Free Republic

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...

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...

Texas' Republican comptroller tough, ticked off and proud of it AUSTIN (AP) — A needlepoint decoration hanging in the office of state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn hints at her tough reputation — "One Ticked Off Grandma." That line from a title of a magazine article on Strayhorn plays off the political slogan "one tough grandma" that she uses to describe her efforts to improve the health and education of Texas children. The large ax hanging on another wall, a gift from timber growers, and the plentiful family photographs show the contrasts of a woman who's gone from Austin's first female...