[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PHOTOJOURNALIST BRIAN LANKER

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2011

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and 
legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Brian Lanker. Ten days 
after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, Brian passed 
away with his family at his side.
  Brian was a remarkable photographer and an even better friend. In 
1970, Brian shot a groundbreaking feature on the Lamaze technique for 
natural child birth, which at the time was unusual. Brian followed 
expectant mother Lynda Coburn through the birth of her second child. 
The feature culminated with a powerful photo of the ecstatic mother 
with her newborn daughter Jacki just after birth. This iconic photo 
earned Brian the 1973 Pulitzer Prize.
  But Brian won an even greater prize. He found Lynda, his soul mate. 
Brian and Lynda were married in 1974 and together they built a loving 
family with their children Julie, Jacki, and Dustin.
  In 1974, Brian and his family moved to Eugene, Oregon to take a 
position with the Register Guard. Brian's passion for the craft was 
unmatched and his incredible work at the Register-Guard earned him a 
Newspaper Photographer of the Year award.
  Brian left the Register-Guard to work as a freelance photographer. 
His breathtaking photographs have been featured in national 
publications like National Geographic, Life Magazine, and Sports 
Illustrated.
  He collaborated with poet Maya Angelou on two books: ``I Dream a 
World,'' his portraits of black women of achievement; and ``Shall We 
Dance,'' a photographic documentary of dance in America. The books were 
Brian's proudest achievements. The book ``I Dream a World'' set 
attendance records at Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Now 
in its 14th printing, the book shared with readers the stories of these 
incredible women who forever changed the course of history. Brian 
attributed the book's success not to his work, but rather to the women.
  But Brian had an uncanny ability to capture an image that revealed 
these stories. And throughout his career, his work moved people.
  Two of Brian's children, who had separately planned weddings for 
later in the year, chose to get married at Brian's bedside so he could 
share in their celebration. He passed away not long after. He is 
survived by Lynda Lanker and their children Julie, Jacki, and Dustin.
  Carl Davaz, who is the deputy managing director of photography at the 
Register-Guard, reflected on his final visit with Brian in a New York 
Times remembrance piece. At that visit Brian simply told Carl, 
``There's just so much left to do.''
  I agree. Brian--there was just so much left for you to do. You will 
forever be missed. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

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