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By Lyle Hillyard
Senator, District 25

I was saddened last week to hear of the passing of Dix McMullin, but not surprised. When his wife Renae died about a month before, it was hard for me to imagine them being apart for long because of their closeness in life.

I first met Dix when I was elected to the House of Representatives where he was serving. Two years later, he ran for the Senate in a seat that had been created by reapportionment. The growth in the South Jordan area had been so great in the 10 years since reapportionment that the new Senate seat was actually smaller than the House seat he had held. The other Republican candidate for that seat was Mac Haddow, also a sitting House member. Because Mac was so well spoken and highly involved in campaigning, many people thought that he would win easily. But Dix prevailed, thus showing the deep respect people had for him in that area.

When I was elected to the Senate, I remember Dix calling me to say that he was running for Majority Whip and would appreciate my support. This is quite different from what is done now to campaign for leadership (see my previous post). He was elected and then I was selected to serve as the Senate Chair of Executive Appropriations, so I had the chance to work closely with him and the other members of leadership. I quickly learned to appreciate his wisdom and integrity. He was a very effective member of the leadership team and understood so well the budget issues that I appreciated his insight and help. Later, he ran for President and failed but still remained a good member of the body helping others and those who replaced him.

After he left the Senate, he would return on occasion as a lobbyist for various organizations. He was always well informed and presented his issues in a very comfortable way. He never abused his past position as a Senator and welcomed my insight of what was going on and how it affected the clients he represented.

I will miss the friendship my wife and I had with him and Renae. The people in the area he represented will also miss the quiet way he helped them out. He always cared for the issues that impacted his friends and neighbors.

1 Comments:

 Obi wan liberali said...

I was an intern while Dix served in the senate. Dix was awfully conservative, but was a good guy who truly tried to serve the public the way he thought they should be served.

RIP Dix.

11/17/2008 10:29 PM  

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