83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Enrolled
House Concurrent Resolution 9
Sponsored by Representatives DRAZAN, LEVY B, Senators SMITH DB, FREDERICK, MANNING
JR, MCLANE, THATCHER; Representatives BOICE, BOSHART DAVIS, BOWMAN,
BREESE-IVERSON, DIEHL, ELMER, EVANS, FAHEY, GOMBERG, HELFRICH, LEWIS,
MANNIX, MARSH, MCINTIRE, NGUYEN H, OWENS, RESCHKE, SMITH G, WRIGHT, Sen-
ators BONHAM, GELSER BLOUIN, GOLDEN, MEEK, ROBINSON
Whereas Secretary of State Dennis Michael Richardson was born in Los Angeles, California, on
July 30, 1949; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson served his country with honor and distinction as a helicopter pilot
in the United States Army during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his heroism in
combat; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson received a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from Brigham Young
University;and
Whereas after law school, Dennis Richardson set up a legal practice in Central Point, Oregon;
and
Whereas in 1984, Dennis Richardson was invited by President Ronald Reagan’s administration
to participate at the White House in a series of briefings for the President and his Cabinet; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson served as Treasurer of the Oregon Republican Party from 1999 to
2003; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson first served in public office as a member of the Central Point City
Council; and
Whereas in 2002, Dennis Richardson was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives as a
Republican representing the people of the Fourth District; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson’s tenure in the House of Representatives lasted six terms, and he
served with distinction as Speaker Pro Tempore, Minority Whip and Co-Chair of the Joint Commit-
tee on Ways and Means; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was unwavering in his fight for fiscally responsible, efficient and
ethical government; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was the Republican candidate for Governor in 2014 after winning
his party’s nomination with 65 percent of the vote, and he narrowly lost the general election; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was elected Secretary of State in 2016, becoming the first Republi-
can to hold statewide office in Oregon since 2002 and the first Republican to be elected Secretary
of State in Oregon since 1980; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was deeply committed as Secretary of State to serving all
Oregonians, and he eschewed party politics to emphasize accountability, transparency and integrity
in state government; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson embraced the Secretary of State’s role as chief auditor, protecting
Oregonians with tough investigations into fraud, wasteful spending and poorly run programs; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson passed away on February 26, 2019, surrounded by loved ones at his
home in Central Point; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson died while serving in office as Secretary of State, working tirelessly
for the people of this state; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was survived by his beloved wife, Cathy, nine children and many
grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 9 (HCR 9-INTRO) Page 1 Whereas Dennis Richardson was a man of faith and deeply held values, and he was renowned
for his dignity, compassion and integrity; and
Whereas every aspect of Dennis Richardson’s personal and professional life was influenced by
his motto, pro tanto quid retribuamus, which means “having been given much, what will you give in
return?”; and
Whereas Dennis Richardson was a brave and wise statesman, and he will forever be remembered
for his decades of dedicated public service to the State of Oregon; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
That we, the members of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, honor and celebrate the re-
markable life and achievements of Secretary of State and former state Representative Dennis
Michael Richardson, and we express our sincere and abiding gratitude for his service to this state;
and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the family of Dennis Richardson
as an expression of our sympathy and condolences.
Adopted by House February 25, 2025
Timothy G. Sekerak, Chief Clerk of House
Julie Fahey, Speaker of House
Adopted by Senate March 27, 2025
Rob Wagner, President of Senate
Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 9 (HCR 9-INTRO) Page 2