|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Community Conversation - Saturday, October 25th
Join me on Saturday, October 25th, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at the Hillsboro Downtown Station Food Carts, located at 320 SE Baseline Street in Hillsboro. Come share your thoughts and talk about issues that are important to you. Meet fellow community members and stay to enjoy food from the many food carts. Breakfast and coffee open at 8:00AM and the lunch carts open at 11:00AM. I look forward to seeing you there.
Legislative Updates
SCR 17: Honoring the life, memory, and service of Colonel Richard Kidd the third
This week I met with former Forest Grove Mayor Richard Kidd's wife, Christine, to deliver a signed parchment copy of Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, honoring her late husband, Colonel Richard Kidd the third. I was honored to introduce and pass this resolution during the 2025 legislative session honoring Richard Kidd's service to our country and community.
Richard was deeply engaged in our community, serving a combined 25 years on the City Council and as Mayor of Forest Grove. His leadership extended to the Forest Grove Elks Lodge #2440, where he was an active member. He was a charter member of the Forest Grove Daybreak Rotary Club. He was instrumental in establishing the Public Arts Commission and the Historic Landmarks Board as an advisory body to the City Council. He was also involved with the Washington County Habitat for Humanity, volunteering for 15 years. His efforts contributed to the construction of 18 new homes with one of the projects named "Kidd's Corner" in his honor. His legacy of giving back to community will be cherished and remembered for years to come.
|
Intern Corner
Spreading Light and Hope through Diwali
During October 18th-20th of this year, communities of Indian origin across the world will come together to celebrate Diwali—the festival of lights. Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It’s also a time to honor deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. In the days leading up to this cherished celebration, people clean their homes and decorate the floors with colorful patterns called Rangoli to welcome happiness and abundance. For many businesses, this day also marks the start of a new financial year.
Diwali is closely tied to two important festivals that precede it: Navratri and Dusshera. Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, celebrates divine feminine energy and strength. The day after the end of Navratri people celebrate Dusshera.
According to the Hindu epic, Ramayana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It is said that to celebrate Lord Rama’s return, people of Ayodhya lit diyas (earthen lamps) to welcome their king and to guide him home - a belief that is central to Diwali celebrations. In Northern parts of India, Dusshera marks Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana, whereas in other regions, it signifies Goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura – both representing a powerful symbol of good triumphing over evil.
Together, Navratri, Dusshera, and Diwali serve as a powerful reminder of hope, resilience, and the enduring light within us all.
Let’s spread light across our communities — not just on Diwali, but every day!
~Maanya S.
Out and About for Senate District 15
Toddler Storytime Reading
This week I joined Toddler Storytime Reading at the Hillsboro Shute Park Library. We had a blast singing songs, moving our bodies to music, and reading "When I Smile: A Book of Kindness" by Jo Witek. I was gifted this book to donate by the Oregon Library Association and was happy to donate it to the Shute Park Library. Reading to little ones is such a boost for their vocabulary and language skills development, not to mention the joyful boost it gives back to me.
Forest Grove Public Safety Open House
Last weekend was a great day in commUNITY at the public safety open house in Forest Grove. There were a great number of participants taking part, including:
- Forest Grove Fire & Rescue offering fire engine rides, firefighter obstacle course, tours of the station and much more.
- Forest Grove Light & Power had several interactive exhibits plus bucket truck rides.
- Forest Grove Police were there to talk about crime prevention.
- The City of Forest Grove Public Works/Water Treatment shared about water conservation and had their brand new HUGE vacuum truck on display.
- Forest Grove Library was handing out fun items with safety in mind.
- Forest Grove Parks & Recreation Dept came to talk about water safety and use of personal floatation devices.
- The Oregon Department of Forestry - Northeast Oregon District shared about wildfire prevention and Smokey the Bear came too.
- There were also representatives from AMR Washington County, and Oregon and Forest Grove School District talking about various safety topics.
It was a great way of opening kids' eyes to a world of possibilities, and for the community to interact with those who provide safety and community services.
Oregon Citizens' Utility Board Conference - Annual Energy Policy Conference
Last Friday, I participated in CUB's Annual Energy Policy Conference as a panelist on the "Hungry Hungry Hyperscalers" panel. This year's Conference was titled "Changing for a Changing Climate" and our panel focused on the rise in data centers and their impacts on utility growth and customer affordability. I was happy to share my reasons why I was a strong champion of the Power Act (HB 3546) that passed in the 2025 legislative session, which will create a new customer class for data centers and cryptocurrency shops.
Visit to Synopsys
Last week, I visited Synopsys in Hillsboro. Synopsys has been a part of the Hillsboro community for over 30 years, employing over 300 people. In addition to being a great community partner, giving their time in volunteer hours, and partnering with Oregon Universities, Synopsys is also a member of the Frontier of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST), a consortium of 95 organizations focused on developing an interconnected semiconductor ecosystem and advancing technologies to benefit the Oregon economy, support the U.S. semiconductor industry, and boost other industry sectors reliant on integrated circuits. FAST has been pursuing the NSF Regional Engine competition and was recently announced as a finalist for the grant. Read more here: Statewide Semiconductor Coalition Named Regional Innovation Engine Program Finalist | FAST - Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology.
Community Outreach
TV Highway Transit & Safety Project Community Advisory Committee
TriMet is recruiting members for the TV Highway Transit & Safety Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC will include residents, business and property owners, riders, and organizational representatives to ensure the project reflects community needs and priorities. Members will help shape station design and project features, guide outreach efforts, and serve as a bridge between the community and project staff. Visit www.TriMet.org/TVHighway starting October 13th to learn more and apply!
|
M&M Marketplace - Kicking Off October Celebrations
Bow Wow Adventure Walk - Sunday, October 12th
Black Advisory Business Council Scholarship Fund
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Immigration Resources
Team SD 15 will be taking a newsletter break next week. We look forward to connecting when we resume.
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon's past and we must honor them well into our future.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
| 
