[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF DONALD STATHOS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 27, 2005

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, this week we mark the passing of a 
unique and important figure in Oregon politics and civic life. Donald 
Stathos was a small-business man, state legislator, and a creative and 
vibrant force in our community. He was best-known as the father of 
Oregon's Bike Bill in 1971 which created an allocation for cycling, 
long before the cycling craze hit this country. The bill was a typical 
act of foresight on behalf of an extraordinary man which led to our 
states leadership in promoting cycling for all ages.
  Mr. Stathos was a creative legislator not bound by narrow ideology or 
partisan interests. When there was a rash of campus and other violence 
and bombings during his career he had the courage to sponsor 
legislation dealing with the control of explosives and as a result had 
his office firebombed. Either a right-wing extremist or a printing 
error left his information out of the voting pamphlet in the state's 
most populous county. Had this not of happened he might well have gone 
on to a statewide elected office; however, the man was not defined by 
the offices he held but rather by his beliefs.
  Donald Stathos' zest for life and his friendship will be sorely 
missed.

                          ____________________