[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 44 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PUNCH GREEN

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, the great Oliver Wendell Holmes 
once said, ``To live fully is to be engaged in the passions of one's 
time.'' Few Oregonians--and few Americans--have lived a life as full as 
Alan ``Punch'' Green's. Alan Green was known to us who loved him as 
``Punch.'' I say that few have lived a life as full as Punch's because 
few have made such a positive difference in the passions of our time.
  Punch passed away last Friday at the age of 75. And as his many 
friends--myself included--struggle to get used to the fact that we can 
no longer call Punch for his straightforward advice, I would like to 
pay tribute here on the Senate floor to this remarkable Oregonian.
  Punch was a member of what has been termed ``The Greatest 
Generation.'' Like so many others of that generation, Punch willingly 
risked his life for our country, as he served with distinction in the 
Pacific theater during World War II. And when he returned to Oregon 
following the war, Punch dedicated much of his life to making Oregon 
and America a better place in which to live, work, and raise a family.
  He founded and ran a number of businesses, where he earned a 
reputation as a caring and fair manager. He became active in the 
Republican Party, serving as chair of campaigns for Presidents Ford, 
Reagan, and Bush, and serving as a trusted mentor to countless other 
candidates, myself included. Indeed, when I began my campaign for the 
Senate, one of the first people I sought out for advice and support was 
Punch Green, and I could not have asked for a more loyal friend.
  Punch loved his home city, the city of Portland, OR, and he 
understood the importance of ensuring that Portland remained true to 
its name. As a commissioner and as President of the Port of Portland, 
Punch skillfully guided the port through an era of major growth and 
expansion. Punch's leadership on these issues came to the attention of 
President Reagan, who chose Punch to serve as chair of the Federal 
Maritime Commission, a post he filled with great skill for 4 years.
  Punch was nearing what many consider ``retirement age'' in the 1980s, 
and he certainly had earned the right to take it easy and spend time 
with his family. But Punch was always willing to answer the call of his 
country, and former President Bush was calling. In 1989, Punch packed 
his bags and accepted President Bush's request to serve as United 
States Ambassador to Romania.
  Punch arrived at the embassy in Bucharest just 2 weeks before the 
fall of the Ceausescu dictatorship. As tensions mounted in that country 
and explosions could be heard in the distance, Punch evacuated women 
and children from the embassy, and slept on his office couch for 10 
days. Punch would later tell me that one of the highlights of his life 
was waving an American flag from the embassy window to the thunderous 
applause and cheers of thousands of Romanian citizens who were 
celebrating the end of Ceausescu's bloody reign. Punch's leadership in 
Romania at this critical time was recognized in 1992, when he received 
the State Department's Distinguished Honor Award.
  When his assignment in Romania came to its conclusion, Punch returned 
to Portland, where he continued to provide his inimitable leadership to 
a variety of worthy causes. One which was especially close to his heart 
was that of the Oregon Humane Society, which now has a beautiful new 
facility in Portland, thanks, in no small part, to Punch's vision and 
generosity.
  My thoughts today are with Punch's wife, Joan, his three daughters, 
and eight grandchildren. The Greek poet Sophocles once wrote that ``One 
must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.'' 
Although Punch left us much too early, it is my prayer that those who 
loved him will take solace in the fact that as he neared the evening of 
his time here on Earth, Punch could look back at a life rich with 
family, rich with friends, and rich with making a difference in the 
passions of our time, and he could say that the day has indeed been 
splendid.

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