Sara Gelser
Encyclopedia
Sara Gelser is an American
politician from Oregon
. She has represented Corvallis
and Philomath
since 2005. Prior to her service in the legislature, Representative Gelser served on the Corvallis School Board
and worked for the Oregon Department of Human Services. In 2010, Gelser was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Council on Disability, and was confirmed to the position by the US Senate. In 2011, Gelser was named a German Marshall Memorial Fellow. Gelser is a Democrat
.
For the 2009 Oregon legislative session, Gelser was Chair of the House Committee on Education and continued as the Co-Chair of that committee during the 2011 tied chamber. During her legislative tenure she has also served on the following committees: House Select Committee on Education, House Committee on Child Welfare, Human Services, Health Care, Rules, Revenue and the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. She served as Assistant Caucus Leader from 2006–2011, and for the 2011 session served as Deputy Democratic Whip.
Gelser has worked on a variety of education, health, human service and finance issues. Her legislative accomplishments include the creation of statewide standards for modified and extended diplomas, the elevation of strangulation to a felony, strengthening the rape statute, improving child abuse investigations through Karly's Law, the creation of a medically involved children's waiver to allow children to grow up in their family homes rather than nursing homes, an overhaul of the state's response to abuse of the elderly and disabled and legislation prohibiting insurance discrimination against children with disabilities and chronic health care conditions. She played a lead role in the creation of the Oregon Healthy Kids Program, eliminating restrictions for school employees wearing religious dress in school, and granting greater autonomy to Oregon's higher education system.
Gelser was the only female member of the 2007 "5 Under 35" Caucus. With an influx of new Democrats, the 2009 Legislature included ten Democratic caucus members under the age of 36.
Gelser, lives in Corvallis with her husband, Peter, and their four children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. She has represented Corvallis
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
and Philomath
Philomath, Oregon
Philomath is a city in Benton County, Oregon, United States. It was named for Philomath College. The population was 3,838 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
since 2005. Prior to her service in the legislature, Representative Gelser served on the Corvallis School Board
Corvallis School District
The Corvallis School District is a school district serving the city and surrounding area of Corvallis, Oregon, United States. As of 2007, the district had 6,748 students at two high schools, two middle schools, eight elementary schools, and one alternative school...
and worked for the Oregon Department of Human Services. In 2010, Gelser was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Council on Disability, and was confirmed to the position by the US Senate. In 2011, Gelser was named a German Marshall Memorial Fellow. Gelser is a Democrat
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
.
For the 2009 Oregon legislative session, Gelser was Chair of the House Committee on Education and continued as the Co-Chair of that committee during the 2011 tied chamber. During her legislative tenure she has also served on the following committees: House Select Committee on Education, House Committee on Child Welfare, Human Services, Health Care, Rules, Revenue and the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. She served as Assistant Caucus Leader from 2006–2011, and for the 2011 session served as Deputy Democratic Whip.
Gelser has worked on a variety of education, health, human service and finance issues. Her legislative accomplishments include the creation of statewide standards for modified and extended diplomas, the elevation of strangulation to a felony, strengthening the rape statute, improving child abuse investigations through Karly's Law, the creation of a medically involved children's waiver to allow children to grow up in their family homes rather than nursing homes, an overhaul of the state's response to abuse of the elderly and disabled and legislation prohibiting insurance discrimination against children with disabilities and chronic health care conditions. She played a lead role in the creation of the Oregon Healthy Kids Program, eliminating restrictions for school employees wearing religious dress in school, and granting greater autonomy to Oregon's higher education system.
Gelser was the only female member of the 2007 "5 Under 35" Caucus. With an influx of new Democrats, the 2009 Legislature included ten Democratic caucus members under the age of 36.
Gelser, lives in Corvallis with her husband, Peter, and their four children.