Posted on 06/18/2005 12:15:38 PM PDT by Racehorse
Retired U.S. Rep. Jake Pickle, 91, of Austin died peacefully at 7:35 a.m. today at his home in Westminster Manor. His wife, Beryl, was with him, a family spokesman said.
A statement issued by the family said, "Jake Pickle represented the people of Central Texas with integrity for three decades. He was a grassroots politician who made decisions based on the needs of his constituency, not political gain.
"He was a mentor to many who returned the favor with loyalty and friendship," the statement added. "In addition to a distinguished career, Jake Pickle was dedicated to his family, who will miss him greatly."
Funeral arrangements are pending with Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home.
Jake Pickle served with distinction as Congressman for the 10th District for more than 31 years. He has earned a reputation as one of the nation's most caring and most respected public servants. When you talk about service to constituents, Jack Pickle is the role model. He listens; he cares. And throughout the years, Congressman Pickle did his best to help every individual in his district who had a problem with the government. Literally, thousands of Central Texans have benefited from Pickle's personal involvement. He never lost touch with his constituents. Jake played a major role in events that have shaped the Austin and Central Texas economy. He helped build the lakes above Georgetown, the flood control projects in San Marcos and along Boggy Creek in Austin. Early on, Pickle was a champion of the Gary Job Corp Center. Plus, Pickle was a major catalyst in paving the way for MCC and Sematech. Always, he championed his University of Texas and his role in helping UT and Austin stay in front in the computer age was planted in bricks and mortar when the 450 acre Balcones tract was renamed the J. J. Pickle Research Center. A major scholarship trust fund in Pickle's name has been established at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and a chair in the UT government department has been named in his honor. Pickle also earned a solid reputation in Washington as an able and hardworking member of Congress. He served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. And, as chairman of the Social Security subcommittee in 1983, when Social Security was on the verge of bankruptcy, Pickle's committee passed major reform legislation just in the nick of time. Last year, his committee passed reform legislation that pumped four billion dollars back into a dangerously underfunded private pension program. In a time when the American public is sometimes dissatisfied with Washington and angry with the political process-Jack Pickle has risen above the fray. He has become a legend in his own time. And he did it the honest way……with hard work.
I can't wait for one liners that are about to come ...
I can't wait for one liners that are about to come ...
Sorry about the double post...
"Cucumber is a vegetable"?
Another Good Duy gone! Rest in Peace Cong Pickle!
Now is not the time to be critical but he was a liberal Texas Democrat. His old seat has now been split up three ways between Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio), Michael McCaul (R-Austin) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) and he was certainly more like a Doggett Democrat than anyone I would or could admire.
Oh, I don't think he'd mind, if he were around to mind. :-)
We enjoy our distinctive, often colorful names, first and last, Cactus Pryor, Barefoot Saunders . . .
Have at it.
IIRC, Jake was quite the social liberal.
His wife would appear in rosters, lists, phone directories as:
Pickle, Beryl
Westminster Manor is a not-for-profit assisted living facility and isn't expensive and most likely he and his wife simply cashed out on their real estate and moved in. Doubt if he had much money or certainly not as much as more recent Congresscritters.
I detested his politics but I must say that I think, in his misguided way, he loved his country unlike more recent dims.
He was the Pickle of Beryl's eye.....
He relished the time he served in Congress.
I'd better squash any desire for puns. I don't want to be known as some kind of a dill-itante.
Ma Ferguson. My favorite from history. When Ann Richards was governor, Rush Limbaugh tagged her "Ma Richards."
If any of them have "slicer" in them, remember that you heard it here first.
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