[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF WALTER NEWMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay final tribute to a prominent 
San Francisco businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader: Walter 
Newman. San Francisco has been blessed by Walter's life, vision, 
leadership, and generosity. His legacy will leave an everlasting impact 
on our city.
  Walter Newman was a third generation Californian, a dedicated 
patriot, and a proud American. He served our country as an Army 
infantry captain during World War II. He earned a Purple Heart for 
wounds sustained while leading his troops into Normandy. He earned the 
gratitude and accolades of the people of France, the recipient of that 
country's highest civilian honor, the Chevalier of the National Order 
of the Legion of Honor.
  Mr. Newman continued his service in our beloved hometown of San 
Francisco. As head of the Planning Commission and the Redevelopment 
Commission, he helped lead the effort to develop major civic projects 
ranging from the Transamerica Pyramid to Mission Bay. As president of 
the San Francisco Fine Arts Museum, he was instrumental in bringing 
King Tut artifacts to San Francisco as one of our first great art 
exhibitions.
  He played a vital role in the establishment of University High School 
in San Francisco. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the 
University of California, San Francisco; a member of the UCSF Conflict 
of Interest Committee; and a member of the board of the San Francisco 
General Hospital Foundation.
  In a true reflection of his dedication to his fellow veterans, he 
served on the Board of Directors of NCIRE--The Veterans Health Research 
Institute, a national leader in advancing veterans' health research 
based in San Francisco. He helped establish a veterans' resource center 
at the City College of San Francisco. It is a testament to Mr. Newman's 
longstanding dedication to San Francisco and our veterans that UCSF 
will soon have a 42,000-square-foot Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
Mission Bay.
  Walter will be remembered for his positive attitude and compassion, 
for his unyielding commitment to the education of our children and the 
health of our people, for his unending devotion to the well-being of 
our veterans.
  He will be remembered for his exemplary will and exceptional values--
for the way he inspired others to action, even in moments of his own 
grief. Indeed, when his son Bob tragically passed away from a malignant 
brain tumor, Walter responded in characteristic fashion. At a time when 
so many others would, understandably, turn inward with grief, he 
honored his son's memory by co-founding and becoming President of the 
National Brain Tumor Foundation--an organization that assists thousands 
of people suffering from brain cancer.
  A cherished civic leader. A proud San Franciscan. A champion for our 
city, our state, and our country. This is how we will all remember 
Walter Newman.
  Yet, as devoted as he was to civic and cultural causes in San 
Francisco, he was above all devoted to his beloved wife Ellen, his sons 
Walter Jr. and John, and brother-in-law Jerry. I hope it is a comfort 
to his family and loved ones that so many join them in mourning his 
passing.

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