Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise today to honor my colleague and my good friend, Oregon's State treasurer, Ben Westlund, who passed away this last Sunday after a protracted battle with lung cancer. A true independent voice in Oregon politics, Ben entered the legislature to improve the lives of all Oregonians and he remained committed to that cause. I first met him in 1997 when I was working for the World Affairs Council and went down to talk to the legislature about education in Oregon. I was fortunate to start serving with him 2 years later, in 1999. Ben was an unwavering advocate for affordable and available health care. He helped stabilize Oregon's college savings plan. He increased the State's credit rating. Over the years, I worked with Ben on many issues, including setting up Oregon's Rainy Day Fund, a savings account to protect Oregon's solvency and critical programs when the economy turned down. I also worked with my friend Ben Westlund to create Individual Development Accounts to help empower low-income families. It is a savings program matched by grants that help families buy homes, start small businesses, return to college-- pathways from poverty into middle class. It speaks to Ben's belief in helping families succeed that he took a lead role in that program. Ben's political affiliations ranged at times from Republican to Independent to Democrat. But no matter what party he belonged to, his focus first and foremost was always on creating a better Oregon.…”