Charles O. Porter, 86; Oregon Congressman Went Against the Flow
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Charles O. Porter, 86, an Oregon Democrat who served two terms in the House of Representatives and then spent decades as a lawyer fighting for his beliefs, died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease Jan. 1 in Eugene, Ore.
A member of Congress from 1957 to 1961, Porter endorsed several unpopular ideas, including admitting China to the United Nations and trading with China in nonstrategic materials. He also backed disarmament and a halt to nuclear testing.
As a private citizen, Porter was proud of the decades-long campaign he led to force the removal of a concrete cross from city-owned property on a prominent butte overlooking Eugene.
The cross was relocated to land owned by Eugene Bible College.
Charles Orlando Porter was born in Klamath Falls, Ore., on April 4, 1919, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University before graduating from its law school.
During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces.
His last burst of national fame came in 2001, when he launched a campaign to impeach the five Supreme Court justices who voted to stop the presidential ballot recount in Florida.
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