Obama praises Intel work in Oregon

HILLSBORO, Ore. — President Barack Obama says Intel’s Oregon operations should be a role model for other companies. Obama spoke today at the company’s manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, a Portland suburb. He interrupted his speech to offer a morale boost for a basketball team coached by his brother-in-law — the struggling Oregon State Beavers. Alluding to the Beavers’ less-than-stellar record, Obama said they “are a very young team. But they’re on the move,” drawing some chuckles. Obama also highlighted the work of an Intel scientist in Oregon who found a solution to a problem that had vexed engineers for months — an eternity in the technology cycle for the computer chip manufacturer. The president came to Oregon to praise Intel’s work to boost education in math and science. Obama was last in Oregon in October, when he campaigned in Portland for Democrat John Kitzhaber’s successful bid for a third term as governor. Intel is Oregon’s largest private employer, with about 15,000 workers. Company officials say they’ve been talking to the administration about their education initiatives since Obama’s transition period.