Jake Pickle refused to meet with
Claude Pepper
as too many jokes would've ensued.
Posted on 06/19/2005 5:51:04 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Retired U.S. Rep. Pickle dead at 91 ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN (AP) - Retired U.S. Rep. J.J. "Jake" Pickle, who represented Central Texas in Washington for more than 30 years, died early Saturday at his home. He was 91.
The Democrat politician was elected in 1963 to the House seat Lyndon B. Johnson once held, rising through the ranks to become a senior Democrat on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee. He chose not to seek re-election in 1994.
"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," his family said in a statement released Saturday.
U.S. Rep. Jake Pickle
"He was a mentor to many who returned the favor with loyalty and friendship. In addition to a distinguished career, Jake Pickle was dedicated to his family, who will miss him greatly."
As chairman of the Social Security subcommittee, Pickle helped pass major Social Security reform legislation in 1983 that bailed the system out of financial woes by raising the age for full benefits from 65 to 67. He also worked to bring more research funds to the University of Texas.
Pickle was born in Roscoe, just west of Abilene. In 1932, during the Depression, he became a student at the University of Texas and active in campus politics. Pickle worked, directly and indirectly, for a rising Lyndon Johnson.
During World War II Pickle was a Naval officer, serving in the Pacific. A ship he served on, the USS St. Louis, was damaged in a torpedo attack. On another ship, the USS Miami, he survived two more torpedoes.
He returned to Austin after the war and, with other veterans, started a radio station, still known as KVET.
Supporters of Republican Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn who gathered at an afternoon rally in which she announced her plans to run for governor observed a moment of silence Saturday in honor of Pickle.
Jake Pickle refused to meet with
Claude Pepper
as too many jokes would've ensued.
Probably about 1/4 bushels worth.
Before she changed parties to run against him, Strayhorn and Pickle were rather good friends. He quipped that some might view her as "opportunistic."
She still is.
In another thread, some have pointed out that Jake Pickle was a social liberal. He was.
Like that other social liberal Democrat, Henry Gonzalez, he had three redeeming qualities: he always stayed close and closely attentive to his constitents; he had a genuine interest in the well being of his State; and, he was absolutely honest.
Michigan State Senator Pat Piper did not immediately return calls.
Rep. J.J. Pickle, long-time cucumbent from Texas...
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