[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H3044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF HAROLD J. SCHNITZER

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. I rise today in honor of the long and productive life 
of Harold J. Schnitzer.
  Harold was a skilled businessman who, together with his wife, Arlene 
Director Schnitzer, established and later with his son, Jordan, grew 
one of the largest privately owned real estate companies in the western 
United States. But this quiet, thoughtful, modest man was a civic 
leader, a philanthropist for the arts, education, and culture in 
Oregon.
  I personally experienced his kindness to a young man interested in 
public service. He continued to be generous with his opinions and 
advice, a story I know was repeated many times. His important 
contributions to our community will be enjoyed for generations to come.
  We honor his life, even as we mourn his passing, and extend our 
condolences to his wife of 62 years, Arlene, his son, Jordan, his 
extended family, and countless friends.

                       Harold Schnitzer Obituary

       Schnitzer, Harold J. 87 June 08, 1923 April 27, 2011 Harold 
     J. Schnitzer, businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader, 
     passed away early Wednesday morning, April 27, 2011, in 
     Portland, at age 87, from complications of cancer and 
     diabetes. He was born June 8, 1923, in Portland, growing up 
     in S.W. Portland where he attended Shattuck Elementary School 
     and Lincoln High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 
     metallurgy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 
     1944 and, immediately thereafter, served in the U.S. Army 
     until his discharge in 1947. Upon returning to Portland he 
     joined his brothers in the family scrap and steel business, 
     working alongside them until 1950, at which time he left and 
     founded Harsch Investment Properties, a leading diversified 
     owner and operator of industrial, office, retail and multi-
     family properties in five Western states. He served as 
     President and Chairman of the Board for two decades before 
     being joined by his son Jordan in 1970, who now serves as 
     President. Together they grew the company into one of the 
     largest, privately held real estate companies in the Western 
     United States. Throughout his life he focused on three 
     things: family, the business and his community. Harold 
     learned early on from his parents, Sam and Rose Schnitzer, 
     who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s, the 
     responsibility of making a difference with his life. They 
     taught him and his siblings, Manuel, Morris, Mollie, Edith, 
     Gilbert and Leonard, the importance of giving back to your 
     community. In 1949 he met and married Arlene Director, 
     daughter of family friends, Simon and Helen Director. Married 
     for 62 years, they were lifelong partners in business, the 
     arts and philanthropy. Their son, Jordan, was born in 1951. 
     Over a career of 60 years there have been hundreds of 
     organizations and causes that have benefited from his 
     leadership and financial support. Harold served on the board 
     of Lewis & Clark College for 16 years, a Life Trustee since 
     1995. His service to the Portland Art Museum spanned 21 
     years, ultimately as Chairman of the Board from 1997 to 2001, 
     during which time a major expansion resulted in the opening 
     of the Mark Building. He and Arlene are especially proud of 
     establishing the Center for Northwest Art, and a curatorial 
     and awards program. They also were major collectors of Han 
     and pre-Han ceramics that led to establishing the Arlene and 
     Harold Schnitzer Collection of Early Chinese Art. They gifted 
     a number of works from the collection to the Portland Art 
     Museum along with endowing the position of Curator of Asian 
     Art. Harold and Arlene have also been strong supporters of 
     arts and cultural institutions in both the Bay Area and Palm 
     Springs, where they have residences. More recently Harold 
     provided the lead gift establishing the Harold Schnitzer 
     Diabetes Health Center at OHSU in 2007, one of only ten 
     centers in the nation treating children and adults, and the 
     only one on the West Coast. A diabetic since his early 40s, 
     he valued good health care and appreciated its connection to 
     the quality and longevity of life. The Center is his 
     expression of helping others in their struggle with diabetes. 
     Harold valued family and philanthropy that extended to 
     Portland, the State of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. He 
     served as chairman of multiple capital and building campaigns 
     for Portland's Jewish Community that led to the establishment 
     of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, and facilities for 
     Congregation Shaarie Torah and Congregation Beth Israel, both 
     of which he remained as a member until his death. Harold was 
     always interested in ensuring that young people have the same 
     educational opportunities that he had. He believed that with 
     education comes greater appreciation of one another's 
     differences and increased tolerance. He had a lifelong 
     interest in funding scholarships and educational grants, and 
     that ultimately led to him establishing Judaic studies 
     programs at both the University of Oregon and Portland State 
     University. Harold served the City of Portland on a variety 
     of projects including the development of the Portland Center 
     for the Performing Arts. Because of his leadership and 
     philanthropy, the city named its symphony hall, the Arlene 
     Schnitzer Concert Hall, in honor of his wife, Arlene. He has 
     been honored by numerous civic organizations regionally and 
     nationally in partnership with his wife Arlene including the 
     following: Doctor of Humane Letters, Portland State 
     University, 2004; Distinguished Service Award, University of 
     Oregon, 2001; Aubrey Watzek Award, Lewis & Clark College, 
     2000; Arts Breakfast of Champions Honoree, NW Business for 
     Culture and the Arts, 1997; Portland First Citizen Award, 
     Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors, 1995; SAFECO 
     Art Leadership Award, ArtFair/Seattle, 1994; Distinguished 
     Service Award, United Jewish Appeal, 1966-1967; and the 
     Outstanding Philanthropist Award, National Society of 
     Fundraising Executives, 1996. He is this year's honoree of 
     the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to be celebrated 
     Saturday, April 30, 2011. Also in April, the faculty of the 
     Pacific Northwest College of Art voted to award honorary 
     doctorate degrees to both Harold and Arlene. Harold is 
     survived by his wife, Arlene; son, Jordan; granddaughters, 
     Arielle and Audria; brother, Gilbert of the Bay Area, Calif.; 
     sister Mollie of Beverly Hills, Calif.; and numerous nieces 
     and nephews. Even during the last days of his life he was 
     still working and planning on how to make life better for 
     everyone else around him. Therefore, in lieu of flowers and 
     to honor his memory, the family suggests that contributions 
     maybe made to the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at 
     OHSU; the Portland Art Museum; at either of two Judaic 
     studies programs at the University of Oregon or Portland 
     State University, or to the charity of your choice. A 
     memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 
     at Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 N.W. Flanders St., 
     Portland, with a reception to follow at 5:30 p.m. at the 
     Portland Art Museum, Mark Building, 1219 S.W. Park Ave., 
     Portland.

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