Appreciation for Peter DeFazio

As Peter DeFazio announces his retirement after 36 years in Congress, he has earned the reputation as the most knowledgeable and influential member of either chamber and of either party when it comes to transportation and infrastructure.

Peter may not be the tallest member of the Oregon delegation, but he is a legislative giant in the mold of his hero, Wayne Morse.

I've been honored to work with Peter for my entire career in Congress, and before that when we were both local government officials in Oregon. Peter is tireless, extraordinarily bright, principled, and amazingly effective. Nobody has his tenacity and commitment to rebuilding and renewing America.

He leaves an astounding legacy in everything that touches transportation and infrastructure: water, transit, highways, rail, and as the only certified bike mechanic ever elected to Congress, is a champion of cycling and so much more.

While I am sad that Peter will be leaving Congress, he's earned the right to have a little more rational lifestyle with the worst commute of anybody in the Oregon delegation.

Mercifully, we have him for another year as we work through the reconciliation process, as we implement the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and we have an opportunity to work with the administration to refine many of the pieces that are in the pipeline that will transform our country.

He's carved out an unprecedented record and Oregon and our whole country is better for his service. I am proud to have served with him and wish Peter every success in the next phase of his career.

Onward,

Earl