[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DEBORAH MURDOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a long-time 
education advocate and friend, Deborah Murdock. As Special Assistant to 
the President at Portland State University, Debbie helped make PSU the 
top-tier university in Oregon that it currently is. We lost our friend 
Debbie on August 14, 2007, far too soon. I honor her today because on 
Sunday, May 4, 2008, Portland State University will dedicate the Debbie 
Murdock Memorial Clock Tower on their campus.
  My first day in Washington, DC, as a new Member of Congress, Debbie 
was a friendly face who knew more about working in Congress than I did. 
Her experience with Congressman Les AuCoin was a great benefit for both 
of us. She knew what I needed to do to successfully represent my 
constituents and specifically a certain university in the state's urban 
hub.
  Debbie came to work for PSU in 1993 and almost immediately set goals 
for the university that may have seemed overly-optimistic and 
unattainable. She wanted to help the university provide the programs, 
research and student experience that the other Oregon institutions of 
higher learning were offering.
  During her tenure, Debbie played a significant role in the building 
and establishment of the Native American Center, the Urban Center, the 
engineering building and others. She also was involved in the downtown 
revitalization and ``greening'' of the campus.
  But Debbie's list of accomplishments doesn't end with facilities and 
structures. Debbie managed to affect almost every person she came into 
contact with by encouraging their professional or academic development 
and personal growth. She wanted everyone to be the best they could be 
and felt like she could help make that happen by being a friend, a 
mentor or a resource.
  I am delighted that Portland State University is naming the new clock 
tower in honor of Debbie. The tower will be a part of PSU's vitality, 
energy and life for years to come, as will Debbie Murdock's memory.

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