July 4, 2007

COMMENTARY

        On an elementary school field trip which was my first trip to Washington, D.C., I purchased as a souvenir an authentic-looking parchment reproduction of the Declaration of Independence. My Mother gave me an old picture frame that was almost big enough to hold my new treasure. I painted the frame silver with some model airplane paint. I folded down the edges of the Declaration and put it in the frame that did not have any glass in it. My framed Declaration of Independence hung in my bedroom until I left home, and it is still in my possession.

        I am not sure of my level of understanding of the importance of the Declaration of Independence when I bought my very own copy as a youngster; but as an adult, a student of history, and legislator I appreciate the Declaration as a great piece of literature and as an historic document we should review periodically to refresh our minds as to its meaning.

       "When in the course of human events," Jefferson wrote so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence, "it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." He then listed 29 acts by the King and Parliament that justified "that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states."

        In his most quoted line Jefferson wrote, "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The history of our country has been one of expanding those rights to all persons without regard to sex, race, religion or national origin. In fact, Mr. Jefferson says that the reason governments are instituted is "to secure these rights."

        "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends" to secure these basic rights, Mr. Jefferson says "it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it." The assertion of those rights from the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, was the Revolutionary War. But we know from Jefferson's later writings that he felt government could be abolished at the ballot box any time in a "bloodless revolution."

        Just as people centuries ago had to assert their rights, we should be willing to do the same today. That's what that document on my bedroom wall taught me a long time ago. Happy Fourth of July! We have many reasons to celebrate!

Delegate Ken Plum's Weekly "Virginia Report"
on Reston Comcast Channel 28

Tonight -  Wednesday, July 4 at 10:30 p.m. - Patricia Nicoson, President, Dulles Corridor Rail Association - "Keeping Metro Moving to Dulles"

Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 11 at 10:30 p.m. - Patricia Donnelly, Executive Director, Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, and Fred Korli, adult student - "Changing Lives Through Literacy"

Announcements

Fairfax County has 400 years of fascinating characters, stories, pictures and history – some of which are now published in a new book, Fairfax Stories 1607-2007. Just in time for summer reading, the $10 soft-cover book offers everything from spies to ghosts to politics. It can be bought in-person or by phone through the County's Maps and Publications Center, Suite 156, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 703.324.2974, TTY 711. Shipping and handling will be charged for books delivered by mail.

All Fairfax County's residential and non-residential properties (including schools, businesses, and institutions) will be required to recycle mixed paper and cardboard beginning July 10. More information is available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/recycling.

Measure how much CO2 you produce each year at www.climatecrisis.net. Measure your ecological footprint at www.earthday.net.

For information on the Parent Education Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) which serves as a parent training, advocacy, and resource and information center for families of children with disabilities, visit www.peatc.org.

Go to www.fxva.com to explore the five new Magical History Tours that range from exciting adventures that can only be found in the Fairfax County/Capital Region and experiencing some of the Civil War's most important sites to learning about African American Heritage in the Region and exploring all the best on one tank of gas!

Calendar of Events

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival: The Roots of Virginia Culture will be held on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., June 27-July 1 and July 4-8. The Roots of Virginia Culture brings to Washington approximately 300 performers, artists, musicians, dancers, storytellers, cooks, farmers, and craftspeople to explain, demonstrate, and celebrate cultural traditions from native Virginia, southeastern England, and West Africa.

Bring your family and friends to Reston's 43rd Birthday Celebration. This year's Reston Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8, at the Reston Town Center. Hours are Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visit www.restonfestival.com or call 703.435.7989 - volunteers and sponsors are welcome.

The Springfield Exchange will host a panel of experts to share their knowledge and experiences on bullying prevention and intervention strategies on July 12 at noon at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keane Mill Road, Springfield. The event is free and open to the community. Residents are encouraged to bring brown bag lunches; coffee and tea will be complimentary. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the presentation runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. RSVP's are not required. Residents can park in the rear or on either side of the church and proceed to the Fellowship Hall. For more information call Paulette Whiteside at 703.324.5285, TTY 703.803.7914 or email Paulette.Whiteside@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Attend RCA's upcoming "resTOWN" Workshops at the Reston Regional Library on Saturday, July 14, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Saturday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information go to http://go-resTOWN.org; call 703.786.3672, or email RCABoard @comcast.net.

The next Green Breakfast will be held on Saturday, July 14, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the Old Country Buffet, Fair City Mall, Route 236 (Main Street) and Pickett Road in Fairfax City next to the Cinema Arts Theatre.  The program will be "Land Conservation - A Win-Win Program."  Whit Field, Vice President and General Counsel, Northern VA Conservation Trust and Kay Rutledge, Manager, Land Acquisition and Management Branch of the Fairfax County Park Authority will speak.  Cost is approximately $9.00 paid to the cashier as you arrive.  Ask for the senior discount if applicable.  No reservations are necessary.

A program on global warming will feature Jenet Dechary presenting "The Climate Crisis: A Primer for Action" on Tuesday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Reston Lake Anne Community Center Gallery Room in Lake Anne Village Center. The event is free. Jenet is one of a thousand climate crisis presenters trained personally by Al Gore to educate citizens on global warming. This event is presented in conjunction with a brief mothly meeting of the Hunter Mill District Democratic Committee. To rsvp or for information contact haleyr@sprintmail.com or call Bob Haley at 703.716.2339.

Fairfax County will host a Business Preparedness Summit on Friday, July 20, for small and large business owners and operators in Fairfax County.  The summit will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway.  On-site check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. with the opening session at 8:30 a.m.  and ending at 12:30 p.m.  A series of workshops will highlight the Summit.  Space is limited, and those interested in attending are encouraged to register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.bizprep.htm.  For more information call the Fairfax County OFfice of Public Affairs at 703.324.3187, TTY 711.

The 4th Annual Asian Festival will be held on Saturday, July 21, at Lake Newport Square, 11452 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The Asian Festival is a one-day event designed to promote a greater understanding of the Asian culture from Thailand, China, India, Philippines, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.  Each participating country will showcase its unique music, cultural performances, food, pageants, fashion, and other products and entertainment.  Visit www.asianfestivaldc.com for information about off-site parking at Reston Association, free shuttle service, and the schedule of events.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

Delegate Kenneth R. Plum | 2073 Cobblestone Lane | Reston | VA | 20191