[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE LEGACY OF WARREN HELLMAN

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                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life and legacy 
of Warren Hellman: a community leader, a San Francisco legend, and an 
American success story. Sadly, Warren passed away on December 18th, 
surrounded by his loving family.
  Warren was a tremendously successful businessman: at 28, he was the 
youngest partner in Lehman Brothers history; at 39, he became the 
firm's president. It was his business acumen that allowed him to pursue 
his true passion: philanthropy.
  With his deep generosity, intellectual curiosity, and visionary 
dynamism, he changed the face of our city. His legacy will live on 
through his contributions to education, music, and civic life.
  When Warren saw an opportunity to enrich our city, he acted upon it. 
He strengthened and beautified Golden Gate Park. He worked to end 
homelessness. He supported the San Francisco Free Clinic, and he 
endowed aquatic sports at UC Berkeley, where he had played water polo 
as a student. Concerned about dwindling local news coverage in the 
Internet age, he helped form the Bay Citizen online journalism site. 
Warren served on the board of Mills College and University of 
California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business.
  Warren was a lover of music, a lover of family, and a lover of life. 
The three-day concert he founded, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, held each 
year in Golden Gate Park, has allowed hundreds of thousands of fans 
each year to enjoy the music that enriched his life. Warren was 
involved in every aspect of the festival, including personally 
recruiting musicians he admired. It is so fitting that Speedway Meadow, 
the site of the festival, was renamed Hellman Hollow just last week. I 
know this pleased Warren immensely.
  With the passing of Warren Hellman, San Francisco has lost a beloved 
champion. But we can honor his memory and his enthusiasm by celebrating 
his many contributions.
  Warren Hellman excelled at everything he did, including being a 
friend. I was proud to call Warren my friend. I hope it is a comfort to 
his wife Chris and the entire Hellman family whom he cherished that so 
many mourn his loss and are praying for them at this sad time.

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