WASHINGTON — Rep. Julian Dixon, a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus who represented his west Los Angeles District for 22 years, has died. He was 66.
Dixon died of an apparent heart attack, Democratic aides said Friday. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said Dixon had recently informed his colleagues that he was undergoing minor surgery.
A strong advocate of civil-rights causes, Dixon's legislative career also covered a broad range of subjects ranging from intelligence, defense, congressional ethics and federal management of the District of Columbia.
"I've never known a more gentle, conciliatory, wonderful human being than I've known in Julian Dixon," said House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri, who led a somber procession of lawmakers to the House floor to pay tribute to Dixon.
Dixon was the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee and a key member of the panel that determines defense spending, a position he used to promote federal aid for communities hit by base closings and other defense cuts.
He was also known for his efforts to boost the economic standards of his district and maintain the nation's commitment to civil rights.
Dixon was long regarded as Congress' leading supporter of Los Angeles' commuter-rail system.
"Without Julian Dixon, there wouldn't have been a Metro Rail here," said Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Marc Littman. "He's long been a champion of not just Metro Rail, but other transportation projects in Los Angeles. He really led the charge to improve transportation."
Following the 1992 civil disturbances in Los Angeles, he moved to provide emergency funds for damaged businesses, and led efforts to help his community after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.