[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 4, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING GERRY FRANK

  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I speak today to honor the memory of an 
esteemed and beloved Oregonian who spent his life bettering our State. 
On March 13, Oregon lost its most devoted citizen and advocate: Gerry 
Frank.
  Gerry's life and service to Oregon has inspired so many to learn, 
laugh about, and love what makes Oregon so special: our State's jaw-
dropping beauty, our unique independence, and our incredible capacity 
to land on our feet. And Gerry has always done it in his own special 
way. No one I know has managed to do as much good as Gerry Frank with a 
simple piece of chocolate cake.
  Gerry was a true renaissance man. A graduate of both Lincoln High in 
Portland and Cambridge in the U.K., he made his mark as a successful 
haberdasher, restauranteur, politician, and World War II veteran. But 
we all knew his true loves: Oregon and a great piece of cake. Gerry 
used the best chocolate cake in the world to bring us together at the 
State fair, a contest he selflessly judged annually for 60 years. He 
kept a terrific restaurant and retailer called Gerry Frank's Konditorei 
which paired delicious Oregon food with that cake. And he went to bat 
for Oregon community organizations of every size and shape, saying, 
``How much cake do you need to give a good cause a boost?''
  After the family business of Meier & Frank was sold in 1965, Gerry 
turned to politics, joining Senator Mark Hatfield's office. Gerry's 
politics were always pretty simple. He would ask, ``Is that idea fair? 
Does it make sense? And is it a part of Oregon's long tradition of 
welcoming fresh approaches to tackling big challenges?'' For almost 20 
years Gerry worked as Mark Hatfield's chief of staff, gaining the 
nickname ``Oregon's Third Senator,'' for his dogged work ethic and 
devotion to Oregonians. Gerry is an incredible testament to what we 
call back home the Oregon Way: where we put aside partisan leanings to 
get things done for our State.
  After leaving politics, Gerry followed his passion for meeting new 
people and seeing new places. A talented writer, he was the travel 
columnist at the Oregonian newspaper for many years and published 
multiple books, including one of my personal favorites: ``Gerry Frank's 
Oregon.''
  Gerry, a man of many talents and passions, never forgot about his 
home in Salem. Despite travelling to over 150 countries, he always 
returned home in time for some of Oregon's beloved traditions, 
including the State fair and the Rose Festival. In 2019 the Gerry Frank 
Salem Rotary Amphitheater was built in his name, just another testament 
to the impact Gerry had on his community as a lifelong Rotarian and 
lover of live music. And soon, Providence Health in Portland will 
complete the Gerry Frank Center for Children's Care in his memory.
  The State of Oregon will not forget Gerry Frank, and neither will I. 
While his passing brings us sadness, it also bring us gratitude for his 
tireless work to make Oregon a better place to call home. I honor the 
illustrious life of Gerry Frank and unforgettable legacy he left in our 
State for generations to come.

                          ____________________