Latino Network's Noche Bella Gala Remarks

September 19, 2025

Good evening! Aimee and I are so happy to be in community with you tonight. Thank you to everyone who have made this celebration possible – with a particular shout out to the wonderful team at Latino Network. It’s been an honor to have been by your side through the years, like helping with the dream that is La Plaza Esperanza.

As your Governor, I am proud to have such a vibrant, successful, and forward-thinking organization like Latino Network doing wonderful things every day across out state. Gracias por todo lo que haces cada día por nuestro estado.

This evening reminds us that change is happening and can happen. And we need celebrations, now more than ever, to remind us of that, to keep the wind in our sails. We must stick together and grow together to shape the world we want to have — one built on prosperity and equity for all Oregonians.

You are here because you know that the Latino community in Oregon is absolutely essential to the success of Oregon. From long term residents to new arrivals to our state, we know how important the talent, energy, and commitment of the Latino community is to meeting the challenges and demands of our changing world.

 

And I am heartbroken and angry about the fear that grips many in the Latino community right now because of the inhumanity emanating from Washington D.C.  As the federal government wages attacks on immigrant communities that threaten our state’s values and our right to govern ourselves, I want you to know that I will not back down from the fight.

Oregon remains committed to our strong sanctuary state laws. As Governor, I am committed to the safety and prosperity of every Oregonian, from recent immigrants to Oregonians who have been here for generations. Oregon will not be bullied into abandoning our values.

I am fighting the good fight in every way possible. That’s why I joined with the governors of California, Hawaii and Washington to launch the West Coast Health Alliance, working to make sure vaccine guidelines keep our families and communities safe and healthy. Protecting public health isn’t only about health, particularly for our most vulnerable neighbors. Public health protects the economic prosperity of our communities, the education of our next generations, and the safety of our workers. We learned a few things in a global pandemic, so let’s not go backwards.

But our work goes beyond just protecting what we've built. I’m working to create an Oregon where working families can thrive, not just survive. Where every Oregonian who works hard should be able to afford a home. Where every parent should be able to take their kid to the doctor without worrying about the bill.

I’m going to continue to focus on the basics and take them to the next level – more affordable housing, increased educational success, equitable access to health care, and stronger community resilience in the fact of climate change. Together, we will continue to build an Oregon that works for everyone. Thank you!