The federal funding that Congressman Earl Blumenauer secured for the east-side expansion of the Portland Streetcar will mean new jobs in Oregon and the beginning of a transportation revolution in the rest of the country, The Oregonian editorialized on May 2.

"Among the intended consequences are the jobs created or sustained in this area, from the construction work we mentioned earlier to the consultants, designers, planners, engineers and the like who have settled in at Portland firms but who travel all over to spread expertise," the editorial board wrote. "Yes, some new jobs for Portland, but for Blumenauer, the beginning of an urban-transit revolution."

Read the editorial here.

On Saturday Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the Jungleers, gathered in Portland for a mobilization ceremony before they deploy to Iraq. More than 2,700 troops will be headed overseas, the largest deployment of the Oregon National Guard since World War Two. Congressman Earl Blumenauer was on hand to thank the troops for the service to their country.