US Council of Mayors - American Beverage Association Award Remarks
July 28, 2026
Thank you all for being here, and congratulations to Ground Score on this well‑deserved recognition from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Association.
This award celebrates something Oregon does well: innovative, community‑centered solutions that show we can care for our neighbors and our environment at the same time. We don’t have to choose between those priorities.
Oregon has long been a leader in environmental stewardship. Our bottle bill is one of the most successful programs in the country, and programs like GLITTER build on that legacy — catching what the rest of the system can’t.
What moves me most about this program is how it meets people where they are. It gives people a way to contribute, to have purpose, and to make ends meet with dignity. For Oregonians with limited income who feel squeezed to pay for the essentials, programs like GLITTER help fill the gaps.
That’s how we tackle homelessness and housing instability in Oregon — not only with shelter and services, but by also creating pathways for people to give back and build community.
This kind of mission-driven work isn’t easy. Thank you, Ground Score, for leading the way. Congratulations, and thank you for everything you do.