[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF WALTER SHORENSTEIN'S 95TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Walter 
Shorenstein--a prominent San Franciscan, a great American and a dear 
friend. He is a man of extraordinary vision and leadership, of 
generosity and wise counsel. And today, it is my distinct honor and 
privilege to mark his 95th birthday on the floor of the House of 
Representatives.
  Along with his late wife, Phyllis, Walter used the tools of 
philanthropy and civic activism to build a better San Francisco. Their 
gifts to the Bay Area's academic and cultural institutions have been an 
example to all who wish to leave a mark on our city's future. Their 
willingness to give--to donate their time, hospitality, and passion to 
others--has touched and influenced many lives.
  One of San Francisco's most distinguished business leaders, Walter 
Shorenstein is a true pioneer, a visionary who helped shape our city's 
magnificent skyline and who worked to make San Francisco into the 
global economic and commercial center it is today. His leadership has 
been recognized by presidents and other world leaders, as well as the 
people of San Francisco.
  After serving in World War II, Walter arrived in San Francisco in 
1946 and began work in commercial real estate with the brokerage firm 
Milton Meyer & Company. By 1960, he had become President and sole owner 
of Milton Meyer, renamed it the Shorenstein Company, and transformed it 
into the largest owner and operator of commercial real estate in San 
Francisco and one of the largest privately owned real estate firms in 
the nation.
  As firm believers in the power and promise of a strong education--and 
in memory of their beloved daughter Joan--Walter and Phyllis founded 
the Joan Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy at 
Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He also sponsors the 
Shorenstein Initiative at Stanford University's Asia/Pacific Research 
Center, as well as programs at UC Berkeley's Institute of East Asian 
Studies. He is the single largest donor in the U.S. to the United Way.
  For Giants fans, Walter was a leader in keeping our beloved baseball 
team in San Francisco, galvanizing investors, local businesses, and the 
team's faithful fans to take action and preserve our national pastime 
in our city.
  Walter and Phyllis proudly and lovingly raised three children: Joan, 
Carole and Doug. Doug Shorenstein became Chairman and CEO of the 
Shorenstein Company in 1995. Carole Shorenstein Hays is a Tony Award-
winning Broadway producer and President of SHN, a theatrical 
entertainment company in San Francisco. Joan, a political journalist 
and producer at CBS News, died in 1985.
  I join Walter's children Doug and Carole, his grandchildren Brandon, 
Sandra, Danielle, Wally, and Grace, and family, friends and colleagues 
in wishing Walter a happy 95th birthday.

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