JAIME VALDEZ/PORTLAND TRIBUNE - Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, gives a speech during Gov. Kate Brown's inauguration ceremony Jan. 9, 2017, in the Oregon House of Representatives in Salem.

• Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, on giving his speech for Gov. Kate Brown‘s inaugural ceremony Monday, Jan. 9, in the House of Representatives in Salem: “My wife advised me … not to offend the entire executive branch and judiciary on opening day.”

• House Minority Leader Rep. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, while embracing Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, D-Beaverton, during a break in harassment training for lawmakers and staff Jan. 10 at Willamette University: “I don’t know how many times you’ve harassed me, but I’ve enjoyed it every time.”

“I don’t know how many times you’ve harassed me, but I’ve enjoyed it every time.”

• Courtney recalling his first swearing-in ceremony as a member of the House of Representatives in 1981: “At that time I think I was filled with enormous respect and admiration for my House colleagues, and I say that because I didn’t know any of them.”

• Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, on the effort to vet PERS reform proposals for legality: “Of course, if you have two lawyers in a room, you’ll have three opinions.”

• Courtney on needing to wrap up his speech during Gov. Brown’s inaugural ceremony: “A speech that is long is a speech that is too long, and most speeches are never heard.”