Oregon HR 6: Declaring racism to be public health crisis in this state.

Bill Text

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81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2021 Regular Session
House Resolution 6
Sponsored by Representative SALINAS
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced.
Declares racism as public health crisis in this state.
HOUSE RESOLUTION
Whereas racism is pervasive and is integrated into every institution and system that is con-
nected to the social determinants of health, and ultimately impacts each Oregonian’s ability to be
healthy and well to the fullest potential; and
Whereas incidents of racism consistently experienced by Black and indigenous communities,
people of color and tribes create racial disparities in social, health, economic, legal and academic
outcomes; and
Whereas white supremacy was institutionalized through the development of policies and systems
that ensure power, privilege and resources remain in the hands of white men; and
Whereas racism in Oregon has left a legacy of trauma from one generation to the next, im-
pacting Oregon tribes, Black and indigenous communities and people of color through a cumulative
effect; and
Whereas Oregon has deep roots of racism, including the Donation Land Act of 1850 that made
it legal to steal land from Native American tribes, the 1887 murder of Chinese miners, Black
exclusionary laws with lashing as punishment, Japanese internment camps during World War II,
segregation in education and real estate red-lining that drove down values and reduced home own-
ership in the Black community; and
Whereas racial justice requires the formation and purposeful reinforcement of policies, prac-
tices, ideologies and behaviors that create equitable power, access, opportunity, treatment and out-
comes for all people regardless of race and redistribute resources to invest where inequities are
greatest; and
Whereas racism in Oregon and nationwide has created a situation that is untenable and where
immediate action must be taken to mitigate further harm and violence against Black and indigenous
Oregonians, people of color and tribes; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Oregon:
The Legislative Assembly declares that racism is a public health crisis in this state.
NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 3868