[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20676-20677]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO DONALD BROTZMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 4, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to 
mourn the passing of Congressman Donald Brotzman. Donald, the former 
representative for Colorado's Second Congressional District recently 
passed away at the age of eighty-two after battling cancer. He was 
known for his warmth, integrity and abiding sense of professionalism. 
As his family and friends mourn their loss, I believe it is appropriate 
to remember Donald and pay tribute to him for his contributions to the 
state of Colorado and this Nation.
  Donald was born in 1922 in Logan County where he was a tenor 
saxophonist and three-sport athlete at Sterling High School. He went to 
school at the University of Colorado on a football scholarship in 1939, 
only to postpone his studies to serve his country as an Army officer 
during World War II. After the war, Donald married Louise Reed and 
returned to the University of Colorado to earn his business and law 
degrees.
  Donald began working as a lawyer in Boulder in 1950, and was elected 
later that same year to the Colorado House of Representatives. He was a 
dynamic legislator who reflected strong Western values and a 
compassionate heart. Donald would go on to serve in the State Senate 
where he was named the outstanding freshman member, an honor he also 
enjoyed from his time in the State House. He was appointed as the 
Colorado U.S. attorney in 1959 and just two years later, he was elected 
to the U.S. House of Representatives where fellow lawmakers named him 
president of the Republican freshman class. Former U.S. Senator Bill 
Armstrong referred to Donald as a trailblazer in politics, and a man of 
great integrity and principle.

[[Page 20677]]

  After Donald left politics, he worked in the Government Relations 
department at the Rubber Manufacturers Association before retiring in 
1989. When Louise died in 1995, Donald remarried, and is survived by 
his wife Gwendolyn, a brother, daughter, and son, in addition to a 
stepson and six grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all saddened by the loss of Congressman Donald 
Brotzman, though we take comfort in the knowledge that our grief is 
overshadowed by the legacy of dedication that Donald has left with us. 
I am honored to pay tribute to such a devoted public servant, one who 
has given many years in service to the state of Colorado and Nation. I 
know that many throughout our state who had the chance to benefit from 
his experience and dedication will miss Donald Brotzman. My thoughts 
and prayers go out to his family during this time of bereavement.

                          ____________________