Oregon’s 2007 Legislative session was remarkable in the number and quality of environmental bills that were passed, recalling the era of the iconic Tom McCall.
In some way, he must be smiling down upon us, pleased that his legacy has returned to the forefront. I need not remind you that it was Tom McCall who defined the Oregon mystique, the doctrine of the Oregon Story, a concept battered through the economic turmoil of the 80’s. Now, with the looming threat of global warming and renewed interest in environmentalism, we have returned to that philosophy, and once again the nation can look toward Oregon, a place “Where the future works.”

McCall’s famous “visit but don’t stay” quip was enigmatic, inspirational and yet haunting. In 1982, McCall was 69 years old and racked with cancer, but still ready to fight for the Oregon he loved. He traveled to the Oregon-California border in July for a final media event that unfolded alongside the highway. McCall climbed from his car, strode past the onlookers and gazed at the sign that read “Welcome to Oregon. We Hope You Enjoy Your Visit.” The implication was subtle.

Atiyeh’s new sign simply said, “Welcome to Oregon.” McCall somberly addressed the crowd: “I want the terms of this understood. I want the media especially to understand that in accepting this does not represent unconditional surrender.” McCall chided the crowd about the changes to the sign and grimly continued.

“There’s been a lot of bad mouthing about ‘visit, but don’t stay’. It served its purpose. We were saying ‘Visit, but don’t stay‘ because Oregon, queen bee though she is, is not yet ready for the swarm. “

“I am simply saying that Oregon is demure and lovely, and ought to play a little hard to get.” Looking toward Atiyeh, he boomed, “And I think you’ll all be just as sick as I am if you find it is nothing but a hungry hussy, throwing herself at every stinking smokestack that’s offered.”

McCall’s defiant words echoed through the media, reminding Oregonians of the singular courage that had shaped the state. The 1994 book “Fire at Eden’s Gate”, by Brent Walth, that documented the McCall years, noted the legacy of Oregon as a garden of Eden. “Even in the darkest of times, Tom McCall, the sentry at the gate, had dared to rekindle that hope.”

Welcome to the new Oregon, rising like a phoenix from the ashes. It’s been 30 years coming.

And thank you Richard Chambers, the father of the original bottle bill. He was a man who hated politics, but who worked tirelessly toward the passage of the bill. Chambers received an environmental award from McCall in 1974. Senate Bill 707 expands the bottle bill to include those ubiquitous water bottles.

For more information, check out this Statesman-Journal article describing the environmental momentum and purpose of the 2007 session.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 6th, 2007 at 8:32 pm and is filed under Environment, General, Livability. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.