Rep. Dixon: Leading Well Was His Reward

Julian C. Dixon was a pragmatic problem-solver in Congress, quietly carrying the water for Californians without demanding the glory sought by some of his colleagues or predecessors. But he also loved a good joke, jazz and taking care of the predominantly black and largely affluent district--roughly from the Harbor Freeway to the San Diego Freeway--that repeatedly sent him to the U.S. House.

By virtue of his seniority, intellect, political skills and alliances, Dixon, who died Friday at 66, built considerable clout in Washington. During more than two decades in the House, he delivered federal funding for the Los Angeles subway, emergency assistance after the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the 1994 Northridge earthquake and aid to small businesses hurt by the decline in the defense industry.

Centrist in style though politically liberal, he was part of the Berman-Waxman political organization that dominated Democratic politics in Southern California for years. He served with Reps. Howard L. Berman (D-Mission Hills) and Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles) in both the House and, earlier, the California Assembly and counted both as close friends.

A former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Dixon worked to end apartheid in South Africa and welcomed Nelson Mandela to Washington. He also negotiated behind the scenes on behalf of social programs important to black Americans. Dixon will be remembered as a leader who resolved large and small conflicts and earned broad respect.