(Editor’s Note: Viewpoint submis­sions on these and other topics are always welcome as part of our goal to encourage community discussion and exchange of perspectives.)

One Group Is Honored

In response to Win Jolley’s letter of March 12, “Honor More Groups with Months,” National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has recognized November as National American Indian Heritage Month for many years. Chapters share an Indian Minute at regular meetings to share their history.

Additionally, DAR offers five schol­arships to Native American students, as well as supporting two colleges, Chemawa in Salem, Ore., and Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla.

In 2020, $57,000 in scholarships were awarded just to Native Ameri­cans.

DAR is not the only organization to recognize November as National American Indian Heritage Month.

In 1990, President George W. Bush declared this recognition for No­vember. The landmark bill honoring America’s tribal people read in part that, “the President has authorized and requested to call upon federal, state and local governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.”

The effort to establish this cele­bration began in 1976, when a Cher­okee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legisla­tion — the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples.

This led to 1986, with then Pres­ident Ronald Reagan proclaiming Nov. 23 to 30, 1986, as “American In­dian Week.”

Thank you to Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle, and Presidents Ronald Regan and George W. Bush, for establishing this recognition to honor their histo­ry, culture and contributions.

Jacquie Beveridge — Oregon Dunes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Gas Prices & The President

I was not going to write this, but I heard so much bovine effluent over the subject, I have to say something.

Here’s some fun facts — the presi­dent of the United States has no con­trol over the price of gasoline, none whatsoever. If he did, gas would be free and that’s socialism, which seems to be your greatest fear, next to Criti­cal Race Theory or being LGBTQ, or trying to get an abortion. Some peo­ple are afraid of so many things ...

This country has not been self-suf­ficient in oil production for decades, no matter who was the president.

Hate paying taxes? Me as well — but billions of our tax dollars go to subsidizing American oil companies. Last quarter they made billions of dollars in profits. What did they do with that money? They have passed it on to their shareholders.

I understand your frustration. I am on a pension as well, and yeah, these are hard times.

So, tell me — are you a single moth­er working as a waitress, paying out­rageous rent and being treated like garbage? Are you having to endure having your butt groped in order to get a tip?

No, you are not. You are an angry, entitled child that remembers an America that never was.

My parents survived the Great De­pression, fought in World War II and suffered sacrifices beyond your con­ception.

Our world is on fire. Millions have died from pandemic and now we are on the edge of a world war — and you are mad because gas is expensive.

Shame.

Edward Gunderson — Florence

New Beginnings

There is a coming wave that we all see on the horizon. The wave of bick­ering and infighting that we call the Midterm elections; the time between presidential elections that reshapes one third of the senate and the entire House of Representatives, along with thousands of local elections.

Politics these days is hard to follow, with so much chaos and hopelessness it just forces people to turn off their TVs. But this upcoming Midterm election is an opportunity to deliver a slice of hope and bring prosperity to Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.

Peter DeFazio’s retirement is a loss for this district, but also a chance to begin again. He was a fighter, and his replacement must be as well. Doyle Canning, a name that some of us might recognize, must be that new fighter.

Personally, my top issues are an­ti-corruption and environmental pro­tection. Doyle has been a champion for rooting out the rot of our system, from getting all corporate money out of politics to banning Congress from trading stocks. Her campaign is en­tirely funded by small-dollar donors to prevent any outside influences un­like anybody else in this race.

Best of all, she’s been consistent on this her entire life, much like her environmental stance. This Univer­sity of Oregon alumna studied cli­mate change and environmental law during her time and would later ad­vise Greenpeace on supporting Pres­ident Biden’s climate legislation. She contributed to the prevention of the Jordan Cove Pipeline, which would have destroyed the local beauty of our state and encouraged the growth of dirty energy. As the elected Vice Chair of the Oregon Democratic Par­ty Environmental Caucus, she has transformed the climate legislation coming out of Salem.

Let’s elect someone who will fight for us in the 4th Congressional Dis­trict, someone who understands the long term consequences of climate change and is willing to fight the rot within the system.

May 17th is the Democratic Pri­mary, I encourage everyone to go out and undertake their civil duty.

Diego Bauer — Florence

                                                  Highway Department And New Corners

I am the owner of a business at 1720 Highway 101 in Florence, Ore., Action Realty.

The crew installing the curb ramps has been destroying the corner of 17th Street and 101. Without any no­tice, they have completely removed the existing foliage, the driveway, my business sign and two flowering trees that had been growing for years.

I am much disturbed by this devas­tation and wondering about my busi­ness sign. This was installed years ago on two 4x4 poles that they have pulled up out of the ground with the soil and roots around one and have broken one of the 4x4’s so that it is not usable.

Besides being disturbed by the re­moval of healthy trees both on the corner and down the area for a short sidewalk — what about my business sign? Who is going to re-install it and pay for a new post?

Business signage is important to the economy of our town.

Linda Westphal — Florence