Independent Leadership...
Quiet Courage
Rare Combination
excerpts from letters to Mary
October 15, 1982
William B. Boyd, Former President
University of Oregon
President, the Johnson Foundation
"I am writing to wish you well in your election
race I do that because I care about you. but
most particularly because I care about education
and the University ol Oregon, both of which have
been well served by your thoughttul represents
tion m the legislature Your defeat would be a
great loss tor the University at a time when it
needs victories, needs friends, if quality is to be
preserved in the wake of the fiscal losses al
ready sustained ."
"I endorse your candidacy with enthusiasm and
With appreciation tor your excellent represents
tion ot the interests ot the University ol Oregon
July 2, 1973
Tom McCall
Former Governor of Oregon
■ Just a wee squib to observe on the sagacity
reflected by the pattern ol your votes this ses
sion It we agreed on every one of them, we
would be rubber stamping each other — and that
would never do for a courageous and independ
ent freshman with a promising career off to an
admirable start
But the votes on which we might have differed
were few and had merit on both sides while the
majority we saw eye-toeye on represented
sound progressive legislation — period
I can't think of any new lawmaker here in my 24
years at the Capitol who impressed me so deep
ly'
Neil Goldsmidt, February 1979
Former Secretary of Transportation,
and Past Mayor of Portland
"For all you are, and all you do, due respect and
gratitude of Portlanders is owed you You've
helped to keep Portland "beautiful'' — and there
are fellows in this labor who will always remem
ber gratefully your work Thank you friend ”
March 8, 1982
Marvin J. Friesen, former Pastor
Emerald Baptist Church
"Thanks so much for giving us reason to believe
there are still people in the legislative process
who think and act on principles rather than parly
lines and how to stay in office by never taking a
stand on anything significant' methodologies
Thanks for having courage and guts in a situation
where the Rs and Ds put on a lousy show of
sensitivity by spending a bundle to enlarge the
deficit they were supposed to diminish
Keep calling them as you see them In the words
ot that famous American. 'Damn the Rs and Ds,
full speed ahead ' I don’t know why you want to
go back to Salem, but there's no doubt they need
you and some more like you "
March 7, 1982
Robert D. Clark
Former President
University of Oregon
"Cheers to you You acted nobly in a manner that
brought credit to your constituents and to the
people of Oregon We hope that you continue in
the Legislature for many years."
August 6, 1981
Derrick A. Bell
School of Law
University of Oregon
"In many ways, the legislative session was a
disaster tor legislative government Your perform
ance, though, was a great victory for you and for
those of us who continue to believe that personal
integrity can lead to a better life on earth as well
as a guaranteed place in heaven "
August 3. 1981
Gary M. Carlson
Associated Oregon Industries
I leel much better about the future of our stale
and its economy now than I did a few months
ago A few achievements toward a better busi
ness climate were achieved and we avoided a
great deal of very damaging legislation."
August 27, 1981
L. Frank Setniker, President
Oregon Farm Bureau Federation
"The 1981 Legislative Session was indeed a dif
ficult session with many hard choices to make
Because of your dedication and service, agricul
lure will continue to be an asset to the economy
of our great state."
August 19, 1981
Phyllis Luby, General Manager
Lane Transit District
"Mary, thank you for your support this session.
The legislation affecting transit was important to
us Especially significant were the direct funding
measures
I know it was a hard, long, frustrating session for
you, but, Mary, were pleased that you were
there."
March 8, 1982
Russell J. Donnelly
Department of Physics
University of Oregon
prompts me to say what should have been
said long ago: Your public service sets a stand
ard of wisdom and excellence few will be able to
equal. I am most grateful to you "
August 6, 1981
James M. Moss
Business Manager-Financial Secretary
Plumbers Union No. 51
Portland
"We are pleased with the bill (to retain the
plumbers licensing law) and you can be proud of
voting for a most worthwhile piece of legislation
which protects the health and safety of the peo
pie in Oregon, while at the same time, is self
supportive and not an additional burden to the tax
payers.”
March 16, 1982
R. W. Sims
"While I'm frequently at opposite poles with the
district you represent. I'm certainly impressed
with how you do it. If more legislators would
approach the task as you do, the state of Oregon
would be in better shape at any time than we are
now "
March 1982
Amy Rich
"I appreciate your efforts to hold down cuts in
social spending I can understand the dilemma of
balancing the needs of constituents, conscience,
and colleagues I hope you continue to vote the
way you believe, regardless of pressure Actual
ly, I can tell that you will, because I think you are
that type of person ”
July 31, 1981
Stan Biles
General Administrator's Office
Lane County
"Considering the heated partisan circumstances
surrounding today's vote your support re
fleets a genuine commitment to Lane County Gov
ernment carries with it the most far reaching
progressive package of judicial reform in the
state's history Your vote is evidence of a com
mitment to Judicial quality and efficiency that
transcends political affiliations "
Thomas D. Norris. PSU, President, August '81
Barry N. Siegel, UR, Vice-President
Laurel Maughan, OSU, Secretary-Treasurer
Oregon Federation American Association ot
University Professors
"We are well aware o( the political and economic
pressures that were brought to bear on you. and
we appreciate your steadfastness in recognizing,
and in trying to prevent, the potential descent of
higher education in Oregon to mediocrity ’’
September 10, 1981
F. Gordon Cottrell
Presiding Circuit Judge
Circuit Court of Oregon, Eugene
"I want to personally thank you for all you did tor
us in this last session ot the legislature, not only
for Lane County but for the judicial branch as a
whole
I much appreciate your stamping out the time in
your busy schedule to see us whenever wo re
quested audience "
August 12. 1981
F. L. Figg
Governmental Affairs
Manager — Oregon
General Telephone Company of the Northwest.
Inc.
"Whichever the case, there were occasions
when our position, in support or opposition, need
ed to be communicated to you As busy as your
schedule was, you found the time to permit me to
express our opinions "
August 11, 1981
Forrest N. Rieke, Member
Board of Education
Portland Public Schools
"Your support ol quality education in Oregon is
deeply appreciated by many, but I want you to
know that my mother would have been proud ol
you. my lather would have been proud ot you. and
I am proud ot you — and I thank you
You ace a special lady I know that long session
was a killer Greetings to all — and again, thanks
for the Statespersonship "
June 1982
Pam Brown presenting the Mary Relke Award
Oregon Women's Political Caucus
As a lobbyist last session I had many opportu
nities to observe Rep Mary McCauley Burrows
in committees and involved in debates on the
Floor of the House Something that becomes
rapidly apparent to the political observer is that
Mary is onormoualy respected by her peers and
therefore is a very effective legislator I have
seen her grow frustrated with the debate that
was occurring on bills In the House - lot down
notes and rise to speak ao eloquently as to
turn the tide of sentiment on the bills "
June IS, 1982
Nominations tor the
List Waechter Award
Lane Association for
Retarded Citizens
"From parents, professionals and board mem
bars, we get an idea ot Mary's impact A real
ngnter semes*. toacnaoie tuucnaoie, caring,
an outstanding advocate on tiehalt of handi
copped cllUans Our liral line ol defense worn
an of principle and compassion,' available lo
meet with and explain.' 'demonstrates mtegn
ty and a strong conscience,' ‘magnifying the re
suits.' guiding light ‘ Clearly, in their eyes. Mary
McCauley Burrows has made a difference