[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15114]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING WARREN HAMILTON WIDENER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
exceptional life of Mr. Warren Hamilton Widener. Mr. Widener was an 
accomplished community activist, serviceman and humanitarian whose 
trailblazing work and strong commitment to social justice touched 
countless lives. As the first African-American mayor of Berkeley, Mr. 
Widener has left an indelible mark on the entire Bay Area community. 
With his passing on June 25, 2013, we look to Warren Widener's public 
legacy and the outstanding quality of his life's work.
  Warren Widener was born on March 25, 1938 in Oroville, CA, in the 
Sacramento Valley. As a young man, he served his country as a Captain 
in the U.S. Air Force, and he served his church leading the Methodist 
Youth Fellowship with his wife, Mary, at Downs Memorial United 
Methodist Church. Warren received his Juris Doctorate from Boalt Hall, 
School of Law. He worked as a lawyer and as President of the Urban 
Housing Institute before beginning his groundbreaking political career 
with his election to the Berkeley City Council in 1969 and his historic 
two-term election as the first black mayor of Berkeley, California, in 
1971.
  As stated in the October 1971 edition of Ebony Magazine's article on 
Warren's historic election, The Guard Changes in Berkeley, ``Widener . 
. . was a somewhat shy man . . . Somewhat enigmatic, Widener was, if 
there was such, a cautious radical, a man who according to one of his 
colleagues on the council, `is really more of a liberal in that he 
seems temperamentally capable of lobbying and staying cool and working 
patiently with political opponents' . . . ''
  After his last term as mayor, Warren would again return to public 
service with his election to the fifth district of the Alameda County 
Board of Supervisors in 1988, succeeding John George, the first 
African-American supervisor for Alameda County.
  A modern day renaissance man, in addition to his political career, 
Mr. Widener also had an appreciation and respect for the arts community 
and served as President of the Berkeley Repertory Theater Board from 
1985 until 1986.
  On a personal note, I met him when I was a student during the early 
70s; I admired and respected Warren's quiet strength, his bold 
leadership, and his commitment to our community. Warren Widener was a 
good friend and longtime supporter.
  He was a man for all seasons who lived life to its fullest and made 
this a better world. As a humanitarian, Warren's tireless and 
successful efforts to improve his community, especially to improve the 
lives of the homeless following the Loma Prieta earthquake, will be 
long remembered.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual and a stalwart community member, Mr. Warren 
Widener. In addition to being a beloved husband, brother, father of 
three, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was a respected colleague 
and dear friend. I offer my sincerest condolences to Warren Widener's 
extended group of loved ones and to all who benefited from his generous 
spirit over the course of his incredible life. Warren's legacy of 
compassion and concern for others will continue in the years to come. 
May his soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________