Sponsored by: Approved: 03/10/2013
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
WHEREAS, providing access to affordable, post-secondary education is critical for empowering the people to lead productive lives, and
WHEREAS, in Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), “a State may not deny access to a basic public education to any child residing in the State, whether present in the United States legally or otherwise”. Denying “innocent children” access to a public education, the Court explained, “imposes a lifetime hardship on a discrete class of children not accountable for their disabling status.” and
WHEREAS, charging out-of-state tuition to a student based on a failure to achieve “residency” as determined by citizenship status is similar to that of denying him the access of secondary education, and
WHEREAS, charging out-of-state tuition not only creates a financial hardship for the student, but it jeopardizes the student’s access higher education, and
WHEREAS, all persons would benefit from having access to in-state tuition so that they may become more productive members of the society, and
WHEREAS, as participants in the civic affairs of our communities, we value universal access to sound, effective public education and we reaffirm the right of everyone to pursue appropriate academic and career education from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary studies.
NOW THEREBY BE IT RESOLVED THAT, The Democratic Party of Oregon, its officers and members shall take every responsible action, private and public, to support Tuition Equity legislation as approved in House Bill 2787.
Adopted this 10th day of March, 2013 by the Democratic Party of Oregon.
This resolution ties to the 2nd plank of the Oregon Democratic Party platform: “Our Responsibilities and Rights as Educated Citizens
