Former Oregon AG Hardy Myers dies

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Hardy Myers, a lawyer who became a politician in the state Legislature in his 30s and then was elected state attorney general three times, has died at age 77.

The former Oregon House speaker was remembered for defending Oregon’s physician-assisted suicide law before federal courts, including the nation’s highest, and championing litigation against tobacco companies that brought in millions of dollars to Oregon.

Notes of praise and condolence poured in, including from Oregon’s governor and its Senate president, after word spread that Myers had died Tuesday night from complications from pneumonia. He also had lung cancer.

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Statement from Gov. Kate Brown:

“Oregon lost a true statesman today. Hardy Myers dedicated most of his adult life to serving the people of Oregon as a legislator and Attorney General. A man of unquestionable integrity and commitment to the rule of law, he championed the state’s defense of our Death with Dignity law before the U.S. Supreme Court and prevailed. His early leadership in the state’s litigation against Big Tobacco yielded millions in annual payments to Oregon in perpetuity.

“Hardy also advocated strongly and successfully to improve Oregon’s domestic and sexual violence laws, and became a national leader on school safety policy in the aftermath of the Thurston High School shooting. As Oregon’s longest-serving Attorney General, his legal acumen was greatly respected by lawmakers, and he was beloved by many who worked for him. Brilliant, thoughtful, and infinitely kind, I will miss my dear friend Hardy. My sincere condolences to his wife, Mary Ann, and their children and grandchildren.”

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Statement from Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian:

“Today, we lost a public servant who dedicated his career to his fellow Oregonians. Hardy Myers improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Oregonians as Speaker of the House and Attorney General. From strengthening domestic violence laws, defending our Death with Dignity law, securing Oregon’s tobacco settlement and protecting consumers, Myers changed our state for the better.

“Myers was a statesman who will be deeply missed. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”

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Statement from Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum:

“Last night we lost a giant in the Oregon legal profession and a dear friend. Hardy Myers was a lawyer’s lawyer, a true professional, and a friend to all who met him. Many of the Oregon Department of Justice’s current staff worked under Hardy’s leadership during his twelve years as Oregon AG, and his legacy and strong work ethic lives on through each of them. He was a public servant who spent his career fighting for Oregonians. There are no words to describe the loss we are all feeling today, except to say that he was simply beloved–and remains so forever in our hearts. The entire Oregon DOJ sends our sincere condolences to Mary Ann and the rest of Hardy’s family.”

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House Republican Leader Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Oregon House Speaker and Attorney General Hardy Myers:

“As Speaker of the House and as Oregon’s Attorney General, Hardy Myers served our state with great dignity and class. He will be remembered as one of the most distinguished and well respected Attorney Generals of our time. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Myers family today.”