[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 827-828]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF GAIL ACHTERMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Oregon lost an amazing pioneer with the death of Gail 
Achterman last weekend. At the moment Gail was drawing her last breath, 
this remarkable woman's husband, Chuck McGinnis, was telling me the 
story of how she had won his heart as he listened to her give a lecture 
on the Taylor Grazing Act.
  That tells you all you need to know, actually, about both of them: 
that her lecture on an obscure Federal law could spark a whirlwind 
romance and a

[[Page 828]]

marriage of over 30 years. That is part of what made Gail such a 
remarkable woman. A three-sport letterwoman at Stanford University--in 
basketball, track, and swimming. An accomplished lawyer, public policy 
analyst, civic volunteer par excellence, and more.
  Each of the many roles she played during her too-short life but 
stellar four-decade career were characterized by her insight, drive, 
comprehensive view of the world, and commitment to excellence. She was 
a pioneer in every sense of the word--from big-time women's athletics 
to being the first woman to chair Oregon's transportation commission. 
She was not just breaking ground for women but being a leader and a 
role model for anyone who wanted to both excel and make a difference.
  Oregon was fortunate to have her as one of America's finest natural 
resources lawyers, practicing in Portland at one of the State's largest 
law firms, Stoel Rives. She rose to become a partner in the firm, 
leaving for 4 years to become the Governor's senior adviser on natural 
resources and helping to navigate some of Oregon's most difficult 
challenges in the 1980s.

                              {time}  1020

  What for most people would have been at the very height of her 
career, she left the law firm to retire to lead the Deschutes River 
Conservancy in central Oregon and then in 2003 to become director of 
the Institute of Natural Resources at Oregon State University.
  During all of this time, she was involved in civic affairs and 
professional activities too numerous to mention, giving speeches, 
lectures, consulting with people throughout her beloved Pacific 
Northwest and around America.
  During the last 10 years, she served on Oregon's transportation 
commission, the last term as its chair where she guided some of the 
most innovative approaches in the Nation to our transportation 
infrastructure challenges. Her work and leadership helped spark 
Oregon's economy and community revitalization.
  She also won environmental and civic awards. The last I witnessed was 
a few months ago from the pedestrian community because of her 
leadership and understanding of a transportation system that worked for 
everybody: truckers, railroad, bikes, and pedestrians.
  She was part of our celebration last summer of the 25th anniversary 
of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Act in recognition of the 
role she helped play in drafting Senator Mark Hatfield's legislation 
that led to the protection of this priceless national treasure.
  At the time of her passing, Gail had been focusing her attention on 
the future of the Willamette River Valley and the need for a 
comprehensive approach to its needs and opportunities.
  Even in her last month, Gail's vision and commitment and insight were 
focused on the big picture. But everything about Gail seemed to be big 
picture and larger than life, whether rowing on the river, cross-
country skiing, in the gym exercising, or presiding over a public 
hearing. Passion, focus, commitment, and the joy of getting a job done 
well were her signature characteristics. It was always part of that 
bigger picture, especially of land use and transportation, and water 
for our future.
  She epitomized the strength of Oregon public policy, understanding 
how the pieces fit together and then translating that knowledge to 
others in a very understated, but powerful, way and ultimately helping 
find its way into public policy and action.
  She was an extraordinary daughter of Oregon. She will be missed by 
all who knew her and appreciated her for the difference she made for 
generations to come.

                          ____________________