Oregon governor orders flags to half-staff in honor of late Senate President Peter Courtney

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Thursday, July 18, in memory of the life and service of Peter Courtney, the former president of the Oregon State Senate and longest-serving state legislator in Oregon history.

“President Courtney truly lived by example: he cared deeply for our state, for the people that he worked with, and above all, for his family with vigor, compassion and courage,” Kotek said in a written statement. “It was an honor to serve alongside him and I know his legacy will live on through his many efforts on behalf of Oregonians and in the memory of those who knew him.”

Courtney died Tuesday, July 16. He was 81. Kotek’s office first announced the news that Courtney died of complications from cancer in his home, surrounded by family.