In memoriam: Christine Chin Ryan.

83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Enrolled
House Concurrent Resolution 36
Sponsored by Representatives CHAICHI, TRAN, NGUYEN H, GRAYBER, NELSON, SANCHEZ,
Senators FREDERICK, JAMA, MANNING JR; Representatives BOWMAN, EVANS, FRAGALA,
GAMBA, GOMBERG, MANNIX, PHAM H, Senators GELSER BLOUIN, GORSEK,
PATTERSON, REYNOLDS
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan was born in Trinidad and Tobago to Alexander and Ann Chin, the
fifth of their six children; and
Whereas the Chin family had immigrated to Trinidad and Tobago from China and, in 1966, they
were able to move to New York City when the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 increased
the number of immigrants allowed into the United States from certain countries, including those in
the Caribbean region; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan was one of the first generation of her family born outside China,
and she became a naturalized citizen of the United States; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan grew up in Flushing, Queens, New York City, but she moved to
Oregon in the late 1970s and called it home for the rest of her life; and
Whereas in 1988, Christine Chin Ryan founded Synergy Consulting, Inc., in Portland, Oregon,
and she served as its president for nearly four decades; and
Whereas in 1996, Synergy received the Administrator’s Award for Excellence from the United
States Small Business Administration; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan cofounded and served as executive director of the Asian Pacific
Islander Community Coalition of Oregon (APICCO), which gives Asian Pacific Islander students the
opportunity to learn about and work in political advocacy; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan empowered 25 youth leaders to participate in APICCO’s
internship development program, some of whom went on to serve their communities in the Legisla-
tive Assembly of the State of Oregon; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan served as chair of the Portland Police Bureau’s Asian Pacific
Islander American Advisory Council; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan served as vice-chair of the board of directors of the Philippine
American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan was the first Chinese American and the second Asian Pacific
Islander to serve on the National Organization for Women (NOW) National Board of Directors, as
well as the first woman of color and Asian Pacific Islander to serve as president of Oregon’s chapter
of NOW; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan was a guest speaker for facilitated events on anti-Asian hate
crimes and incidents following the Atlanta, Georgia, spa murders on March 16, 2021; and
Whereas in 2017, Christine Chin Ryan was presented with the Asian Reporter Foundation’s
prestigious Most Honored Elder Award; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan was awarded the 2024 Chinese American Citizens Alliance
Portland Lodge Citizen’s Award; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan was unwavering in using her voice to support small businesses,
women, racial justice and anti-hate actions; and
Whereas for more than three decades, Christine Chin Ryan was a relentless and passionate ad-
vocate for legislative action to positively impact communities of color in Oregon and around the
nation; and
Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 36 (HCR 36-INTRO) Page 1
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan passed away on March 30, 2025, and the void left by her passing
is immeasurable; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan will continue to inspire generations to come with her legacy of
advocacy and community investment; and
Whereas Christine Chin Ryan will be forever remembered as a dedicated mentor, activist and
leader who touched countless lives; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
That we, the members of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, honor and celebrate the re-
markable life and achievements of Christine Chin Ryan, and we express our sincere and abiding
gratitude for her lifelong service to democracy and to the people of the State of Oregon; and be it
further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the friends and loved ones of
Christine Chin Ryan as an expression of our condolences and gratitude.
Adopted by House May 22, 2025
Timothy G. Sekerak, Chief Clerk of House
Julie Fahey, Speaker of House
Adopted by Senate June 11, 2025
Rob Wagner, President of Senate
Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 36 (HCR 36-INTRO) Page 2