[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3180-S3181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING CHARLES JORDAN

 Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, on April 4 of this year, Oregon, 
and the Nation, lost a champion of racial equality and environmental 
justice--

[[Page S3181]]

and I lost a good friend. For more than four decades, Charles Jordan 
was the gold standard for civic participation. He was an inspired 
public servant, a determined community leader and a stalwart advocate 
for parks and what they mean to the quality of life in our cities.
  As the first African American elected to the Portland City Council 
and later as the city's parks and recreation director, Charles was a 
tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion. His work to protect 
community landmarks and Portland's prized natural areas earned him 
national recognition, including being appointed by President Ronald 
Reagan to the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors and by 
President Bill Clinton to the American Heritage Rivers Initiative 
Advisory Committee. Charles also served on the board of The 
Conservation Fund for 20 years, and became the first African American 
to lead a national environmental organization when he served as 
chairman of the organization's board of directors.
  Like me, Charles Jordan was a tall guy who went to school on a 
basketball scholarship but found his calling in public service. His 
passion for equality, fairness and positive change improved the lives 
of many. Under Charles' tenure, the Portland Parks and Recreation 
Department increased the impact that parks had on everyone's lives, 
particularly children. Thanks to his leadership, the number of parks 
and natural areas in the City of Portland increased from 184 to 228, 
creating the opportunity for more and more families of all income 
levels to enjoy the outdoors. His innovative work led to Portland's 
award of the National Gold Medal in 2011 as the best parks system in 
the Nation from the American Academy for Park and Recreation 
Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association, the 
Nation's leading public park and recreation organizations.
  His dedication to providing open spaces for children to play, along 
with safe community centers for families to gather, were the result of 
his inherent belief that all people must be treated with respect and 
dignity. In 2012, one of Portland's most popular community centers was 
renamed the Charles Jordan Community Center, a fitting tribute to the 
advice he gave to many kids:

       Model the way. You never know who is watching and wanting 
     to be just like you.

  In addition to all his hard work I have already mentioned, Charles 
also served as my go-to person on senior issues. His insight and advice 
always helped me see the right path forward. For that, and many other 
reasons, his loss has left a void.
  Oregon commemorates his leadership in parks, conservation, providing 
access to the outdoors for all Americans, civic involvement and civil 
rights. My thoughts are with his wife Esther, his son Dion, and his 
daughter Trish. Charles was a true giant of our State, and he will be 
deeply missed.

                          ____________________