The House Committee on Rules met April 7, 2025, and moved four House Concurrent Resolutions to the floor that honor local civic leaders and their contributions. The measures — HCR 33 (Frank Cutsforth), HCR 25 (Carol Rua), HCR 8 (Vicki and Jerry Berger) and HCR 35 (Philip Lang) — were described by sponsors and community witnesses as ceremonial recognitions with no fiscal impact and were approved by roll-call votes.

The resolutions were presented in separate public hearings followed by brief work sessions. Melissa (committee staff) told the committee each resolution carried “no fiscal and no revenue impact.” Vice Chair Christine Drazen, sponsor for HCR 33, described the honoree: “Frank Cutsforth was a family man, a community leader, and an incredible friend who touched the lives of so many, and it is an honor to be here today, on behalf of his memory.” Testimony at that hearing emphasized Cutsforth’s local business, longstanding civic involvement and annual community car event that supports downtown Canby nonprofits.

Why it matters: These concurrent resolutions formally record the Legislature’s recognition of individuals whose activities committee members and witnesses said shaped local civic life. Because the measures are nonbinding and carry no budgetary effect, the hearings focused on personal history and community impact rather than policy or expenditure decisions.

HCR 33 (Frank Cutsforth, Canby): Vice Chair Christine Drazen summarized Cutsforth’s life, noting his leadership of the family grocery and a multi‑decade annual car show that helped downtown Canby businesses. Local residents who testified said Cutsforth gave employment to young people, prioritized hiring people with challenges, and supported local nonprofits. Charlie Stinson, a Canby resident, said, “Frank was a man who was short in stature, but a giant in his compassion and connection with people.” Ray Keane, executive director of the Canby Center, testified that Cutsforth quietly provided food and other help to neighbors and that his philanthropy included donating a shave‑ice machine for community events. The committee voted to move HCR 33 to the floor with a “be adopted” recommendation.

HCR 25 (Carol Rua, Gresham): Representative Ricky Ruiz sponsored the resolution recognizing Carol Rua’s long volunteer work with Gresham neighborhood associations and community preparedness efforts. Ruiz told the committee Rua “opened the doors” to neighborhood engagement and remained active across multiple associations. The committee adopted a dash‑1 amendment that revised a whereas clause to reflect Rua’s role with the coalition of neighborhood associations, then approved the amended resolution to send to the floor.

HCR 8 (Vicki and Jerry Berger): Testimony for HCR 8 described Vicki and Jerry Berger’s years of civic service. Kathy Martin Willis, speaking as a former YMCA staff and community member, recounted Berger’s leadership on the YMCA board and as a state representative’s staffer and urged passage. John McCardle, retired mayor of Independence, recounted Berger’s support for local initiatives such as community broadband and praised her insistence on civility at public meetings. The committee approved HCR 8 and assigned a carrier to carry it to the House floor.

HCR 35 (Philip Lang): Witnesses urged approval of HCR 35 commemorating Philip (Phil) Lang’s long record of public service. Genoa Ingram, executive director of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, described Lang’s work on the Capitol Foundation’s history committee and said, “We strongly, strongly support this measure.” Angela Wilhelms, speaking as a private citizen, said, “HCR 35 is a testament to the man whose name sits atop the entrance to the house wing.” The committee approved the resolution and assigned a floor carrier.

Votes at a glance

- HCR 33 (Frank Cutsforth): Moved by Vice Chair Christine Drazen. Roll‑call votes recorded: Representative Eklund — Aye; Representative Krepp — Yes; Representative Balderrama — Yes; Vice Chair Drazen — Aye; Vice Chair Pham/Fan — Aye; Chair Bowman — Aye. Outcome: approved; carrier: Vice Chair Drazen.

- HCR 25 (Carol Rua), Dash‑1 amendment adopted then final motion: Amendment moved and adopted; final motion to move HCR 25 as amended to the floor carried. Roll‑call sample votes recorded across amendment and final motion included Representative Elmer — Aye; Representative Frepp/Trapp — Yes; Representative Valderrama — Yes; Vice Chair Drazen — Aye; Vice Chair Pham/Fahey — Aye; Chair Bowman — Aye. Representative Bossard Davis was recorded as excused on the amendment and/or final vote. Outcome: amendment adopted; resolution approved; carrier: Representative Ruiz.

- HCR 8 (Vicki and Jerry Berger): Motion to move to the floor carried on roll call (Representative Bossard Davis — Yes; Representative Elmer — Aye; Representative Krueck — Yes; Representative Balderrama — Yes; Vice chairs — Aye; Chair — Aye). Outcome: approved; carrier assigned.

- HCR 35 (Philip Lang): Motion moved and carried on roll call (Representative Cawser Davis — Yes; Representative Elmer — Aye; Representative Quack — Yes; Representative Valderrama — Yes; Vice Chair Drazen — Aye; Vice Chair Pham — Aye; another member recorded Aye). Outcome: approved; carrier: Chair (self‑assigned).

Speakers (selected)

- Chair Bowman — Chair, House Committee on Rules (committee presiding officer)
- Vice Chair Christine Drazen — Vice Chair; State Representative, House District 51 (chief sponsor, HCR 33)
- Vice Chair Pham — Vice Chair, House Committee on Rules
- Melissa — Committee staff (fiscal/revenue disclosures)
- Representative Ricky Ruiz — State Representative, House District 50 (sponsor/advocate, HCR 25)
- Charlie Stinson — Canby resident (public witness, HCR 33)
- Ray Keane — Executive Director, The Canby Center (public witness, HCR 33)
- Mallory Gwynn — Public witness (HCR 33)
- Teresa Sasse — Public witness; family member/employer relation to Frank Cutsforth (HCR 33)
- Kathy Martin Willis — Former YMCA staff and staff to Representative Paul Evans (public witness, HCR 8)
- John McCardle — Retired mayor of Independence (public witness, HCR 8)
- Genoa Ingram — Executive Director, Oregon State Capitol Foundation (public witness, HCR 35)
- Angela Wilhelms — Private citizen and longtime legislative staffer (public witness, HCR 35)

Authorities

- {"type":"resolution","name":"House Concurrent Resolution 33","referenced_by":["actions:HCR 33"]}
- {"type":"resolution","name":"House Concurrent Resolution 25","referenced_by":["actions:HCR 25"]}
- {"type":"resolution","name":"House Concurrent Resolution 8","referenced_by":["actions:HCR 8"]}
- {"type":"resolution","name":"House Concurrent Resolution 35","referenced_by":["actions:HCR 35"]}

Clarifying details

- {"category":"fiscal impact","detail":"Committee staff stated there is no fiscal or revenue impact for each resolution","value":true,"approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Melissa"}
- {"category":"event_size","detail":"Cutsforth Cruise‑In draws over 700 cars in August downtown Canby (witness testimony)","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Charlie Stinson"}
- {"category":"date_of_passing","detail":"Frank Cutsforth died in November 2023 (witness testimony)","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Vice Chair Christine Drazen"}
- {"category":"scholarship_fund","detail":"Canby Rotary established the Frank Cutsforth Memorial Scholarship Fund (witness testimony)","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Charlie Stinson"}

Proper names

- {"name":"Frank Cutsforth","type":"person"}
- {"name":"Cuttsforth Market","type":"business"}
- {"name":"Canby","type":"location"}
- {"name":"Carol Rua","type":"person"}
- {"name":"Gresham","type":"location"}
- {"name":"Vicki Berger","type":"person"}
- {"name":"Jerry Berger","type":"person"}
- {"name":"Philip Lang","type":"person"}
- {"name":"Oregon State Capitol Foundation","type":"organization"}
- {"name":"The Canby Center","type":"organization"}
- {"name":"YMCA","type":"organization"}

Community relevance

- geographies: ["Canby","Gresham","Independence","Salem","Willamette Valley"]
- funding_sources: []
- impact_groups: ["local residents","small businesses","nonprofit beneficiaries","YMCA participants"]

Meeting context

- engagement_level: {"speakers_count":19,"duration_minutes":170,"items_count":8}
- implementation_risk: "none"
- history: [{"date":"2025-04-07","note":"Four honorary concurrent resolutions presented and moved to the floor"}]

Searchable_tags:["honorary resolution","HCR 33","HCR 25","HCR 8","HCR 35","Canby","Gresham","Philip Lang"]

Provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"s:19.125-e:35.91","local_start":0,"local_end":66,"evidence_excerpt":"We'll start with HCR 33... I will open a public hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 33.","tc_start":"00:00:19","tc_end":"00:00:35","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"s:70.56-e:133.845","local_start":0,"local_end":63,"evidence_excerpt":"For the record, my name is Christine Drazen, and I am the state representative for House District 51... I am here in support of HCR 33, which honors the life of an extraordinary man.","tc_start":"00:01:10","tc_end":"00:02:13","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"s:1234.185-e:1251.47","local_start":0,"local_end":17,"evidence_excerpt":"I move HCR 33 to the floor with a Be adopted recommendation.","tc_start":"00:20:34","tc_end":"00:20:51","reason_code":"topicfinish"},{"block_id":"s:1510.21-e:1515.99","local_start":0,"local_end":6,"evidence_excerpt":"I move HCR 25 as amended to the floor with a be adopted recommendation.","tc_start":"00:25:10","tc_end":"00:25:16","reason_code":"topicfinish"},{"block_id":"s:2327.8699-e:2333.5698","local_start":0,"local_end":6,"evidence_excerpt":"I move HCR 35 to the floor with a be adopted recommendation.","tc_start":"00:38:47","tc_end":"00:38:53","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}

salience:{"overall":0.25,"overall_justification":"Ceremonial resolutions with local interest; low policy impact.","impact_scope":"local","impact_scope_justification":"Resolutions recognize individuals tied to specific Oregon communities.","attention_level":"low","attention_level_justification":"No fiscal impact and limited policy implications.","novelty":0.10,"novelty_justification":"Routine honorary measures.","timeliness_urgency":0.10,"timeliness_urgency_justification":"Proceeding to the House floor is timely but not urgent.","legal_significance":0.00,"legal_significance_justification":"Ceremonial; not legally binding.","budgetary_significance":0.00,"budgetary_significance_justification":"Committee staff stated no fiscal impact.","public_safety_risk":0.00,"public_safety_risk_justification":"No public safety elements.","environmental_impact":0.00,"environmental_impact_justification":"No environmental policy discussed.","affected_population_estimate":0,"affected_population_estimate_justification":"Resolutions honor individuals; no direct programmatic effect.","affected_population_confidence":0.10,"affected_population_confidence_justification":"Low direct impact but high symbolic audience.","budget_total_usd":0.0,"budget_total_usd_justification":"No budgetary impact stated.","policy_stage":"passed","policy_stage_justification":"Resolutions approved by committee and assigned floor carriers.","follow_up_priority":1,"follow_up_priority_justification":"Low — monitor for floor scheduling.","fact_check_risk":0.20,"fact_check_risk_justification":"Multiple name spellings in transcript; factual checks recommended for correct honoree name spellings.","uncertainty":0.20,"uncertainty_justification":"Transcript contains inconsistent name spellings for some individuals.","source_diversity":0.60,"source_diversity_justification":"Testimony included multiple community witnesses and two civic organizations.","stakeholder_balance":0.50,"stakeholder_balance_justification":"Witnesses were mainly supporters and family; no opposing testimony.","alert_flags":[],"alert_flags_justification":"No policy or fiscal alerts."}

engagement_forecast:{"newsworthiness":{"national":0.00,"regional":0.10,"local":0.60,"justification":"Local ceremonial recognitions; primarily of interest to local media and constituents."},"notify_recommendation":{"audience":"city","reason":"Local residents, municipal news outlets, and the honorees' communities are most likely to care.","audience_regions":["OR-CANBY","OR-GRESHAM"],"justification":"Resolutions concern named local figures and civic institutions."},"notify_thresholds":{"local_min":0.25,"regional_min":0.50,"national_min":0.75},"predicted_interest":{"national":0.00,"regional":0.10,"local":0.55,"justification":"Local civic interest expected, limited wider appeal."},"predicted_click_through":0.08,"predicted_click_through_justification":"Niche human‑interest content." ,"predicted_read_time_minutes":2.5,"predicted_read_time_minutes_justification":"Short ceremonial summaries and vote list." ,"predicted_shares":5,"predicted_shares_justification":"Primarily shared within local networks."}

graph_signals:{"jurisdictions":["US-OR","US-OR-MARION","US-OR-CLACKAMAS"],"jurisdictions_justification":"Honorees and testimony tied to Canby (Clackamas County), Gresham (Multnomah/Clackamas area), Marion/Independence.","ontology_topics":["civic_honors","legislative_procedure"],"ontology_topics_justification":"Committee actions on honorary resolutions and committee procedure.","naics_codes":[],"naics_codes_justification":"Not applicable.","sdg_tags":[],"sdg_tags_justification":"Not applicable.","entities":[{"id":"person:frank-cutsforth","name":"Frank Cutsforth","type":"person"},{"id":"org:canby-center","name":"The Canby Center","type":"organization"},{"id":"person:phil-lang","name":"Philip Lang","type":"person"}],"entities_justification":"Named honorees and organizations that provided testimony."}}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}