February 11, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 3 3599 mentor to us and to the entire Michi- of a coronary bypass procedure. The ernment workers he regarded as good gan delegation. doctor also determined that because he civil servants dedicated to serving the JOHN has been a son of the House, a had been denied prescribed diabetes public interest. He also loved the indi- student of the House, a Member and a medication, Mr. Zeltser’s left foot may vidual service element of his work in Chairman in the House he loves so need to be amputated. Congress. Today, most offices call this much. On behalf of Michigan, I offer In response to a press inquiry in De- ‘‘casework,’’ but to it thanks to the now all-time Dean of the cember, the State Department called gave him the chance to help an indi- House of Representatives, JOHN DIN- for ‘‘the Belarusian authorities to re- vidual constituent with his or her prob- GELL, a great institution within a great lease Mr. Zeltser on humanitarian lem when the Federal Government was institution, for his devotion to public grounds before this situation takes an unresponsive or trying to put a square service and to the people of Michigan irrevocable turn.’’ Based on the recent peg in a round hole. He never and the Nation. doctor’s report it is apparent that such disrespected any Government official f an irrevocable turn is imminent unless who was implementing something that this American citizen can be brought had an adverse impact on one of his BELARUS IMPRISONMENT home promptly for the medical treat- constituents, but he pressed the case Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, as chair- ment necessary to save his life. strongly and effectively. man of the Helsinki Commission, I Belarus has taken some tentative As a young Member of the House, I would like to bring to the attention of steps to improve its notably poor remember other House members and the Senate a situation which is lit- human rights record, in particular the longtime staffers talking about Wen- erally a matter of life and death for an release of several political prisoners dell with great affection and admira- American citizen, Emanuel Zeltser, last August. However, Mr. Zeltser’s tion, someone who worked hard, got re- who has been imprisoned in Belarus continued, and potentially terminal, sults, and always with good humor and since March 12, 2008. Mr. Zeltser is in imprisonment threatens to override without partisanship. desperate and immediate need of seri- those initially encouraging signs. As His colleagues during that era in ous medical treatment—including a such, I strongly urge the Belarusian Congress included Gerald Ford, Melvin coronary bypass operation. authorities to release Emanuel Zeltser Laird, George H.W. Bush, and other The poor human rights record of on humanitarian grounds so that he like-minded House Republican mod- President Lukashenka’s regime is well may obtain the immediate medical erates. Like them, he epitomized the known. No American—indeed no treatment his doctor has concluded is saying that ‘‘You could disagree with- human being—should be subjected to required if he is to live. out being disagreeable.’’ In , he the kind of treatment Mr. Zeltser has f was part of a generation of elected offi- been forced to endure during his incar- cials whose goals were service, not par- ceration. Despite Mr. Zeltser’s grave REMEMBERING CONGRESSMAN tisanship, including and health condition—he suffers from heart WENDELL WYATT Tom McCall. disease, type 2 diabetes, severe arthri- Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I wish to tis, gout, and dangerously elevated mark a sad occasion: the recent death When he retired from Congress in blood pressure—Belarusian authorities of one of Oregon’s most respected Mem- 1974, Wendell Wyatt returned to Oregon have repeatedly refused to provide Mr. bers of Congress, Wendell Wyatt, who to become a partner in what is now the Zeltser with his prescribed medica- represented the First District of Or- State’s second largest law firm, tions. egon from 1965 to 1975. He died peace- Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, where He was initially denied two inde- fully on January 28th at the age of 91 he is remembered as someone who pendent medical evaluations and he in Portland, OR. rolled up his sleeves to help his clients, has reported being physically assaulted With good humor and little interest to close the deal, and to help add eco- and abused while incarcerated. Am- in partisanship, Wendell Wyatt’s con- nomic activity that created jobs for Or- nesty International has urged that gressional career began with his serv- egonians. Belarusian authorities no longer sub- ice on the House Interior Committee. The commitment to public service ject Mr. Zeltser to ‘‘further torture and He is best known, however, for his runs strong in Wendell Wyatt’s family. other ill-treatment.’’ work on the House Interior Appropria- His son, Bill, was a member of the Or- Mr. Zeltser was convicted of ‘‘using tions Subcommittee where his working egon Legislature as a young man, later false official documents’’ and ‘‘at- relationship with its chair, distin- the chief of staff to an Oregon Gov- tempted economic espionage’’ in a guished Washingtonian Julia Butler ernor, and is now the very effective ex- closed judicial proceeding. The U.S. Hansen, was a model of effective team- ecutive director of the Port of Port- Embassy in Minsk criticized the pro- work across party lines and—in this land. Bill Wyatt is a longtime friend of ceedings, noting that it was denied the case—across the that mine and of others in the economic and opportunity to observe the trial. The separated their congressional districts. political leadership of our State, and State Department has repeatedly The same was true of his relationship we all know that the Wyatt bloodline called for Mr. Zeltser’s release on hu- with Democratic Congresswoman Edith for service to our State has passed manitarian grounds. So have others in Green, who represented Oregon’s Third from father to son. Congress, especially my colleague on Congressional District, which includes I join his family, colleagues in his the Helsinki Commission, cochairman most of Portland and is the district I law firm, and his many good friends in Representative ALCEE HASTINGS. was privileged to represent in the mourning his death. I join the good But now the situation appears dire. House before coming to the Senate. In citizens of the First Congressional Dis- Earlier this month, Mr. Zeltser was ex- fact, my Portland office is housed in trict of Oregon, who salute his effective amined by an American doctor. It was the -Wendell Wyatt Fed- voice for them in Congress. And I stand only the second time an American phy- eral Building. Congressman Wyatt and with so many people throughout Or- sician has been permitted to see Mr. Congresswoman Green—known simply egon whose lives are better because of Zeltser. The doctor concluded that in Oregon as Edith and Wendell— Wendell Wyatt’s commitment to serv- ‘‘there is a clear and high risk of sud- worked tirelessly together on many ice in Congress. den death from heart attack unless the worthwhile civic projects that im- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- patient is immediately transferred to a proved their city and their adjoining sent that at the conclusion of my re- U.S. hospital with the proper equip- congressional districts. Their good marks a few articles about Congress- ment and facilities. . . . Refusal to work helped lay the foundation for the man Wyatt be printed in the RECORD. transfer Mr. Zeltser to a U.S. hospital Portland we are proud of today. First, is the announcement of his death is equivalent to a death sentence.’’ Wendell Wyatt was an advocate for that appeared in the Portland City Specifically, Mr. Zeltser is in dire need the Federal workforce in Oregon, Gov- Club Bulletin, followed by the notice of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:07 May 17, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S11FE9.001 S11FE9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3600 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 3 February 11, 2009 Wyatt’s death that appeared in the Or- effective public servant, but one who is scru- ‘‘This was more effective than sitting in egonian newspaper and the warm edi- pulously honest in all of his dealings. He has the back benches and throwing spitballs all torial about Wendell. I ask that there had both the respect and warm friendship of day long,’’ said his son Bill Wyatt. Instead, next be printed the article in his home- colleagues in both parties. No one who the elder Wyatt developed good working re- knows him well believes he intentionally lationships with powerful Democrats such as town newspaper, the Daily Astorian, in violated the law.’’ Wayne Aspinall, D-Colo., chairman of the which local residents reflect on his Wyatt was born June 15, 1917, in Eugene House Interior Committee and Tom Foley, service to their community. The final and moved to Portland as a teenager. He was who also entered Congress in 1964 and, much document that I request be printed in editor of the Jefferson High School news- later, became Speaker of the House for a the RECORD is the editorial in the Daily paper and went to the . short time. Astorian paying tribute to the dignity He dropped out and joined as As a congressman, Wyatt was pro-choice, a copy aide. After a year, he applied to the pro-gun-control and the driving force behind with which Wendell Wyatt served his efforts to bring commerce to Oregon via the district, our State and the Congress. University of Oregon Law School and was ad- mitted without an undergraduate degree. Columbia River. His social views would not There being no objection, the mate- was one of his professors, and sit well in the modern Republican Party, at rial was ordered to be printed in the Wyatt often recalled four-hour evening ses- least the official part of it. They didn’t sit RECORD, as follows: sions led by the man who would become the that well with the party’s establishment [From the Portland City Club Bulletin, Feb. legendary ‘‘Tiger of the Senate.’’ Later, the back then either, but it still was possible to 13, 2009] two became political adversaries. disagree and be independent-minded and still After obtaining his law degree, he was an remain in good standing within the party. CITY CLUB REMEMBERS WENDELL J. WYATT FBI agent and then served as a Marine Corps Today? It’s not as clear. But Wyatt’s views Former City Club member Wendell J. pilot in the Pacific during World War II. then are positions that many Republicans Wyatt passed away on Wednesday, January He moved to Astoria after the war and hold privately—or even not-so-privately— 28 at the age of 91. Wyatt graduated from the joined the law firm of Albin Norblad, a today, even if the right’s hold on party lead- University of Oregon School of Law. He former Oregon governor and father of U.S. ership is much stronger. served as an FBI agent and a Marine Corps Rep. Walter Norblad; after Walter Norblad For Wyatt, though, service was a far bigger pilot before being elected to Congress where died in 1964, Wyatt was elected to fill his va- motivator than political ideology. In his last he served a distinguished, decade-long ca- cancy. He was re-elected four times, retiring campaign, Wyatt even went retail with his reer. After retiring from office, Wyatt be- in 1975, the same year colleague and friend orientation toward constituents. His cam- came a partner in the law firm Schwabe, Edith Green, a Democratic congresswoman paign slogan was: ‘‘Wendell Wyatt, your Williamson & Wyatt. for 20 years, stepped down. The federal build- door-to-door Congressman.’’ Wyatt was a Club member for almost twen- ing in downtown Portland is named for His son Bill, of course, has been prominent ty years. He made notable speaking appear- Green and Wyatt. in Oregon political and economic circles for ances at City Club with the late Congress- Wyatt married Anne Elizabeth Buchanan years, serving as chief of staff for Gov. John woman Edith Green, and the Federal Build- in the mid-1940s; they divorced. He married Kitzhaber and now as executive director of ing on Third Street is dedicated jointly in Faye Hill in 1962. She predeceased him. He is the Port of Portland. Bill Wyatt also tried their names. Wyatt’s law firm is a City Club survived by daughters, Ann Wyatt and Jane elective politics early in his career, as a sponsor and his family members continue to Wyatt; stepdaughter, Sandi Kinsley; son, Democratic candidate for the Oregon Legis- play a significant role in the Club. Wendell ‘‘Bill’’ Jr., executive director of the lature. Worried about whether he would Wyatt’s contributions to the community Port of Portland; stepson, Larry D. Hill; four somehow step on his father’s political toes, will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. the younger Wyatt brought the matter up. 21, 2008 in St. Anne’s Chapel at Marylhurst A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Satur- ‘‘He told me, ‘What makes you happy makes University. day, Feb. 21, 2009, in St. Anne’s Chapel at me happy. You don’t have to protect me Marylhurst University. The family suggests from what you think is the right thing to [From the Oregonian, Jan. 29, 2009] remembrances to the Clatsop County Histor- do.’,’’ Bill Wyatt said. ‘‘He was able to sepa- EX-CONGRESSMAN WENDELL WYATT DIES AT 91 ical Society. Arrangements are by Finley’s rate what was most important to him and (By Joan Harvey) Sunset Hills Mortuary. keep it there.’’ That was the key to what made Wendell Wendell Wyatt, who represented Oregon’s Wyatt successful in life—public and private. 1st Congressional District for 10 years, died WENDELL WYATT: SUCCESS THROUGH PERSONAL VALUES Wednesday in his Portland home. He was 91. [From the Daily Astorian, Feb. 9, 2009] (By The Oregonian Editorial Board) Wyatt was a popular and respected Repub- NORTH COAST MOURNS FORMER OREGON lican lawmaker who was known as an adroit Back when Rep. Wendell Wyatt, R-Ore., CONGRESSMAN WENDELL WYATT deal-maker. was in Congress, from 1965 to 1975, you didn’t (By Patrick Webb) As a member of the House Committee on hear the word bipartisan much, because at Former Astoria Congressman Wendell the Interior and later the powerful House many levels of American politics, it was a Appropriations Committee, he finessed Wyatt died Wednesday. He was 91. way of life, thus taken for granted. Wyatt, a Republican, served the 1st Con- through Congress bills that permanently af- Wyatt died this week at age 91 after a life gressional District from 1964 until retiring in fected Oregon, including bills that estab- in politics, law and community leadership. 1975. lished the Tualatin Reclamation Project He should be remembered as someone who Tributes to him focused on his honesty and (Scoggins Dam) in Washington County, the put the problems of his individual constitu- his ability to get the job done. Columbia River 40-foot shipping channel ents at the forefront of his service in the Denny Thompson of Astoria, who served as from Astoria to Portland, and Lincoln City’s U.S. House of Representatives. honorary Finnish Consul for 35 years, worked Cascade Head Scenic Area, as well as a bill His congressional office was geared toward closely with Wyatt and praised his ability to authorizing the $4 million purchase of ranch- listening to constituent problems, then bend- reach across the aisle. lands along the Snake River for public recre- ing every effort to solve them—whether the ‘‘My union friends were all Democrats, but ation. issue was of great national or regional im- they were working for Wendell Wyatt. They He stayed active in Republican politics port or simply a mishandled Social Security all respected him and he respected everyone after retiring from Congress. He became a benefit. Wyatt himself often got personally in return,’’ said Thompson, whose wife, partner in the law firm of Schwabe engaged in the most challenging and vexing Frankye, was Wyatt’s campaign chairwoman Williamson & Wyatt, and was a commis- details of constituent service. for Clatsop County. sioner for the Port of Portland and a lob- It would not have been useful for Wyatt or ‘‘He did everything the proper way—he was byist. He became inactive as an attorney in his constituents for him to adopt a highly completely honest, and he did as much for 2001 but continued consulting for the firm. partisan stance when he was in Congress. Clatsop County as anyone.’’ In 1975, he pleaded guilty to a technical He was elected to the House in the small Wyatt was a well-respected Republican violation of federal campaign laws, admit- GOP freshman class of 1964, the year that leader who worked especially effectively ting that as chairman of the Oregon Com- Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson with Democrat Congresswoman Edith Green. mittee to Re-Elect the President, he failed laid a historic electoral whipping on Sen. The federal building in Portland was later to report a donation to President Richard Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., the great hope of named for them. Nixon’s campaign. The Oregonian defended the right wing of the Republican party. Born in Eugene in 1917, Wyatt moved with him in an editorial: It was clear that Wyatt was never going to his family to Portland. He graduated from ‘‘He has had a long and honorable career be part of the majority, and he never was. Jefferson High School, where he had been both in private and public life, including 10 Thus he had to develop the skills necessary editor of the high school newspaper, in 1935. years in Congress; and he has gained the rep- to adequately represent all of the people of He worked briefly as a copy aide for The Ore- utation of being not only an exceptionally Oregon’s 1st Congressional District. gonian newspaper, earned a bachelor’s degree

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:07 May 17, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S11FE9.001 S11FE9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD February 11, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 3 3601 from the University of Oregon in 1941 then matic middle-of-the-road guy,’’ Forrester am submitting every e-mail sent to me worked briefly as an FBI agent. said. through an address set up specifically When World War II broke out in the Pa- ‘‘He was close to President , for this purpose to the CONGRESSIONAL cific, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Air and he was unfortunately tarred with that RECORD. This is not an issue that will Corps and served as a pilot from 1942 until brush when he admitted to his involvement 1946. with Nixon’s fund-raising—an embarrassing be easily resolved, but it is one that de- Afterward, he moved to Astoria and moment in an otherwise unblemished polit- serves immediate and serious atten- worked for the law firm of Albin Norblad, ical career.’’ tion, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. the former Oregon governor and father of In 1975, Wyatt admitted a technical viola- Their stories not only detail their U.S. Rep. Walter Norblad. tion of campaign laws for failing to report an struggles to meet everyday expenses, Tom Brownhill, of Eugene, was district at- Oregon GOP donation to Nixon. but also have suggestions and rec- torney in Clatsop County from 1952 to 1960 He stayed active in Republican politics ommendations as to what Congress can and regularly faced Wyatt in the courtroom. after retiring from Congress and became a do now to tackle this problem and find partner in the law firm of Schwabe ‘‘I had a lot of cases against him,’’ said solutions that last beyond today. I ask Brownhill, whose daughter Paula, continues Williamson and Wyatt until his retirement. the family’s legal tradition as a circuit court He became inactive as an attorney in 2001, unanimous consent to have today’s let- judge. ‘‘As a lawyer, when he got into a case, but continued consulting for the firm. He ters printed in the RECORD. he was all-in.’’ also served as a commissioner for the Port of There being no objection, the mate- Wyatt hired longtime legal secretary Doris Portland and a lobbyist. rial was ordered to be printed in the Hughes from another firm in the 1950s—by Wyatt was married twice. He divorced his Record, as follows: offering her a raise from $160 to $200 a first wife, Anne Elizabeth Buchanan. He We are your typical lower middle class month. Hughes remembered Wyatt today as married Faye Hill in 1962. She died last year. family. My husband has a good job at FedEx a ‘‘wonderful person.’’ He had two daughters, Ann and Jane, and a where we are blessed to have good insurance ‘‘He gave the best dictation of anyone I son, Wendell ‘‘Bill’’ Wyatt Jr., who is execu- benefits and stability; he is on the bottom of know,’’ she recalled. ‘‘He was so smooth. The tive director of the Port of Portland and a the totem pole, however so the wages leave words just flowed out.’’ former chief of staff for Gov. John Kitzhaber, something to be desired. I used to work for a Wyatt was chairman of the Oregon State plus step son and stepdaughter, four grand- local childcare center where I got free Republican Central Committee from 1955 children and one great grandchild. daycare for our 1-year-old son and was able until 1957. During that time, George C. Ful- A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Feb. to contribute an income. Last summer we ton, of Astoria, another contemporary, 21 at St. Anne’s Chapel at Marylhurst Uni- were in a tight but good place in our lives worked closely with him while serving as versity near Lake Oswego. Contributions and decided to purchase our first home. It is Clatsop County GOP chairman. may go to the Clatsop County Historical So- not much (it is a humble home) but it is Fulton, also an attorney, described Wyatt ciety. ours. We moved in a week before Christmas as a hard worker. ‘‘He was a good lawyer. He and though things were very tight we were worked hard and he played hard.’’ [From the Daily Astorian, Feb. 2, 2009] still doing ‘‘ok’’. We got pregnant again in When Walter Norblad died in 1965, Wyatt WENDELL WYATT SERVED WITH DIGNITY January and were very excited. After all we was elected to his congressional seat and Wendell Wyatt, who died last week, was were making it. Then in March I lost my job served five terms, retiring in 1974. one of those old-school, gentlemanly fellows and the economy really started to hit us Ted Bugas, a Bumblebee Seafood executive who served his country and his community hard. Our tax returns were spent getting my and supporter of Salmon For All, knew without the need for a brass band playing in car fixed, and our incentive package paid the Wyatt because both had worked for the FBI the background. mortgage and some bills. We were thankful and their Astoria offices were in the Post Of- A Republican, he served the 1st Congres- that that money was there when we needed fice and across the street. sional District, which includes Astoria and it but it was not spent as the government in- He recalled one incident as if yesterday. the North Coast, from 1965 until retiring in tended. We applied for public assistance ‘‘One morning we woke up and thought 1975. while I looked for work but found out that ‘There’s someone in the house! The wife and An Oregonian through and through, he we overqualify by only $60 a month. This was I were still in bed. In came Wendell—into our moved to Astoria to practice law after serv- frustrating considering most of the people in room—and said, ‘I might go to Congress. ing as a U.S. Marine Air Corps pilot in World the waiting room were not here on a legal What do you think of that?’ ’’ War II. His buddies around the courthouse basis but their children (born in the U.S.) Bugas worked with Wyatt on fisheries smile when they remember he practiced law have right to the same assistance I was ap- issues, often traveling to Washington, D.C., with what they describe as ‘‘considerable te- plying for. They pay no taxes because they often for lobbying efforts. His daughter, nacity.’’ are not here legally and are not required to Christine, served as an intern in Wyatt’s When Congressman Walter Norblad died in report their income so of course they qualify Congressional office. office, Wyatt took over. and the funny thing is that I saw several ‘‘He was a great personality,’’ said Bugas, In the decade that followed, he served with drive away in nicer cars than even my par- who splits his time in retirement between dignity and pragmatism. Often politicians ents own. I take in a child or two into our Astoria and California. ‘‘He was very pleas- wax eloquent about bipartisan efforts but home to bring in some income because I do ant.’’ don’t really mean it. Wyatt talked the talk, not have a degree and cannot find a job that He worked on bills that established the and walked the walk, working especially pays more than daycare costs. Tualatin Reclamation Project in Washington closely with Democrat Congresswoman Edith On to gas prices: I drive a Ford Focus, an County and the 40-foot shipping channel in Green, to get the job done. affordable economical car, and my hubby has the Columbia River from Astoria to Port- On fisheries issues, he worked to ensure his old F–150, which is one of the only assets land. the interests of the Columbia River came we actually own. We do not drive big fancy He was also credited with bills that created first. cars that take hundreds of dollars to fill up. Lincoln City’s Cascade Head Scenic Area, as Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley summed it My focus cost $43 dollars last time I filled up well as a bill authorizing the $4 million pur- up best: ‘‘Wendell Wyatt truly made his (last Monday night) and my hubby’s truck chase of ranchlands along the Snake River mark on Oregon.’’ costs around $65–$70. That may not be a lot for public recreation. to you or anyone with a better job than we, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said, ‘‘Wendell f but it is a lot more than we paid last year at Wyatt truly made his mark on Oregon. Ev- IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH this time and it is almost double to fill up eryone who has appreciated Cascade Head ENERGY PRICES my car from what it was when we got mar- owes Congressman Wyatt a debt of gratitude ried (two years ago in October). Honestly, for establishing this scenic area and those Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid- Senator, we pray our way through every who visit public lands along the Snake River June, I asked Idahoans to share with month. It is an honest miracle that we still can thank Wendell Wyatt for opening the re- me how high energy prices are affect- have our home and that we have made our gion to recreation.’’ ing their lives, and they responded by mortgage for the last 4 months. My husband The Daily Astorian Publisher Steve the hundreds. The stories, numbering works 12-hour days so the only logical solu- Forrester covered Wyatt’s political activi- well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and tion was for me to look for a second job. It ties in 1974 while substituting for Wash- touching. While energy prices have took a while given that no one wants to hire ington columnist A. Robert Smith. a lady who is 6 months pregnant. But I am ‘‘Wyatt said to me that he earned ‘the dropped in recent weeks, the concerns blessed to have found a job at Cracker Barrel equivalent of a master’s degree’ every time expressed remain very relevant. To re- being a part-time waitress and working when he took on a new issue. He was the kind of spect the efforts of those who took the my husband gets home to take our son and, Republican we no longer see—a solid, prag- opportunity to share their thoughts, I with the help of family, we make it work. As

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