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Dear Friends,
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Opening day of the 2020 session.
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My heart is broken today over the passing of Rep. Mitch Greenlick last night. Mitch was my long time friend, colleague on the NWHF Board starting in 2007, and mentor in the Legislature since 2011. I sat next to Mitch in the Health Care Committee, in the Democratic Caucus, and on the floor of the House. He was one of my one of my closest colleagues on a professional level, and like an uncle to me on a personal level. I shed many laughs, joys and tears in his office.
I served as Mitch's vice chair of the House Health Care Committee during my first few years in office; so he taught me the ropes on drafting committee agendas and how to get bills through the process.
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Celebrating as HJR 202 passes the House!
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Mitch was my co-sponsor on many bills, most notably, the Toxic Free Kids Act and Cover All Kids (health care of undocumented children). He was also a champion for mental health, oral health, and Health Care for All. After years of trying, Mitch finally got his HOPE Amendment (HJR 202), a ballot referral to amend the Oregon Constitution to declare that health care is a right to all Oregonians, to pass the House in 2020. Although it died in the Senate when the session ended prematurely, he was proud that his resolution passed the House with a super majority. Knowing that was his last term and last attempt, there were many tears on the House floor that day.
Mitch's other passion was public health; he is the primary legislator responsible for promoting our investment in public health modernization. The Legislature did not invest as much as he argued for, but Oregon is in a much better place because of his advocacy. I have often thought about how vindicated he could have felt during the pandemic that emerged in his last months of life; but I doubt he took the time to be proud. Instead, he stayed focused on the public health challenges; he was on all of our 3:15pm daily calls with the Governor's office, asking pertinent questions even up through this week. Despite his serious health challenges, his intellect was as sharp as ever through his last hours.
Aside from Mitch's enormous lifetime contributions in the health field and his legislative focus on health, environment and criminal justice
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Mitch and Harriet with their granddaughter Hannah Snyder on opening day of the 2019 session.
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reform, Mitch also left a huge legacy through his family. He and his life partner, Harriet, were inseparable and were role models for his own children, grandchildren, and for all who knew them. I have known some of their family members for 20 years and am fortunate to serve as the state rep for several: Judge Mike Greenlick,
Susie Snyder, Hannah Snyder, Jessica Greenlick, Drew and Arlo Hastings, Ellis Bottomly and Seshia Pechovnik, and Megan, Jason and Cairo Noghrey. My heart goes out to all four generations of Mitch's family.
The Democratic Caucus paid tribute to Mitch (and Harriet) on our last day of the 2020 session and again tonight (see video clips and photos below) to share stories, celebrate them, and raise a toast. So much love and admiration for the Greenlicks!
Mitch, my friend and colleague, you were a fighter all of your life. You deserve to now rest in peace.
With love,
Alissa
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Honoring Rep. Greenlick (Part 1)
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| Honoring Rep. Greenlick (Part 2) |
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| Honoring Rep. Greenlick (Part 3) |
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Note that in all of the 2020 photos,
Mitch is wearing a purple sweater -
my favorite color!
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A final farewell tonight to our colleague.
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