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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Enrolled
Senate Concurrent Resolution 25
Sponsored by Senator PATTERSON, Representatives ANDERSEN, EVANS; Senator THATCHER,
Representatives GOMBERG, MANNIX
Whereas Ruth McEwen was a trailblazing advocate who used her lived experience as a person
with a physical disability to help dismantle barriers for older adults and people with disabilities in
Oregon; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen had a distinguished career in special education, counseling and program
oversight, and her work spanned four decades of advocacy with NorthWest Senior and Disability
Services and the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen’s tireless commitment to systemic change and equity for older adults
and people with disabilities helped change the landscape of Oregon’s system of long term care; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen was instrumental in Oregon’s first-in-the-nation move from institutional
care for seniors and people with disabilities to community-based services; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen’s work and voice on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities in
Fairview, Oregon, contributed to the decision to move them to community-based care; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen served in numerous leadership positions on the Governors’ Commission
on Senior Services, the Oregon Disabilities Commission, the Home Care Commission, the Senior
Advisory Council and Disability Advisory Council for NorthWest Senior and Disability Services and
a large number of workgroups and committees with the Department of Human Services; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen was a familiar presence in the Oregon State Capitol, bringing her ex-
pertise and advocacy to policy and budget discussions; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen’s advocacy work was celebrated by countless awards and recognitions,
including honors from the Department of Human Services and NorthWest Senior and Disability
Services; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen was an indispensable ally to the communities for whom she advocated,
but to her colleagues at NorthWest Senior and Disability Services, she was family; and
Whereas Ruth McEwen passed away on December 25, 2024, and will be greatly missed; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
That we, the members of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, recognize and honor Ruth
McEwen for her outstanding service to the people of the State of Oregon; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the staff at NorthWest Senior and
Disability Services as an expression of our sympathy and condolences.
Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 (SCR 25-INTRO) Page 1
Adopted by Senate March 25, 2025
Obadiah Rutledge, Secretary of Senate
Rob Wagner, President of Senate
Adopted by House May 13, 2025
Julie Fahey, Speaker of House
Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 (SCR 25-INTRO) Page 2