The most interesting politicians have more than one side to their persona. The more that we see of Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith’s human side, the more attractive he becomes.

Tonight in Portland, Sen. Smith will receive an award that reflects his good works. The Oregon chapter of the American Jewish Committee is giving Smith its 2005 Human Relations Award.

The AJC is recognizing Smith for a variety of his initiatives including support of hate crimes legislation, giving visibility to widespread hunger by creating the Senate Hunger Caucus, his support for Israel, and introduction of the amendment that would have held Medicaid harmless from budget cuts.

Sen. Smith has supported the concept of adding gender and sexual orientation to hate crimes legislation. As with Smith’s opposition to Lon Mabon’s anti-homosexual ballot measures in 1992 and 1994, this hate crimes initiative has incurred some displeasure among Smith’s Mormon Church brethren. Emily Gottfried of the Oregon chapter of AJC says her organization is recognizing Smith because he’s been the most outspoken member of the Senate on hate crimes. He will reintroduce the Hate Crimes Bill in May.

In the presidential campaign of 2000, George W. Bush floated the concept of compassionate conservatism. We’ve not seen much of that out of the White House. But Sen. Smith embodies the concept, and he is an excellent example for his colleagues.