Oregon is mourning the loss of State Representative Hòa Nguyễn, who passed away surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer. Her death marks the end of a life defined by resilience, service, and a deep commitment to education and community.
Born to Vietnamese refugees who resettled in Louisiana, Nguyễn grew up working in her father’s convenience store, where she learned the values of family and hard work. At 16, she moved to Oregon to attend St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic school for girls, and later earned a sociology degree from Portland State University. During her time at PSU, she became a strong advocate for equity and justice, serving on the board of API Forward to empower Asian and Pacific Islander leaders.
Nguyễn’s career reflected her unwavering dedication to young people and families. She worked at Roberts Elementary School in Portland, where she helped create the Walking School Bus program to give students a safe and welcoming way to travel to class. She served on the David Douglas School Board and later worked with the Clackamas Education Service District to strengthen Schools Uniting Neighborhoods partnerships, connecting families with essential community resources.
Elected to represent House District 48, which spans East Portland to Damascus, Nguyễn carried the lessons of her upbringing and professional experience into the legislature. She quickly became known for her ability to translate community values into policy, focusing especially on child care, education equity, and infrastructure investments. Her legislative accomplishments included measures expanding early childhood care and education, adding classified staff to Individualized Education Programs, and increasing classified staff representation on education advisory boards. She played a central role in advancing the CHIPS Child Care Act and led efforts within the Child Care Alliance and Child Care Caucus to make child care more affordable and accessible for Oregon families.
Nguyễn also served on the Chronic Absenteeism Workgroup to address barriers to school attendance, championing policies that became House Bills 3199 and 3218 in 2025. Her work secured $5 million in funding for the Happy Valley Community Center and support for the Boring Community Center, leaving lasting infrastructure improvements in her district.
Her colleagues in the legislature reflected on her legacy with deep admiration. House Speaker Julie Fahey described Nguyễn as a passionate champion for students and a dedicated leader whose legislative focus on chronic absenteeism demonstrated both her collaborative spirit and her commitment to educational equity. Fahey noted that the unanimous passage of Nguyễn’s chronic absenteeism bill was evidence of the respect she earned across party lines.
Senate President Rob Wagner expressed condolences on behalf of the legislative community, calling Nguyễn “a true public servant” and “a fierce advocate for students” whose tireless efforts opened opportunities for Oregon’s young people. Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama echoed those sentiments, emphasizing her expertise in education and child development, her collaborative approach, and the policies she helped pass to improve school attendance and expand child care access.
Throughout her service, Nguyễn remained grounded in her community. She asked that her life be remembered not only through words but through continued action to make Oregon more just, equitable, and compassionate. Her vision included affordable child care, stronger schools, expanded community infrastructure, and ensuring that every child and family felt seen.
Nguyễn’s journey—from working the counter at a small Louisiana store, to advocating in Portland classrooms and community centers, to shaping policy at the State Capitol—tells a story of perseverance and possibility. She inspired many through her dedication to public service and her belief in the power of community to effect change.
Information about public memorials and ways to honor her life will be announced at a later date. For now, lawmakers, families, and communities across Oregon are pausing to reflect on the life and work of Representative Hòa Nguyễn, whose impact will continue to be felt in classrooms, neighborhoods, and legislative chambers for years to come.