[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING GRANT COUNTY, OREGON

 Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I would like to take a moment to 
praise the courage and commitment of a small community in Oregon.
  Grant County is home to just 7,500 people. It is located in rural 
eastern Oregon. The county is larger than some States. With majestic 
mountains, rivers, and valleys, its beauty is unprecedented. Those who 
live there are proud of their home. They work hard and they watch out 
for each other. Last month, they proved it in a way that should make 
everyone proud to be an American.
  A few weeks ago, a man came to town calling himself the national 
director of the Aryan Nations, one of the most infamous hate groups in 
America. He declared that he was looking for a place for a national 
headquarters and that Grant County would be perfect. Amazingly, he said 
the values of his organization and the values of Grant County were the 
same.
  He couldn't have been more wrong.
  Since the local newspaper, the Blue Mountain Eagle, reported on his 
visit, Grant County has risen as one to show this man that there is no 
way that their home is going to be the headquarters for hate.
  To express their outrage, the residents of Grant County stood on 
street corners in the city of John Day waving flags and holding signs 
making it clear that the Aryan Nations was not welcome. The people of 
Grant County stood together in supporting diversity and tolerance in 
their community. All over the county, green ribbons symbolizing their 
support for equality streamed from car antennas, hung from fences, and 
pinned proudly to their clothes. Signs are in businesses and homes. 
Cars are emblazoned with messages of support for their community and 
opposition to hatred.
  More than 1,000 people jammed into two public meetings held on 
February 26. They were there to learn how to make sure the Aryan 
Nations would not succeed. There were so many that the meeting room 
couldn't hold them all. You know there is something special going on 
when one out of every six residents of a small rural county comes, to 
learn how to protect their community from a group who would destroy it. 
Since then, the Grant County Human Rights Coalition has been formed. It 
is a remarkable group of people, all working to make their home a 
better place.
  The people of Grant County have shown us all what a community looks 
like. As an Oregonian and as their U.S. Senator, I could not be more 
proud of them.

                          ____________________