Scott set to honor former U.S. Senator Alan Dixon Published July 11, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Jodi Martinez 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Scott Air Force Base Visitors Control Center will be dedicated in honor of U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon at 2:30 p.m. July 8 in a formal ceremony at the Global Reach Planning Center. All are invited to attend the dedication for the two-term senator, who passed away at the age of 86 at his home in Fairview Heights in 2014. Dixon’s 43 years of public service began with his election at the age of 21 as police magistrate of Belleville. He then served in the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate prior to his election as treasurer of Illinois. Dixon also served as Illinois’ Secretary of State. After his term as Illinois’ Secretary of State, Dixon was then elected to the U.S. Senate and served from Jan. 3, 1981, to Jan. 3, 1993. Following his retirement from the U.S. Senate, President Bill Clinton appointed Dixon to chair the 1995 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission.