Robert Newell Honored by Oregon Legislature

(CHAMPOEG, Ore.) - The Oregon House of Representatives will vote on a special resolution Monday April 2nd to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert “Doc” Newell. Two other events are planned this weekend at the Newell House in the Champoeg State Heritage Area to commemorate the occasion.

A bill was introduced in the Oregon Legislative Assembly February 14th, on Oregon’s 148th birthday, to honor Newell. He was the first man to bring a wagon into the Willamette Valley and a founder of Oregon’s Provisional government. On May 2, 1843 at Champoeg, he cast a critical vote supporting the formation of the first American Government on the Pacific Coast.

On Friday, March 30th a special Legislative Reception will be held from 3PM-5PM at the Newell family home to celebrate Newell’s 200th birthday. An Open House is scheduled on Saturday, March 31st from 1PM-9 PM at the Newell House. The Oregon House will hold a special order of business to Honor “Doc” Newell on Monday April 2nd. Robert Newell and his friend Joe Meek (portrayed by Al LePage and Bob Hart) will visit the House of Representatives on their way home to Champoeg.

House Concurrent Resolution 4, is sponsored by Senate President Peter Courtney (D- Woodburn, Gervais, and part of Salem), House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). The two legislators who cover the Champoeg area, State Senator Larry George (R-Sherwood), and State Representative Kim Thatcher (Keizer, Newberg, St. Paul) are also Co-Chief Sponsors. Co-sponsors include State Senator Brad Avakian (D-Beaverton) and State Representative Jerry Krummel (R-Wilsonville).

Judy Van Atta, Director of Newell House Museum, states, “As one of Oregon’s Founding Fathers, Robert Newell showed remarkable abilities as a mountain man, legislator, businessman, and as a friend to the Indians. What he lacked in education he made up for in common sense, and honor in business as well as political life.”

His kindliness and generosity served Oregon well especially when times were lean and possessions few. According to Charlotte Lehan, the new Executive Director of Friends of Historic Champoeg, “When the town of Champoeg was destroyed by flood, Robert Newell, whose home was one of the few spared, took in as many as 200 people, nearly bankrupting himself with his generosity.”