Jake

by Pickle, Jake; Pickle, Peggy; Richards, Ann

• ISBN13: 9780292719507
• ISBN10: 0292719507
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-01
• Publisher: Univ of Texas Pr

Summary

"My life has been given special purpose," Jake Pickle says. "Some men live to make money, drink, chase women, collect art, excel at a sport, or pursue other things that give them pleasure. The thing I got hooked on was helping people. And I've had the privilege of helping people by the thousands. Serving in Congress was the greatest honor of my life." In this book, Jake Pickle tells the story of a lifetime in public service, including thirty-one years as Representative for Texas' Tenth Congressional District. Jake tells his story by telling stories-most of them humorous, some poignant-that add up to a warmly personal account of his life and career. At the heart of the book are Jake's stories of political life in Washington, Austin, and on the campaign trail. These range from hilarious accounts of all that can and does happen at small-town Texas parades and rallies to clear, no-baloney explanations of some of the major legislation that Jake helped to pass. His stories about Social Security reform, tax-exempt organizations, and pension fund reform legislation make these complex topics easy to understand. This book was written as a collaboration between Jake and his daughter, Peggy Pickle. It offers the fun of listening to a born raconteur spin his tales, while it reveals the ethics and integrity of a man who never forgot that the people elected him to serve them. Jake Pickle served in the United States House of Representatives from December 1963 until January 1995. He lived in Austin and remained involved in local and national events until his death. Peggy Pickle is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in many magazines and newspapers.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Beginnings

West Texas Roots

Uncle Gus and Uncle Arthur

Little Campus

On My Own

My First Meeting with LBJ

Handsome Harry

The Navy Years

The KVET Boys

Dollars for Democrats

Steamboats up the Colorado

Bob Keckler's Cow

The Washington Years

My First Twenty-four Hours in Congress

The Closer You Get

The Civil Rights Act

The White Shark

Pop Goes to Washington

My First Embassy Party

Bless Their Hearts

(Don't) Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette

Listening for the Bell

The Ladies Excluded

Confessions of a Rattlesnake Chili Champ

Tax Exempts: Charities or Tax Dodges?

How Big Business Threatens Our Nation's Pension Funds

Congressional Prayer Breakfasts

Preserving Social Security

Who Are You?

The Campaign Trail

"G" as in Jesus

What's James Buchanan Ever Done for You?

Love, Bess

The First Time I Met Jean

Ticket, Please

On the Road with Fleetwood

Beryl Takes the Wheel

A Lifetime of Friends

Judge Critz's Story

"Governor" Pickle

Dan's Debut

The 88th Club

Good-bye to LBJ and Big John

Family Talent

Epilogue

Index

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