[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14730]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HAROLD ``HAL'' HART

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hare). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and passing of a 
great man and a gentleman, Harold ``Hal'' Hart. He was a teacher, a 
father figure, a mentor and friend to thousands across Oregon and 
thousands scattered indeed around the world whose lives go on as a 
testament to the goodness that Hal instilled in others.
  A resident of Portland, Oregon, for most of his life, Mr. Hart lived 
a life that others could only dream of. Married to his high school 
sweetheart, Sally, and blessed with five daughters and eleven 
grandchildren, he never missed an opportunity to see the good in 
others. Nor did he miss an opportunity to bring out the best in others.
  An attorney with an unabashed respect for the law, Mr. Hart worked 
tirelessly to mend the shattered lives of young people. He was seen by 
judges as the ``go to'' lawyer when a child was in need of help, 
working pro bono to aid countless adoptions, custody cases and child 
support cases. When asked why he cared so much and gave so much in this 
cause, he would say that everyone has the right to a happy childhood.
  Outside of his professional life, Mr. Hart continued to give of 
himself. The founder and coach of Lincoln High School's Constitution 
program that won 13 consecutive Oregon State championships, including 
three national championships, and eight top 10 national finishes, he 
not only pioneered law-related education programs in the Portland 
metropolitan area, indeed, in that endeavor he was the Johnny Wooden of 
his field. One of his proudest moments, it was said, was when his 
students were given the opportunity to present their winning remarks to 
the U.S. Supreme Court, Members of the Senate, and to then Vice 
President Al Gore. Hundreds of his students have moved into the legal, 
teaching, government and service professions.
  A noted softball coach who established girls' softball at Ainsworth 
Grade School and Lincoln High School, Hal Hart was coaching a women's 
team up to the last week of his life. He was also a lifelong musician 
who supported himself through high school, college and law school 
playing clarinet and saxophone. As an adult, he played countless 
fundraisers with his jazz combo and the Providence Hospital Stage Band.
  While Mr. Hart quietly went about helping others, never asking for 
anything in return except that those that he helped be good people, he 
was recognized by countless organizations for the works that he did. 
The effect of Hal Hart on his community and on the lives of those who 
knew him cannot be overstated. He was loved by his teams and 
beneficiaries, respected by his adversaries, and he will be universally 
missed.
  While we have lost this great Oregonian, we find solace that so many 
others have been spurred on by his example. Throughout his years of 
teaching, he kept framed on his desk a few lines from Ralph Waldo 
Emerson, and they sum up his philosophy as follows:
  To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent 
persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of 
honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate 
beauty; to find the best in others; to give of oneself; to leave the 
world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a 
redeemed social position; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm 
and sung with exaltation; to know that one life has breathed easier 
because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
  Mr. Speaker, Hal Hart was a success by any measure and in so many 
different ways.

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