[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11946]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING CONGRESSMAN LIONEL VAN DEERLIN

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am honored to remember former Member of 
the House of Representatives Lionel Van Deerlin, who passed away on May 
18, 2008, at the age of 93.
  Lionel Van Deerlin, affectionately known as ``Van,'' served in 
Congress for over 18 years, representing San Diego. His legislative 
legacy includes a key role in revising the Federal laws to permit 
California to set tougher emission standards than the rest of the 
Nation. As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications, he 
actively worked to update the 1934 Federal Communications Act in order 
to keep up with changing technologies. A leader in ethics, he was among 
the first congressional leaders to voluntarily disclose his personal 
finances.
  Lionel was born in Los Angeles, CA, on July 25, 1914, and grew up in 
north San Diego County. He attended the University of Southern 
California, where he was editor of the Daily Trojan, and graduated in 
1937. After graduation, he worked in journalism until World War II. 
Lionel honorably served our Nation in the U.S. Army, returning to 
journalism and San Diego after the war.
  A gentleman, a statesman, and a friend to all, Van earned the respect 
of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He tirelessly worked on 
behalf of the people of San Diego. His legacy is substantial in San 
Diego--he helped to establish the Naval Medical Center San Diego as 
well as a Veterans' Administration hospital. Lionel's spirit continues 
in the generations of leaders he mentored and counseled.
  After leaving Congress in 1981, Van returned to journalism as a 
political columnist, first for the San Diego Tribune and later for the 
Union-Tribune. His columns, which were eagerly read by San Diegans 
regardless of political party, were remarkable for the clarity and 
common sense they brought to the political process. As a writer, his 
chief targets were hypocrisy and vested interests, while his chief 
passions were American participatory democracy and the San Diego region 
he knew and served so well.
  Van is survived by three daughters: Mary Susan, Victoria, and 
Elizabeth Louise; two sons: Jeff and John; and four grandchildren.
  Our country has lost a remarkable public servant and tutor with the 
passing of Lionel Van Deerlin. His contributions to the people of San 
Diego, the State of California, and our Nation should be remembered.

                          ____________________