The True "Oregon Way": Reflecting on Juneteenth, Community, and What Knits Us Together

Over the Juneteenth weekend, I very much enjoyed celebrating the holiday at home in Portland with friends, colleagues and community members at multiple stops. At a time when national politics can feel deeply fractured, the many direct conversations I had at home proved the "Oregon Way"—our shared commitment to community, dignity, and looking out for one another—is alive and well.

Spending Juneteenth in Oregon has always been a profound experience. This holiday isn't just a day off; it presents a vital opportunity to reflect on our nation’s horrific history of slavery, celebrate black culture and businesses, and reaffirm the commitment required to achieve true freedom, justice and equality.

Whether listening to community leaders at Oregon’s interfaith clergy breakfast, celebrating Black culture and resilience at the 54th Annual Oregon Juneteenth Festival in Portland, discussing how we can build a more inclusive economy to promote black-owned businesses at MESO PDX, or standing with colleagues to ring the alarm about weaponized government surveillance against historically marginalized communities, the message from Oregonians was clear: progress requires persistence. We must continue pushing to expand economic opportunities, protect civil rights, and ensure that federal policies support every community, particularly those that have been historically underserved.

I also was able to celebrate World Refugee Day by kicking off the Portland’s annual World Refugee Day Walk at the riverfront. Later that day, I joined refugee families at the Eastside Timbers Sports Complex in Gresham to watch some soccer and highlight the contributions of immigrants and refugees to our communities. As the son of Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany, I firmly believe that Oregon and the nation-at-large is stronger when refugees and immigrants get a fair shake. I will always advocate for those who come to our country fleeing violence or discrimination and looking for a better life. I saw this firsthand as elected leaders, public safety officials and community members all took the lead on welcoming folks into the neighborhood.

When I first ran for the Senate, I made a promise to Oregonians that I would hold at least one open-to-all town hall in each of our state’s 36 counties every single year. We are well over 1,160 town halls and counting.

Looking ahead, the work to maintain the “Oregon Way” never stops. I am gearing up to head out to Eastern Oregon right after the Fourth of July where I will be hosting six open-to-all town halls in Malheur, Harney, Grant, Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties. I look forward to celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday and having the first town halls of our country’s next 250 years. Eastern Oregon may be thousands of miles away from the nation's capital, but these meetings are designed to shorten that distance so that every rancher, small business owner, and family can make their voice heard.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories, frustrations and ideas with me on a holiday weekend. Your perspectives are key to the work I do in the Senate, and as long as I have the honor to represent Oregon I will continue to make your needs my priority.