12.22.06
Jean Cowan announces committee assignments
Newport News Times
Oregon House of Representatives Speaker-Elect Jeff Merkley has announced committee assignments for the 74th Legislative Assembly which convenes Jan. 8. District 10 Representative-elect Jean Cowan will serve on three committees: Human Services & Women’s Wellness, Veteran Affairs, and the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Ocean Policy where she will serve as Vice-Chair.
Cowan has expressed satisfaction with her new assignments, noting they fall in line with both her past experience and areas of particular interest to our coastal district. “My personal background in the health care arena makes me well-suited to address the complex human services issues within the Department of Human Services (DHS.) In addition, I have a long history of interest and involvement in emergency services, in particular,” Cowan stated. She further commented the vast array of ocean policy issues currently under discussion requires close attention, and she is pleased to be able to provide local insight into the formulation of Oregon’s ocean policies.
As a former Lincoln County Commissioner, Cowan supervised the county’s emergency services and veterans programs. “As we look at the increasing challenges for our aging veterans, as well as the prospect of adding a new group of younger veterans from the Iraq conflict, I am pleased to be able to help plan the services we will provide these deserving individuals,” Cowan commented.
Cowan also served as a county representative to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) to DHS, chairing that group for several years. She was a member of the Oregon Health Council and continues as a member of the state Public Health Advisory Board.
