calm, reassuring, standing strong.
  Mr. Speaker, to his wife of over 60 years, Ida, and his daughter, 
Hazel, we send our deep regrets and prayers.
  All of us in Michigan will profoundly miss Dick Austin. His memory 
and sense of justice will carry on for years to come, and the 
accomplishments of his remarkable life will continue to pave the way.

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