Remarks of Earl Blumenauer, United States Representative

 I, for one, am shocked that this has not taking place six months from now, when most would have hit the centennial.. Some of you were aware of his father, Reuben.

They never stopped. Modestly controversial in his own way.  Outspoken, but part of a tradition that we cherish here in Southeast Portland.

I knew him over the years, primarily through Democratic activities. Moshe, somebody mentioned, who was it was John, talked about following the rules.  He was a stickler for process.

I'm trying to think of how much my life was consumed by meetings that Mosh chaired with the Democratic, Central Committee. Points of order for the Democratic Party, or just for the good of the order. Helping people understand how it should be.

Who knew he was a philosophy major? I could believe it.  I could believe it.

I have had a lot of experience with Mosh over a half a century.  But I was looking forward to the opportunity to participate here.

Not that I'm going to add that much to the proceedings, but because I wanted to understand more about the hints of this interesting, complex person and the fact that he and Hilda were joined at the hip.

And you've put together a program that helps me understand more dimensions of this person:
Reed,  neighborhoods, not just politics, but yes, politics and a little more politics.

He cared about the neighborhoods. He was in, I want to say, precinct 4305 down on Crystal Springs, a great lawn sign location.  But even when you were an incumbent representing him, you had to talk him into it.  You need permission because nobody could just take that prime real estate and take it for granted.

Any of this sound familiar to? That is, that is truly, truly part of his gift.

He had a profound respect for process, and it wasn't just because he seemed to be timeless and could take extra time, but because he really believed in it.

He believed that was fundamental fairness, and if people didn't get their say, it somehow diminished the process that we were all a part of.

And he did that in a way that sort of unassuming but determined, focused and made each of those events that he was a part of a little more consequential.

Now it is true that he added about 15 minutes to each meeting that he presided over,  but I'm pleased to know that it wasn't just the Democratic Party or some of what I experienced as a members of Portland City Council.

That's who he was. He respected the right of everybody to be heard.

The opinions. He actually wanted to hear them, whether he agreed with them or not.

In fact, he would help you understand perhaps why he didn't.

But that was part of his, I think, merit and charm and integrity.

He believed in the process for people to participate.

I remember that little shop down on Milwaukie Avenue with the big stuffed bear in the window.

I was pleased to see that picture about the rabbit. I never quite understood went on in there.
There is some immigrant women making these things.

If it were happening today, people would wonder if it had some sort of illegal drug trade or you know what?

But he made a business out of it, and he did so under his own terms.
He retained his independence throughout his life. Not always the easiest. It may have had something to do with the ancient Volvo. I don't know. But it was on his terms and he shared them with us all.

And being true to himself, to the process, commitment to the democratic process, but to larger themes of justice and what is right.
We're all the better for it. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of getting a chance to know other aspects of Moshe.

I'm sorry that I didn't wasn't able to do it with him in person, but this is the next best thing coming from the heart, from people who knew and loved him to give us the picture that we all deserve.

Thank you very much.