"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" as laid out in the United States Declaration of Independence are just three examples of the "unalienable Rights" with which all people are endowed. They form a moral standard that, as a country, we believe is worth striving for. But what happens at the end of life? Do we have a liberty interest in choosing the timing and manner of our death?
Join Queen’s Bench at the federal courthouse, where Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Bushong and Barbara Coombs Lee—lawyer, physician assistant, and President Emerita of Compassion & Choices—will discuss one of the most difficult decisions of all, Death with Dignity. Our esteemed panelists will discuss their involvement in the drafting and passing of Oregon’s 1994 Death with Dignity Act, as well as the litigation of Lee v. Oregon (1997) (the first challenge to medical aid in dying in the U.S.), and Gonzales v. Oregon (2006) (access to controlled substances for medical aid in dying).
This is part of the Queen's Bench 2020 Luncheon Speaker Series: Difficult Decisions
Each calendar year, the Queen’s Bench luncheons and events focus on a different theme. During 2020, we will explore difficult legal decisions. Everyone is welcome - you need not be a member to attend our events. Please bring photo identification to present to courthouse security.