When J.J. Pickle ran for Congress in 1963, he employed the same campaign technique that got him elected as UT student body president in 1937: He gave out pickle pins.
"When you run for office, any office, you want to meet people, even though it's difficult to get them to know you," he explained. "But if you hand them a pickle, that's different. That starts the conversation with a smile and a laugh and a pleasant manner. And they remember your name."
The pickle pins must have worked, as former U.S. Rep. J.J. "Jake" Pickle, 91, has yet to be forgotten.
Pickle's legacy could be due to the benefits he brought Texas District 10 during his 31 years as congressman, which included helping build the lakes north of Georgetown and the flood control projects in San Marcos and along Boggy Creek in Austin. Then again, it could be because he has an entire research campus of the University named after him.
Throughout it all, he remained steadfastly devoted to the University.
"Being [at the University] was a wonderful experience because the doors of the world were opened to me," said Pickle. "I lived through what I call 'The Golden Years of UT.'"
Pickle's golden years included being elected chairman of the University Judiciary Council and later, president of the student body. He described it as "the highest honor UT could have given me." He graduated with a B.A. in education in 1938 and went on to conduct public relations for various local politicians.
After serving as a member of former President Lyndon B. Johnson's personal staff, Pickle was elected to Congress in 1963. He served as congressman in District 10 for 31 years before retiring in 1994.
Since his glory days at the University, Pickle has had not only the research campus named for him, but also a major scholarship trust fund at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, as well as a chair in the University government department. Though grateful for these recognitions, Pickle continues to insist that the honor is his.
"I felt really fortunate that I could come to this great University," he said. "It was a wonderful experience, and I had a great time."
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