By Attorney General Bob McDonnell
Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday born right here in the Commonwealth.
Just about 20 minutes east of my office in Richmond, on the grounds of what is today Berkeley Plantation, a band of English settlers knelt down on December 4, 1619 and gave thanks for their safe passage to the shores of Virginia. After a treacherous journey across the open seas they had landed in a place of beauty and abundance. They stopped, and gave thanks. Our tradition of Thanksgiving was born.
Tomorrow we pause as a nation to give thanks again. We continue a Virginia tradition begun 389 years ago. There is much to be thankful for. We live in the greatest nation on earth. We are free. We are blessed with unlimited opportunity and a wide range of material comforts the likes of which no people on earth have ever possessed. Truly, to live in Virginia, in the year 2008, is to be blessed like no other people at any time in the history of the world.
However, even in this land of abundance and plenty we know many are suffering. Our economy is struggling, and word of yet more layoffs is a daily feature in our newspapers. Today the front page of The Washington Post tells us that food stamp use is nearing an all-time high. We know that even in the most prosperous of societies there will always be those who need a helping hand. Today, the need for a helping hand is spreading to many families and neighborhoods that never thought this could happen to them.
That is why I ask you, as we pause to give thanks, to consider making a donation to Virginia's Food Banks this holiday season. Last year I asked you to do the same, and so many of you responded to that call. You filled the shelves of Food Banks from Salem to Alexandria to Norfolk. Let's do it again. Please visit the Virginia Foodbank website today. If you have a little extra, I hope you will consider sharing it with those who need a little help. Together, we can make this a better Thanksgiving for all Virginians.
Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Bob
Bob McDonnell
Attorney General of Virginia
Cross-posted at SWAC Girl
A time to give thanks
By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Recently the eyes of the country have been focused on the hotly contested Presidential election and our economic downturn, but it is important to remember that as a nation, we have many reasons to give thanks. Each year, across Virginia and throughout the country, Americans set aside a special day to express gratitude for the many blessings we have received.
In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, November 26th of that year, a day of national Thanksgiving. At the request of the President, Americans assembled in houses of worship to thank God for his many blessings. But there was discord among the colonies and many were opposed to the holiday citing that the hardships the Pilgrims had faced did not warrant a national holiday. Despite President Washington proclaiming another Thanksgiving Day in 1795, the national celebration of this holiday was soon forgotten.
It is thanks to the steadfast efforts of magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale that we now celebrate the holiday we know as Thanksgiving. Ms. Hale wrote, “Would it not be a great advantage, socially, nationally, religiously, to have the day of our American Thanksgiving positively settled? ... it would be more noble, more truly American, to become national in unity when we offer to God our tribute of joy and gratitude for the blessings of the year.”
After a 40 year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale’s efforts came to fruition when President Lincoln proclaimed the last Tuesday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863. He did so as a gesture of unity in the midst of the turmoil of the Civil War. Lincoln believed that it seemed fit and proper that prosperity and freedom were God’s gift and should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by all the American people.
On December 26, 1941, Congress finally affirmed that decree and declared that Thanksgiving Day should be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year.
Thanksgiving has become one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States. For my family, Thanksgiving has always been a time to give thanks to God and to help those who may be less fortunate.
This Thanksgiving Day, I hope that you will have the opportunity to spend time with your family and reach out to those in need around you. I hope that you will give thanks for this wonderful democracy in which we live - the land of the free, and the home of the brave. God bless you all, and from my family to yours - happy Thanksgiving.
Recently the eyes of the country have been focused on the hotly contested Presidential election and our economic downturn, but it is important to remember that as a nation, we have many reasons to give thanks. Each year, across Virginia and throughout the country, Americans set aside a special day to express gratitude for the many blessings we have received.
In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, November 26th of that year, a day of national Thanksgiving. At the request of the President, Americans assembled in houses of worship to thank God for his many blessings. But there was discord among the colonies and many were opposed to the holiday citing that the hardships the Pilgrims had faced did not warrant a national holiday. Despite President Washington proclaiming another Thanksgiving Day in 1795, the national celebration of this holiday was soon forgotten.
It is thanks to the steadfast efforts of magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale that we now celebrate the holiday we know as Thanksgiving. Ms. Hale wrote, “Would it not be a great advantage, socially, nationally, religiously, to have the day of our American Thanksgiving positively settled? ... it would be more noble, more truly American, to become national in unity when we offer to God our tribute of joy and gratitude for the blessings of the year.”
After a 40 year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale’s efforts came to fruition when President Lincoln proclaimed the last Tuesday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863. He did so as a gesture of unity in the midst of the turmoil of the Civil War. Lincoln believed that it seemed fit and proper that prosperity and freedom were God’s gift and should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by all the American people.
On December 26, 1941, Congress finally affirmed that decree and declared that Thanksgiving Day should be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year.
Thanksgiving has become one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States. For my family, Thanksgiving has always been a time to give thanks to God and to help those who may be less fortunate.
This Thanksgiving Day, I hope that you will have the opportunity to spend time with your family and reach out to those in need around you. I hope that you will give thanks for this wonderful democracy in which we live - the land of the free, and the home of the brave. God bless you all, and from my family to yours - happy Thanksgiving.
Michael Reagan attacks Fairness Doctrine
Michael Reagan attacked the Fairness Doctrine Thursday on Fox News Channel's Your World with Neil Cavuto. He also discussed the New Reagan Revolution to bring Conservativism Back, a newly-formed organization to bring conservativism back to leadership in the Republican Party.
In a press release, Michael Reagan said:
In a press release, Michael Reagan said:
"When the Reagan wing is in control, we win. We don't need kingmakers; we need workers, and until we get them we'll stay the minority party. We don't need to keep the toady liberals who call themselves the "leaders" of the Republican Party; we need conservatives to take back the Republican Party, and get rid OF those losers.
"We can fight back. Join us now in the new Reagan Revolution, to bring Conservatism back and stop the Fairness Doctrine.
"We must do this. Really, what choice do we have, except to fight back and win? As President Ronald Reagan, once said, "We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow."
"But you can be sure of one thing: The radical liberals will do everything in their power to shut us down, along with every other conservative voice in America. And they’re already telling the world exactly how they’re going to do it: the "Fairness Doctrine."
"We must take action to stop them now, before they are able to mobilize support for this insidious attempt to silence conservatives.
"We do NOT have to give up. We do NOT have to slink into some dark corner and lick our wounds. This is our moment to shine ... and that's why we are launching ReaganAction.com."
Ken Cuccinelli earns Family Foundation award
Cuccinelli named Family Foundation Legislator of the Year
State Senator Ken Cuccinelli was named "Legislator of the Year" by The Family Foundation at their 2008 Annual Gala this evening.
"It's very humbling to be singled out among all of our dedicated pro-family representatives in Richmond," said Cuccinelli. "But our efforts in Richmond on behalf of Virginia's families couldn't be successful without the hard work of groups like The Family Foundation."
"The traditional values we grew up with are under daily assault by liberals in Washington and Hollywood. We are not immune to the attacks on our culture here in Virginia and need to stand up for faith and families."
State Senator Ken Cuccinelli has been a member of the Virginia Senate since 2002 and a leader on family issues. He was a leader in the campaign for the Marriage Amendment in 2006, and was the tie breaking vote to override Governor Warner's veto of the partial birth abortion ban. Ken and his wife Teiro have five daughters and one son.
State Senator Ken Cuccinelli was named "Legislator of the Year" by The Family Foundation at their 2008 Annual Gala this evening.
"It's very humbling to be singled out among all of our dedicated pro-family representatives in Richmond," said Cuccinelli. "But our efforts in Richmond on behalf of Virginia's families couldn't be successful without the hard work of groups like The Family Foundation."
"The traditional values we grew up with are under daily assault by liberals in Washington and Hollywood. We are not immune to the attacks on our culture here in Virginia and need to stand up for faith and families."
State Senator Ken Cuccinelli has been a member of the Virginia Senate since 2002 and a leader on family issues. He was a leader in the campaign for the Marriage Amendment in 2006, and was the tie breaking vote to override Governor Warner's veto of the partial birth abortion ban. Ken and his wife Teiro have five daughters and one son.
Chris Saxman joins legislative advisory board
Saxman to Serve on Legislative Advisory Subcommittee of Council on Virginia's Future
Delegate Chris Saxman has accepted the invitation of Governor Tim Kaine to serve on the Legislative Advisory Subcommittee of the Council on Virginia's Future. Governor Kaine asked Delegate Saxman to serve on this Subcommittee due to his leadership and work with the bipartisan, bicameral Virginia Cost Cutting Caucus.
The Council on Virginia's Future was established in 2003 by HB2097. Carried by Delegate Michele McQuigg, the bill was strongly supported by the Cost Cutting Caucus. This bill formed the Council on Virginia's Future as a part of plan to establish long-term, results-based planning for Virginia's state government. The measure also required every state agency to develop a strategic plan, as a part of the Government Performance and Results Act.
As a result of this measure, the Council has created Virginia Performs, a performance leadership and accountability system, to track and report state agency performance. To further improve and refine this system, the Governor has established the Legislative Advisory Subcommittee in order to gain more legislative input and insight.
"Delegate McQuigg and the Cost Cutting Caucus worked very hard for several years to establish the Council on Virginia's Future, and to get Virginia to take a longer-term approach to governing and planning," said Delegate Saxman. "I am very proud of our efforts to establish this forward-thinking Council 5 years ago, and I am pleased by the work that has been accomplished by the Council."
"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the Council to continue the effort that has already begun and to continue to work to find ways that government can do a better job serving the people of the Commonwealth," added Delegate Saxman. "The Council on Virginia's Future is an important tool that allows us the chance to look beyond just a two-year state budget cycle, and implement strategic plans to continue to move Virginia in the right direction. I look forward to the chance to help shape those strategic plans."
Cross-posted at SWAC Girl
Delegate Chris Saxman has accepted the invitation of Governor Tim Kaine to serve on the Legislative Advisory Subcommittee of the Council on Virginia's Future. Governor Kaine asked Delegate Saxman to serve on this Subcommittee due to his leadership and work with the bipartisan, bicameral Virginia Cost Cutting Caucus.
The Council on Virginia's Future was established in 2003 by HB2097. Carried by Delegate Michele McQuigg, the bill was strongly supported by the Cost Cutting Caucus. This bill formed the Council on Virginia's Future as a part of plan to establish long-term, results-based planning for Virginia's state government. The measure also required every state agency to develop a strategic plan, as a part of the Government Performance and Results Act.
As a result of this measure, the Council has created Virginia Performs, a performance leadership and accountability system, to track and report state agency performance. To further improve and refine this system, the Governor has established the Legislative Advisory Subcommittee in order to gain more legislative input and insight.
"Delegate McQuigg and the Cost Cutting Caucus worked very hard for several years to establish the Council on Virginia's Future, and to get Virginia to take a longer-term approach to governing and planning," said Delegate Saxman. "I am very proud of our efforts to establish this forward-thinking Council 5 years ago, and I am pleased by the work that has been accomplished by the Council."
"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the Council to continue the effort that has already begun and to continue to work to find ways that government can do a better job serving the people of the Commonwealth," added Delegate Saxman. "The Council on Virginia's Future is an important tool that allows us the chance to look beyond just a two-year state budget cycle, and implement strategic plans to continue to move Virginia in the right direction. I look forward to the chance to help shape those strategic plans."
Cross-posted at SWAC Girl
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