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“TRIBUTE TO JUDGE HOWARD A. DAWSON, JR.” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S5972 on Aug. 2, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO JUDGE HOWARD A. DAWSON, JR.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the longest serving judge in the history of the U.S. Tax Court--Judge Howard A. Dawson, Jr.--who will mark his 50th year as a Federal judge on August 21, 2012.
Judge Dawson, a native of Okolona, AR, comes from a family of Arkansas educators. Because of his groundbreaking work to unify many rural schools in Arkansas, Judge Dawson's father was dubbed ``Dr. Rural Education.'' That reputation earned Judge Dawson's father a position within the Department of Interior and the family relocated to Washington, DC.
Judge Dawson started his Federal service right here at the U.S. Capitol complex. A fellow Arkansan, Hattie Caraway--the first woman to win election to the U.S. Senate--helped Judge Dawson get a job as an elevator operator in what is now the Russell Senate Office Building
During World War II, Judge Dawson served as a captain in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in France and Germany. After the war, he earned his law degree at George Washington University School of Law. Judge Dawson eventually joined the Internal Revenue Service Office as chief of counsel after a brief time working in private practice. In 1962, Judge Dawson was appointed to the Tax Court bench by President John F. Kennedy.
Well respected among his peers, Judge Dawson was chosen to be chief judge three times during his five-decade tenure. He has authored over 1,200 opinions, but he is also known for contributions that extend beyond his legal writings.
As a judge, Dawson worked with fellow Arkansan, Wilbur Mills, to help shape the legislation that created today's U.S. Tax Court as an independent judicial body under article I of the Constitution.
In order to help self-represented taxpayers, Judge Dawson worked to establish the small tax case procedure to simplify and allow tax litigation to be more accessible. He became the first judge in charge of the small tax case division.
I would like to recognize Judge Howard A. Dawson, Jr., for his commendable service as a Federal judge. I am proud of his contribution to our Nation and to the Natural State.
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