Evening star., 1948-06-17
|Dirksen Is Honored.
By Trade Board for
Service 10 District

Representative DlrkSen. RepuD-
lican, of Illinois was honored last
night by the Washington Board Of
Trade for his service to Washington
as chairman of the House District
Committee. A testimonial dinner
was given for him at the Mayf1ower
Hotel.
In January. after his eyesight had
started to fail. Mr.. Dirksen an
nounced he would not be a candidate
for reelection to the House this fall,
on the advice of his physicians. This
respite was to give his eyes rest.
He said last night, however. that,
following treatment by several spe-
cialists the sight in his right eye has
been restored completely and that
Of his left eye soon would be
In addition to his other Offices, the
Illinois Representative is chairman
of the Agricultural subcommittee of
the House Appropriations Commit
tee. Mr.. DirkSen has been in Con-
gress for nearly is years. Last win
ter he went to Europe with other Sc
lected House members to make a
survey on the trend of communism
and the need for American economic
aid.
Constructive Work Lauded.
Other Representatives and busi-
ness and civic leaders who attend
ed the dinner paid tribute to Mr..
Dirksen for the constructive work
he has done in Congress, especially
in his capacity as head of the Dis
trict Committee for the last two
years.
Acting President Frederick P. H.
Siddons read a resolution inscribed
on a hand illuminated scroll, which
he presented to Mr.. Dirksen In be-
half of the trade group.
The resolution cited the legisla-
tors "unselfish accomplishments
in behalf of the District, his spon-
sorship of wise legislation that
will give direction to Washington
as a community for many years to
come" and "his oratorical gifts and
eminent sense of fair play, so gen.
erously recognized on both sides of
the aisle in the House of Repre-
sentatives."
Mr.. Dirksen also was commended
for his friendly associations and
cooperation with local residents,
his glowing personality and high
moral worth" and his work on the
National Capital SesquicentenniaI
Commission.
The resolution was signed by
Commissioner John Russell Young,
Leon Chatelain, jr. Board of Trade
president. who is out of the city;
Thomas ]. Groom, secretary of the
group, and Howard w. Kacy, chair
man of the trade groups Congress
sional Relations Committee.
Young Tells of Harmonious Work.
Commissioner Young spoke of the
harmony which long has existed
between Mr.. Dirksen's District Com
mittee and the Commissioners in
legislative matters concerning the
city.
Mr.. Siddons. in his tribute, quoted
several magazine articles, one of
which called Mr.. Dirksen one of
the three ablest members of the
House, its most effective speaker,
and among the top five members
who have the best grasp of do
mestic affairs.
B. M. McKelway, editor of The
Star and a past president OF the
trade group, said Mr.. Dirksen has
given us an example Of citizenship
at its best"
He has given us an example of
patriotism. in the noblest sense of
an often abused term" Mr.. Nickel
way added. He has given us an
example of industry, intelligence
and leadership. And what Is more,
this example that he has given us
is shared by others. where it does
most good. For that example ex-
tends to the floors and the halls of
Congress in its government of the
District of Columbia"
Eulpgized BY Others.
Mr.. McKelway remarked that Mr..
Dirksen's reputation has given him
a high place in the Congress. in the
country and here among us in
Washington who make up his vote
less constituency"
Others who eulogized Mr.. Dirksen
included Justice E. Barrett Pretty
man of the limited Cfatac Court Of