Tributes pour in following death of longtime Oregon politician Peter Courtney

Oregon officials released statements Tuesday in the wake of Peter Courtney's death. Courtney, 81, was the longest-serving legislator and Senate president in state history.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek

“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.”

Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner

"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."

Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kathleen Taylor

“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.”

Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey

“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.”

Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman

“Peter Courtney was a giant in Oregon politics. His legacy on behavioral health, public education, animal welfare, and more will outlive him and be felt by Oregonians for generations.

"My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Oregon Sen. Tim Knopp

“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.”

Oregon Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of former Senate President Peter Courtney. Peter dedicated his life to public service and the people of Oregon, leaving a lasting mark on our state’s history. His legislative achievements have made an impact that will be felt for generations to come.

"Peter Courtney's career in the Oregon Legislature spanned nearly four decades, during which he was known for his unwavering commitment to bipartisanship and his ability to bring people together. His leadership style, characterized by kindness and a deep sense of duty, set a high standard for all who follow in his footsteps.

"In his final remarks to the Senate, Peter reminded his colleagues of the importance of civility, stating, 'Let us be civil to one another. Let us debate with respect and listen with open hearts.' These words encapsulate the essence of his approach to governance and his belief in the power of respectful discourse, an important reminder now more than ever.

"Beyond his legislative achievements, Peter was a mentor, a friend, and a true statesman. His wisdom, compassion, and sense of humor were cherished by those who had the privilege to work with him. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Peter's family, friends, and loved ones. We honor his legacy and will strive to continue his work with the same spirit of civility he exemplified throughout his career.”

Oregon House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich

“For nearly half a century, Senate President Peter Courtney served with distinction. He was a true statesman. It is an understatement to say that without his leadership, Oregon would be a profoundly different state. Today we lost a giant of the legislature, my thoughts are with his friends and family.”

Former Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski

“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.”

US Sen. Jeff Merkley

“I join the many Oregonians who are grieving this loss of Peter Courtney—a true force of nature whose larger-than-life personality was only matched by his work ethic.

“Throughout his remarkable, record-setting over 40-year service to our state, Peter was unwavering in his passion for supporting animal rights, mental health services, education, veterans, and many more issues central to the success of working families.

“When I was Oregon House Speaker, I had a front row seat to seeing Peter in action. We worked closely together to pass several major bills in the state legislature that have become central to Oregon. This includes creating the state’s first-ever rainy day fund to support schools, strengthening the Oregon Bottle Bill, and championing LGBTQ+ rights and protections.

“All those of us who worked with Peter are better legislators and better people for having done so, regardless of party. He was scrappy, he was honest, and his love for Oregon and its people shown through everything he did. This is the lasting legacy Peter leaves behind in Oregon politics and in the lives of everyday Oregon families that will carry on for generations.

“My heart is with Peter’s wife Margie and all his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Former Oregon House Speaker Larry Campbell

“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."

US Rep. Val Hoyle

“Today, Oregon lost a true legend and a leader. Senator Peter Courtney was a mentor and a friend who had a heart as big as his personality.

“Peter Michael Coleman Courtney cared deeply for this state and those who were most vulnerable. He was a product of Irish Catholic roots from New England via West-By-God Virginia as he would tell anyone who entered his orbit. His faith was centered in the Catholic social justice tradition, which motivated his life in public service.

“He was theatrical, kind, mercurial, loyal, cunning, politically astute and could be the most frustrating, captivating, entertaining and loyalty inspiring leader all at the same time.

“I benefited greatly from his mentorship and am a better legislator because he took me under his wing as a first term legislator, as we worked to ensure that Oregonians who suffered from severe and persistent mental health issues got access to health care parity.

“I will miss him, and like all Oregonians, I am better off because of his legacy of service. Rest in peace.”