January 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E39 Washington State and our nation lost a true Former Soviet Union ended with the passing worldwide,’’ said Barbara D. Abbott, the hero, Helmut ‘‘Brownie’’ Braunsteiner, due to of William G. Geimer. Bill was the visionary Jamestown Foundation’s vice chairman and complications surrounding his battle with can- founder and longtime president of the James- now president. ‘‘From the Evil Empire to the cer. town Foundation, a non profit organization de- Axis of Evil, he never wavered in his belief It is difficult to describe Brownie’s life with- that an attack on the secrecy of closed soci- voted to promoting liberty and fighting totali- eties is one of the greatest weapons in a de- out resorting to superlatives, but the evidence tarianism most notably in the Soviet Union mocracy’s arsenal. Bill’s vision, wisdom, speaks for itself. From his birth in 1926 to his during the Cold War. kindness and humor will be missed, but his escape from Nazi-controlled Austria to Amer- I had the privilege of working with and learn- work will continue at the Jamestown Foun- ica in 1939, Brownie never failed to display his ing from Bill as he waged the good fight dation.’’ particular brand of zest for life that so charac- against the oppressive regimes of the Soviet ‘‘Geimer was a visionary,’’ long-time Board terized his 75 years with us. Union that sought to crush the human spirit. member and former Central Intelligence In 1944 Brownie began his decorated 27- Through his instrumental role at the James- Agency director R. James Woolsey observed. year career in the United States Army, serving town Foundation, Bill’s leadership and vision ‘‘He had an enormous impact on our national in World War II, the Korean War and the Viet- helped bring down the Iron Curtain. Mr. security efforts. As the Soviet Union began nam War. Because of his fluency in German, to collapse, Bill was one of the first to fore- Speaker, I will insert following these remarks see that the instability brought about by he later served as an interpreter at the Nurem- a press release from the Jamestown Founda- that dissolution might result in rogue groups berg war crime trials. tion that describes how Bill made a tremen- more difficult to deal with and potentially For thirty years, Brownie was a full-time vol- dous difference with his life. more of a threat to freedom than the USSR, unteer for veterans organizations, coordinating Bill’s efforts and advocacy with the James- which is precisely the situation we face with Veterans of Foreign War volunteers for the VA town Foundation influenced Members of Con- Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.’’ Hospital and chairing the Pierce County Vet- gress, government officials and the general Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jamestown Advisory erans Advisory Council. In 1987, he helped public exposing the corrupt and immoral na- Board member, recalls that ‘‘Bill Geimer was found Fife’s Veterans Independent Enterprises ture of Soviet communism. Bill will be truly a patriot with a vision, an idealist with a program, and a leader who knew how to get of Washington to rehabilitate homeless drug- missed as this nation confronts other totali- or alcohol-dependent vets and help them be- things done.’’ tarian regimes, but his life and vision can Vice President Dick Cheney, a former come self-sufficient. serve as a legacy for others continuing the Jamestown Foundation board member who After he developed diabetes, Brownie dedi- fight against evil. attended Wednesday’s funeral services, stat- cated countless hours to the Diabetes Asso- IN MEMORIAM, WILLIAM W. GEIMER: AUGUST ed, ‘‘The Jamestown Foundation has played ciation of Pierce County, conducting diabetes 18, 1937—DECEMBER 1, 2002 an important role in alleviating suffering screenings without charge to residents of JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION FOUNDER AND COLD and in furthering democracy.’’ Pierce County. Brownie was known for both WAR HERO DIES A native of Chicago, William W. Geimer re- ceived his bachelor’s degree from Marquette helping people detect their diabetes and begin WASHINGTON, DC.—With deep sorrow, the to manage the condition. He would frequently Jamestown Foundation announces the death University and his law degree from North- go so far as to check in with people after their of William W. Geimer, its visionary founder western University. He served on President initial diagnosis to make sure they’d seen a and longtime president. Ronald Reagan’s Export-Import Bank transi- tion team, and in top-level positions in the doctor about their condition even three weeks Mr. Geimer, 65, established the Jamestown Foundation at a critical point in the Cold Nixon and Ford administrations, including after the test. as deputy assistant secretary of state for But these jobs and titles don’t begin to de- War as a source of first-hand accounts of the inner workings of the Soviet Union and international trade. He maintained a private scribe either who Brownie was or the depth of other Eastern bloc countries. From its law practice in Washington, DC from 1976 to his commitment to life. A man with a big heart, founding in 1984, the foundation has become 1984. Brownie fought for issues he believed in. After the leading force for disclosing to the world f serving our nation with a decorated career in the knowledge and insights of those in the the Army, Brownie worked tirelessly for the top reaches of closed totalitarian societies, IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER rights of veterans. Brownie was a passionate, including high level defectors from the So- OF BASEBALL LEGEND GARY dedicated citizen. He was patient and kind in viet Union and its client states. For creating CARTER teaching me not just about veterans and mili- a safe haven for high-ranking officials from behind the Iron Curtain with the courage to tary issues, but also a wide range of other tell the world the true nature of com- HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR. concerns close to his heart. munism, Geimer was recognized by President OF FLORIDA I was fortunate enough to work with Brownie Ronald Reagan as a key figure in the col- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on veterans issues ranging from concurrent lapse of the Soviet Union. receipt to VA health care to continuing edu- Geimer was inspired to launch the founda- Wednesday, January 8, 2003 cation and reform of the Montgomery GI bill. tion following his work with Arkady Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratu- It was always an honor to stand in the same Shevchenko, the highest-ranking Soviet offi- late a constituent of mine, Mr. Gary Carter of room as him and I will always cherish the op- cial ever to defect when he left his position Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for his election as undersecretary general of the United Na- portunity I had to call him both a colleague tions. Asked by the State Department to to baseball’s most coveted fraternity, the Hall and a friend. serve as Shevchenko’s attorney, Geimer rec- of Fame. Over a successful 19-year profes- Brownie’s outstanding contributions, selfless ognized that Shevchenko could provide a sional career, Gary Carter exemplified what it volunteerism, patriotism, and endless devotion unique and invaluable insider’s view of So- takes to be a big league ball player. Playing cannot be sufficiently acknowledged. Everyone viet policymaking, arms control negotiation the difficult position of catcher, Gary compiled in the veterans’ community, every elected offi- strategies and the workings of the top an impressive array of statistics and acco- cial, everyone in Pierce County knew him and reaches of the then-secret Soviet govern- lades. In 1975, his first full year with the Mon- admired him. His tireless work earned him not ment. Geimer was instrumental in the publi- treal Expos, Gary exploded onto the big only the respect, but also the love of everyone cation of Shevchenko’s writings, most nota- bly, the bestseller ‘‘Breaking with Moscow,’’ league scene. Seventeen years later, Gary re- he touched. in which Shevchenko acknowledged, as well turned to Montreal, after stints in New York, Brownie Braunsteiner’s passing is a loss to as the close personal friendship between San Francisco and Los Angeles, finishing his all who knew him and we extend our deepest them, ‘‘the countless hours, days, years of career where it all started. What a ride it had sympathy to his family in their great loss. I will himself’’ that Bill Geimer had given to been. Following the 1992 season, Gary retired miss his friendship and his counsel. ‘‘bring me into a new life.’’ with numbers that foretold an eventual trip to Following the end of the Cold War, Geimer f moved the foundation aggressively into mon- Cooperstown. Games played: 2,296; Hits: IN MEMORY OF COLD WAR HERO itoring the Soviet transition away from to- 2,092; Home Runs: 324; Runs Batted In: WILLIAM G. GEIMER talitarianism by publishing daily analytical 1,225 and a batting average of: 262. reports on events in the region. The James- Each year, Gary’s teammates and fan could town Foundation’s research and publications always count on his durability and consist- HON. FRANK R. WOLF have become the leading source of informa- ency. Season after season, Gary’s presence OF VIRGINIA tion on the war in Chechnya, and on polit- in a big league lineup made opposing pitchers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ical, military and economic trends in the fear his bat and power. In 1986, Gary lead the Wednesday, January 8, 2003 states of the former Soviet Union and in China.