Wayne Gilchrest: “S. 1636 is an act to designate the U.S. courthouse under construction in Portland, OR. as the Mark O. Hatfield United…”

“S. 1636 is an act to designate the U.S. courthouse under construction in Portland, OR. as the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse. This designation is a fitting tribute to the senior Senator from the State of Oregon, who is retiring after serving 30 years in the U.S. Senate. Senator Hatfield has provided thoughtful leadership and pragmatic philosophy to whatever office he has held, be that university president, State representative, Governor, or Senator. Senator Hatfield is a native of Oregon, and was educated in Oregon schools. Following service in the Navy during World War II, where he commanded landing craft at Iowa Jima and Okinawa, he returned to civilian life. He became an educator and university dean of students at Willamette University. He began his political career in 1950 in the Oregon legislature. After two terms in the Oregon house and 2 years in the Oregon senate, he was elected secretary of state for Oregon, and in 1958 was elected Governor and served two terms. In 1966, Senator Hatfield was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he has served with distinction until his retirement this year. His 30-year service is the longest service of any Senator from Oregon. I support the bill and I urge my colleagues to pass the bill.”