Bill > HCR31

This concurrent resolution honors the life and legacy of Lyllye Reynolds-Parker, a prominent civil rights leader, mentor, and community activist from Eugene, Oregon. Born in 1946 as the first Black child at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Reynolds-Parker faced early challenges of racial discrimination, including having her birth certificate recorded as white to protect her family from the Ku Klux Klan. Despite facing discouragement from a school counselor about her potential, she became deeply involved in civil rights activism as a teenager, serving in organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. At age 40, she became a first-generation college student, earning a sociology degree from the University of Oregon (UO) and later working for 17 years as an academic advisor in the Office of Multicultural Academic Success, where she mentored countless students of color. Her impact was so significant that UO named its Black Cultural Center after her in 2019, making her the first Black woman and living person to receive this honor. The resolution celebrates her lifelong commitment to racial justice, education, and community support, recognizing her as a pillar of the Eugene community who inspired generations and worked tirelessly to create a more inclusive society. The resolution formally honors her memory and expresses condolences to her family following her passing in August 2024.

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HCR31