News from Senator Diane Rosenbaum

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

This has been a very intense month in Oregon with some enormous victories, as well as real tragedies.  We continue to celebrate the long-awaited achievement of marriage equality in Oregon.  We also mourn the tragic loss of young life at Reynolds High School; my sympathies go to the family and friends of Emilio Hoffman and also the Reynolds community as a whole. 

Pictured above: Senator Rosenbaum with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici in the 2014 Pride Parade in Portland.

Staff Transition

My office is experiencing a significant transition as my long term Legislative Aide, Megan Osborne, will be leaving at the end of June. Megan has served our district for six Legislative Sessions, beginning in 2008. She has made enormous contributions to Oregon legislation in her work on ending hunger and poverty, providing better healthcare for women, and protecting Oregon’s environment.  Megan and her partner and their two dogs are moving up to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State to help her father complete his dream home, a geodesic dome! I wish her all the best in this endeavor and whatever comes after, and thank her for her many years of service to the district.

Pictured above: Senator Rosenbaum with outgoing Legislative Aide Megan Osborne (left) and incoming Legislative Aide Michaela Gore (right).

Replacing Megan will be Michaela Gore, born and raised in our very own Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood! After graduating from Franklin High School in 2007, Michaela went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Willamette University. Since then, Michaela has worked for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. She is a lifelong advocate for the rights of underrepresented groups, and passionate about fighting for equity. I am excited to have Michaela on board and know she is thrilled to be working for such a progressive and involved legislative district.

Oregon's New WWII Memorial

As the daughter of a World War II veteran, I am proud that Oregon’s new World War II Memorial was unveiled and dedicated earlier this month on the State Capitol grounds in Salem.  The new memorial features an obelisk and a black granite wall inscribed with the names of the 3,771 Oregonians killed in action during the war.  A crowd of 2,500 people attended the dedication.  Construction of the memorial began this winter following legislation passed in the 2013 Legislative Session.  The memorial stands now as a stunning tribute to all the men and women who worked and served at home and abroad during World War II.

Summer Community Resources

As you are out and about this summer, I hope you will also take the opportunity to support our local farmers and visit one of the many markets in our neighborhoods.  Below are links to farmers markets in or near our district that also offer a token match program for those with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Buckman Farmers Market
Hollywood Farmers Market
King Farmers Market
Lents International Farmers Market
Milwaukie Farmers Market
Moreland Farmers Market
People’s Farmers Market
Woodstock Farmers Market

Also, be sure to check out our district’s newest farmers market, The Hawthorne Evening Market. 

For those of you with children, summer can create a special challenge; finding affordable childcare is sometimes difficult. Some options to consider are the many camps and summer programs offered through your local Parks and Recreation. Check out the websites for the Portland Parks and Recreation or North Clackamas Parks & Recreation sponsored Summer Camps available near you.  Portland Parks also offers free activities for the whole family through their Summer Free For All program.  Additionally, children who benefit from the free and reduced school meals can also take advantage of the Summer Food Service Program which offers free meals to low-income children 18 and under.  For more information on summer meals, or to find meal locations in your area, please click HERE.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my Legislative Aide Michaela Gore with your concerns. We can be reached at 503-986-1721 (Capitol), 503-231-9970 (District), or by emailing sen.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us.

All the best,