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Committee approves resolution honoring Paul J. Cochran and recognizes new Philomath veteran park
Summary
A House concurrent resolution honoring Specialist Paul Jeffrey Cochran and recognizing the Paul J. Cochran Veteran Memorial Park advanced from the House Committee on Rules to the floor after committee members adopted a spelling correction amendment and voted to 'be adopted.'
The House Committee on Rules voted March 5, 2025, to advance House Concurrent Resolution 16, which recognizes and honors Specialist Paul Jeffrey Cochran for his military service and the community-created park in Philomath that memorializes him.
Melissa (committee staff) summarized HCR 16, saying the resolution recognizes Specialist Paul Jeffrey Cochran (1947–1968) and notes a dash-1 amendment that corrects the spelling of “Jeffrey” in the whereas clauses. Eric Neiman and Christopher McMoran appeared in support. Eric Neiman described the Cochran family’s gift of the property at 1545 College Street and how Paul’s mother left the property to Philomath to become a veterans park; he said the city named the site the Paul J. Cochran Veteran Memorial Park and described community involvement in creating the park, including a grant from State Parks and Rec and local volunteer work. Christopher McMoran, mayor of Philomath, said the park is open, includes an ADA-accessible playground and a veterans memorial, and that passage of the resolution is a first step toward a highway memorial sign for Paul Cochran.
Vice Chair Draisen moved to adopt the dash-1 amendment; the committee adopted it by roll call. Vice Chair Draisen then moved HCR 16 to the floor “Be Adopted.” The motion passed by roll call and Representative Gomberg was assigned as the carrier. Committee staff recorded no fiscal or revenue impact.
The testimony tied the resolution to local memorialization and community efforts: Neiman described a State Parks and Recreation heritage grant that helped fund a granite memorial with military seals, volunteer cleanup by a local congregation, ROTC assistance in assembling playground equipment, an Eagle Scout project, and a Rotary-donated peace pole. McMoran noted the park’s dual role as a memorial and a place where neighborhood children play, and he expected further work on a state highway memorial sign after this resolution’s passage.
No formal legal authorities were cited beyond agency grant programs and the community’s requests; Melissa noted no fiscal or revenue impacts in committee. The committee advanced HCR 16 to the House floor.
