Oregon State Senator Avel Gordly wins Drum Major for Justice Award, publicly announces her strong support for Sean Cruz for Senate

Avel Gordly Wins Drum Major Award
Portland, Oregon:

Breakfast Speaker Says Environmentalism New ‘Lunch Counter’ Fight
By Brian Stimson of the Skanner

“State Senator Avel Gordly was awarded The Skanner Foundation’s Drum Major for Justice Award for her dedicated service to the people of Oregon during her tenure in the Legislature. Receiving the award, Gordly spoke about the urgent need for reforming Oregon’s mental health system. Citing a recent report that found serious deficiencies in care standards at Oregon State Hospital she asked Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (left) and Senate President Peter Courtney (right) to act to protect patients.

“The Skanner Foundation held its 22nd annual Martin Luther King Breakfast last Monday. Every year, the breakfast looks at an issue related to Dr. King’s struggle for civil rights, equality and justice in America.

"This year the theme of the breakfast was: In Green Pastures: An Environment Where King’s Dream Will Grow.

”By looking at struggles for environmental justice,” The Skanner’s publisher Bernie Foster said, “he hoped to highlight opportunities for African Americans to improve our urban environment for future generations and generate ‘clean, green jobs’ for urban youth.”

”Winner of the annual Drum Major for Justice Award was Oregon State Senator Avel Gordly.

"Senator Gordly is a longtime champion for schools, jobs, housing, and health care for all. She will retire at the end of this legislative session.”

Link to The Skanner for the rest of the story:

http://www.theskanner.com/index.php?action=artd&artid=5842&PHPSESSID=e19cea0645dca861dfc62a34fb9d6749

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Shortly after the Skanner Breakfast, Senator Gordly publicly announced her strong support for Sean Cruz to succeed her in the Oregon Senate, representing Senate District 23.

She spoke at the “Keep Alive the Dream” tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Highland Center in the Montavilla neighborhood, which is located in the heart of Senate District 23.

The theme of this 23rd annual celebration was “Our Personal Responsibility for Civic Engagement.”

Senator Gordly sponsored the legislation creating the state Environmental Justice Task Force in 2007, the culmination of more than a decade of work on this issue.

see www.leg.state.or.us/gordly/news