Adopted Resolutions for a Stronger America

The National Grange is the nation’s oldest national agricultural organization, with grassroots units established in 3,600 local communities in 37 states. Its 300,000 members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. It was formed in the years following the American

Civil War to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation’s farm population. Over the past 137 years, it has evolved to include non-farm rural families and communities.

The Grange is also a fraternal order known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, hence the “P of H” on the organization’s logo. Founding members determined that a fraternal organization would be best able to combine loyalty and democratic ideals to provide service to others. The National Grange was one of the first formal groups to admit women to membership on the basis of equality with men. It remains so today.

The 11-story landmark National Grange headquarters building in Washington, D.C. was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 29, 1960, and is the only private edifice in a federal block across from the White House. It serves as a non-governmental headquarters for agricultural and rural families. A professional staff administers policies established annually by democratic Grange processes at local, county, and state levels.

National Grange Headquarters Building • 1616 H St. NW • Washington, DC 20006. Built in 1957 – The original headquarters was located on Lafayette Park.

Each year, a listing of more than 1,400 issues of concern is published and distributed by the National Grange.

Grange Resolution

The Oregon “Kicker” Law

Whereas: In the year of 1979, Oregon law makers adopted a law that became known as the “Kicker” Law. This law requires that the revenues, which exceed the state projections for the two-year budget cycle by 2 percent or more, must be returned to the taxpayers. This is how the law got its name as the Kicked Back Law.

Whereas: The State revenue forecast predicts that in the year 2007, more than $650 million in tax rebates will be returned to individuals taxpayers and corporations. Individual taxpayers would receive $461 million and corporations would receive $205 million.

Whereas: By law these rebate monies belong to the taxpayers not the State Government. This law limits excessive government spending which would be much higher today if there was no “Kicker” Law.

Whereas: We must realize that these tax refunds are a projected forecast that may not materialize.

Therefore be it resolved: That the Oregon State Grange supports the Oregon “Kicker” Law and opposes any efforts to repeal it.

This resolution adopted by the Deer Creek Grange #371 at its regular meeting held on May 8, 2oo6.

This resolution was adopted by the Oregon State Grange at its 133rd Annual Session held at Molalla, Oregon, week of June 19-23, 2006.

This resolution was drafted by William D. Waggoner, Master. Mr. Waggoner can be reached at 1920 Thompson Creek Rd. Selma, OR 97538.

Questions or comments can be sent to:
Delaine Sherman, Secretary
P.O. Box 871
Selma, OR. 97538