Ben Musa

Benjamin M. Musa (20 August 1905 – 19 May 1974), known as Ben Musa, was an American politician and Certified Public Accountant from Oregon. He served four terms in the Oregon State Senate between 1949 and 1968. Musa was a conservative Democrat from a rural district, known for his ability to work with Republicans as well as fellow Democrats in the state senate. He held the position of President of the Oregon Senate during the 1963–1964 legislative term. Musa ran for governor in 1966, but lost the Democratic primary to Robert W. Straub.

Ben Musa
State Senator Ben Musa, 1963
44rd President of the Oregon State Senate
In office
1963–1964
Preceded byHarry D. Boivin
Succeeded byHarry D. Boivin
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 16th and 18th district
In office
1949–1952
1957–1968
Preceded byPeter J. Stadelman
John P. Hounsell
Succeeded byJohn P. Hounsell
Kenneth A. Jernstedt
ConstituencyHood River and Wasco (1949–1952); Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler (1957–1968)
Personal details
Born(1905-08-20)20 August 1905
Boring, Oregon, U.S.
Died19 May 1974(1974-05-19) (aged 68)
The Dalles, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Katherine Musa
ProfessionCertified Public Accountant

Early life

Musa was born on 20 August 1905 in Boring, Oregon. His parents, John and Maria Musa, were both immigrants from Germany. He attended school in Clackamas County including Gresham High School. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in the 1920s. Musa then attended a business college in Multnomah County, Oregon. During that period, he was elected president of Young Democrats of Multnomah County and served as secretary of Oregon Young Democrats.[1][2]

After finishing business school, Musa work for Portland General Electric and Portland Traction Company for ten years. In 1936, he became deputy collector for the Internal Revenue Service in Central Oregon. In 1943, he opened a private practice as a Certified Public Accountant in The Dalles, Oregon. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants. He was the treasurer for the Wasco County Red Cross chapter, chairman of The Dalles Planning Commission, and director of The Dalles Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Wasco United Fund and the local Kiwanis Club.[1][3][4][5]

State senator

Musa, a Democrat, was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1948, representing Hood River and Wasco counties. His district was later expanded to include four additional eastern Oregon counties. He served in the senate for a total of 16 years, completing his last session in 1967 (though his final term lasted through 1968).[6] During his tenure in the senate, he was widely recognized as an expert on tax and revenue issues. In addition, Musa's wife, Katherine Musa, was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1955 through 1966, representing approximately half his senate district in Oregon's lower legislative house.[3][4][5][7]

Musa first won election to Oregon's District 16 senate seat in 1948. His first four-year term included two sessions, one in 1949 and the other in 1951. The first session lasted for approximately three months and the second session lasted just under four months.[8][9][10][11] During the 1951 session, Musa sponsored a bill that provided the funds necessary to erect statues of John McLoughlin and Jason Lee in Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol in Washington.[12]

In 1952, Musa decided not to run for re-election in his state senate district. Instead, he ran for the open United States House of Representatives seat in Oregon's 2nd congressional district, representing eastern Oregon. Musa lost in the Democratic primary to John G. Jones. In the primary, Musa received 10,496 votes while Jones got 15,712.[13][14][15] After the election, Musa went back to his accounting practice in The Dalles.[16][17] However, Musa remained active in politics, serving as chairman of the Jones for Congress Campaign Committee in Hood River and Wasco counties.[18]

In 1956, Musa decided to run for his old senate seat. He re-captured the District 16 senate seat, defeating incumbent John Hounsell. This allowed Musa to represent the district in the 1957 regular legislative session plus a short special session later that year as well as the 1959 regular session.[19][20][21][22] During those sessions, he served as chairman of State and Federal Affairs Committee and vice chairman of the Assessment and Taxation Committee. He was also a member of the Local Government Committee and the Public Welfare and Institutions Committee.[23][24]

In 1960, Musa is re-elected, beating George Stadelman in a close race. Musa received 9,752 votes while Stadelman got 9,617.[25][26][27] After the election, Democrats held a 20 to 10 majority in the state senate. However, Musa joined a group of conservative Democrat who with the help of the Republican minority took control of the senate. The coalition elected Harry D. Boivin, a conservative Democrat, as the senate president over the Democratic majority leader Alfred H. Corbett.[28][29] Boivin selected Musa to chair the Taxation Committee. Musa also served as a member of the Resolutions Committee, Education Committee, and Elections Committee which was responsible for re-drawing Oregon's legislative and Congressional boundaries based on the 1960 census.[30][31] Midway through the session, the president pro-tem of the senate resigned and Musa was unanimously elected to the post by his colleagues.[29][32]

President of the Senate

In the 1963 legislative session, Musa and other conservative Democrats joined the Republican minority once again to control the state senate. This time, the coalition elected Musa as the senate president.[33][34][35][36] Musa then appointed conservative Democrats to chair key committees with most of the other committee chairmanships going to Republicans.[37]

Under Musa's leadership, the state senate defeated a proposed change to state constitution that would have done away with state boards and commissions while giving the governor executive authority over most state operations.[38] He also helped passed a balance state budget, and led the successful effort to defeat an institutive to create a state sales tax.[39] After the session ended, Musa was elected chairman of the joint legislative Emergency Board. The board provided legislative oversight for state government operation while the legislature was out of session.[40]

At that time, the President of the Senate served as acting governor whenever the elected governor was out of the state. During 1963, Republican Governor Mark Hatfield was out of the state a total of 65 days and Musa served as acting governor. Musa created a controversy when, as acting governor, he appointed a Democrat from his district to the state Public Welfare Commission. The appointment was legal, but Hatfield and many of the state's media outlets criticized Musa for making the appointment.[41][42][43]

In October 1963, Oregon voters defeated a proposed tax increase. This created a $60 million gap in the previously balance state budget. As a result, Governor Hatfield called a special session of the legislature to make the cuts necessary to re-balance the budget. Ten legislative leaders met with the governor prior to the special session to discuss options for balancing the budget. Nine favored allowing the governor to make the cut. Musa was the only legislative leader to disagree. He believed it was the legislature responsibility to make the cuts.[44][45][46] The special session was interrupted by a nine-day recess following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.[47] The special session took 22 days (including the 9-day recess). At that time, it was the longest special legislative session in Oregon history.[46][48]

Final term

In 1964, Musa ran for re-election and won a fourth term in the state senate. This allowed him to serve in the 1965 regular legislative session as well as a short special session that took place in May 1965, a week after the regular session adjourned.[7][49][50] In 1966, Musa ran for governor. During the campaign, he highlighted his service in the state senate including his time as acting governor along with his experience resolving complex tax and revenue issues. Musa lost the Democratic primary to Robert Straub.[3][4][5][51] After the election, Musa returned to the state senate for the second half of his four-year term, where he participated the 1967 regular session. While that session ended in June 1967, his term of office continued through the end of 1968.[6]

Later life

After leaving the state Senate, Musa went back to his public accounting practice in The Dalles. In October 1973, he suffered a serious brain hemorrhage. He died seven month later on 19 May 1974 in The Dalles at the age of 68. Musa was interred at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in The Dalles.[3][4][5]

References
  1. "Meet the Legislators", Daily Capitol Journal, Salem, Oregon, 5 February 1957, p. 2.
  2. "United States Census, 1930", United States National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, District of Columbia; accessed via FamilySearch on 6 December 2015.
  3. "Long-time legislator Ben Musa dies in The Dalles", Bulletin, Bend, Oregon 20 May 1974, p. 1.
  4. "Ben Musa dies at 68", Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 20 May 1974, p. 3A.
  5. "Ex-State Legislator Musa Dies at 68", The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, 21 May 1974, p. 10.
  6. "1967 Regular Session (54th): January 11 – June 14", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  7. "1965 Regular Session (53rd): January 11 – May 14", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  8. "Files for Post", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford Oregon, 23 January 1948, p. 1.
  9. "State Senate Races Shown", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 4 November 1948, p. 15.
  10. "1949 Regular Session (45th): January 10 – April 16", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  11. "1951 Regular Session (46th): January 8 – May 3", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  12. Harvey, Paul W,, "Columbus Day Legal Holiday Voted in Salem", The News Review, Roseburg, Oregon, 6 February 1951, p. 2.
  13. "Musa to Seek Seat in House", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 28 February 1952, p. 1.
  14. "Candidate Musa Visits in Bend", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 6 May 1952, p. 5.
  15. "Final Oregon Election Results Announced", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 18 May 1952, p. 1.
  16. "New Hospital Gift Reported", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 23 January 1953, p. 1.
  17. "Hospital Group Given Report", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 28 January 1955, p. 3.
  18. "Musa Named Jones Aid", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 15 August 1952, p. 6.
  19. "Dems About to Take House Control", Daily Capitol Journal, Salem, Oregon, 7 November 1956, p. 5.
  20. "1957 Regular Session (49th): January 14 – May 21", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  21. "1957 Special Session (49th): October 28 – November 15", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  22. "1959 Regular Session (50th): January 12 – May 6", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  23. Harvey, Paul W., "Senate Deadlock Ends Overhulse New Leader", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 25 January 1957, p. 1.
  24. "Committee Assignments Set for Oregon State Senate", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 26 January 1957, p. 6.
  25. "Incumbents Score Heavily in Friday Voting", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 25 May 1960, p. 5.
  26. "Senate Members", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 10 November 1960, p. 13.
  27. "Recount Denied to Stadelman", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 20 December 1960, p. 3.
  28. "Boivin Claims Enough Votes for Presidency", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 24 November 1960, p. 1.
  29. "1961 Regular Session (51st): January 9 – May 10", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  30. "Boivin, Duncan set Legislative Committees", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 10 January 1961, p. 7.
  31. "Sure we're fortunate on Overhulse, Musa appointments, but it wasn't pure luck", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 18 January 1961, p. 4.
  32. "Ben Musa Named Lewis Successor", The News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon, 30 March 1961, p. 2.
  33. "Won't Seek Post", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 26 June 1962, p. 7.
  34. Musa, Ben, "President-Designate of Senate Says 1963 Assembly is Comprised of Experienced Solons", The News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon, 27 December 1962, p. 14.
  35. Harvey, Paul W., "Sharply Split Legislature Goes into Session Monday", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 13 January 1963, p. 1.
  36. "1963 Regular Session (52nd): January 14 – June 3", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  37. "Musa, Barton Top leaders for Session", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 14 January 1963, p. 1.
  38. Harvey, Paul W., "17–13 Vote in Senate Defeats Constitution", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 28 May 1963, p. 1.
  39. Stark, Zan and Ann H. Pearson, "Oregon's Longest Session of Legislature Concludes", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, 4 June 1963, p. 1.
  40. "Emergency Board Meets", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 4 June 1963, p. 5.
  41. "Hatfield Gone, Musa Driving", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 23 July 1963, p. 1.
  42. "Senator Musa oversteps the bounds in making this sneak appointment", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 25 July 1963, p. 4.
  43. "Mark Out of State 65 Days in '63", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 1 February 1964, p. 3.
  44. "Musa at Odds with Hatfield on Tax Plan", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 17 October 1963, p. 1.
  45. "Legislators Want Brief Special Session", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 8 November 1963, p. 8.
  46. "1963 Special Session (52nd): November 11 – December 2", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  47. "Legislature Recesses", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, 22 November 1963, p. 2.
  48. Stark, Zan, "Boardman Lease Voted, Ending Special Session", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 3 December 1963, p. 1.
  49. "Musa's Seek Re-Election, They Announce", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 28 February 1964, p. 4.
  50. "1965 Special Session (53rd): May 21–25", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed 4 December 2015.
  51. "Democrat Ben Musa For Governor", State of Oregon Voters' Pamphlet Democratic Party Primary Nominating Election May 24, 1966, compiled by Oregon Office of Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, p. 34-35.
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