Chair Lloyd’s Farewell Address

I'd like to recognize a few individuals for their outstanding contributions to the Young Republicans that couldn't be here with us, or couldn't be here with us today. 

From the very beginning, Dmitriy Sashchenko has always been intrinsically connected to this organization. He was actually our fourth vote for us to become reorganized. Unfortunately, he couldn't be here with us today. I really appreciate all of his help for this organization. 

The next is Kristina Malimon. She was my very first National Committee woman. And she has been kind of a stalwart of the conservative movement in Oregon as long as she possibly could. She was actually arrested at the J6 event. And she has been given a full Presidential pardon. So that's something that's pretty exciting. 

The next thing is a gentleman named Dennis Porter. Dennis Porter was involved with the young Republicans from the very beginning. He helped reform the organization. He was my national, or he was my vice chairman when we first started. And he was really inspirational to me about how we bring things together and how we look forward to doing this. 

The next is Gabriel Braet. He was the very first Secretary that I can remember in the young Republicans in a phenomenal, phenomenal documentor. 

James Heib was our National Committeeman, our State Treasurer, and Young Republicans greatest patron, as well as being a State Representative. He has always been there to support us, and I'm honored to be his friend. 

Katie Hieb, his wife as well, and she was our National Committeewoman. 

Sarah Phillips has stepped out of the room, but I just want to say that her work has been instrumental to this organization in so many ways, and she's been such a great support for me. 

Lauren Christensen, she was our first communications chair, and she was also the vice chair of the young Republicans, and she was instrumental in doing our legislative visits and getting us closer to getting into the Capitol. So I'm very, very proud to know her. 

Sheri Brady, she is a YRO alum member. We basically created that organization because we wanted to have people who were a little too old to be involved with the young Republicans, but still supported our movement and what we're doing, and everything that she had to do with the young Republicans, she did it to the absolute 10 in the 11th. And I just want to thank all of those that have helped us along the way that I didn't mention. So my friends in the future of Oregon, it has been a great honor to serve you as your chairman. We have always embraced the slogan of recruit, train, and elect, but what that truly has meant to me was to give the young Republicans and the youth of this state a voice. Over my time in office, we have grown this organization into an effective political machine. You have created a space on the state party's executive board. Many of our members have worked within the halls of the state Capitol and worked for elected representatives. 

Every election cycle since my tenure, the young Republicans have run candidates directly or have worked on fellow Republicans' races. We have empowered our members to work and lead within like-minded grassroots organizations and increase that ever-growing influence that we have around the state. More importantly, I feel that we have created a space for young people who stand in the opposition of the status quo of Oregon politics. We have created a place where people can learn skills that they need to be successful in a job, and in an industry that there really isn't a manual for. 

Most of all, we have created a place where we can make friends, where we have made friends that will definitely last us all of our lives. But I think it is just the beginning for the young Republicans of Oregon. As my term comes to a close, I look towards the future with excitement and hope. The young Republicans are stronger now than it's ever been, and this momentum is undeniable. A new generation of leaders is here and will carry our mission forward. And to all those who stepped up today to take the responsibility, never lose sight of why we're here. Never compromise on your principles or the principles of the people you represent. 

Never settle for sitting back idly when we can do more. Oregon's future belongs to those who are bold enough to shape it. I thank you, and God bless you, and God bless Oregon.