07.10.14

Durbin Hosts Illinois Members At Delegation Luncheon Honoring Alan Dixon

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the ninth Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 113th Congress. Today’s luncheon was held in honor of former U.S. Senator from Illinois Alan Dixon, who helped found the tradition of the Delegation Luncheon over 25 years ago. Today’s luncheon carries on the tradition of cooperation and camaraderie that has long existed between Illinois members of Congress, and that was a trademark characteristic of Dixon, who was known affectionately by friends and colleagues as “Al the Pal.”

 

A photo of today’s luncheon is available here.

 

Today luncheon was attended by: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL), U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL), U.S. Representative Bill Enyart (D-IL), U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL), U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski (D-IL), U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

Earlier this week, Durbin paid tribute on the United States Senate Floor to the life and legacy of Dixon. Durbin’s full remarks are available here.

 

“I would like to take a moment to speak about an old friend,” Durbin said. “Sadly, Alan Dixon died Sunday morning in his sleep. So today, instead of celebrating my old friend’s birthday, I would like to take a moment to celebrate his remarkable spirit and his legacy. Alan Dixon represented Illinois. He represented ‘the little guy.’ He represented a style of politics that we could use more of these days. Alan Dixon believed in the marrow of his bones that people of goodwill could find common ground if they wanted to.”

On Monday, the United States Senate unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Durbin and Mark Kirk (R-IL) honoring Dixon. A copy of the resolution is available here.