Dear friends,

 I hope you are having a great summer.  Summer was a little late arriving in Sunriver but now it’s here with all its beauty and enjoyment. 
Since our February 2008 session, I have been working for the citizens of District 53 and Oregon.  This is my third interim as your representative.  Interims between the Salem sessions are full of meetings, conferences, and committee meetings and the opportunity to meet with local organizations, groups and individuals.  I believe my calendar is fuller than when we are in session in Salem. 
The following is a summary of activities as your state representative since the end of the February Session. 

Please feel free to contact me any time with questions or concerns.  Our mailing address in Deschutes County is P.O. Box 3565, Sunriver, Oregon 97707 or you can reach me by phone  (541-598-7560) or email me at rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us. 

 Have an enjoyable and safe summer.

 Sincerely, Gene Whisnant

Committees and Work Groups
I continue to serve as vice chair of both the interim House Education and Judiciary Committees.  In addition, I am serving on two House Education Committee work groups on Student Vision Screening and finger printing.  In March I observed a vision screening at Trinity Lutheran School.  It was interesting to see screenings in action and the knowledge helped me with my work on the Vision Screening work group.   The Interim House Education Committee has held 2 meetings and the Interim Judiciary Committee has held 2 meetings.  I have attended 4 Oregon Commission on Children and Families meetings.  I also serve on the Chief Justice’s Special Courts Advisory Committee and we met in Salem in April meetings in Salem in April. The House Interim Committee on Emergency Preparedness met in Sunriver in April and I attended, even though I am not a member of the committee.

Events in Deschutes County

This has been a busy summer!  I attended a few conferences outside of Oregon (the American Legislative Exchange Council Summit in Arkansas and the National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy in Connecticut) but Deschutes County is where I spend most of my time and there are plenty of meetings and events to attend.  Here are some of the meetings I’ve attended and events I’ve participated in or spoken at. 

In May I attended the AARP state meeting in Bend, participated in a meeting of the Oregon Aviation Board in Ben and spoke at the Disabled American Veterans state meeting in Bend.  Josie and I pitched in at the Newberry Habitat for Humanity Women’s work day and attended a Habitat home dedication.

Last month, I participated in the Relay for Life in La Pine, pulled weeds in Bend and La Pine at the annual Weed Pull and attended a La Pine City Council meeting. I also spoke at the Redmond American Legion park dedication.

On the 4^th of July, I rode in the Redmond parade, and attended the La Pine Frontier Days and Rodeo.  I also participated in a meeting hosted by Senator Ron Wyden with local veterans. 

If you would like me to come to your event, please feel free to call or email.  I’d be happy to attend.  

Constituent Issues
I am always glad to help Deschutes County citizens when they are having trouble dealing with government.  Here’s just a short list of some of the issues I’ve worked on this summer: 
      -     Assisted constitutions in South Deschutes County with the Local Rule 
      -     Met with the Department of Fish and Wildlife on behalf of elk ranchers in Sisters 
      -     Helped veterans who are having trouble in receiving their benefits
      -     Answered questions and assisted with driver license and transportation issues
      -     Supported Boones Borough homeowners as they work on a proposal by the State Lands Department
   -     Worked with the owner of the La Pine commuter bus to try to resolve some problems

I am working on several bills for the 2009 session.  Most of the ideas were suggestions from Deschutes County citizens.  Let me know if you have proposals to help make our State better.