November 22, 2002

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Oregon Catholic Conference Executive receives award

        Robert J. Castagna, General Counsel and Executive Director for the Oregon
Catholic Conference received an award of appreciation from the Governor's
Commission on Senior Services. The award was presented at the Commission's
annual celebration in Salem on November 20, 2002.

        Mr. Castagna received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University in
1969, and received a law degree from The Catholic University of America in 1975.
From 1975 until 1977 he worked in the Oregon legislature as staff to the Trade and
Economic Development Committee. In 1981 he served as the Legislative Director of
the Oregon Environmental Council. From 1983 to 1984 Castagna was the project
manager of the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee.

        In 1984 Robert became the General Counsel and Executive Director of the
Oregon Catholic Conference, where he continues to serve today. He served as the
President of the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors from 1996
- 1998. He organized the 2001 "Campaign for Fairness" to address the need for state
programs to assist the needy and most vulnerable.

        The award reads: Presented by the Governor's Commission on Senior Services
in Appreciation of your Tireless and Caring Advocacy on Behalf of All Oregonians,
Robert J. Castagna, November 20, 2002.

        In his remarks thanking the Commission for the award, Mr. Castagna read from
the prayer found in Archbishop John G. Vlazny's Thanksgiving card. He expressed his
hope that the community of people of the state will reach out in support of their fellow
Oregonians to strengthen the safety net so that people will not fall through the gaping
holes.

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