Mark your calendar for August 24 when Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty will hold their annual meeting at the Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ in Beaverton, Oregon.
The featured speaker will be Gov. John Kitzhaber. Governor Kitzhaber, has served the State of Oregon for over three decades as a member of the legislature and as a three-term governor. He is a hero among death penalty abolitionists as the person who first declared a moratorium on executions in November of 2011. That halting of executions continues today. The governor will speak to his earlier fateful experience with the death penalty and proclaim his outspoken passion for abolition now.
The Keynote address for the evening will be delivered by Tom O’Connor, PhD, and CEO of Transforming Corrections, international Criminal Justice consultant, and former executive with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Tom is affiliated with First Congregational UCC in Salem. His keynote will address how to change the criminal justice system and enable people to lift themselves out of crime.
Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (OADP) is focused on education of voters and legislators on how repeal of the death penalty will be a much superior public policy. The event will begin with a 6PM reception with Gov. Kitzhaber, Keynote speaker Tom O’Connor and area legislators. All UCC members, clergy and staff are most welcome.
Tickets for the reception can be purchased in advance by calling (503) 990-7060, or at the door for $25. The speaking event, starting at 7PM is free, and a free will offering will be taken, supporting the work of OADP. Bethel Congregational UCC is located at 5150 SW Watson Ave, in Beaverton. For more information go to www.oadp.org or call the number above.