REMEMBERING JIM WHITTAKER

On 2026-06-09, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING JIM WHITTAKER" in the Senate.

REMEMBERING JIM WHITTAKER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2686] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING JIM WHITTAKER Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I come to the floor to honor a true American legend, Jim Whittaker. Jim passed away at his home in Port Townsend on April 7, 2026, at the age of 97. A memorial in his honor will be held at the Mountaineers in Seattle on Sunday, June 14. Jim was born and raised, along with his twin Lou, in West Seattle. A towering figure, Jim was nicknamed ``Big Jim,'' and he more than lived up to the moniker. Born February 10, 1929, as a young boy, the mountains called to him, and by the 1940s he was exploring with the Boy Scouts and the Mountaineers. In 1948, he and his brother began running guiding services on Mount Rainier, eventually taking over management of that operation. In 1953, Jim answered the call to serve during the Korean war. He served at the Army's Mountain and Cold Weather command in Colorado, providing training to the 10th Mountain Division in skiing, climbing, mountain maneuvers, and bivouacs. Following an honorable discharge, Jim began another adventure: heading the first retail store for the fledging REI Co-op. Over 25 years, he helped build REI, eventually becoming CEO and president. Under his leadership, it became a national brand focused on providing quality outdoor gear and fulfilling environmental conservation goals. Throughout this time, Jim's passion for big mountains never faded and led to one of the greatest achievements in American mountaineering history. In 1963, Jim and his Sherpa partner Nawang Gombu summitted Mount Everest. Jim was the first American to accomplish this feat. He was awarded the Hubbard Medal by President John F. Kennedy, who became a family friend. Building on this incredible achievement, in 1978, Jim led the American expedition to K2, largely considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks in the world. The expedition achieved the first ascent of K2, and Jim's leadership was crucial during harrowing times on the mountain. The word legend can become overused and diminished--not in ``Big Jim's'' case. Jim's life and legacy inspired generations of Americans to pursue heights they could only previously dream of. Beyond the mountains, Jim had a passion for sailing, conserving pristine landscapes in the Pacific Northwest, and for his family. I had the opportunity to meet Jim personally a few years ago and was honored to stand side by side with him in the fight to conserve our majestic State and protect the Wild Olympics. His legacy will live on for generations to come in his daring adventures, his efforts to pass on protected landscapes for future generations, and through the incredible family and friends who shared in his adventures. We should all look to the passion with which Jim lived his life day in and day out as an example to follow on our own journeys and adventures. ____________________