Multnomah County's Board of Commissioners, in a sweeping move to recognize and uplift various communities, signed off seven proclamations in their most recent Proclamation Day. Highlighting the month beginning May, special days and weeks have been dedicated to groups and causes ranging from heritage celebrations to social awareness. Among these, the proclamation establishing May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month caught particular attention, co-sponsored by Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon, and the Employees of Color Employee Resource Group, according to a report by Multnomah County News.
In an area flourishing with over 60,000 residents from said communities, the proclamation emphasized the economic and cultural contributions within East Portland, a veritable hub of Asian presence. Despite unable to attend, Commissioner Jones-Dixon's mother, Kimberely Dixon, brought a personal perspective, stating, "Let this proclamation be more than words on paper. Let it be a promise to see, to honor and to act." She expounded her pride in her son's representation in government, as informed by Multnomah County News.
The proclamations extended into the Public Service Recognition Week, appreciating Multnomah County's workforce for their contributions to the community. Kelli Gallippi, previously recognized for her coordination work, is set to continue the appreciative gestures as she advances into an analyst role with the Department of County Management. May 14 is slated for the Employee Recognition Awards ceremony, where a select few from among 942 nominated employees will receive acknowledgment for their public service, as detailed by an earlier Multnomah County News report.
Mental Health Awareness Month was also declared, championing the destigmatization of mental illnesses and promoting the County’s commitment to behavioral health wellness. Commissioner Meghan Moyer, co-sponsor of the Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation, drew from personal experience when she stated, "Many people with mental illness are contributing every day, making our community a better place." Jay Auslander from the Behavioral Health Division further stressed the importance of destigmatizing mental health care, as reported by Multnomah County News. The Older Americans Month proclamation acknowledged over 165,000 residents aged 60 and above and the diverse services provided to them by the County.
Moreover, the Board did not fall short in addressing the childcare staff, commemorating Provider Appreciation Day, and the board gave a solemn nod to May 5 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Day of Awareness, bringing visibility to national injustice and the familial impact felt within the Indigenous and Native American communities. During the ceremony, Dennell Broncho candidly shared her family's poignant story, which put a human face to the staggering statistics and emphasized the need for public engagement in these issues. Lastly, acknowledging the impact of the Vietnam War on both Vietnamese and American families, the Board declared April 30 as Vietnamese Remembrance Day. This particular proclamation lauded Vietnamese Americans' contributions to Oregon and honored the memories of those who served and sacrificed. Each of these proclamations marked an important step in recognizing the rich diversity of experiences and challenges faced by members of the Multnomah County community.
