The Oregon State Senate paused its session April 21 for prayers, remembrances and formal courtesies after the body announced the death of State Senator Aaron Woods.

Senators and guests rose to recognize Woods and offer condolences to his family. Multiple senators described Woods as pragmatic, deliberate in speech and committed to serving his constituents; members said he would be missed in committee work, on the floor and in the community.

Senator Patterson formally opened the courtesies and asked members to extend gestures to visitors in the gallery, including students and university delegations that had traveled to the Capitol. Senator Robinson and Senator Brock Smith also offered remarks in the remonstrances period.

Senator Brock Smith additionally called attention to a separate recent tragedy: a vehicle crash that killed an Umpqua Community College student and a coach. He asked colleagues to keep the victims' families and senator Woods's family in their thoughts.

The Senate then moved on to its scheduled business after the period of reflection.