Mark Hatfield: “the political nightmare that has faced my colleague now for almost 3 years is coming to an end. I think in an ordeal of…”

“the political nightmare that has faced my colleague now for almost 3 years is coming to an end. I think in an ordeal of this type we tend to focus on the negative or the causes for leading to resignation. As he has briefly reflected on the many accomplishments that he made during his service not only here in the Senate but services he rendered to the State of Oregon as a political leader, as a legislator, I like to accentuate the positive. I must say in my many years of teaching political science I never had a more brilliant student than Senator Packwood. Came to the university as a freshman and he immediately established himself as one who is knowledgeable about politics and is willing to engage in politics and to invite other people to be involved in politics. I had been in the State legislature for about 6 years and had known his father who was one of the chief lobbyists in the legislature representing the utilities industry. If Fred Packwood told you something, you knew it was true and you knew it was prudent. He established himself as one of the outstanding lobbyists in that legislature. I knew his mother. Therefore, I speak even though there may be only but 10 years separating our ages, as sort of a long friend, perhaps partially a mentor, and most of all, someone whose friendship I cherish.”