Washington, D.C. – In celebration of what would have been the 103rd birthday of the late Oregon U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield, Oregon’s current U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released a new video reflecting on Hatfield’s legacy and The Peace Tree he planted on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Watch Merkley’s reflections on Senator Hatfield’s life and legacy HERE
“Senator Hatfield was a steadfast proponent of peace in the world, and the Peace Tree he planted on U.S. Capitol grounds stands as a beacon of that ideal, and of his commitment to bipartisanship,” said Senator Merkley. “He inspired many to public service, including me. Interning for Senator Hatfield gave me the perspective that legislation matters—that a good policy can help millions of people, and a bad policy can hurt millions of people. I remain inspired by his fight for peace in the world and his efforts to do bipartisan work to solve important challenges.”
Hatfield planted the Peace Tree on Arbor Day in 1985, in partnership with the late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who Hatfield worked together with on the Nuclear Freeze campaign. The Hatfield Peace Tree is a Dawn Redwood, the Oregon state fossil, thought to be extinct until one was found growing in China in the 1940s. The tree is located in Capitol Square Northeast, on the U.S. Capitol Grounds. According to Hatfield Peace Tree lore, once it is the tallest tree on Capitol grounds, peace will prevail on earth.
Watch the full video of Senator Merkley’s reflection on the Hatfield Peace Tree by clicking here.
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