EUGENE, Ore. - The Speaker of the House of Representatives lauded Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio's 36-year career in Congress.
Oregon's senior senator - himself once a colleague of DeFazio's in the House - said he "blends all the best qualities of a top-notch legislator."
And Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland, weighed in on DeFazio's stature - in history, and Congress.
“Peter may not be the tallest member of the Oregon delegation," Blumenauer said in a statement, "but he is a legislative giant in the mold of his hero, Wayne Morse."
DeFazio announced Wednesday that he does not intend to seek re-election in 2022. That means Democrats in the 4th district will have to select a new candidate in the May 2022 primary election.
But according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DeFazio's impact will be felt for years to come.
“Chairman Peter DeFazio is an absolute force for progress, whose 36 years of effective leadership in the House will leave a legacy that will benefit the Congress and Country for decades to come," Pelosi said in a statement.
“Chairman DeFazio is known and respected by all as a champion of sustainable, smart and green infrastructure, whose progressive values, passion and persistence have helped rebuild America and the middle class. His legislative successes – including expanding preservation and conservation efforts, protecting affordable health care, advancing tribal sovereignty, rebuilding our highways, ensuring aviation safety and, most recently, helping pass the historic, once-in-a-century Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Build Back Better Act – leave an outstanding legacy of progress for America’s children and future.
“Chairman DeFazio has dedicated his life to public service: as an Air Force servicemember, an outdoorsman and former Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee, Dean of the Oregon Congressional Delegation and proudly Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. For decades, the people of southwest Oregon have had an outstanding champion for jobs, clean energy and conservation. ur Democratic Caucus will miss a trusted voice and valued friend.
"On behalf of the House," Pelosi concluded, "I thank his wife Myrnie for sharing him with the Congress and Country and wish them both the best in their next chapter together.”
Sen. Ron Wyden served in Congress with DeFazio before Wyden won election to the Senate.
“Peter DeFazio blends all the best qualities of a top-notch legislator – he’s an effective, passionate and powerful advocate who always puts the best interests of his constituents first,” Wyden said. “Thanks to Peter DeFazio, roads, bridges and transportation systems in Oregon and nationwide are stronger, last longer and are cleaner and greener.
Wyden continued:
“Oregonians always know with full confidence that Peter stands proudly in the vanguard of the battle for good jobs, strong transportation and ensuring everybody gets a fair shake. I very much look forward to working with my friend for the rest of his term as he continues to build on that outstanding legacy that’s helped countless Oregonians in his district and statewide.”
Blumenauer said DeFazio "has earned the reputation as the most knowledgeable and influential member of either chamber and of either party when it comes to transportation and infrastructure."
“I’ve been honored to work with Peter for my entire career in Congress and before that when we were both local government officials in Oregon. Peter is tireless, extraordinarily bright, principled, and amazingly effective. Nobody has his tenacity and commitment to rebuilding and renewing America.
“He leaves an astounding legacy in everything that touches transportation and infrastructure: water, transit, highways, rail, and as the only certified bike mechanic ever elected to Congress is a champion of cycling and so much more.
“While I am sad that Peter will be leaving Congress, he’s earned the right to have a little more rational lifestyle with the worst commute of anybody in the Oregon delegation.
“Mercifully we have him for another year as we work through the reconciliation process, as we implement the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and we have an opportunity to work with the administration to refine many of the pieces that are in the pipeline that will transform our country.
“He’s carved out an unprecedented record and Oregon and our whole country is better for his service. I am proud to have served with him and wish Peter every success in the next phase of his career.”