Forms part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series.
Robert "Bob" William Packwood was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1932. He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology before transferring to Willamette University, where one of his professors was Mark Hatfield. It was at Willamette that Packwood became involved in the Young Republicans and started working on political campaigns. He majored in political science and graduated in 1954. He then attended law school at New York University. After graduating in 1957, he returned to Oregon, where he began a long political career. As chairman of the Multnomah County Republican Party, he was known for his effective campaigns, and was often called upon to help other Oregon Republicans win their elections. In 1962, he was elected to the Oregon Legislature. In 1964, he married Georgie Ann Oberteuffer Crockatt. He defeated Wayne Morse for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1968 and served five terms. He was involved in political events at the state, national, and international level from the 1960s throughout the 1990s. Finance and tax law, the Middle East, and women's issues were among his greatest interest and specialty areas. Although he was known for his strong advocacy of women's rights, he was also accused of numerous instances of sexual harassment. After an investigation into the allegations, the Senate Ethics Committee recommended that Packwood be expelled from the Senate, and he resigned from his seat in 1995.
This interview with Bob Packwood was conducted by Clark Hansen at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, from January 26, 1996, to August 20, 2003. In this interview, Packwood discusses his early life and family history; his poor vision; and his education at Willamette University and New York University Law School, including his involvement with the Young Republicans. He also talks briefly about practicing law in Portland and his chairmanship of the Multnomah County Republican Party. Packwood talks about his time in the Oregon Legislature from 1962 to 1967, including campaigning; tax legislation; organizing the Dorchester Conference for liberal Republicans in 1965; and legislation on birth control and abortion. He also talks about working with Howell Appling and Stafford Hansell, among other legislators. Packwood goes on to discuss his service in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1995, including his campaign against Wayne Morse; the Vietnam War; the Nixon administration; and the Watergate scandal. He also discusses foreign policy; serving on the Finance Committee; taxes; and the filibuster. Packwood talks about the changes in the Republican Party after Watergate. He also discusses the Equal Rights Amendment and other women's rights legislation; the Carter administration; and working with Gloria Steinem. Packwood goes on to discuss events in the Middle East, particularly Israel and Iran, and the Reagan administration. He discusses working with senators Mark Hatfield, Howard Baker, Bob Dole, and many others. Packwood also talks briefly about the Clinton administration and impeachment, and about the sexual harassment allegations against him.
Restricted until January 1, 2050.
Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. When restrictions expire, use will be allowed according to the following license: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA:
Oral history interview with Bob Packwood, by Clark Hansen, SR 1196, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Robert W. "Bob" Packwood papers, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.
Forms part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series.