DPO celebrates recognition |
|
|
The Oregon Senate voted 28-0 Tuesday, June 1, in support of the bill to establish Juneteenth as an official state holiday in Oregon, following a 53-0 vote in the House in April. The bill now goes back to the House for action on amendments. State Sen. Lew Frederick, D-District 22, gave a moving floor speech prior to the vote in the Senate. “Juneteenth is not the date all slaves were freed," he said. "Juneteenth is not the date that Black Americans, or Black Oregonians, were guaranteed comfort, relief or safety. Juneteenth was a step forward and a marker of hope, one we must continue to build upon. This official holiday will recognize that the people of Oregon, despite our past, can take the veil of ignorance away, and each year choose to have hope – on Juneteenth and every day thereafter. With House Bill 2168, we can learn from another time. We can change the future now, in real time. We can work towards equality – even without a declaration or official holiday. We must. Celebrating Juneteenth will help each of us remember all that we can and must do to ensure a more just future."
|
Unite Oregon seeks testimony
in support of SB 755
Unite Oregon is seeking the help of allies in support of fully funding the treatment, recovery, housing and harm-reduction services outlined in Measure 110, approved by voters last fall. It is now Senate Bill 755.
In the next two to three weeks the Legislature plans to open a period to submit public testimony for SB 755 before it goes to a final legislative vote.
“This is the opportunity we've been waiting for and the good news is that submitting written public testimony only takes about 5-10 minutes if you've already formulated your statement and emailed it to your legislators,” said Anna Knierim, Unite Oregon community organizer who spoke briefly about the bill during the May 6 Linn Dems monthly general meeting. “This is a very powerful way to advocate since multiple legislators will see it and you are allowed to submit testimony for this hearing even if you already submitted for the Judiciary Committee's hearing back in March.”
To get involved in this last major stage of advocacy for funding of Measure 110/Senate Bill 755, please click here.
In the next two to three weeks the Legislature plans to open a period to submit public testimony for SB 755 before it goes to a final legislative vote.
“This is the opportunity we've been waiting for and the good news is that submitting written public testimony only takes about 5-10 minutes if you've already formulated your statement and emailed it to your legislators,” said Anna Knierim, Unite Oregon community organizer who spoke briefly about the bill during the May 6 Linn Dems monthly general meeting. “This is a very powerful way to advocate since multiple legislators will see it and you are allowed to submit testimony for this hearing even if you already submitted for the Judiciary Committee's hearing back in March.”
To get involved in this last major stage of advocacy for funding of Measure 110/Senate Bill 755, please click here.
News & Updates
Look here for news, commentary and updates from Linn Dems and ally organizations
RSS Feed