Standing up for House District 43
By Eddie Lincoln of Portland, Oregon. Eddie is the president of the faculty union at Portland Community College.
With the national economy in turmoil, Oregon is battling its highest unemployment rate in years. Our schools are at risk. Our community is struggling. We need someone in Salem who can help protect families, schools and small businesses and turn our state around.
That’s why I am seeking the appointment to become the next State Representative of House District 43, in the event that Representative Chip Shields is appointed to the Oregon Senate.
Representative Shields and I have worked together on many issues, including reducing the rate of recidivism in our community. He has done an outstanding job representing us and I would be honored to replace him in the House. With my deep roots in this community, I would be grateful for the opportunity to bring my perspective and passion to Salem.
My wife Sharon and I have lived in the Piedmont neighborhood since 1976. I’ve graduated from Portland Community College and the University of Portland where I received a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. I’ve also studied graduate-level Labor Economics at Portland State University.
Sharon and I have raised two sons in House District 43. She graduated from Adams High School and has worked for the Portland Public Schools Foundation. Our son Edward attended Benson, where he gained the skills and training to pursue a career as a light rail technician in San Diego. Our son Brandon graduated from Jefferson High School where he excelled in academics and basketball. His hard work paid off with a scholarship to the University of Oregon, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Political Science and played basketball for four years. He now plays professional basketball overseas.
Living and working in the community, I have watched it struggle. I witnessed that struggle as I drove Portland’s streets as a TriMet bus operator. I witnessed the challenges faced by minority-owned small businesses, as I helped to grow a family janitorial service.
Working for the Urban League of Portland and now in my position at the Portland Metro Workforce Training Center, I have seen firsthand the economic devastation that is taking place in our community, especially among underserved families.
That is what prompted me to seek this seat.
As a Dislocated Worker Coordinator and a Business Service Coordinator, I have devoted my career to helping Portlanders improve their skills, access an education and compete for good jobs. I did so because I care about this community and I care about people.
Raising a family in the district, I know the importance of making our community a healthy, positive place for residents. I strongly support the values of President Obama on health care and this summer I lobbied Oregon lawmakers on Capitol Hill and urged them to pass sweeping health care reform, to ensure every American has health coverage.
In Salem I would continue to work to provide affordable health care and housing for every Oregonian and make sure North-Northeast Portland is a safe, healthy and affordable place for children, families and small businesses. As the only African-American voice in the Oregon House I will speak and act purposefully on behalf of equity in economic, employment, education and workforce training opportunities for the people of House District 43.
I teach students in the classroom every day, so I know the importance of education. As an employee of Portland Community College, the President of the PCC Faculty Union and a parent of two public school graduates, I know how vital it is that we fully fund education in Oregon, from Head Start through higher education and workforce training.
This session I led groups of community college employees to Salem, where I testified several times urging lawmakers to make tough choices and protect vital services. I fought hard to ensure that the Legislature wouldn’t balance the budget on the back of Oregon’s schools and most vulnerable citizens. I’ve fought to make sure that Oregon’s corporations are paying their fair share. I will continue to do so if appointed.
I’m not a politician. I’m a father, a husband and a community member. From operating a TriMet bus to growing a minority-owned small business, I have worked alongside the people of this neighborhood. I have lived the same struggles. I have fought the same battles. And through the blessing of education and hard work, I’ve been able to dedicate my career to helping my neighbors realize their dreams and get the education they need in order to support their families. I would be honored to have the opportunity to do the same thing, on a much larger scale, serving in the Oregon House of Representatives.
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Sept. 11, 2009
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connect with blueoregon
3:35 p.m.
Sep 11, '09
Eddie: Welcome and good luck! Questions: (1) China's economy is growing rapidly. Forecast have it as large as the US economy in 2035 and twice as large in 2050. What do you think this means for Oregon? Should Oregon expand the teaching of Mandarin in its public school? (2) What are you thoughts on online education at the K-12, community college and university levels? Can it provide quality education at less costs for some (or many) students? (3) Eighty percent of global economic growth in the next few decades is forecast to be in emerging economies, including China? What can Oregon do to sell more of its products and services in those markets? (4) Would you support putting a price on carbon emissions through cap-and-trade legislation, a carbon tax, or a gas tax?
Sep 11, '09
This is great news. I've known Eddie for years from his work in workforce training at the college, as well as his leadership in the PCC Federation. He's got integrity and really inspires people. He knows firsthand the tough times people are in with this economy. Eddie could do a lot of good for education and employment in our legislature. Go Eddie!
Sep 11, '09
Eddie states, "I would be honored to have the opportunity to do the same thing, on a much larger scale, serving in the Oregon House of Representatives." As well, I believe Oregon would be honoured to have Eddie serve Oregon.
Eddie's tireless and virtuous ethic will be welcome on behalf of all Oregonians.
Sep 11, '09
I've worked with Eddie over the past couple of years at Portland Community College. He is one of those rare people who is totally and passionately committed to helping others. I feel confident he would parlay this commitment to help everyone in HD 43 and in Oregon.
Way to go, Eddie! The people of HD 43 will be fortunate to have you representing them.
Peter Seaman
Sep 11, '09
Best of luck, Eddie! You'd be a great addition to the House.
Sep 11, '09
Outstanding news and good luck to you, Eddie! We need more citizen leaders stepping up to the plate like Eddie Lincoln.
Sep 11, '09
I have worked with Eddie on the AFT Oregon Executive Council and have been impressed with his leadership. I also went to Salem and testified with him about the importance of higher education. I was, again, impressed at his ability to inspire the many students and faculty that came with him and helped us present a powerful message to the legislature. With unemployment now at crisis levels in Oregon, Eddie is exactly the person we need in Salem to find solutions and make sure they are implemented in ways that are equitable for our community.
Sep 12, '09
Eddie: YOU have the background and bonafides to do a real job of it. I'd even turn out on your behalf. Excellent resume for the job, perfect for the times.
Sep 12, '09
Dave Porter, I know your desire for teaching mandarin in public schools. Why not Cantoneese as well? (sp?)
But Dave, the real question is why would we push for additional foreign language studies when Oregon students are unable to grasp basic English, Writing Composition and Math skills? Without the basic foundation of learning our K-12 students are being failed by the Oregon Public Education system daily.
State government recently acknowledged this and then delayed any meaningful action until 2013. Shouldn't we concentrate on this first?
3:03 p.m.
Sep 12, '09
@Kurt,
We can do both. Neither creating more Mandarin immersion programs that start in kindergarten nor creating a Go Global High School Study Abroad Program require much in the way of addition funding. The study abroad requires no new dollars, while switching to immersion programs requires some transitional funding but then costs the same. So it not really about the money.
It is about the amount of change our educational system can manage. Both the public and educators, IMHO, feel maxed out. But, again IMHO, the world is not going to stop changing until we are ready. If we want our children to have the best possible economic and national security future, we just need to get it done.
Of course, there is the issue, on which I would like Eddie Lincoln's opinion , of whether, when we add more Mandarin immersion programs, traditionally underperforming minority and other groups should/would-want-to be placed in partial Mandarin immersion programs (typically half-day English, half-day Mandarin) or not. Not be be given the choice would create a two track educational system, possibly leaving them behind, even as they improve their mastery of basic skills.
3:21 p.m.
Sep 12, '09
@Kurt,
Regarding Cantonese: Primarily because Mandarin is the official, and most commonly spoken, language in China. There are lots of others. See wikipedia on Chinese language here. Mandarin, Cantonese and others share a writing system.
Sep 12, '09
If you want to learn more about how to help Eddie, I'd encourage you to join his Facebook group!
Sep 13, '09
I am excited about Eddie's announcement for two reasons: I have personally watched him work thoughtfully and effectively as my union's president AND I'm a 12 year resident of HD 43. Our district would be very lucky to have him.
Sep 13, '09
I'm excited to see so many qualified people stepping up to the plate to be our next representative in the 43rd in the event that Chip Shields becomes our next Senator.
Haven't heard anything official yet, but it looks like Lew Frederick will be putting his hat in the ring, and I'd love to see him get the appointment.
He's done a great job over the past decade and a half serving Portland Public Schools and the State Board of Education, and he has the analytical skills to identify the roots of problems facing our families and small businesses, with fresh, forward-looking solutions to match.
We should feel lucky that there are so many good choices for this seat!
Sep 13, '09
I would also like to see Lew Frederick get the appointment. In a time when our education system is threatened to again become a national joke, Lew's 14 years of experience with Portland Public Schools and the State Board of Education will bring a perspective to the legislature that is seriously lacking.
Sep 13, '09
I'm also supporting Lew Frederick for this position. I'm sure Eddie is a capable guy but Lew has really done his time in the progressive trenches and really would bring the kind of balance and strategic thinking this seat needs.
2:58 p.m.
Sep 13, '09
While I appreciate Eddie Lincoln's public service, I think Lew Frederick could do a better job representing House District 43.
Lew brings the right mix of skills and experience the area's next legislator needs. Lew is respected community leader, a past spokesperson for the Portland Public Schools, and has served on many state and local boards. Lew also knows the legislative process well and could hit the ground running right away.
5:44 p.m.
Sep 13, '09
although i'm thrilled to have Carolyn Tomei as my outstanding state rep, i'm bummed not to be in HD43 so i could support Lew. it looks like the County Commissioners are going to have some truly difficult decisions ahead, both for SD 22 & then, possibly, HD 43. i dont envy them this job. i'm a big Chip Shields fan, in particular for leading the way on the "Keep the Guard Home" bill; and im a big Lew Fredericks fan, for a large number of reasons.
good luck, Lew. you'd do a great job.
Sep 14, '09
This is a wonderful news.i heard about Eddie form my friends who doing study in Portland college,he also a member of Eddie.i also want to join Eddie and helping peoples.
Sep 14, '09
What is your view on criminals who prey on minorities and the poor? The Chip Shields slap on the wrist? or something more substantive?
Sep 14, '09
What is your view on criminals who prey on minorities and the poor? The Chip Shields slap on the wrist? or something more substantive?
Sep 14, '09
Jel-N. The only people that I think deserve a slap on the wrist are Multnomah County deputy district attorneys posting anonymous blogs on company time.
Sep 14, '09
Chip, nice guess, but wrong. The prosecutors are morons for trusting the legislature on 57 as an alternative to 61. It pains me as a Democrat to have to rely on people like Mannix for any accountability. My question was for your potential successor not you. Is he a defy the will of the voter kind of guy on crime issues or is he not?
Sep 14, '09
As one who works shoulder to shoulder with Eddie to improve the lives of Oregonians at the Workforce Training Center, I can attest to his character and passion for his community and representative government for all. Eddie exudes optimism and collaboration in both his personal and professional life which are excellent qualities to seek in a State Representative. I highly recommend Eddie Lincoln as House Representative for District 43!
Sep 14, '09
As someone who has known Lew Frederick for 30 plus years I feel that I can definitively say that his integrity, intelligence, and work ethic make him person for the job for House District 43.
Sep 14, '09
I was excited to learn that Eddie Lincoln would seek appointment to HD 43. He is an outstanding leader and listener, a vocal proponent for worker's rights, a role model for young people, and always the first to roll up his sleeves when there's a tough job to be done. Not only does Eddie Lincoln have the professional experience and education to understand Oregon's struggling economy, he has the heart and soul that makes the state a wonderful place to live. As a teacher and union member, it would be my dream to have a whole legislature composed of Eddie Lincolns. Since there is only one Eddie Lincoln, I'll have to envy HD 43 for now.
Sep 16, '09
I've worked with Eddie for a couple of years when I taught a GED class at Portland Metropolitan Workforce Training Center. I have always invited Eddie to share and inspire my students about his amazing life story!
I'm fortunate to have known both Chip Shields and Eddie Lincoln. All the best to both of you!
Sep 17, '09