Dicks entitled to pension

Retired Congressman Norm Dicks has worked diligently and effectively for his district (and ours), Washington state and the country for more than 36 years.

I strongly believe that like others who have dedicated their entire careers to the service of our country, he is entitled to the full pension that his long years of service and responsibilities provide.

The Herald's Feb. 20 article on the topic should have noted that Congressional pensions are graduated based upon years of service, and Congressman Dicks' reflects the fact that he was sent back to Congress by his constituents 18 times!

I have dealt with Congressman Dicks in the past and believe he was one of the hardest working and most knowledgeable members of the House of Representatives, easily working 14-hour days, six days a week. The current dissatisfaction and stagnation in Congress isn't due to knowledgeable legislators like Congressman Dicks, but no-compromise ideologues who know little of actual governance.

MIKE LAWRENCE, West Richland