In July, a mentor in my life died: Senator Alan J. Dixon. A moderate Democrat from Southern Illinois, he would remind me that I never “worked for Senator Dixon.” Rather, I “worked with Senator Dixon and for the people of Illinois.” His opponents dubbed him “Al the Pal” in an attempt to link him with typical Illinois political cronyism.
He laughed and had campaign buttons made that read: “I’m Al’s Pal.”
He had a dedication to serving others that was infectious and inspiring. We worked with fellow Democrats, Republicans, Independents – Senator Dixon was a true statesman.
He was good friends with Ted Kennedy and Vice President Dan Quayle. When asked his political affiliation, he once responded: “Human.”
Every morning, he opened a card catalog on his desk and began calling everyone on their birthday – January 1st through December 31st. My last day working “with” Senator Dixon was in June of 1988. He left the U.S. Senate in 1993. Yet every year, without fail, I got a phone call on my birthday. I will miss that call.
I just started my own card catalog. Shame on me for not learning his lesson in stewardship much earlier. Happy birthday Senator. I owe you far too many calls.