PORTLAND, Ore. — While Congress members may not be able to speak at President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on Thursday, representatives often try to get their political messages across through the guests they bring, or highlight bills they hope to pass.
This year, the guest list for members of Oregon's congressional delegation include a behavioral health specialist, a veteran advocate, an academic leader and a victim of substance abuse.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer's guest
Portland State University President Ann Cudd will be attending as a guest of Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat who represents Oregon's 3rd congressional district, which covers most of Multnomah County.
“I am delighted to have Portland State University’s dynamic new leader, President Ann Cudd, as my guest for President Biden’s State of the Union,” said Blumenauer. “President Cudd and I both believe that academic institutions, and students, have an important role to play in our civic institutions and our civic infrastructure and are uniquely situated to help engage in some of Portland’s most pressing challenges. I look forward to hearing from President Biden and working with President Cudd to find ways to bring the President’s message back to Portland.”
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer's guest
Glen Suchanek, who works for the Milwaukie Police Department as a behavioral health specialist, will be attending Thursday’s speech as a special guest for Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican who represents Oregon's 5th congressional district.
Suchanek helps Milwaukie police with diversion programs aimed at avoiding unnecessary arrests and expanding addiction services. He's also the deputy director of LoveOne, a Clackamas County nonprofit that works closely with homeless people.
Chavez-DeRemer and Suchanek met at a listening session, where community leaders came together to discuss topics such as addiction and affordable housing.
Rep. Andrea Salinas's guest
Salem resident Rosy Macias, a veteran, will be attending as a guest for Andrea Salinas, a Democrat who represents Oregon's 6th congressional district that covers parts of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties.
Macias, born in the Dominican Republic, served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999 and the Marine Corps Reserves from 1999 to 2002. Her advocacy work focuses on building community and preventing veteran homelessness in and around the Salem area, according to a news release.
Since 2009, Rosy has been a board member of Serving Our Veterans at Home, a nonprofit that provides health care, housing, employment, and other critical services for veterans and their families.
“I am so honored that a former U.S. Marine and longtime Salem resident, Rosy Macias, will join me as my guest for the State of the Union Address,” said Salinas. “Rosy has been a strong advocate for veterans in our community, specifically those who are experiencing homelessness, for more than 20 years."
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici's guest
Joining Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat who represents Oregon's 1st congressional district, is Jon Epstein, a father whose teenage son died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020. His son Cal had purchased a counterfeit pill disguised as a legitimate pharmaceutical online, but the pill was made of fentanyl.
Bonamici worked with the Epstein family to develop her bipartisan Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act.
“No family should experience the tragedy of losing a child to accidental fentanyl poisoning,” said Bonamici. “I have been inspired by Jon and Jennifer Epstein’s advocacy following the loss of their son Cal. Their work on my bipartisan FACTS Act and other legislative efforts to educate students about the dangers of fake pills has saved and will continue to save lives."
Washington Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez's guest
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat who represents part of Southwest Washington, is bringing Marilyn Sheldon, a shellfish grower, as her guest.
Sheldon operates Northern Oyster Co., which raises bottom cultured pacific oysters and manilla clams in Willapa Bay. She also serves as the governor-appointed Coastal Shellfish Grower on the Marine Resources Advisory Council.
“As a third-generation shellfish grower, Marilyn exemplifies the skill, hard work, and stewardship that powers Southwest Washington’s aquaculture economy. For family farms like hers to be passed down for generations to come, it’s critical that we cut burdensome regulations, protect the way of life of local growers, and maintain a healthy habitat for their products to thrive,” said Perez.
