November 21, 2007

COMMENTARY

For several years I have presented irrefutable evidence in this column that the first Thanksgiving in this country was held at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia, on December 4, 1619. Additional evidence has come to my attention that further sets the record straight.

Former Governor Gerald Baliles who is currently serving as director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia made the point in a recent column that "a runner-up should not receive top billing." Governor Baliles is a scholarly and serious man. His concern is that the Pilgrims landed in New England "precisely one year and 17 days" after the Thanksgiving celebration was held in Virginia. Yet, the Governor writes, "the Pilgrims – more accurately, their latter-day marketers – would leave you with a different perception. In their telling, the runner-up gets top billing."

Governor Baliles served in the Commonwealth's highest office from 1986-1990, and it is good to see that he continues to be willing to stand up for the state just as he did so effectively as chief executive. He presents evidence beyond that I have used in the past to uphold Virginia's rightful claim. And he adds to the list further findings that support Virginia's position. It seems that when Senator John J. Wicker of Virginia complained to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 about the lack of accuracy of the Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation that year, he received an apology from famed historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., who attributed the "error" to "unconquerable New England bias on the part of the White House staff." The next year President Kennedy's Thanksgiving Proclamation stated that "over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and Massachusetts, far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time for Thanksgiving."

I was at Berkeley Plantation this Monday when even President Bush acknowledged the first Thanksgiving in Virginia as he recounted the story of the Berkeley Thanksgiving in 1619.
There was a great deal to be thankful for in Virginia in 1619. The settlement at Jamestown had survived some very rough twelve years. Women had been brought to the colony in greater numbers that year, and the colonists had met in a representative assembly in the Church at Jamestown that year in what is considered the forerunner of the present-day General Assembly. Likewise, we have so much to be thankful for today.

Join persons of all faiths in our community at an ecumenical Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston, on Wednesday, November 21, at 7:30 p.m. Help the homeless and the needy by contributing to Reston Interfaith at www.restoninterfaith.org. Assist those in need of warm clothing by contributing new or gently used coats, scarves, and gloves to the Winter Coat Drive sponsored by Reston Interfaith and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins at the Supervisor's office at 12000 Bowman Towne Drive on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jane and I wish for you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Constituent Survey – 2008 General Assembly Session

Please take a moment to complete my annual Constituent Survey. Your responses to questions about current issues will help me as I prepare for the 2008 General Assembly Session. Take the survey by clicking on the following link. Thank you in advance for sharing your views.

Click here for Survey

Pre-Session Town Meeting in January

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

View Delegate Plum’s Virginia Report online at http://www.rctv28.com/videosVR.htm.

Tuesday, November 20 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 21 and 28 at 10:30 p.m. – Penny Pompei, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce – "Our Community's Business Voice Sponsors the Black & White Ball"

Announcements

School children nationwide have joined in the call for a Presidential Pardon this Thanksgiving for Ginny the Pig, a hometown favorite from Herndon's Frying Pan Farm Park. Ginny is a purebred Spot gilt that was born in July, 2007. Virginia author Lisa Suhay is hoping to correct Colonial history, raise money to feed the hungry and also convince President George Bush that this year in honor of the Jamestown commemoration and in tandem with the release of her new children's book, "Pardon Me. It's Ham, Not Turkey," he should pardon a pig as well as the Thanksgiving turkey. Visit with Ginny and hear the author read excerpts from the new book on Tuesday, November 20, at 3:00 p.m. at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. Ms Suhay and Ginny will be signing books after the reading. Bring your copy from home or buy one at the event. Proceeds will support farm and educational programs at Frying Pan Farm Park. Ginny asks that you bring a canned food item to this FREE event so the celebrating can go on into Thanksgiving through the Virginia Food Bank. Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center is located at 2739 West Ox Road in Herndon and is home to Kidwell Farm, a working model farm typical of farms found in Fairfax County in the early 20th century. For more information call 703.437.9101.

The Virginia Department of Transportation seeks public comments on an important regulation to ensure that new public streets include mandatory features to 1) provide roadway and pedestrian connectivity, 2) minimize runoff and impervious surface, and 3) include cost recovery measures. The proposed secondary streets acceptance requirements push forward the realization of BikeWalk Virginia's vision for complete streets, which are vital to the safety, encouragement, and future of non-motorized transportation. Send comments on this new regulation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board at SSARComments@vdot.virginia.gov.

More than 18 million Americans have diabetes, and one out of three people who have diabetes are unaware they have it. This serious disease often goes undiagnosed. Visit the following link for symptoms, treatment options, and everyday activities to help control the disease:
www.seniornavigator.org/vaprovider/consumer/snArticle.do?contentld=324

The holiday season brings increased travel on Virginia's highways as millions hit the road for family gatherings, shopping excursions, and celebrations. Unfortunately, mixed among the holiday cheer is mourning for the dozens who die in Virginia highway crashes during peak holiday travel periods. The Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police, and Department of Motor Vehicles are challenging motorists to help prevent highway deaths this holiday season with the question, "Are you Virginia's next traffic fatality?" Please follow these simple reminders to help you and your family stay safe: buckle up – avoid distractions – share the road – drive drug and alcohol free – obey speed limits.

Calendar of Events

A Race for the Kids with American mile record holder Alan Webb, former Reston resident, will be held on Friday, November 23, at 7:30 a.m. prior to the Reston Holiday Parade with proceeds benefiting Neediest Kids. Visit www.neediestkids.org for sponsorship and registration information. There is no entry fee.

Enjoy the 17th Annual Reston Holiday Parade on Friday, November 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the Reston Town Center. This year's parade theme is "'Virginia's 400th Anniversary, Tales of Adventure!" featuring the Jamestown-Yorktown Honor Guard. The parade will make its way around the Town Center amid huge balloons, musical groups, dancers, antique cars, entertainment, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The history and adventure of this year's theme offers a variety of fun and creative ways to involve everyone.

Visits with Santa follow the Parade activities on November 23 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Watch as Santa and Mrs. Claus magically light up Reston Town Center and the holiday tree, then sing along with the Reston Chorale and brass quintet, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Horse Drawn Carriage Rides will be available from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at $5 per person with riders 5 and under free. All proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax.

Enjoy a special presentation of "Captain John Smith: History of McLean & Great Falls," an original history play presented at the McLean Community Center on Friday, November 23 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, November 24 at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m., and a final performance on Sunday, November 25 at 2:00 p.m.

The Dulles Corridor Rail Association will hold its Annual Meeting and Reception along with a Dulles Metrorail Project Update on Monday, November 26, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gannett Corporation, Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Road, Tysons Corner. RSVP to dcra@dullescorridorrail.com or 703.855.5068. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Come to the area's largest Alternative Gift Market on December 1, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. Alternative gifts are donations to local and international charitable organizations that help those most in need. For more information or directions, visit www.uureston.org.

"Lake Anne Heralds the Holidays!" on Saturday, December 1 with a variety of activites. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. enjoy a petting zoo, ornament making for children, performances, and more. Santa will arrive by barge at 12:30. Tree lighting and caroling begins at 6:00 followed by a Holiday Concert at Washington Plaza Baptist Church at 7:00 p.m. All of these wonderful events are free.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

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