Secretary of State Dennis Richardson's body lay in state in the Oregon State Capitol Building. In a line that drew laughs throughout the chamber, Johnson joked: “At a state funeral, it’s inevitable that some in attendance will imagine their own memorial someday - which of their political enemies will suddenly discover the deceased’s wisdom, their integrity, now that they’re not around to make trouble - or at least audit them.” She recalled how Richardson had helped her district find money to recover from damaging floods, and that she received flack when, in return, she'd supported his bid for secretary of state in 2016. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, who served with Richardson on the Legislature's powerful budget writing committee. He wore us out.”Ī more frank assessment came from state Sen. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious, and soon we found ourselves trying to follow. “He would be in the office ready to take things from seven in the morning ‘til well after seven in the evening. “We often called him the Energizer Bunny,” said Deputy Secretary of State Leslie Cummings, currently acting secretary in Richardson’s stead. An elder in the Mormon church, of which Richardson was a dedicated member, also spoke.īut in the setting of the Capitol, the most powerful memories came from those who’d worked - and sparred - with Richardson during his years in public life. Three of Richardson’s daughters and one of his 31 grandchildren sang songs in his honor. Those unable to secure a ticket could watch from overflow areas around the building. The funeral - somber and humorous in near equal measure - played out in a House chamber filled to near capacity, with Richardson’s flag-draped casket at the head of the room. In six days, we have done something here that none of us have ever done before.” “The next day, it was pedal to the metal. “We started this process the evening of his passing,” Royal said Wednesday. Debra Royal, Richardson’s chief of staff, said plans for the ceremony began shortly after Richardson death. The last state funeral in Oregon’s Capitol was for former Gov. The service marked a show of pomp for a departed dignitary that Oregon hasn’t seen in more than three decades. He'd been battling brain cancer since a diagnosis in May 2018. Greg Walden, the lone Republican in Oregon’s congressional delegation, said “If there were a hall of fame for the tenacious, would have certainly been inducted years ago.” Kate Brown said Richardson “embodied what it means to be a dedicated public servant.”įormer Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling called him “someone for whom the notion of public service was stitched strong and lasting in the warp and woof of his soul.” It was in the same House chamber that Richardson was remembered Wednesday, by a bipartisan array of dignitaries who’d gathered to honor the life of Oregon’s 26th secretary of state.
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