[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H11085-H11086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING PETER E. HAAS, SR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Marchant). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
Texas for allowing me to speak out of turn. I appreciate it very much.

[[Page H11086]]

  Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to pay tribute to a 
great friend and great American, Peter E. Haas, Senior, for a lifetime 
of leadership. Peter Haas, who, with his brother Walter, led the 
renowned blue jean empire Levi Strauss, died at the age of 86 on 
December 3 in San Francisco. His extraordinary life will forever serve 
to enrich the lives of all of us living in the San Francisco Bay Area. 
Known for his integrity, honesty and modesty, Mr. Haas was 
distinguished in the business world for his unyielding commitment to 
corporate ethics and for championing blue collar workers.
  Mr. Haas was born in San Francisco in 1918 to Elise Stern Haas and 
Walter A. Haas, Senior, the third generation of his family to lead the 
family business. Mr. Haas' great granduncle, Levi Strauss, created blue 
jeans as working pants for gold miners in the 1850s.
  Mr. Haas graduated from UC Berkeley in 1940 with a bachelor's degree 
in economics and from Harvard Business School in 1943. In 1945, he 
joined his brother Walter at Levi Strauss, commencing a 60-year career. 
In 1953, Time magazine named the two brothers Leaders of Tomorrow. 
Peter Haas focused on the company's operations and finance, while his 
brother Walter focused on marketing and advertising. Peter Haas served 
as president of the company from 1970 to 1981 and chief executive 
officer from 1976 to 1981. In 1981, Financial World magazine named Mr. 
Haas Chief Executive Officer of the Year. Under their leadership, the 
Haas brothers' leadership, the company experienced massive growth and 
expansion. As the baby boomers hit their teenage years, they 
capitalized on the growing popularity of blue jeans.
  With the first Levi Strauss manufacturing plants in southern States, 
Mr. Haas took a stand against segregation, refusing to allow separate 
working areas for black and white workers and demanding equal treatment 
for all employees. His ethics did not hinder the company's success. In 
1945, Levi Strauss consisted of three small factories in the San 
Francisco Bay Area and $2 million in denim sales. By the time Mr. Haas 
left his position as board chairman in the late 1980s, sales had 
reached $3.1 billion in 50 countries.
  Mr. Haas used his business sense and financial success for public 
service, working with numerous foundations and service organizations, 
including the San Francisco Foundation, the Jewish Community 
Federation, and the United Way. Through the Miriam and Peter Haas Fund, 
he contributed millions of dollars to the arts, public policy programs, 
and health and human services. The Haases gave millions to provide 
high-quality, early childhood development programs to low-income 
families.
  Peter Haas served as a UC Berkeley Foundation trustee for 12 years 
and was the university's most avid donor and fund-raiser. He and Walter 
built the Haas School of Business in honor of their father, Walter 
Haas, Senior. In 1996, Peter Haas received the Berkeley Medal, the 
school's top honor, and was named Alumnus of the Year. Mr. Haas never 
missed a home football game or basketball game. He was preparing to 
attend a UC Berkeley game Saturday when he fell ill.
  San Francisco is forever indebted to Peter for his immeasurable 
contributions. It is with great personal sadness that I offer my 
deepest sympathy to his wife, Mimi; his sons, Peter and Michael; his 
daughter, Margaret; his stepsons, Ari and Daniel Lurie; his four 
grandchildren, Jennifer Haas-Dehejia, Daniel, Bradley, and Nicholas; 
and one great-grandchild, Maya Cady Haas-Dehejia. I hope that it is a 
comfort to Peter's family that so many people mourn their loss and are 
praying for them at this sad time.

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