A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-09
HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF PETER MICHAEL COLEMAN COURTNEY, OREGON’S 55TH SENATE PRESIDENT
WHEREAS, Peter Michael Coleman Courtney was born on June 18, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA, to William and Constance Courtney; and
WHEREAS, Peter, as he was known, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Rhode Island; and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Boston University’s School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Peter came to Oregon in July, 1969, to clerk for Judge William S. Fort of the newly formed Oregon Court of Appeals; and
WHEREAS, Peter married Margie Brenden in 1976; the couple raised three sons – Peter, Sean, and Adam – in their north Salem home along the Willamette River; and
WHEREAS, Peter’s first political office was that of Salem City Councilor (1974-1980); he was subsequently elected to represent Marion and Polk County in Oregon’s House of Representatives in 1980, serving as House Democratic leader for eight years; and
WHEREAS, Peter is the longest serving legislator and longest tenured Senate President (20 years) in Oregon’s history; and
WHEREAS, Peter was a proud life-long Democrat who deeply valued bipartisanship. In his two decades as Senate President, the institution benefited greatly from his celebration of cooperation and compromise with colleagues across the aisle; and
WHEREAS, Peter was a stalwart champion for children, animal rights, earthquake preparedness, and destigmatizing mental health; and
WHEREAS, Peter sponsored more than 200 bills which became law, including Oregon’s first vote-by-mail legislation in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Peter’s legacy lives on in the naming of four facilities in the Salem-Keizer area after Oregon’s 55th Senate President: Courtney Place Veterans Housing at the Salem YMCA, the Peter Courtney Health & Wellness Center at Western Oregon University, the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge in Salem’s Riverfront Park, and the Peter Courtney Salem Campus of the Oregon State Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Peter enjoyed camping with family on the Snake and Metolius rivers, visiting the Oregon Coast, and watching his sons play sports, attend college, and become fathers; and
WHEREAS, Peter Michael Coleman Courtney passed away on July 16, 2024, at the age of 81;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. We honor Peter Michael Coleman Courtney for his invaluable contributions to the Democratic Party of Oregon, the State of Oregon, and our country; we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and all those who loved him.
Resolution submitted by Matt Keating, DNC Member; Nathan Soltz, DPO Secretary; Kien Truong, Asian American and Pacific Islanders Caucus; Kelie McWilliams, Rural Caucus; Lisa Cejka, Marion County; Shani Harris-Bagwell, Stonewall Caucus; Miles Pendleton, Lane County
