REP. SHERRIE SPRENGER

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

HOUSE DISTRICT 17

For Immediate Release

April 3, 2013

Contact: Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, 503-986-1417

REP. SPRENGER PROMOTES BILL TO ALLOW

LOCAL COMMUNITIES & TRIBES TO CREATE MASCOT AGREEMENTS

SALEM, OR – In an effort to bring together local communities and local Oregon tribes, Rep. Sherrie Sprenger (R – Scio) introduced HB 3397 which received a public hearing today in the House Education Committee. The legislation allows a local school district and a local tribe to enter into an agreement which allows the use of a Native American mascot and outlines the acceptable uses of the mascot.

“Open dialogue and mutual understanding between our local communities and Native American tribes will strengthen Oregon,” said Rep. Sprenger. “This legislation would allow communities and tribes, working together, to develop respectful, appropriate uses of a Native American mascots if they choose too.”

The legislation comes as a response to an outright ban on the use of Native American mascots passed in 2012. Instead, Rep. Sprenger worked with Oregon tribes and communities who wished to find a middle ground that would allow the use of such mascots if an agreement is developed with a local tribe.

“Nobody wants offensive Native American mascots and those kinds of mascots will still not exist under this legislation,” Rep. Sprenger said. “Instead, this opens and encourages dialogue and mutual understanding between communities and tribes. It only allows a Native American mascot if agreement is reached which outlines specific, acceptable uses of that mascot.”

The next step for the legislation is an additional Work Session in the House Education on April 10.

Rep. Sherrie Sprenger represents House District 17 which includes East Linn and Marion counties, including Stayton, Scio, Mill City, Lebanon and Sweet Home.

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