PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- An Oregon U.S. lawmaker's legacy will be honored in brick and mortar later this month at Pacific University.

A native Portlander, Les AuCoin earned his degree in journalism from Pacific University, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. On Sept. 27, the former U.S. congressman will have a building named after him at his alma mater.

AuCoin spent 18 years in Congress starting in 1975, as the first Democrat to win Oregon's First Congressional District, a seat the Democrats have held ever since.

AuCoin, now 81, has some thoughts on the state of politics in America and in Oregon.

Watch the video above for the full interview.