Mark Hatfield

Mark O. Hatfield

== Mark Hatfield ==

Mark Odom Hatfield (July 12, 1922 – August 7, 2011) was an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. A member of the Republican Party, he served for 30 years as a United States Senator from Oregon, from 1967 to 1997. Prior to his tenure in the Senate, Hatfield served as the Governor of Oregon from 1959 to 1967 and as the Oregon Secretary of State from 1957 to 1959.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Hatfield was born in Dallas, Oregon, and grew up in Salem, Oregon. He attended Willamette University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1943. During World War II, Hatfield served in the United States Navy as a landing craft officer in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he earned a master's degree in political science from Stanford University in 1948.

Political Career[edit | edit source]

Hatfield began his political career in the Oregon House of Representatives, serving from 1951 to 1955. He then served in the Oregon State Senate from 1955 to 1957. In 1956, he was elected as the Oregon Secretary of State, a position he held until 1959 when he became the youngest governor in Oregon's history at the age of 36.

As governor, Hatfield was known for his progressive policies, including support for civil rights and environmental conservation. He was re-elected in 1962 and served until 1967, when he was elected to the United States Senate.

United States Senate[edit | edit source]

During his time in the Senate, Hatfield was known for his independent stance and willingness to cross party lines. He was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and later the Gulf War. Hatfield also played a significant role in the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act and was a strong advocate for federal funding of medical research and education.

Hatfield served as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee from 1981 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 1997. He was known for his ability to secure federal funding for projects in Oregon, including the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center at the National Institutes of Health.

Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]

After retiring from the Senate in 1997, Hatfield returned to teaching, serving as a professor at George Fox University and Willamette University. He passed away on August 7, 2011, in Portland, Oregon.

Hatfield's legacy includes his contributions to environmental conservation, education, and medical research. He is remembered as a principled leader who often put the interests of his constituents and the nation above party politics.