[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3809-S3810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MARGARET LOUISE CARTER

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I would like to recognize someone 
who people in my State know very well; someone who for more than three 
decades has been an inspiring leader and a tireless advocate for 
children, the elderly and the disabled. She is also a close friend who 
has never been shy in using her formidable voice to let me know how we 
can do more to help those in need.
  Margaret Louise Carter may be poised for retirement, but that does 
not mean she is going to stop adding to an impressive list of 
accomplishments and building on her legacy of hard work and determined 
advocacy.
  Margaret Carter is a true force of nature. A single mother of nine, 
she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in education. 
She later earned her Master's in Educational psychology from Oregon 
State University, which led to a career as teacher and counselor at 
Portland Community College.
  Out of concern for the most vulnerable in her northeast Portland 
neighborhood, she used her compassion, natural leadership ability and 
tenacity to win a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1984, 
becoming the first African-American woman elected to the Oregon State 
Legislature.
  She did not stop there. She went on to serve in the Oregon Senate, as 
chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, became president and CEO of 
the Urban League of Portland and president of the National Organization 
of Black Elected Legislative Women. She helped establish the Job Skills 
Center for Portland Community College's Cascade Campus, where the 
Technology Education Building was renamed in her

[[Page S3810]]

honor, making it the first building in PCC's 50 year history to be 
named after a woman.
  Margaret accomplished many notable things while in office, including, 
but not limited to, helping create a permanent Head Start program in 
Oregon, co-sponsoring a bill to create parity for mental health 
services, establishing a State holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. and co-founding the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps.
  While Margaret may be leaving the world of work, those of us who know 
her know that there is no way she is leaving the world of community 
involvement. Whether it is advocating for affordable home-ownership 
options for low to moderate-income families, organizing a kids choir to 
perform at community events, or entertaining friends with a singing 
voice that is just as strong as her personality, you can rest assured 
that Margaret will be there.
  After a life of service to others, it is fitting that Margaret is 
retiring from her position at the Oregon Department of Human Services. 
It is with great pride, both personally and professionally, that I 
extend my congratulations to Margaret Louise Carter.

                          ____________________