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- Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Multnomah County
- Arab American Heritage Month in Multnomah County
- National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month in Multnomah County
- Therapy Animal Day in Multnomah County
- Administrative Professionals Week in Multnomah County
- National Fair Housing Awareness Month in Multnomah County
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, April 2, celebrated its monthly Proclamation Day by unanimously approving six proclamations.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Multnomah County
Commissioner Shannon Singleton read the proclamation proclaiming April 24, 2025, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Multnomah County.
April 24, 1915, marks the initiation of the Armenian Genocide. At least 1.5 million Armenians were killed over the course of eight years, leading to a loss of Armenian heritage, culture and history.
The Portland region is home to roughly 500 Armenian families, including first-, second-, third-, and fourth-generation Armenian immigrants. The St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church of Oregon, in Multnomah County, serves more than 250 families.
Alis Smbatyan, who chairs the Immigrants and Refugees Employee Resource Group, moved to the United States in 1996. For several years, she said, she’s been trying to organize an event acknowledging the genocide. She thanked the Board for honoring the Armenian community.
“We’re here,” she said. “Thank you so much to everybody for your support.”
“Let us renew our shared resolve to prevent future atrocities from occurring anywhere in the world,” the proclamation read. “And let us pursue healing and reconciliation.”
Arab American Heritage Month in Multnomah County
Commissioner Meghan Moyer sponsored the April 2025 Arab American Heritage Month proclamation with Mohammad Bader, director of the Department of County Human Services.
As of 2021, more than 31,000 Arab Americans lived in Oregon. Of those, 10,000 were in Multnomah County. Many Arab Americans work at Multnomah County and bring diverse perspectives to their community and workplace.
The proclamation read, in part: “Arab Americans, like all Americans, share the desire to be a part of a peaceful and diverse society, in which every individual is treated equally and feels safe to thrive in their community.”
In celebration of Eid al-Fitr — a holiday marking the end of the dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan — invited guests gifted the Board festive candy from Saudi Arabia.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month in Multnomah County
Every year, numerous members of our community experience the devastating consequences of crime and violence, enduring physical pain, emotional distress, financial burdens, and long-term trauma. Multnomah County is committed to seeking justice for these victims and preventing future victimization.
The Board jointly proclaimed April 6-15, 2025, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month.
District Attorney Nathan Vasquez and Denise Peña, the Department of Community Justice director, introduced the resolution in solidarity with victims and survivors of sexual violence and violence against children.
“Multnomah County reaffirms its commitment to victims services and criminal justice response that not only supports crime victim rights, but provides meaningful options and services to support a journey of restoration and healing for all victims of crime,” the resolution read.
Following the proclamation, District Attorney Vasquez handed pinwheel lapel pins to commissioners, a sign and symbol for remembrance of child abuse victims.
Therapy Animal Day in Multnomah County
Commissioners Julia Brim-Edwards and Meghan Moyer sponsored the proclamation declaring April 30, 2025, as Therapy Animal Day.
Therapy animals play a major role in promoting health and wellbeing. Research shows therapy animals can reduce stress, relieve depression, slow heart rates, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system.
Two therapy animal volunteers, and their furry companions, joined the Board. Each volunteer shared how therapy animals can bring comfort and healing to those in need.
Kathy Wentworth, a volunteer at the Multnomah County Courthouse, brings therapy animals to jurors and crime victims.
“It’s our pleasure to be able to help people who are victimized by crime and support the people who are supporting them,” Wentworth said.
Judd Gallagher, a volunteer with Pet Partners, volunteers locally to visit folks in memory care and people with HIV who are in residential care. “We’ve logged about 25 hours to date and created lots of smiles,” Gallagher said.
“Multnomah County is grateful for the service of therapy animal teams in our community and communities across the nation,” the proclamation read.
Administrative Professionals Week in Multnomah County
Chair Jessica Vega Pederson sponsored the resolution proclaiming April 20-26, 2025, as Administrative Professionals Week, which is recognized nationwide every year to honor administrative workers’ essential role.
Three administrative professionals at the County — Oscar Rincones, Karen Wilkinson and Diana Gabaldón — helped deliver the proclamation. They invited any and all administrative professionals in the audience to join the Board for a photo.
“The Board is extremely proud of the County’s talented and highly skilled administrative professional staff and officially recognizes and appreciates their hard work and supports their continued professional growth,” the proclamation read.
National Fair Housing Awareness Month in Multnomah County
National Fair Housing Month is observed annually in April, raising awareness about fair housing rights and responsibilities. Congress passed the Fair Housing Act in 1968, prohibiting discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status.
Alexis Alberti, who directs the Department of County Human Services’ Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division, read the resolution.
“Multnomah County affirms the ongoing need to support and expand access to resources for those who have faced barriers to accessing stable housing,” the proclamation read. “The County also supports households in not just getting keys, but keeping keys.”
Rachel Pearl, the County Human Services’ deputy director, asked everyone in the audience working to advance fair housing to stand up for recognition.
“The spectrum of work dedicated to fair housing is broad and deep across Multnomah County,” Pearl said.
