Senator Charles McNary of Oregon spent 28 years in the United States Senate. A quiet leader with a unique affinity for building strong relationships, he was ranked as the most popular member of the Senate for nearly three decades. His leadership skills and legislative sensibilities made him a highly effective minority leader from 1933-1944, a difficult period of economic depression and war. Respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle, McNary forged strong bipartisan coalitions and maintained a good working relationship with President Franklin Roosevelt. McNary also has the distinction of being the first Republican leader to occupy one of the front-row, center-aisle seats now reserved for majority and minority leaders.
