Native American Mascot Bill heads to Governor

Native American Mascot SB 1509 heads to Governor
By Representative Sherrie Sprenger

Having already passed the Oregon Senate unanimously on Feb. 14, Senate Bill 1509 was approved by the House today on a bipartisan vote. SB 1509, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Sherrie Sprenger (R -Scio), allows school district boards to enter into approved written agreements with federally recognized Native American tribes in Oregon for the use of mascots that represent, are associated with or are significant to the tribe.

“I’m pleased that all the efforts that have gone into passing this bill have come to fruition, ”Rep. Sprenger said. “ This is a common sense bill, and I am glad to have gotten it through the legislative process. ” Lebanon High School, located in Rep. Sprenger’s district, uses the Warriors as its mascot. In 2012, the state Board of Education decreed that all Oregon public schools must eliminate such team names and mascots by July 2017 or lose their state funding support. A similar bill that was sponsored by Rep. Sprenger passed the House and Senate during the 2013 session but was vetoed by Gov. John Kitzhaber. However, Rep. Sprenger has been working with the governor’s office to prevent SB 1509 from being vetoed.

“A lot of work has gone into achieving consensus on this bill among the various stakeholders,” Rep. Sprenger said. “ I look forward to seeing the governor sign this bill so this issue can be resolved and we can turn our focus to important matters such as jobs and the economy. ”

To hear Rep. Sprenger ’ s floor speech on SB 1509, click below

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGC0iHtC6j8&feature=youtu.be

Rep. Sprenger has represented House District 17 since first being appointed in 2008. Her district includes Lebanon, Sublimity, Gates, Stayton, Sweet Home, Mill City, Lyons, Detroit, Waterloo, Idanha and Scio.

She was recently named House Republican Whip. –

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