[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BURT BLUMERT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, Burton Samuel Blumert passed away on Monday 
March 30, following a long battle with cancer. Burt was a true hero of 
the freedom movement and my close friend, advisor, and business 
partner.
  As the founder and manager of Camino Coins in Burlingame, CA, Burt 
was one of the nation's leading dealers in gold and silver coins. A 
student of Ludwig von Mises and the Austrian school of economics, Burt 
understood the important role precious metals played in protecting 
ordinary citizens from the damage wrought by fiat money and inflation. 
Thus, he regarded his work as a coin dealer not just as a business, but 
as an opportunity to help people by providing with some protection from 
the Federal Reserve's inflation tax.
  After I stepped down from Congress in 1984, I partnered with Burt in 
the coin business, a partnership which lasted until I returned to 
Congress in 1996. Our partnership was based on nothing more than our 
words. As anyone who ever dealt with Burt could testify, that was all 
that was needed, because Burt's word was truly his bond. I am unaware 
of anyone who dealt with Burt who questioned his integrity or his 
commitment to his customers.
  As well-known and respected as he was for his leadership in the coin 
business, Burt was best known as a promoter of libertarian ideas. Burt 
was a long time friend and patron of Murray Rothbard, one of Mises' top 
American students and a pioneer in economics, political theory, 
history, and much else. Burt helped Murray establish the Center for 
Libertarian Studies, and served as its president from 1975 until his 
death.
  Burt also played a key role in the flourishing of the Ludwig von 
Mises Institute, which, as its name suggests, is the leading center for 
the promotion and development of Austrian economics and libertarian 
political theory in the nation. Burt served as a founding board member 
of the Institute and the chaired the Institute's board after the 
original chair, Mrs. Margit von Mises, passed away in 1993. He also 
published The Rothbard-Rockwell Report, a well-read libertarian 
newsletter written by Murray Rothbard and Mises Institute President Lew 
Rockwell.
  Burt played a major role in making the ideas of liberty a force on 
the internet by serving as the publisher of Lewrockwell.com, as well 
supporting the development of Mises.org. Burt also played an 
instrumental role in the development of Antiwar.com. Burt also served 
as chairman of my first run for the presidency, and important counselor 
in the second.
  In addition to his work with these organizations, Burt was a friend, 
mentor, and patron to numerous libertarian scholars and activists. He 
was incredibly generous with both his time and his resources. Talking 
to Burt was always a treat, because he had one of the best senses of 
humor I have ever known, and it seemed like he was always in a good 
mood. Events that would send his friends into fits of depression, rage, 
or both would be used by Burt as fodder for a series of jokes and 
wisecracks. Even in the last days of his battle with cancer he remained 
upbeat. One of Burt's friends called him shortly after learning about 
Burt's cancer, but instead of consoling Burt, this friend ending up 
having his sprits lifted by Burt's humor.
  It is somewhat of a comfort to myself, and I am sure to Burt's other 
friends, to know that he lived long enough to see so many of his 
efforts bear fruit. Today, the Mises Institute teaches sound economies 
and the principles of liberty to thousands of students every year while 
Mises.org is one of the leading economics websites in the world. 
Lewrockwell.com is one of the top providers of political, economic, and 
cultural commentary on the web, while Antiwar.com is the leading source 
of information for scholars, journalists, and activists looking for 
material to combat the propaganda of the war party.
  As I travel across the country, I am astounded at the number of young 
people I met who are interested in the cause of individual liberty, 
peace, and sound money. Many of them got their introduction to these 
ideas through one of the many organizations nurtured by Burt Blumert.
  Madam Speaker, perhaps the highest compliment one can pay to a 
departed friend is to say that they left the world better than they 
found it. That is certainly true in the case of Burt Blumert. While I 
am saddened that I will never again benefit from Burt's good humor and 
wise counsel, I am comforted by knowing that I was blessed by his 
friendship and the thought that the vibrant and growing freedom 
movement will serve as a living monument to Burt for years to come. I 
therefore join friends of liberty around the world in mourning Burt's 
passing, and saluting all he accomplished during his lifetime.

                          ____________________