May Day in Salem to focus on Driver’s License Restoration, Jobs, Education, and Healthcare

April 25, 2012

Thousands to gather at State Capitol to focus on important issues and celebrate the contributions of working families

Salem, Ore. -- On Tuesday, May 1st, immigrants, labor union members, students, members of LGBT communities, women, Latinos, and allies will gather on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol for a rally with community leaders and elected officials including Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.

The Governor, with the support of elected representatives, members of the business, law enforcement, labor, faith, immigrant and civil rights community will deliver an important message about solutions to address driver’s license access restoration in Oregon.

The line up of speakers will be leaders from organized labor, faith, civil rights and community organizations and elected officials including Governor John Kitzhaber, Secretary of State Kate Brown, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, State Representative Tina Kotek, State Representative Michael Dembrow, State Representative Brad Witt, and Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen, who will be represented by Policy Advisor Guillermo A. Maciel.

In addition to Driver's License Restoration, other issues of focus for May 1st include: Jobs with living wages for ALL Oregon residents, Educational opportunities from pre-k to college for ALL Oregon residents, access to health care services for ALL Oregon residents and a path towards legalization for all immigrants

This year’s May Day will also be filled with hundreds of lanterns signifying the hope for a more just and equitable state for all Oregonians. Following the rally, participants will march with the lanterns through Salem’s downtown carrying these “lights of hope”.


May Day 2012: The Light of Hope March & Rally
A Celebration of Working Families, regardless of immigration status
May 1, 2012
Rally: 6 p.m. | March: 7 p.m.
Oregon State Capitol
Salem, Oregon

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/395901180427146/

Sponsors (partial list): Causa Oregon, PCUN, Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA), Oregon AFL-CIO, Voz Hispana Causa Chavista, Marion-Polk Move To Amend, Working America, Willamette University Causa Chapter

We will be live streaming the Governor's speech on May 1st at 6pm @ WWW.OREGONMAYDAY.COM

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Causa, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

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Statewide Immigrant Action Day in Salem this Saturday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2012

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director 503-269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director, 503-488-0263

Statewide Immigrant Action Day to be held in Salem on January 21st

Salem, Ore.-- On Saturday, January 21st , Causa will host their 14th Annual Statewide Immigrant Action Day in Salem. The day long event will bring together delegations from Portland, Gresham, Cornelius, Hillsboro, Eugene, Springfield, Beaverton, Bend, Redmond, Madras, Sisters, Woodburn, Independence, Dayton, Dallas, Silverton, Lincoln City and St. Helens and Vancouver, Washington.

Immigrant Action Day 2012
Saturday January 21st, 10am- 2pm
Chemeketa Community College Building 2
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, Oregon

The focus of this year’s Immigrant Action Day will include the following topics:

• Restoring driver’s licenses for all in Oregon
• Stopping local law enforcement collaboration with ICE
• How to get involved with our children’s education
• Getting your voice heard in the elections
• Equality for all members of our community

Lunch and childcare will be provided to those attending the event.

Please RSVP with Christian Baeff by contacting him at 503-737-7014 or christian (at) causaoregon.org

Sponsored by the Multicultural Center and the group JUNTOS at Chemeketa Community College, the Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality and with the support of Voz Hispana and Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas.

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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

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Leaders' Assembly in Eugene on January 24th

Lane County Leaders' Assembly

Faith, Labor, Community Organizations and Education sectors
Building an Alliance for the Common Good

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m.- 7:45pm
Location: First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street, Eugene, OR 97401-3939

Issues:
Safer Roads for Lane County Residents: Ensure Driver’s License Access for ALL county residents
Social Services for Working Class Families in Lane County: Urgent Funding Restoration for Centro LatinoAmericano

Invited guests include elected officials from City, County, and State Government

If you are bringing a delegation from a Church, Synagogue, Union Local, Public School, Community Organization and University or for more information please contact Lane County Causa Oregon organizer Ranfis Villatoro at (971) 242-9964

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/279594432084250/


FLYER IN ENGLISH: http://www.causaoregon.org/event-flyers/2012-lane-co-leaders-assembly-eng.pdf
FLYER EN ESPANOL: http://www.causaoregon.org/event-flyers/2012-lane-co-leaders-assembly-span.pdf

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What is Causa working on in 2012?

A short video on what Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization will be working on this year



Causa, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, is the largest Hispanic civil and human rights and grassroots advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

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14th Annual Statewide Immigrant Action Day in Salem on January 21st

Join us at our 14th Annual Statewide Immigrant Action Day in Salem on January 21st!


Immigrant Action Day 2012
Saturday January 21st, 10am- 2pm
Chemeketa Community College Building 2
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, Oregon

Topics include:

•  Restoring driver’s licenses for all in Oregon
•  Stopping local law enforcement collaboration with ice
•  How to get involved with our children’s education
•  Have our voice heard in the elections
•  Equality for all members of our community

We will provide lunch and childcare

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CHRISTIAN BAEFF: 503-737-7014

Sponsored by the Multicultural Center and the group JUNTOS at Chemeketa and the Coalitión Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality. With the support of Voz Hispana and Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas.

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/198625810225293/#!/events/198625810225293/



Día de Acción del Inmigrante 2012
Sábado 21 de Enero 10 am – 2 pm
Chemeketa Community College Edificio 2
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, Oregon

Temas a tratar:

•  Como está la situación para restaurar las licencias de conducir para todos en OR
•  Como terminar la colaboración entre la policía local y ICE (Inmigración)
•  Como envolverse en la educación de nuestros hijos
•  Como tener una voz en las elecciones
•  Como conseguir igualdad para todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad

Se proveerá almuerzo y cuidado de niños
PARA MAS INFORMACION CONTACTE LORENA MANZO: 503-984-4823

Auspiciado por el Centro Multicultural y el grupo JUNTOS de Chemeketa y la Coalición de Salem-Keizer por la Igualdad.

Con el apoyo de Voz Hispana y Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/198625810225293/#!/events/198625810225293/

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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

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Equality Assembly Draws Crowd to NE Portland School

October 6, 2011

Portland, Ore.-- It was standing room only at an Equality Assembly held at Rigler School in NE Portland on Wednesday evening. The Assembly was organized by Causa , Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, Vecinos de Alerta, SOMOS, PPE, and La Iglesia de San Miguel.

Among officials attending the event included Oregon State Representatives Mary Nolan and Lew Frederick, Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack, Jill Gray, Legislative Aide to Senator Jackie Dingfelder, Logan Gilles, Chief Policy Advisor to Representative Michael Dembrow and Lt. Derek Rodrigues with the Portland Police Bureau.

During the evening, the audience and officials had the opportunity to hear personal testimony from fellow community members about issues deeply affecting their lives including the need to restore driver's license access to all Oregonians regardless of immigration status, the importance of passing tuition equity legislation so all students regardless of immigration status will have access to affordable higher education, the need to end local law enforcement's collaboration with ICE and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members of the Latino Community.

By the close of the evening, officials in attendance made a public commitment to help in the effort to pass legislation for Driver’s License Access Restoration and Tuition Equity, and to help end the Local Police/ICE Collaboration.

Oregon State Representative Mary Nolan expressed her admiration for those who shared their personal stories and told the crowd that she stands with them and will continue to work for human rights, healthcare for children, protecting access to programs for school children and to defend against workplace raids.

While Oregon State Representative Lew Frederick encouraged those able to vote to get active, contact their legislators and vote saying “Elections matter and if you don’t vote, we can’t get those bills passed in the legislature”. He finished by telling the crowd, “We need to have you involved and active and to help us make the right decisions to help your community grow-- to help the whole community grow.”

Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack added,“We fight for civil rights, we fight for worker’s rights, we fight for women’s rights, we fight for gay rights, we fight for the rights for children, for our right to vote, for our right to go to school, for our right to healthcare, and for our right to have a job to support our families.”

Yesterday's assembly is part of a statewide campaign to speak to local leaders and raise awareness about issues important to the Latino Community.

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Causa, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, is the largest Hispanic civil and human rights and grassroots advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies.

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Equality Assembly to take place on October 5th in Portland

September 20, 2011

Equality Assembly to take place on October 5th in Portland

Portland, Ore. -- On October 5th, in collaboration with Vecinos de Alerta, SOMOS, PPE, and La Iglesia de San Miguel, Causa, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization will hold an Equality Assembly in Portland. This event is part of a campaign to speak to local leaders and raise awareness about issues important to the Latino Community.

What: Portland Equality Assembly
When: Wednesday, October 5th from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Rigler School, 5401 NE Prescott St, Portland Oregon

Local elected leaders will be present to hear testimony from community members in support of:

•  Stopping local law enforcement collaboration with ICE
•  Passing Tuition Equity, so all Oregon students can afford higher education, regardless of immigration status
• Supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members of our community
• Restoring driver’s license access to all Oregonians, regardless of immigration status

For more information about this event, please contact Aeryca Steinbauer at 503-488-0259 or aeryca@causaoregon.org.

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Causa, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, is the largest Hispanic civil and human rights and grassroots advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies.

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Over 1500 turn out to Leaders’ Assembly in Portland

Over 1500 turn out to Leaders’ Assembly in Portland

Portland, Ore.--Yesterday evening, it was standing room only as over 1500 people attended the Leaders’ Assembly at the Portland Lutheran School in Portland. The event was sponsored by Parish Health Promoter Program and CAUSA Oregon. Among those attending included Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Clackamas County Director of Social Services, Brenda Durbin.

Issues discussed during the evening included legislation affecting access to Oregon Driver’s Licenses (Senate Bill 845) and Tuition Equity (Senate Bill 742). Individuals gave personal testimony asking elected officials to support removing unnecessary barriers to obtaining an Oregon Driver's License and buying car insurance for the safety and well being of their communities. Likewise, they called for passage of Tuition Equity that will make access to affordable and quality higher education possible for all Oregon students, regardless of their status.

Those in attendance also committed to rent 6 buses and attend the May 1st March and Rally commemorating International Worker’s Day in Salem. In addition, those that attended donated over $800 to go toward work being done to pass Driver’s License Access Restoration and Tuition Equity Legislation.

Last week, Oregon's Tuition Equity Bill (SB742) cleared the Oregon State Senate Education Committee and is expected to be voted on by the full Senate as early as this Thursday. CAUSA is encouraging all constituents to continue calling their State Senator and urge them to vote "Yes". Contact information for State Senators can be found by linking here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/ or by calling 1-800-332-2313 and asking for them by name.

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Leaders discuss bipartisan legislation to remove barriers to OR Driver’s License Access

Salem, Ore- Yesterday, CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and allies held a press conference at the Oregon State Capitol in support of Senate Bill 845. 

Senate Bill 845 is a bipartisan solution to restore access to driver's licenses to all Oregonians, regardless of their citizenship status. Passage of this crucial piece of legislation is important for Oregon's public safety and economic prosperity.

Moderator Aeryca Steinbauer,CAUSA

The bill will remove unnecessary barriers for Oregon residents to legally drive and purchase insurance and will eliminate subsequent unintended consequences that were created by the Oregon State Legislature in 2008. Those affected not only include immigrants but older people, who cannot find or may not have personal-identity documents, and also people with disabilities.

Speakers  included Oregon State Representative Ben Cannon (Portland-D), Oregon State Senator Chip Shields (Portland-D), Jose Ibarra, Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs, David Leslie, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Rev. Melanie Oommen, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Eugene, Jose Gonzalez, Latino Business Association and Tu Casa Real Estate, Esequiel Regalado, Farmer's Insurance, Carmen Rubio, Latino Network and Alberto Moreno, Oregon Latino Agenda for Action.

Senate Bill 845 was introduced on February 17, 2011 in the Oregon State Legislature by State Senator Chip Shields (D-Portland) and Representatives Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), Ben Cannon (D-Portland) and Tina Kotek (D-Portland).

Related Press Coverage:
Driver's license bill would drop residency requirement Salem Statesman Journal
New Law Could Give Immigrants Right To Drive KPTV FOX News 12
Under Ore. bill, citizenship proof would not be required for a driver's license The Republic, Columbia, Indiana
Conference in Support of Drivers License Restoration Act KEZI TV ABC
Drivers' License Debate Crosses the Border Lake Stevens Journal, WA
Oregon May Reverse Drivers License Limit KTVZ TV 21 NBC Bend 
KATU News Channel 2 KATU TV ABC Portland

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Drivers' License Debate Crosses the Border

Drivers' License Debate Crosses the Border
Oregon News Service
Chris Thomas

AUDIO: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/mp3.php?f=rss-18745-1.mp3

SALEM, Ore. - Four Oregon lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow people to drive motor vehicles, no matter what their immigration status. Across the border in Washington, however, the State Legislature is discussing doing exactly the opposite, restricting drivers' licenses only to people who can prove they are U.S. citizens or in this country legally.

That's the way it has been in Oregon for two years. But state Representative Bob Jenson, a Republican from Pendleton, doesn't think the restriction has been very practical, so he has joined forces with three Democrats to try to change it.

"If you've ever been involved in having an accident with somebody that's uninsured, that's kind of a messy situation. I know that won't completely solve that problem, but it will solve some of it. And that would be a significant benefit, to individuals and to the state."

Opponents of the idea see allowing undocumented immigrants to drive as a form of amnesty. They point north to Washington, where some people from Oregon go to get licenses because they haven't had to prove their citizenship status.

But Jenson sees the matter as a public safety issue, in that it's better to have people behind the wheel who have been tested and licensed. He also says the legislation creates a sub-category of license only for driving; it cannot be used as identification for other purposes. Jenson says he's talking up the bill in Salem and it has some support.

"Whether that support will be adequate or not, I don't know. It draws a little opposition, but that's okay. I mean, it'll start some conversation, anyway."

Today Jenson and other backers of Senate Bill 845, the Driver's License Restoration Act, make their case in a news conference at 10:00 a.m. in the Press Room of the State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E., Salem.

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/18745-1

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Two Bipartisan Bills, Tuition Equity and Driver's License Access, introduced in OR State Legislature

NEWS RELEASE
February 18, 2011

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Two Bipartisan Bills, Tuition Equity and Driver's License Access, introduced in OR State Legislature

Salem, Ore.--This week was a very busy one for CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition. Two important bipartisan bills were introduced in the Oregon State Legislature and we held our briefing at the Oregon State Capitol on our 2011 Latino Legislative Agenda.

On Monday, CAUSA participated in a Press Conference with the Oregon Student Association (OSA) and several other individuals and organizations, as Representative Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) and Senator Frank Morse (R-Albany) announced their co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Tuition Equity Bill, SB742.

The bill will ensure that every Oregon student has fair access to quality and affordable higher education and will make it possible for every student regardless of their status, to be able to pay in-state tuition. Besides capitalizing on the investment in Oregon's K-12 students, it would boost the education level of Oregon's workforce and bring in more tax dollars to the state's general fund.

Cosponsors of Senate Bill 742 include Oregon State Senators David Nelson (R-Pendleton), Frank Morse (R-Albany), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Portland/Beaverton), Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), Rod Monroe (D-Portland), Chris Edwards (D- Eugene, Santa Clara, and Junction City), Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River) and Chip Shields (D-Portland), and Oregon State Representatives Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), Mark Johnson (R-Hood River), Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), Peter Buckley (D-Ashland), Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), Betty Komp (D-Woodburn) and Chris Harker (D-Beaverton).

On Tuesday, CAUSA presented it's 2011 Latino Legislative Agenda in a briefing at the Oregon State Capitol. Those attending and participating in the briefing included Oregon State legislators from both sides of the aisle, members of Oregon’s government, coalition partners and leaders from the community. Issues discussed included affordable housing, education, public safety, health, and jobs and the economy. For more information on the briefing, link here.

Yesterday, State Senator Chip Shields (D-Portland) joined with Representatives Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), Ben Cannon (D-Portland) and Tina Kotek (D-Portland) to introduce Senate Bill 845 – the Oregon Driver License Access Act. The bipartisan bill will restore access to driver’s licenses to all Oregonian residents, regardless of their status.

Both of these important pieces of legislation--SB742 and SB845--are a good first step in ensuring that all Oregonians will be able to lead safe and productive lives while being the best contributors to Oregon and nation as they can be.

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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

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Elected Officials in Lane County Make Public Committment to over 800 Community Members and Leaders in Eugene

NEWS RELEASE

February 11, 2011

Contact:

Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694

Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Elected Officials in Lane County Make Public Committment to over 800 Community Members and Leaders in Eugene

Local officials commit to pushing for passage of Tuition Equity and Drivers License Access Legislation

Eugene, Ore—On Thursday evening, over 800 Lane County leaders representing the Catholic, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Mennonite, Quaker, and the evangelical faith community, educational institutions and community organizations turned out for a Leaders’ Assembly in Eugene.

Those present asked local elected officials from the cities of Eugene and Springfield, and the Lane County Board of Commissioners to work with CAUSA at the Oregon State Legislature for the restoration of driver's license and tuition equity.

By the close of the assembly, Mayor of Springfield, Christine Lundberg, Mayor of Eugene, Kitty Piercy, Lane County Commissioners, Rob Handy and Pete Sorenson and City Councilor of Springfield, Sherri Moore all committed to help in the effort to pass legislation for Driver’s License Access Restoration and Tuition Equity.

During the course of the evening, several members of the Latino immigrant community shared their personal stories on the struggles they face on a daily basis due to not having access to in-state tuition and not being able to renew or obtain a driver’s license in the State of Oregon.

Jessica Garcia, a High School Student from Eugene, has an uncertain future, as without tuition equity, she won’t be able to attend college. She told her story, spoke about her dreams of becoming a microbiologist and what tuition equity legislation would mean to herself and her family. Hear her story by linking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvy126u2jE 

Tuition Equity legislation creates state policy that would allow all students, who have graduated from high school or received their GED in the State of Oregon, the opportunity to pay in-state tuition to continue post-secondary education regardless of immigration status.

Also during the evening, a Latino Immigrant, who said he was "undocumented", told his story about his personal loss, coming to the United States, his achievements, and how legislation restoring driver’s licenses for ALL Oregonians-- regardless of their citizenship status-- would affect his life. Hear his story by linking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbJiOnjj1oo

Legislation restoring driver’s license access would eliminate unnecessary barriers for individuals to legally drive or purchase insurance and subsequent unintended consequences in our communities created by the Oregon Legislature in 2008.

"The danger is that we will have 31,000 students in Oregon who will not be able to go to college and that we will have thousands of undocumented immigrants driving in the streets of Oregon without drivers licenses and car insurance," said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA.  “The Oregon State Legislature needs to take immediate action and correct this by passing Tuition Equity legislation and legislation restoring driver’s licenses.”

The assembly in Eugene is just one of the many public gatherings CAUSA and their allies are holding around Oregon to bolster support for key legislative issues being pushed in the Oregon State Legislature. CAUSA will continue to reach out to elected officials in communities around Oregon to see that the needs of the Latino and Immigrant Communities are met.

On Tuesday, February 15^th at 11:30am, CAUSA will hold a Legislative Briefing at the Oregon State Capitol. For more details, contact Erik Sorensen at 503-488-0263.

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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

Photos:
Slideshow http://s516.photobucket.com/albums/u329/CAUSAOregon/Lane%20County%20Leaders%20Assembly/?albumview=slideshow


Related News:

• Local Politicians Support Oregon Immigration Reform Bills http://kezi.com/news/local/204031 

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