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Committee advances resolution recognizing Cambodian Americans, marks 50th anniversary of Khmer Rouge takeover
Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 17, which recognizes and honors the history and resilience of Cambodian Americans and memorializes victims of the Cambodian genocide, advanced from the House Committee on Rules after public testimony from community leaders and survivors.
The House Committee on Rules advanced House Concurrent Resolution 17 on March 5, 2025, following public testimony from legislators and many members of the Cambodian American community.
Representative Thuy Tran (sponsor) said HCR 17 recognizes and honors Cambodian Americans in Oregon and across the U.S., memorializes those lost in the Cambodian genocide and honors survivors living in Oregon. In remarks the sponsor placed the resolution in historical context, citing U.S. bombing campaigns in Cambodia in 1969, the Khmer Rouge seizure of power on April 17, 1975, and the passage of the Refugee Act of 1980 as part of the post-conflict resettlement story.
Multiple legislative colleagues — including Representative Hai Pham and Representative Mari Watanabe — spoke in support. Dozens of community witnesses testified, including Soko Iot (president, Cambodian American Community of Oregon), Mardine Mau (Cambodian American Community of Oregon), Sokom Touje (former ERCO executive director), Rhett (Rhett Sang Yu) of the Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon, Saron Coote (business owner and festival founder), and Stephane Sang (advisory board member). Witnesses described survival stories, community-building work since the 1970s, cultural events such as New Year in the Park, temple and nonprofit organizing, volunteer resettlement efforts, and the continuing need to recognize the history and contributions of Cambodian Americans.
Vice Chair Pham moved the resolution to the floor with a Be Adopted recommendation; the committee recorded a roll-call vote and advanced the measure. Melissa (committee staff) reported no fiscal impact or revenue effect. Representative Pham was assigned as carrier for the resolution to the floor and committee members thanked the witnesses for their testimony.
The public testimony included survivor accounts and local-organizing histories; several witnesses described arriving in Oregon in the late 1970s and building community institutions such as temples, cultural troupes, and refugee resettlement supports. The transcript records a request from witnesses that the state “recognize and honor” Cambodian Americans and the committee’s action will move the resolution to a floor vote.
