The idea for The Hatfield Project came as many ideas often do, during a casual conversation. We were chatting with John DiLorenzo, prominent attorney and longtime politico in Oregon, and he mentioned that someone needed to capture Mark Hatfield’s story. We couldn’t agree more.

Our goal for The Hatfield Project is to tell that story through the memories and reflections of those closest to him during his service, primarily his staff but also those other leaders he served with. They will help us understand the important moments in history Sen. Hatfield was part of, his approach to leadership, and the values that governed his service.

We are particularly thankful for the assistance thus far of Sen. Hatfield’s chief of staff, Gerry Frank, who is serving in an advisory role and was our first interview. In addition, we are grateful for the help of Kerry Tymchuk, former speechwriter and counsel to Sen. Bob Dole and state director for Sen. Gordon Smith, who has been a valuable advisor and is serving on the board of The Hatfield Project. Finally, to the numerous former staffers for Sen. Hatfield who have provided feedback, stories and reflections on the Senator thus far, we thank you for allowing us to tell your stories about Sen. Hatfield.

As a former Television News Journalist the greatest moment in creating a story is when your basic interview transforms into a moment you will never forget.

My recent interview, for the Senator Mark Hatfield Documentary we are working on, was one of those moments.  We were interviewing Gerry Frank, Hatfield’s long time chief of staff, friend and part of the Meier and Frank Department store family that made Portland, Oregon famous.

He’s a charming man with connections to world leaders that would impress even the highest on the “A” list. But for Gerry Frank, these are not names to throw out to impress, these are historical figures he had access to. In some cases they were also friends.

To say Gerry Frank was the man behind Hatfield is almost an understatement. What I got from this interview is a picture of the irony of these two men and their long partnership in the Governor’s Office and the U.S. Senate.

Gerry Frank grew up in a world of privilege, Mark Hatfield in much more humble surroundings. Yet these two men made an unstoppable team that literally changed the state, the nation and in many ways the world. Frank became the server and Hatfield the upfront man and it worked.

I wonder if there can ever be another combination like Frank and Hatfield? I wonder because in this day and age, doing the right thing, because it’s the right thing, isn’t first on the list of priorities for a lot of people in politics. But it was for Mark Hatfield.

This is our first of what will be many inspiring interviews with former staff members, world leaders and friends of Mark Hatfield. As a storyteller, as a journalist, I feel like I’m about to climb inside a history book. As a fan of Hatfield’s, which I’m sure you already are or will soon be, prepare yourself to be inspired by a man who followed his beliefs, even when it wasn’t popular.

- Rick Dancer, Producer

The picture below is a frame grab from the interview of Senator Hatfield’s longtime Chief of Staff Gerry Frank.

Interview: Gerry Frank

Devon monitors the interview.