Jake Pickle died this morning.

[Longhorn]

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3491354&nav=0s3cbBpF

J.J. "Jake" Pickle, a retired longtime United States Representative from Austin, died Saturday morning. He was 91. Memorial services are scheduled for Wednesday at Weed-Corley Funeral Home in Austin.

Pickle was born in Big Spring, TX, on October 11, 1913, and was a graduate of the University of Texas.

He came to the Congress in a 1963 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Representative Homer Thornberry, and Pickle represented the 10th District until his retirement in 1995.

Pickle didn't run for re-election in 1994, and his seat was won by Lloyd Doggett.

[reality based]

1. Rest in Peace, Jake

He was an unusually effective politician who managed to transition from a conservative Democrat to one liberal enough to hold off challengers in a very liberal Austin. There are countless stories about him. One incident I witnessed was when he publicly rendered a hostile blabbermouth right-winger, who always dominated political conversation with his co-workers, totally speechless. Those employees never let him live it down. Jake had one of the most attentive constituent services operations of any Congressman I've ever seen. Although, I had occasion to give him a little trouble on some issues he was always gracious and kind to me. A great personality with a legendary memory for names and faces. He gave politics a good name.

[efhmc]

2. One way or another all the great Texas Dems are going. Blessings on

you Jake, one of the great ones, indeed.

[Melissa G]

3. God Bless Jake! n/t

[sonias]

4. Rest in peace Jake Pickle

Your time on earth was well served and enjoyed.

Sonia