issued a statement Thursday afternoon that commends

for his efforts to increase attention to homelessness issues, on day 49 of the protester's fast in front of City Hall.

Fish has spoken with Whitten informally throughout the hunger strike and is concerned about his health, said Jim Blackwood, the commissioner's policy director.

Fish, along with other members of City Council, has offered to help Whitten get involved helping Portland's homeless from inside of City Hall or with other groups City Council works with. Whitten has declined those offers so far.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams lent his support to Fish’s statement

, agreeing that the city could use Whitten "in the trenches."

:

"As many of you know, a young man named Cameron Whitten has been staging a hunger strike in front of City Hall for over a month to draw support for people experiencing homelessness in our community.