Howard Berman: “Ron Dellums started his political career as an ``outsider''--working to change the establishment and speaking out…”

“Ron Dellums started his political career as an ``outsider''--working to change the establishment and speaking out against the Vietnam War. Twenty-eight years later, he has risen to the top of the establishment and is a distinguished authority on military policy. When contemplating his progress, two points stand out: One--He has advanced in stature while holding fast to the values and ideals that first brought him to Congress, and Two--In a very unique manner, he has earned enormous respect for his ideas and his leadership, even from those who vehemently disagree with him. I'm sure that many in the military thought that the ascension of Ron Dellums the Chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee was Armaggedon itself. Instead, they found a careful and intellectual examination of the military establishment that won Ron Dellums the regard of many of its staunch defenders, as well as those who thought that most military dollars would be better spent elsewhere. Ron Dellums has been a champion for peace, for social justice, for human rights, for the environment, for arms control, for equality and for the working men and women of America. --and all this while maintaining his position as one of the best dressed Members in Congress... It is impossible to overstate the range and depth of his influence. We will greatly miss his leadership.”