[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 102 (Monday, July 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF GREG BALDWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my hometown is often 
held out as an example of a community where livability is a primary 
goal. For the last forty years, people have been pioneering efforts to 
make cities work better through creative land use planning, zoning, 
transportation initiatives, public art and public spaces.
  There have been many who have helped shape this way of thinking and 
prove its effectiveness with results on the ground. Politicians, civic 
and business leaders have all played important roles, but none has been 
more influential but less publicly known than Greg Baldwin.
  Greg was a prominent Portland architect and designer who grew up in 
the city and went on to earn three Harvard degrees and study abroad. He 
came by his vision and commitment honestly; his father was a dedicated 
public servant and a key administrator in Portland for years with 
schools, the Port Commission, and later in life as the first real 
Commissioner of Transportation for the state of Oregon.
  Greg played a leadership role, striving for excellence in design in 
our community with revitalization of our schools, creating our light 
rail system, and the Portland Transit Mall. Greg Baldwin was sought 
after for projects around the country that benefited from his keen eye 
and grand sense of aesthetics--the things that one would expect from a 
leading architect.
  Yet, his most enduring gift was an insight into how planning and 
civic engagement can coax more out of these opportunities to shape our 
built environment, which in turn shapes us. Greg was patient, 
thoughtful, and a good listener, as well as being fair and smart. He 
excelled in bringing various groups together. He seemed able to help 
anyone who shared the ultimate goal of a signature project to help 
understand the contributions that everyone could make to achieve the 
desired objective.
  With all his intellect and professional accomplishments, he was 
foremost a great friend and accomplished artist. Committed to family, 
friends, and coworkers he was an outstanding human being. While he will 
be deeply missed, those who mourn his passing will take comfort knowing 
his many contributions will influence communities across America for 
generations to come.

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