[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    A TRIBUTE TO CLAYTON F. FREIHEIT

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life 
and exceptional accomplishments of Clayton F. Freiheit. This remarkable 
gentleman merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive 
record of civic leadership and invaluable service has improved the 
lives of our people.
  Many people have made contributions to our community, but few have 
left a legacy as has Mr. Freiheit. He was an extraordinary individual 
who made significant and lasting contributions to Colorado through his 
exemplary leadership and guidance of the Denver Zoo for nearly four 
decades. He commanded the respect of his peers through his singular 
dedication and was a mentor to practically every zoo and aquarium 
director in the United States. His was a life of enduring 
accomplishment and our community has truly been enriched by his 
presence among us.
  Clayton Freiheit was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and as a 
young boy his fascination with animals led him to draw pictures of the 
zoo he imagined operating one day. Mr. Freiheit worked as an animal 
caretaker while attending the University of Buffalo and at the age of 
twenty-two, he was appointed Curator of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens. 
To this day, he is the second youngest person ever to serve as the 
director of an American zoo and under his leadership, the Buffalo Zoo 
achieved national stature. In 1970, Mr. Freiheit relocated to Denver to 
become the Executive Director of the Denver Zoological Gardens. Mr. 
Freiheit is credited with enhancing the stature of the Denver Zoo and 
it is home to one of the most diverse animal collections of any zoo in 
the country. Under Mr. Freiheit's thirty-seven year tenure, the Denver 
Zoo came to be respected both nationally and internationally as a 
leader in animal care and exhibition, conservation programs, scientific 
study, environmental education and public service.
  It comes as no surprise that Mr. Freiheit achieved unparalleled 
professional recognition. He served and unprecedented three terms on 
the board of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). He also 
served as its president and as a member of and emeritus advisor to its 
Accreditation Commission. One of Mr. Freiheit's colleagues noted that 
``He has spent his entire career advancing and promoting the quality 
and mission of zoos and aquariums (and) has no equal in knowledge of 
the North American Zoo profession.'' In 1996, The University of Denver 
awarded Mr. Freiheit an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 
recognition of his many contributions to our community. In 2004, Mr. 
Freiheit became the 16th recipient of the Marlin Perkins Award for 
Professional Excellence which recognized his dedication to the AZA's 
mission of

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