Peter Courtney Celebration of Life Remarks

Peter Michael Coleman Courtney.

I loved to hear Peter say his name. I was always a little envious of the dramatic flare of his name. A name that befitted his flare for rhetorical heights and good-natured political theater.

It was 2013 at the Oregon Business Summit. My first year as Speaker. It’s when I learned not to trust Peter with a bit of personal information.

You see, he asked me, prior to getting on stage, what my middle name is. He was aghast when I told him my parents didn’t give us middle names – me and my two siblings.  Annoyance and a mix of pity and disgust crossed his face. He gruffly asked: “What about your confirmation name?

We shared being raised Catholic.

“Louise,” I told him.

“Tina Louise. Right,” he replied – and went away happy.

Next thing I know he’s up on stage shouting 

“The Honorable Tina Louise Kotek …” 

I don’t remember the rest of what he said. I was too busy laughing.

Thank you, Peter, for telling the whole world my new name. 

Mr. President, permission to use a visual aid?

So, as governor, you sometimes get unsolicited gifts from strangers from across the country. I now have a wonderful set of hand embroidered napkins with my initials. T L K. Tina Louise Kotek

Thank you, Peter. I will cherish them and remember that day always.

Many of us know the story of how Peter came from West BY GOD Virginia to his beloved Oregon. Staying at his beloved YMCA here in Salem. 

He never forgot his journey or the things he learned along the way. He never forgot to stand up for those who needed a champion. 

Like the individuals who died at the Oregon State Hospital, for whom he fought for their dignity and a respectful resting place.

He fought for better mental health treatment. He fought for the humane treatment of animals. He fought for everyday Oregonians.

 

My favorite Peter was the former legal aid lawyer, speaking on this floor, rallying his colleagues, taking on big corporations in support of a bill to retain the awards of class action lawsuits to support consumer justice and fairness in the world.

I respected Peter for his faith, a Catholic who never missed a smudge of ashes on his forehead on Ash Wednesday, a sign of his humbleness before God in the Capitol at the beginning of Lent.

One of favorite memories with Peter was gifting him a bobblehead doll of Pope Francis. I bought one for both of us on a trip to D.C., right after a papal visit there. I smile at the memory of that bobblehead doll sitting on his big table in his office, with him flicking it lightly to wiggle the pope’s head. I smile and think of Peter when I look at my bobblehead on my desk in my home office.

I hope each of you who had the experience of experiencing Peter will cherish your favorite Peter memory. A personality and a presence like Peter Michael Coleman Courtney never truly leaves this earth. And that gives us all something to smile about.