Robert Kennedy and Val Hoyle

Steve Novick

Dear Blue Oregonians,

When I was working for the Justice Department, I helped start a tradition of celebrating Robert Kennedy’s birthday.  When I left, I promised to go back every year to continue the tradition.  So I spend every November 20 in Washington, D.C. Which usually means that I miss my good friend Chris Warner’s birthday.  This year, it also means that I will miss the Portland fund-raiser of Val Hoyle, a great activist and friend who was recently appointed as State Representative for Lane County’s District 14.  I feel terrible about missing the event, because Val needs our help – it’s definitely a ‘swing’ district – so if you could show up at the Lucky Lab at 1945 NW Quimby in Portland Thursday the 19th between 6 and 8, that’d be great. The suggested contribution is $25.  (But if you have $2500 I'm sure she'll take it!)

Meanwhile, here’s one of my favorite (well, everyone’s favorite) Robert Kennedy quotes:

Each time a person stands up for an ideal,
or acts to improve the lot of others...
he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring,
those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

Robert F. Kennedy (1925 - 1968)

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    HD-14 is most certainly a swing district. It was previously held by Rep. Chris Edwards - who defeated incumbent GOP Rep. Debi Farr in 2006. It had previously been held by her spouse, Rep. Pat Farr.

  • Matthew (unverified)
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    I am so there, I have known Val for about 5 years now, lot touch when I moved to Portland a few years ago. She is an incredible advocate and lovely woman! I was very happy for her when I heard she had been appointed to the House.

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    And, she's part of the first (and best) class of Emerge Oregon. Go, Val!

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    Michelle and I will be there, for sure! I know Val from my time in Eugene helping out with various stuff and things, and she knows her from Emerge Oregon.

    We're both thrilled to have her in the legislature, and we'll certainly be there on Thursday!

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    I really wanted to go to this...but I've unfortunately got a conflict. :( I've never met Val in person and I've heard SUCH great things about her. I'm sad that I have to miss this.

    And for Novick, my favorite RFK quote:

    "We must recognize the full human equality of all our people - before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this not because it is economically advantageous - although it is; not because the laws of God and man command it - although they do command it; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do."-- Day of Affirmation Address, University of Capetown, South African, June 6, 1966.

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    Most fave Robert Kennedy quote: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation."

    Wow, this is truly an honor. Not just to have my friend Steve Novick invite people to my fundraiser on Blue Oregon but also because the title of this post is "Robert Kennedy and Val Hoyle". Being of Irish Catholic descent and from New England, Robert Kennedy is kind of a big deal. My mother is thrilled!

    Hope to see you all there and if not, looking forward to working with you all in my new role as Representative of HD 14.

    All the best Val

  • Amiel (unverified)
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    Agreed on the great RFK quote. Important but infrequently cited footnote: this piece of eloquence was most likely written by Allard Lowenstein per William Chafe's compelling biography of the impassioned activist/organizer.

  • Zarathustra (unverified)
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    [comment that would be considered a 'conspiracy theory' by the faithful deleted before it was ever written]

    Full disclosure: I spent the summer of 1968 working my butt off for Bobby Kennedy. (And no, I'm not really Vera Katz. As if.)

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    Steve,

    <h2>Thanks for this!</h2>

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