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Dear Neighbor,
Hello, everyone! The legislative media blackout period, which is the 60 day stretch before an election where I cannot send newsletters, has ended, making this our first newsletter since the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session! As we move into the warmer months, I am excited to share updates and news from our community and the legislature. Your engagement and support are invaluable as we work together for a better Oregon.
I recently returned from deployment in Kodiak, Alaska where I served our country as a member of the Air National Guard. This was a meaningful experience serving our country as an optometrist for people in need as part of a humanitarian mission for people in need of healthcare in Kodiak.
As I send this email, we are in the midst of May's Legislative Days! From May 29 through May 31, I am in Salem for meetings with constituents, other lawmakers, lobbyists, and agencies. My office welcomes constituents to come visit my office and tell me about your issues and concerns. You can contact my office to schedule a visit at: Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov.
I will also be attending legislative committee meetings. The committees I proudly serve on are:
- House Interim Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans
- Joint Committee On Conduct
- House Interim Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care
- House Interim Committee On Judiciary
- House Interim Committee On Conduct
I also proudly serve as the Chair of the Oregon Veterans Caucus.
Every first Friday of the month I host our Power to the People event at my in-district office. I would love to see you on Friday, 6/7 @5:30pm at: 4526 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213. We invite you to share your concerns and policy ideas alongside friendly neighbors.
The next Power to the People event will be held in July, on July 5th 2024 at 5:30pm at the same location.
Getting a Gavel
As the new Chair of the House Interim Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me. This role is an incredible honor, and I am committed to serving our community with dedication and integrity. Your support and engagement are crucial, and I look forward to working together to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Memorial Day Ceremony at the World War II Memorial
I was honored to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Oregon's WWII memorial, where I gave a speech in remembrance of our veterans. Below is a small excerpt from my speech:
As a veteran of the United States Air Force and an elected state representative, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and pride. My journey through life has been profoundly shaped by my experiences in the military and my service to our community. Today, I am deeply humbled to share my reflections on this solemn occasion. Memorial Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a day of profound significance. It is a day when we pause from our busy lives to remember the fallen heroes who have given everything for our country and came from all walks of life, united by a common purpose: to defend the freedoms and principles upon which our nation was founded.
Touring The Hollywood Theatre with Rep. Rob Nosse
In May, I had the pleasure of joining Rep. Rob Nosse and Hollywood Theatre Director Doug Whyte for a tour of The Hollywood Theatre. As the theater prepares for its 100th anniversary, it was an incredible opportunity to see firsthand the vibrant cultural and historic treasure of our community. The theater's rich history and ongoing efforts to provide diverse programming are truly inspiring. I encourage everyone to visit and support this local gem!
HB 4096 and HB 4097
While the 2024 session has concluded, we are far from finished with our important legislative work. HB 4097 and HB 4096, both crucial to our community's future, will be diligently worked on and reintroduced in the 2025 Long Session.
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HB 4096: Firearms present an imminent danger to a suicidal person and others. This bill makes it possible for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis to create time and distance between themselves and their firearm(s) by providing a place they can be temporarily stored, providing families another tool in preventing suicide by firearm. During the short session, we worked with a strong bi-partisan coalition to craft this bill and we are continuing this work during the interim and into the next session.
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HB 4097: Too many in our state have had their criminal history cleared, but are experiencing extreme delays in getting their records expunged. This bill makes technical fixes that will streamline the expungement process, ensuring Oregon has a strong, effective system for clearing criminal records for people who meet the requirements of the state’s expungement law. We came very close to passing this bill in the short session, and are hopeful we can get it over the finish line in 2025.
These bills represent significant progress for our state, and I am committed to seeing them through to successful passage.
Securing Funding for Employment Related Day Care
Last session, the legislature passed SB 5701, the end of session budget reconciliation bill, which included a $99.2 million investment in Oregon’s Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), ensuring over 22,000 children continue to benefit from the care and support of a childcare provider. I am proud to have championed this effort to fund ERDC, a program that is vital to the stability and growth of our economy, bolstering Oregon’s available workforce. It does so by providing affordable, accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate child care to Oregon’s families - allowing mothers and other caregivers to seek employment.
Community Benefits Agreement with Prologis
Recently, several members of the Oregon Legislature joined me in calling for a community benefits agreement with Prologis regarding their proposed freight warehouse development at 12350 NE Sandy Boulevard. This project raises substantial concerns about the safety, health, and future of the Parkrose community, especially its diverse student population and residents of color.
The increased freight traffic near Parkrose High School and Parkrose Middle School poses a danger to students. We advocate for reducing the speed limit on 122nd Avenue to 20 mph to ensure safer crosswalks. Additionally, the environmental impact of the warehouse, located close to residential areas, exacerbates existing health disparities, particularly air-pollution-related asthma in children.
As we know, for decades, our Parkrose community has lacked the level of investment that other neighborhoods have benefited from, leading to glaring economic disparity. It is crucial that we prioritize human life and health over industrial commerce. We urged the City and Prologis to establish a strong community benefits agreement that addresses these concerns and fosters a safe, healthy, and prosperous environment for all residents.
Grant High School Wins First Place at National Civics Competition
Grant High School has achieved a remarkable victory at the Center for Civic Education's Nationwide Competition on the Constitution. This prestigious win highlights the dedication and talent of our students and educators, showcasing their deep understanding of civics and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to the Grant High School Constitution team for their outstanding performance and for bringing pride to our district. For more, read this article from The Oregonian, here.
Grant's A Cappella Choir placed 5th in State Choir Championships!
Congratulations to these talented singers for making the podium for the second consecutive year at the OSAA State Choir Championships! The performance spanned over 200 years of music history, featured four different languages, and represented music from four different continents.
Parkrose High School’s Molly Ouche Named Oregon High School Principal of the Year
We are proud to announce that Molly Ouche, principal of Parkrose High School, has been named Oregon High School Principal of the Year. This well-deserved recognition reflects her exceptional leadership and dedication to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. Congratulations, Principal Ouche, on this incredible achievement and for your continued commitment to our students' success! For more, read the announcement here.
Parkrose Wind Ensemble is 4th in the State!
Congratulations to the Parkrose Wind Ensemble who secured an impressive fourth place at the State Band Competition on Friday, May 10! This is the third consecutive year that these talented students from our district have achieved this honor. Qualifying for this prestigious event requires immense dedication and hard work, and bringing home a top-five trophy is a remarkable achievement.
Portland's C.E.I. Hub
I have been dedicating time to learning more about Portland's Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) hub. This hub is a crucial element in our region's energy landscape, but it also poses significant risks, particularly in the event of a natural disaster. Understanding the complexities and vulnerabilities of this hub is essential for improving our emergency preparedness and ensuring the safety and resilience of our energy supply. As part of my new role as Chair of the House Interim Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, I intend to dive deeper into this issue to enhance the safety of all Oregonians.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we work together for the betterment of our community.
Yours truly,
Representative Thuy Tran
House District 45
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1445
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-285, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/tran
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