Today Nike Corporation demonstrated its commitment fairness for all Oregon citizens when it announced its endorsement of SB 1000 and SB 1073 in a statement sent to legislative leadership.

With its announcement Nike lends its powerful voice to a growing chorus of Oregon businesses calling on the state to pass civil union and antidiscrimination legislation this session. They know as we know that protection from discrimination and a growing economy are not mutually exclusive, but mutually beneficial.

Basic Rights Oregon applauds Nike for taking seriously its ethical responsibility not simply to promote Oregon business, but Oregon values of fairness, equality, dignity and respect.

NIKE'S STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATURE
On behalf of Nike, Inc., I write in support of passage of Senate Bill 1000 and Senate Bill 1073.

SB 1000 will prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and services and education on the basis of sexual orientation. The bill will also create civil unions and extend a set of rights and responsibilities to same-sex permanent partners. Senate Bill 1073, another bill under consideration by the legislature, contains similar provisions relating to the creation of civil unions.

Nike has a record of leadership in support of diversity and non-discrimination, as recognized by the Human Rights Campaign. Nike is committed to diversity and inclusion and strives to treat our employees equally without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.

The non-discrimination provisions contained within SB 1000 are consistent with Nike's corporate policies and practices and our support of similar legislation at the federal and state level. We strongly support the non-discrimination provisions in SB 1000, as this legislation will extend a set of basic rights to many Oregonians.

Nike also supports the provisions in SB 1073 and SB 1000 creating civil unions and extending a set of rights and responsibilities to same-sex permanent partners, which are consistent with their financial and non-financial commitments. Supporting the creation of civil unions is a meaningful complement to the non-discrimination position Nike has taken previously. And, civil unions promote inclusion by providing all our employees the opportunity to enter into lasting permanent relationships without regard to sexual orientation. As a global company, we have employees in other countries who can opt to register civil unions or an equivalent status.

One of the Nike Maxims is to "Do the Right Thing," which asks our employees not to look for things that make us different, but to look for things that make us better. Many of our employees' lives will be better because of the passage of these bills.

Sincerely,
Wes Coleman
Nike, Vice President of Global Human Resources

_________________________________________

These Oregon Companies Also Support Fairness for All Oregonians
The following Oregon businesses have also made formal endorsements in support of SB 1000 and SB 1073*:

Norm Thompson
Powell's Books, Inc.
McDonald Jacobs, PC
Metropolitan Group LLC
Azumano Travel
eROI
Benjamin & Co.
Bridge City Family Medical Clinic
Construction Transformations Inc.
Diversitech
Newberg Mailroom
Dragonheart Family Healthcare
Eyes on Broadway
Froelick Gallery
Hara Shick Architecture
Harriman Creative Inc.
Cherchez La Femme Projects
Jupiter Hotel
Law Office of James D. McVittie P.C.
MBL Group LLC
Plazm Media
PonderFusion
Powell Phones
Rose City Mortgage Specialists
Second Story Bistro
Shalinar Mobile Home Park
Silver Plume Imports
Sustan
Tashman Johnson, LLC
The Grove Restaurant and Lounge
Tutch Consulting
Vocation Vacations
*Partial List*

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 5:46 PM.