You Couldn’t Put Mark Hatfield on a Bumper Sticker

I’m in the process of reading through two years worth of interviews, 662 pages of the life of Senator Mark Hatfield.  I conducted most of the interviews but over the last two years have forgotten some of what was said.

Today as I was reading through what people said about the senator I got tears in my eyes. I know that sounds kind of stupid to some of you but this man’s style of leadership and his love of people and understanding of the job he was elected to do touches me.

One of my favorite comments today was from former congresswoman Elizabeth Furse. Furse loved Mark Hatfield and when the documentary comes out you will understand why.  But as I asked her questions she said “you couldn’t put Mark Hatfield on a bumper sticker.” I had to pause. My blue highlight marker was going crazy. I was underlining and circling comments like that which point out what an amazing guy Mark Hatfield really was.

This man served Oregon for the right reasons. He showed a style of leadership that gave the power to the people. I’m only a few inches into five inches of documents I need to read.

Sometime in between reading comments from Furse and Senator Daniel Inouye I had this moment where I thought, how in the hell did I get so blessed to be working on a project this big.

Tomorrow, more reading, more Hatfield, more shoving stuff in my head about a man I didn’t know but respect more each day.

One side note: What a great legacy to leave behind. Someone like me can get to know someone like Mark Hatfield, because of what he left behind in the people he worked with and represented. Now that’s a true leader.

If you would like to help us finish the project we are still fundraising and we have our non-profit status so your donation is tax deductible.

Here is the link

http://hatfieldfilm.com/donate.php