In memory of JIM Schlesinger:
I first met him on Christmas Eve 1988 at the Pungo Grill where a Painted
Bunting was being seen. He gave me a slip of paper with Jim Schlesinger and
telephone number written on it. (I still have it somewhere). He asked me to
call if I knew of any unusual birds. It was almost five years later that I
called to tell him that a male Vermillion Flycatcher had been found on the
Eastern Shore (TG,DS). He simply said, "where do you want to meet?". We met
him early the next morning (Jan. 16, 1993), found the flycatcher and proceeded
to bird the CBBT and Eastern Shore. Rosemarie and I were planning a trip to
Germany soon and he gave us tips on places to bird. Like, "call the Commanding
General at Ramstein Airbase and ask for permission to bird". My call would not
have gotten past the lowest ranking aide! A couple of months later Rosemarie
and I were in East Germany birding with a former Lt. Colonel of the East German
Secret Police (STASI). Just goes to show that adversaries could get along if
they would bird together! Birding with the former head of the CIA to birding
with the STASI officer is fondly remembered by us as spying on birds.
Fair weather and following winds ........................
George Harris
Gloucester
On Mar 27, 2014, at 8:22 PM, Robert Beard wrote:
I too have fond memories of Jim Schlesinger. We both worked for the Federal
Government, although I was a lowly scribe and Jim an exalted poobah.
Nevertheless, he always treated me with respect and camaraderie. Jim was a
hawk, me a dove; and yet we found common ground on birding and how odd it was
to be in the Federal service. We crossed birding paths many times over the
years, but one time, we were quietly listening to warbler songs in a local
park, interrupted by loud jets whizzing by. Dr Schlesinger told me, oh,
those are the jets for the ceremony today, but I am not going. He told me of
his work to get the Rachel Schlesinger Center up and running at NOVA. We
shared stories of birds and bureaucrats. He reminds me of the times when you
could agree to disagree, and keep the country running. I can only wish that
people of his stature will continue to serve. May you rest in peace, always,
and keep your VA life list near by.
Bob in Arlington
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:08:21 -0400
From: rake@xxxxxxx
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] James Schlesinger
Jim Schlesinger loved pursuing additions to his Virginia bird
list. I became aware of this after I found a Western Kingbird on a Cape
Charles CBC many years ago. Following the compilation Jim button-holed
me for the directions to the exact spot where I had found the kingbird.
The next day he went out and added it to his Virginia list.
A few years later he appeared along Route 250 in Highland County
during the appearance of one of Virginia's last Bewick's Wren. That
long loping gate and that deep voice were characteristics I won't easily
forget. "You got the bird there, Bob?"
I also ran into him at the Manassas Battlefield where he was
looking for another bird to add to his list. I can't remember now what
the species was, but I hadn't seen it, and so I couldn't help him find it.
Twice he arranged, or rather his secretary arranged, for me to
accompany him into the Great Dismal Swamp in the spring to see
Swainson's Warbler, and twice his secretary called to cancel the trip.
That would have been a fun time.
I understand that Jimmy Carter also does some birdwatching, but I
doubt that he pursues his Georgia list with any more diligence than did
Jim pursue additions to his Virginia list.
Bob Ake
Norfolk
On 3/27/14 4:45 PM, Chileddie wrote:
From Politico:
A Washington think tank confirms that James Schlesinger, a hawkish and
erudite Republican who served in top Cabinet-level posts under three
presidents, has died. He was 85.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies, where Schlesinger was a
trustee, confirmed his death Thursday. The onetime University of Virginia
economics professor built an impressive national security resume as defense
secretary for Republican presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford and the
nation's first energy secretary under Democratic President Jimmy Carter.
Earlier he was a top White House budget official, chairman of the Atomic
Energy Commission and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Continue Reading
Former Sen. Sam Nunn, a Georgia Democrat, who sparred with him as chairman
of the Senate Armed Services Committee called him "a remarkable public
servant."
Jim was also an avid bird watcher. I recall seeing Jim on one splendid
Spring day at Monticello Park in Alexandria when the park was filled with
migrating warblers. Before Noon, Jim made a call on his cell phone and
stated that he had to cancel a lunch meeting because "the birding was too
good to leave for lunch." Despite his enormous responsibilities, bird
watching took precedence. RIP
Eddie Gomez
Arlington, VA
-----Original Message-----
From: POLITICO Breaking News <breakingnews@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: chileddie <chileddie@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, Mar 27, 2014 12:10 pm
Subject: POLITICO Breaking News
Former energy secretary and defense secretary James Schlesinger has died,
the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he was a trustee,
confirmed to the Associated Press on Thursday. He was 85.
Read more: http://politi.co/1loYOTj
For more information... http://www.politico.com
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