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In his remarks during A Legacy of Service: US Rep. Blumenauer Reflects on 54 Years in Public Office, Representative Earl Blumenauer shared insights from his extensive 54-year career in public office, blending pride in his achievements with concern for the current state of Congress. He highlighted his work in transportation, cannabis reform, infrastructure, bicycle transportation, and healthcare, expressing satisfaction with the federal resources he secured for Portland and the progress made on the issues he championed.

But Blumenauer also pointed out how Congress has become more dysfunctional. He talked about the growing incivility, the impact of social media, and how some members seem to focus more on personal fame and fundraising than actually solving problems. This shift was one of the reasons he decided not to run again. While he’s sad about stepping down, he believes he can do more to help Portland as a private citizen than by staying in Congress.

Blumenauer is excited to focus on Portland’s future from outside political office. He praised innovative future projects, including the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health, the OMSI District, the Keller Auditorium and Portland State performing arts venues, and the Albina Vision initiative. He also praised Portland’s strengths—like its leadership in animal welfare, bike infrastructure, and its amazing food scene. At the same time, he acknowledged that there are still challenges, especially the need for more federal resources and property tax reform, particularly in East County.

Blumenauer stressed that the key to revitalizing Portland is more civic engagement, especially by getting people together in person. He encouraged everyone to follow what they’re passionate about and get involved in their neighborhoods. He highlighted the impact of small gatherings, like neighborhood meetings and coffees, and how rewarding it is to knock on doors and join in local events. He also emphasized the importance of civic education, mentioning his work with the Civics Learning Project and celebrating the recent law that makes civics education mandatory in Oregon schools.

Although he’s critical of the current state of Congress, Blumenauer remains hopeful for the future. He believes that through thoughtful discussions and working together, we can tackle big issues like energy, water, and sustainability. His remarks were a mix of pride in what he’s accomplished and a call to action for people to get more involved as the city and state faces both opportunities and challenges ahead.

The 2024-2025 program season is sponsored by AARP Oregon and Chevron. We also thank our content partners, including the League of Women Voters of Portland, Multnomah County Elections, City of Portland Elections Division, and the Consortium of Oregon City Clubs, as well as our media partners, Open Signal and KOIN 6 News.

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