Earl Blumenauer: “as the voters of New Hampshire salvage some dignity from the presidential nominating process, it was keenly observed in…”

“as the voters of New Hampshire salvage some dignity from the presidential nominating process, it was keenly observed in Oregon by Monroe Sweetland, the father of Oregon's modern Democratic Party. Last month in Portland, we gathered to celebrate his 90th birthday. Although a partisan Democrat, he was introduced at this gathering by his good friend, Republican Senator Mark Hatfield. Monroe was a confidant of Eleanor Roosevelt and ally of President Truman. He was in Indonesia during 'the year of living dangerously' and then returned to the United States to be political director for Western States of the NEA for over a decade. Monroe is a journalist, State senator, and small businessman who last year ran a very competitive race for State senate. Legally blind for years, his slogan was that his eyesight may be dim, but his vision is clear. I am proud of the many contributions of this great man and look forward to his next decade of public service. He shows how politics should be conducted while living life to the fullest.”