Stewart Udall and the Politics of Beauty

Documentary film screening and panel discussion

Stewart Udall was the Secretary of the Interior from 1961-1969 during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. He led the way for the most important environmental legislation in US history and spearheaded the expansion of the national park system and wildlife refuges. Udall was a fierce advocate for racial justice, peace, and Native American rights. He was the first public official to warn America about the dangers of climate change and his accomplishments have had a lasting impact on public policy and the modern environmental movement. This documentary is the eye-opening story of one of the most influential public servants whose great legacy deserves wide recognition.

"An increasing Gross National Product has become the Holy Grail, and most of the economists who are its keepers have no concern for the economics of beauty." --Stewart Lee Udall, 1968

The trailer for the film can be viewed here.

Post-Screening Panel

Join PBS veteran producer, director John de Graaf, former U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith, Anne Udall, and Tim Palmer in a post-screening discussion facilitated by Kerry Tymchuk. Speakers will expand upon Stewart Udall's profound legacy of conservation and environmental justice.

John de Graaf has been producing and directing documentaries for public television for more than forty years. His fifty films, including 15 prime-time PBS specials, have won more than 100 regional, national and international awards. The John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award, named for him, is presented annually at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in California.

Gordon H. Smith spent much of his childhood in Washington, D.C. where his father served in the Eisenhower administration. In 1992, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate and in 1996 to the U.S. Senate. He served on the following committees: Commerce, Science and Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources, Finance, Foreign Relations, and Indian Affairs.

Anne J. Udall, Ph.D., President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) in Oregon and Southwest Washington, is the niece of Stewart Udall. Over the past quarter century, Dr. Udall has served as executive leadership and management in nonprofit and education settings, including the Udall Foundation, a federal agency that promotes environmental conflict resolution, Native American leadership development of young college leaders in Native American governance, conflict resolution, and environmental public policy.

Tim Palmer is an award-winning author of 31 books about rivers, conservation, and adventure travel. He is a photographer of America's natural landscapes. Palmer worked directly with Secretary Udall on conservation issues in the 1980s and 1990s.

Kerry Tymchuk serves as the Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society. A native of Reedsport, OR, Kerry is a graduate of Willamette University and of Willamette University College of Law. His career included service as a Marion County Deputy District Attorney, Director of Speechwriting to U.S. Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole, Director of Speechwriting and Legal Counsel to U.S. Senator Bob Dole, and Oregon Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Gordon Smith.

History Pub

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp