In 1966, Mark Hatfield served in the State Legislature from 1951-1957; was secretary of state from 1957-1959. He was elected governor in 1958 and re-elected in 1962, becoming Oregon’s first two-term governor in the 20th century. Hatfield served in the U.S. Senate from 1966-1997 where he focused on health, education, research and social service programs.

Senator Hatfield’s support of medical research related initiatives remains a foundation of the biotechnology industry in Oregon, as well as nationally. Examples include the Hatfield Award for Clinical Research established by the Alzheimerﾒs Association; the Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport; and the National Institutes of Health Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center opened in 2004.