[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24266-24267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CORA FAYE DIXON CLAYTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2005

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cora Faye Dixon 
Clayton, a San Antonio native and civil servant for the 20th 
Congressional District of Texas. She worked for my father, Congressman 
Henry B. Gonzalez, for 30 years and truly epitomized public service. 
Dad trusted her as one of his most able employees, and knew she would 
do everything possible to help those who came to his office in dire 
need of help. Sadly, Ms. Clayton who had battled cancer with the same 
vigor she fought for the people of San Antonio passed away in 
September.
  Born and raised in San Antonio, Ms. Clayton graduated from Phyllis 
Wheatley High School and later earned a business degree at Our Lady of 
The Lake University. She began her career at the Fort Sam Houston 
library, and after Dad won a special election in 1961, he honored a 
promise he had made to the NAACP to hire an African American for his 
staff, so he brought Ms. Clayton to Washington, DC for his first term.
  Dad knew well the barriers people of color faced before the enactment 
of Civil Rights legislation and was more than willing to hire a person 
others shunned because of the color of her skin. So, at the height of 
the Civil Rights movement, she became the first African American 
Congressional staffer for a Southern Member. She pulled double duty as 
his personal secretary and handled constituent casework for 30 years. 
Dad never could find anyone who could transcribe his dictation as 
accurately, and what truly amazed him is that she did so with very few 
errors. After a few years on Dad's Washington staff, she returned to 
San Antonio yet would often help him as a personal secretary until the 
end of her service some 30 years later.
  Her heart made her an indispensable and loved member of my Dad's 
team. Co-workers recall the compassion with which she helped 
constituents resolve their claims. She would bring her years of 
experience to each and every case and could untangle the toughest red 
tape so someone's life could be just a little better.

[[Page 24267]]

  I often think casework is the most important function we have as 
members of Congress. Of course, passing laws that improve the lives of 
Americans is very important, but making sure someone gets the benefits 
they deserve is just as important, if not more so. And, of course, her 
commitment to bettering the lives of others did not end when she left 
work as she was also very active in her community through volunteer 
programs.
  I am proud to have known such a remarkable woman, one of the 
countless public servants who make our government work. My colleagues 
and I would readily admit that we could accomplish little without our 
staffs and Dad owed much to people like Ms. Clayton. Our community is 
poorer and sadder for her leaving it.
  I would like to extend my condolences to her two daughters, Michelle 
``Toni'' Clayton Collier and Tina Marie Clayton, two brothers Jessy and 
Ralph Dixon, and sister Mariam Dixon.

                          ____________________