PORTLAND (AP) - Oregonians and their elected officials hailed this weekend's capture of Saddam Hussein with joy, and hoped the events would hasten the return of loved ones serving abroad.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore, said it was an occasion to congratulate the American military.

"And of course we have soldiers from virtually every nook and cranny in Oregon serving, and that makes us especially proud this afternoon," Wyden said. "Saddam Hussein's capture proves once again that the United States has the best and most tenacious fighting forces in the world."

His Republican counterpart, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, highlighted the consequences of the capture for the people of Iraq.

"(The Iraqi people) now have greater freedom to move toward a full and unfettered, sovereign democracy without fearing their former murderous tyrant," Smith said.

And U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., cautioned that terrorism will still exist, even though Hussein is in custody.

"We have to keep in mind that the war on terrorism has never been about just one person, so there will continue to be threats around the world," Walden said. "But certainly Saddam's capture will mean that we will get better information out of the Iraqi people who have, up until this point, still lived in fear that Saddam would come back into power."

Judy and Bob Updyke of Cottage Grove first heard about the capture when their daughter, U.S. Army Sgt. Jennifer Updyke, called them around 3:30 a.m. Sunday from Mosul, Iraq.

"She said she'd heard it through the grapevine," Judy Updyke said Sunday evening. "She mentioned it in passing, was kind of ho-hum about it. But to me it was, 'Oh my gosh, I am so glad they got him.' The first thing we did was run downstairs and listen to the news, and sure enough, it was true."

Other Oregonians quickly placed the news in political context, wondering what it might mean for President Bush and Democratic hopefuls in the 2004 presidential election.

"It makes me feel kind of sad," said Jennifer Webster, a board member with Eugene Peaceworks. "I just feel that the Bush administration has been really good about doing PR stunts to boost the popularity of the war. I don't think the capture of Saddam proves anything or helps anything."

And others said they doubt Saddam's removal will convince guerrilla fighters to lay down their weapons.

"I don't think the violence has anything to do with Saddam," said Diane Sayer of Eugene. "I think it has to do with the people of that country wanting us out."

Oregon veterans spoke of the enormous morale booster they thought the capture would provide to Oregon troops stationed overseas.

Barbara Hosier, who served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War era and now leads Salem's American Legion Post 149, a post made up entirely of female veterans, called the event, "a turning point."

"I think the whole situation will see a big change and will speed things up," Hosier said. "It shows we mean business."