[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2005-E2006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO GLENN E. PORZAK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Glenn Porzak, a world-renowned mountain climber who has remained an 
active climber and contributor to the climbing community even into his 
50s. Glenn has not only excelled at the physically challenging ascents 
of the world's tallest peaks, he has also developed a distinguished 
reputation as a staunch legal defender of his client's water rights as 
well as a contributing member of his community.
  Glenn recently returned to his home in Boulder, Colorado, from 
successfully reaching the summit of Cho Oyu, the world's sixth-highest 
peak in the Himalayas. Like all of the high peaks in the world, the 
26,940-foot Cho Oyu is a challenging peak, and his ascent is a 
noteworthy achievement. This achievement is even more impressive given 
that it marks his fifth successful ascent of one of the world's 14 
peaks higher than 8,000 meters (26,250 feet). With the ascent of Cho 
Oyu, Glenn has now reached the summit of one of these high peaks in 
each of the past three decades. He previously summited Mt. Everest, 
Makalu (the fifth highest in the world), Mount Shisha Pangma (the 
thirteenth highest) on which he made the first American ascent, and 
Lhotse (the fourth highest) on which he also led the first American 
ascent.
  For those who climb high peaks and know of the physical demands, 
logistical complications and harsh environmental conditions involved, 
having the stamina and wherewithal to continue these climbs is 
remarkable. And he did it with the help of his expedition team, which 
was made up of members who were each over 50. As Glenn put it in a 
recent news story in the Boulder Camera about this ascent, ``Many 
people are familiar with the adventure book `Into Thin Air' [the Jon 
Krakauer book about the illfated Everest expedition in 1996 when five 
people lost their lives]. Well, we referred to our 50-something 
expedition as `Into Gray Hair.' ''
  Glenn carries his energy and enthusiasm for climbing into his law 
practice and his other activities. He is very dedicated to his law 
practice, where he works to further Colorado's environmental causes on 
issues such as water rights, conservation and real property law. Glenn 
somehow also finds time to lead and work for numerous community efforts 
such as a Board of Trustee of the University of Colorado, past chairman 
of the board for the Colorado Outward Bound School, and president of 
the American Alpine Club and the Colorado Mountain Club. Anyone that 
knows Glenn can attest to his incredible stamina and enduring 
perseverance. .
  Glenn is a lifelong resident of the State of Colorado. He graduated 
from the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving a Bachelor of 
Arts with distinction in 1970 and a Juris Doctorate from the University 
of Colorado School of Law in 1973. After completing his education, he 
quickly became a member of one of the oldest and largest law firms in 
the Rocky Mountain West, Holme Roberts & Owen LLC. Glenn went on to 
become a partner with this firm in 1980 and remained so until 1996, 
when he became the managing partner of Porzak Browning & Bushong LLP. 
It was during this time that he began to specialize in environmental 
law.

  Over the course of Glenn's 31-year career, he has worked tirelessly 
to provide all Coloradans with sound legal counsel on many issues. His 
focus on conservation and water litigation has been the key to his many 
successes. Some of his notable achievements include: Obtaining the 
first federal contracts for water from Green Mountain and Ruedi 
Reservoirs; negotiating the wide-ranging agreement between the Denver 
Water Department

[[Page E2006]]

and Summit County to secure water for residents; successfully 
adjudicating over 125 applications for water rights, changes of water 
rights, and plans for augmentation and exchange; and negotiating major 
conservation easements and open space acquisitions for the Meadowdale 
Ranch, Lily Lake, Caribou Ranch, and Cal-Wood Ranch, all important open 
space projects in Colorado.
  Most likely due to his extensive knowledge of and love for the 
environment, Glenn has taken it upon himself to become an elite and 
avid mountain climber. He completed over 1,100 summer and winter 
ascents of peaks over 11,000 feet and climbed numerous other mountains 
around the world. Because of these experiences, Glenn has been asked 
numerous times to contribute written pieces for outdoors publications. 
He has also led various mountaineering clubs and organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the 
ongoing achievements of Glenn Porzak in mountaineering and in 
conservation law. Following his ascent of Cho Oyu, Glenn has been 
quoted as saying that it's time that he started acting his age and 
suggesting that his expeditions to summit peaks higher than 26,250 feet 
are over. As those who know Glenn are aware, he has said this before. 
So, I would not be surprised to see Glenn back on the mountain making 
yet more climbs. The allure of the outdoors and the majestic peaks are 
that strong. It is the same allure that calls me to the outdoors and 
the adventurous challenges that they present. Glenn's passion for the 
outdoors and his legal work are an inspiring reminder of the 
determination of the human spirit to surmount any obstacle and meet any 
challenge--and especially that age needs not be a limiting factor. I'm 
sure that Glenn will remain active in these and other important 
endeavors.

                          ____________________