[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 65 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JIM BRANDENBURG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2025

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of an 
iconic figure in the world of wildlife photography, Jim Brandenburg. 
Jim passed away at home in Minnesota on April 4, 2025, at the age of 
79. He is survived by his spouse, Judy, daughter Heidi and her husband 
Nels Pierson, and grandchildren Olivia, Liam, and Lindsey.
  Born and raised in Minnesota, Brandenburg's career began in the early 
1970s, and he quickly gained recognition for his ability to humanize 
animals through images. His work as a staff photographer for National 
Geographic further solidified his reputation in the field of wildlife 
photography. He was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 1988, 
and Magazine Photographer of the Year by the National Press 
Photographers Association in 1981 and 1983. Of the 40 most important 
nature photographs of all time, chosen by the International League of 
Conservation Photographers, four are by Jim Brandenburg. In 2023, Jim 
became one of just six photographers to earn the National Geographic 
Lifetime Achievement Award.
  Jim's ability to artfully capture the unique and beautiful landscapes 
and wildlife of Minnesota is perhaps his clearest legacy. By choosing 
to focus his lens on the animals of the Upper Midwest, he highlighted 
the exceptional ecosystems and biodiversity of our region, including 
wolves. In fact, two of his most renowned photographs are of wolves: 
one capturing a white wolf leaping between ice floes in the Arctic, the 
other a gray wolf staring directly into his lens, watching Jim from 
behind a tree in his own backyard in northern Minnesota. Jim's work 
conveys his deep respect and empathy for the animals he photographs, 
which helped him to capture moments that transcend mere documentation. 
His photographs invite viewers to pause and consider the lives of the 
creatures that share our planet.
  In addition to his photographic contributions, Jim Brandenburg has 
been a tireless advocate for conservation. His work has been 
instrumental in raising awareness about the environmental challenges 
facing the Upper Midwest and advocating for the preservation of 
wilderness areas including Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
Wilderness. Jim also worked with another famous adventurer-advocate 
from Minnesota, the explorer Will Steger, helping to document Will's 
polar expeditions. The United Nations Environmental Programme awarded 
Jim the World Achievement Award in recognition of his work to raise 
public awareness of the need to protect our planet's natural habitats.
  Jim Brandenburg's legacy extends far beyond his photographic 
achievements. He has inspired photographers, conservationists, and 
nature lovers with his unique ability for capturing the soul of the 
wild. Through his work, he has shown us that nature is something to be 
cherished and protected. As we reflect on his life and career, we must 
honor not only his photographic contributions but also his commitment 
to the preservation of the natural world for future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable life and 
work of Jim Brandenburg.

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