SALEM, Ore. — Oregon's primary secure psychiatric facility, the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, has been renamed in honor of former Senate President Peter Courtney. News of the longest-serving Oregon lawmaker's death at age 81 broke Tuesday.
Courtney served in the Oregon Legislature for 38 years, spending time in both the House and the Senate. After serving as House Democratic leader, he spent a record 20 years as Senate President.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, Courtney was instrumental in the effort to replace the original 1883 Oregon State Hospital building — the façade of which still serves as the public face of the campus — with modern and expanded facilities in 2011.
The renovation included the addition of a public memorial for the unclaimed cremated remains of almost 3,500 Oregonians who died while patients of the Oregon State Hospital and related institutions.
At a naming ceremony on the Oregon State Hospital campus in Salem on Tuesday, a new sign introduced the location as the "Peter Courtney Salem Campus of the Oregon State Hospital." Plans were in the works months prior to name the facility in his honor.
During his long tenure in the legislature, Courtney earned a reputation for honesty to the point of bluntness, who understood that politics could be a rough-and-tumble game but did not feel that it should be zero-sum. He was capable of reaching across the aisle, and he often did.
'I HAVE NO MAGIC, BEAUTIFUL PLAN': Oregon's longest-serving lawmaker will miss the halls of government
After his death, reflections from his former colleagues — lawmakers both current and former — poured in. Gov. Tina Kotek, who served opposite Courtney while speaker of the Oregon House, said he'll be remembered for leading with "genuine statesmanship and enormous heart."
Below are full statements from a number of Oregon leaders, past and present.
Gov. Tina Kotek, current Oregon governor and former House speaker:
“It is with incredible sadness that I share the news today of the passing of Peter Michael Coleman Courtney, the former President of the Oregon State Senate and longest-serving state legislator in Oregon history. The First Lady and I ask that Oregonians hold Peter’s family — his wife Margie, their children, and grandchildren — in their hearts and prayers.
“President Courtney was a friend and ally in supporting an Oregon where everyone can find success and community. His life story, the way he embraced Oregon and public service, and his love for the institution of the Oregon Legislature leaves a legacy that will live on for decades.
“He led through times of prosperity and times of struggle — including the great recession and the COVID-19 pandemic — with a steadfast commitment to protecting people and making their lives better. His tenure in the legislature is marked by incredible triumphs, earned through his genuine statesmanship and enormous heart.
“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.”
Sen. Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego), current Oregon Senate president:
"Today, I share the heartbreak of countless Oregonians as we all mourn the loss of the most influential lawmaker in the history of Oregon.
"Peter Michael Coleman Courtney was a legend — larger than life, with a passion for helping Oregonians all across the state, and especially in his beloved city of Salem. The sounds of the Capitol were never complete without Peter’s voice reverberating through the halls. He was bold and hard-charging, but also tender and caring, always looking for private moments to help a young lawmaker find their way.
"His legacy is typified by his dedication to the humane care of animals and for the well-being of children and those who struggle with mental health. But his legacy is more than policy — it is a spirit of governing that he brought to Oregon.
"Bringing his talent for public speaking from 'West by God Virginia,' Peter’s true home will always be here in 'Oregon, My Oregon,' the Oregon Capitol, and especially the Oregon Senate.
"Peter loved stories of the Oregon Trail — and the sun will never set on his legacy. My thoughts are with his wife Margie and his sons and everyone who knew and loved Peter."
Sen. Kathleen Taylor (D-Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and Oak Grove), Oregon Senate majority leader:
“Peter Courtney epitomized the idea of a life lived in public service. He was fiercely devoted to serving his constituents, the institution of the Senate, and Oregon as a whole. He will live on in the people and communities he transformed for the better – and I am so lucky to count myself as one of them. For ten years, I was honored to call Peter a mentor and a friend.
“Today, I’m thinking about his wife Margie and their wonderful family. Even with all the pressures of his public life, I know that they were always Peter’s number one priority. His dedication to family was an inspiration to me, and I’m holding my loved ones a little tighter today in his memory.”
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon):
"Peter Courtney worked long & hard in the Legislature he loved so dearly to achieve good for his district in the Willamette Valley and all of Oregon. He was a human juggernaut for his constituents, and will be tremendously missed."
Rep. Julie Fahey (D-Eugene), current Oregon House speaker:
“Peter Courtney set the standard for what it means to be a true champion for the state of Oregon and its people. His passion for our state was clear no matter where he was or what office he served in – as a Salem City Councillor, as a member of the Oregon House, or as Senate President.
"In the legislature, we came to know Peter as someone who worked to do the most good for as many people as possible. Among his accomplishments include passing the Student Success Act that increased funding for K-12 education in Oregon, modernizing the legislature to meet more regularly, and beginning the legislature's needed investments in mental health.
"Peter cared deeply for the state of Oregon and for the city of Salem that he represented. He also cared deeply for the legislature as an institution and as a cornerstone of our democracy. In a time when we’re seeing an erosion of trust in government and in institutions more broadly, my hope is that Peter’s legacy can remind us all of the importance and significance of our work and of coming together to best serve the interests of our constituents.”
Sen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend):
“Having received the news that Oregon has lost one of its finest today hits hard. He is irreplaceable and will be missed. When I attended the renaming ceremony recognizing his impressive impact on just one Oregon institution, it was a reminder of just how much Peter Courtney has done to improve the lives of Oregonians.
“It was an honor to serve with Peter Courtney in the Oregon Senate. He was one of the most impactful elected officials Oregon has ever had. He dedicated four decades of his life serving Oregonians and the institution he loved, respected, and protected. Most importantly, Peter had a heart for and cared about people. He was notorious for calling his colleagues to check on them when significant things happened in our lives.
“He was the most formidable leader I have had the privilege to work with. He was fair, kind, and brought people together. He tried to make sure all Oregonians’ voices were heard.
"He loved Margie, his sons, and their families as he talked about them often. Any conversation of length with Peter would include how proud he was of them. Farewell to my friend, Oregon political legend, Peter Courtney.”
Larry Campbell, former Oregon House speaker:
“I was so sorry to hear that we lost a true and successful legislative leader. I had a special relationship with the Senate President. He was fun. He was serious. He was a man who was always true to his word. We disagreed on numerous policies, but always approached issues from a principled perspective. Oregon’s loss is also a personal loss to the Campbell family.’
Ted Kulongoski, former Oregon governor:
“Senator Peter Courtney exemplified the true meaning of service in every aspect of his life, whether to his family, his friends, or in elected office.
“I most admired Peter’s profound knowledge of and appreciation for the legislative process. Peter understood the nuts and bolts of the legislative process—he could get things done.
“More importantly, Peter understood the role of the legislature within the three branches of our government. He worked with the executive and judicial branches to get things done—for the citizens of Oregon.
“His long record of public service was extraordinary.”