HOYLE STATEMENT ON PETER COUTNEY’S PASSING
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) released the following statement in response to the news of that longtime State Senate President Peter Courtney passed away:
“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.”