PORTLAND, Ore. — Public institutions across Oregon are flying their flags at half-mast until sunset on Thursday in memory of former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney.
Courtney died Tuesday at the age of 81.
"President Courtney truly lived by example: he cared deeply for our state, for the people that he worked with, and above all, for his family with vigor, compassion and courage," said Gov. Tina Kotek. "It was an honor to serve alongside him and I know his legacy will live on through his many efforts on behalf of Oregonians and in the memory of those who knew him."
In a different statement regarding Courtney's passing, Kotek stated, "I want to recognize President Courtney for being one of the most important architects of our state in recent memory. At his core, Peter believed that we need to take care of each other, live with compassion for our neighbors, and get big things done, together. These Oregon values will live on in his name."
Courtney was the longest serving senator on the state Senate, serving for 24 years.
Courtney first got his start in Oregon politics in 1974, when he was elected to the Salem City Council, where he served for the next six years. He was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1980, and resigned four years later to make an unsuccessful bid for a U.S. House seat. He returned to the Oregon House in 1989, moved to the Oregon Senate in 1999 and became Senate President in 2003.
Flags across Oregon public institutions have been at half mast since Wednesday afternoon and will stay that way until sundown on Thursday.
