77th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2013 Regular Session Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 Sponsored by Senator SHIELDS, Representatives FREDERICK, KOTEK; Representative KENY-GUYER Whereas Charles Jordan is a passionate, visionary leader who has inspired thousands of parks, recreation and conservation professionals and touched the lives of even more Portland residents; and Whereas Charles Jordan's passion for equality, fairness and positive change was fueled by his childhood experiences of living in a segregated community in rural Texas; and Whereas Charles Jordan served as an officer in the United States Army, then received his bachelor's degree in education, sociology and philosophy from Gonzaga University and, in 2001, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by the University of Vermont; and Whereas Charles Jordan moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1970 to work for the federal Model Cities Program; and Whereas in 1974 Charles Jordan became the first African-American to serve as a city commissioner when he was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Portland City Council, and was subsequently elected in 1976 and reelected in 1980 and 1984; and Whereas during his service on the Portland City Council, Charles Jordan served two years as Fire Commissioner, five years as Police Commissioner and three years as Parks Commissioner; and Whereas Charles Jordan served as director of Portland Parks and Recreation from 1989 until his retirement in 2003, during which time he championed the necessities of open space, clean air and clean water, expanded the number of parks and natural areas in Portland and set groundwork that has helped parks in Portland earn national awards and recognition; and Whereas Charles Jordan is known for his innovative problem-solving strategies and outreach programs such as the Community Juvenile Officer Program, which put Portland police officers in local schools to engage youth through positive interaction and activities, and training programs designed to recruit people of color to the Portland Fire Bureau; and Whereas Charles Jordan built a national reputation for supporting affirmative action, becoming a prominent voice in the national environmental movement for broadening its constituency to include new leaders and greater involvement from minority and low-income communities; and Whereas among many other honors and leadership appointments, Charles Jordan served as chairman of the Conservation Fund, as a commissioner on the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors from 1985 to 1987 and as a committee member of the American Heritage Rivers Initiative Advisory Committee by presidential appointment; and Whereas in 2012 the City of Portland renamed the University Park Community Center as the Charles Jordan Community Center in honor of his lifetime of service; and Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 (SCR 7-A) Page 1 Whereas Charles Jordan is an innovator, conservationist and charismatic leader who has dedicated his life to service and community building; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: That we, the members of the Seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly, honor Charles Jordan for his visionary leadership, his invaluable contributions to Portland's parks and natural areas and his service to the people of this state. ---------- Adopted by Senate February 19, 2013 ---------------------------------- Robert Taylor, Secretary of Senate ---------------------------------- Peter Courtney, President of Senate Adopted by House May 28, 2013 ---------------------------------- Tina Kotek, Speaker of House Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 (SCR 7-A) Page 2