Senator Mark Meek

Father • Veteran • Small business owner • Oregon State Senator for District 20 (Oregon City, Gladstone, Happy Valley). Proud to serve my community.

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

Memorial Day means something different when you learn the names. It's the one day we set aside to remember that the freedoms we take for granted every single day came at a cost — paid by real people, from real places, with real families waiting at home.

I want to highlight two of those people who are from right here in Clackamas County.

Larry Gilbert Dahl grew up in Oregon City, joined the Army at 19, and ended up as a machine gunner on an armored gun truck in Vietnam called "Brutus." On February 23, 1971, near An Khe, his convoy rolled into a firefight. In the middle of it, a grenade landed in the truck. Larry had a split second to make a choice — and he threw himself on it, saving the lives of his crew. He was 21 years old. His crewmates came home. Larry didn't. He is Clackamas County's only Medal of Honor recipient — one of just 13 Oregonians ever to earn that distinction. A few years back, the legislature worked to get Larry a Fallen Hero Memorial Highway sign on 99E in Oregon City.

Tyrone Snowden Woods also grew up in Oregon City, wrestled his way to a state championship at Oregon City High School, and spent 20 years as a Navy SEAL. On September 11, 2012, he was at the CIA annex in Benghazi when it came under attack. He grabbed his gear, ran toward the gunfire, and helped get dozens of American staff out alive. He held that post until he was killed by mortar fire in the early hours of September 12th. He was 41 years old. Congress awarded him the Gold Medal, and his name is on a park where Oregon City kids play today.

There is no way to fully repay what these two gave, or what so many other fellow Oregonians and their families have given.

This Memorial Day, please take a moment. Learn their names and honor their sacrifice. That's the least we can do. 🇺🇸

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

Visited with @OreCityEA educators tonight while they were in bargaining. 300+ days without a contract, and they're second to last in base pay in the Portland Metro area. We can do better.

When our local teachers are supported, our kids thrive. Let's get this done!

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

We had a great time today at the Oregon City Teddy Bear Parade! 🧸

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

I oppose SB 1599 and will vote no when it reaches the Senate Floor tomorrow. #orpol #orleg

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

All gave some - but some gave all. I stopped along Highway 213 in Oregon City to pay my respects to Senior Chief Petty Officer and US Navy SEAL Tyrone Snowden Woods. A 1989 graduate of Oregon City High School, he lost his life saving the lives of others, a hero in every sense of the word.

Senior CPO Woods was on private security detail for the U.S. State Department in Benghazi, Libya when dozens of insurgents targeted the U.S. Embassy and CIA annex in the middle of the night. As the facilities came under attack, Senior CPO Woods and fellow SEAL Glen Doherty grabbed their weapons and heroically fought back, saving the lives of 30 staff members inside.

Tyrone and Glen's sacrifice continue to be felt today - through the mourning of their family and friends who love and still miss them, as well as the blessings of life they bestowed on the more than two dozen people they saved that night.

When you drive by Tyrone's memorial sign on Highway 213, please take a moment to think about him, say a prayer, or simply reflect on the life and service of this remarkable individual.

Finally, I want to share this beautiful sentiment from his mother Cheryl:

"This November 11, together with hundreds of thousands of other veterans, we will remember Tyrone. We especially remember him on his January 15 birthday and his journey with the angels on September 12. With his great heart and courage, he served our country for over 20 years, protecting and defending others and saving lives. With or without tangible tributes or mementoes, we will always remember our hometown hero and hold him in our hearts, Beloved Man and Fierce Patriot!"

He will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

Great news this morning.☕

@POTUS needed to be sued and lose (badly) in court instead of just doing the right thing. Withholding these funds was cruel and unnecessary. #orpol #orleg

https://t.co/USqgF2zAH1

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

Tonight I’ll have fasted for 72 hours. I’ll be honest: I’m feeling it. I had forgotten what hunger like this feels like. But it’s a powerful reminder of the reality facing our children and families right now. (5/5)

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

*Day 3 of Fasting for Families* #orpol #orleg

Today I visited food pantries, churches, and volunteers across my district who are stepping up and helping our neighbors. Oregon’s children and families are facing an immediate hunger crisis. SNAP funds have still not arrived from the feds despite a court order. Even when the funds do come in, they will be cut in half. (1/5)

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

But I also saw a community that is stepping up to do something, anything, to help our neighbors right now.

I saw the Oregon that cared for me and my family when I was growing up – when I was a kid and didn’t know where my next meal would come. At that time, it was my family’s neighbors, our community churches, people at my school, and people I didn’t even know who stepped up and told me: My life matters. I matter. (4/5)

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

Day 2 of Fasting for Families to raise the alarm about SNAP cuts and the immediate hunger crisis threatening our communities. #orpol #orleg

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

Stay tuned here for updates throughout the week. (7/7)

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

5 Day Fast for Food #orpol #orleg

This photo brings up a lot of memories for me.

It was taken when I was about 12 years old - it's my little brother, our mom, and myself sitting on our front step. Times were tough. Growing up, we relied on food stamps and free school lunch to survive. Most weeks it was our only source of food and nutrition. (1/7)

[Senator Mark Meek @MarkMeekOR]

My goal through this experience is to raise the alarm about the immediate hunger crisis facing our families -
and to ensure no child has to go hungry in Oregon again, like I did growing up. (6/7)