Matt Kramer was a veteran Associated Press reporter covering the Capitol beat and the 1967 session of the Oregon Legislature. His astute and timely coverage of the "Beach Bill" that was reported in newspapers around the state kept the issue alive and in front of the people to decide the fate of public access to Oregon's beaches.
At the time, there was a strong movement among legislators who wanted to kill the "Beach Bill" in committee, which would have granted private beach rights and restricted access to self-entitled, wealthy estate owners and corporations. In 1967, Matt Kramer wrote an article, "Beach Bill Revival Sought," which has been historically attributed as one reason why today Oregon has open beaches.
Matt Kramer's work as an investigative reporter is an inspiration to showing us how integrity in journalism has a profound and lasting impact on the world. Today, Oregon’s breathtaking ocean vistas and beaches are open to all.
Patricia Vaccarino
Patricia Vaccarino is an accomplished writer who has written award-winning film scripts, press materials, articles, essays, speeches, web content, marketing collateral, and ten books.