Week three saw our General Assembly in full swing and movement on many bills – on Wednesday, eleven of my bills were heard in one day!
First, over 100 residents came out for my two Town Halls in Prince William County. There were many questions about my “hand’s free” legislation, coal ash legislation, increasing teacher salaries, tuition affordability, predatory lending, and other issues. (more…)
Three of my bills have been passed by the Senate and moved on to the House. Mostly importantly, we reached a compromise solution that will require the City of Alexandria to have measures in place to prevent 95% of all raw sewage discharges into the Potomac River by 2025.
Reaching this conclusion was not easy and the City is not happy about it, but water quality is a concern to all Virginia’s regardless of political party. The resolution would not have occurred without the help of City of Alexandria Senator Adam Ebbin and Committee Chairman Richard Stuart who represents the Northern Neck.
From the Senator Scott Surovell:
More information: Nadine Slocum, Chief of Staff
571.249.4484
Bryan Estey, Communication Director
860.371.7474
Several of my bills are moving quickly in the General Assembly’s “short,” 45-day.
First, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee passed my bill to require the city of Alexandria to expedite its cleanup of its primary raw sewage discharges into the Potomac River after consolidating my bill with Committee Chairman Senator Richard Stuart’s bill. Many legislators agree that we cannot tolerate 70 million gallons of untreated sewage pouring into the Potomac River for the next 30 years while the city addresses the rest of what’s called a “combined sewer overflow” system dating from the 1800s. Water quality is a nonpartisan issue. I will continue to expedite this legislation with Senator Stuart and Delegate Dave Albo who is carrying similar legislation in the House of Delegates.
Occoquan VFW Post Inducts Woodbridge Community Veterans
On January 3 at the Post’s General Membership Meeting in the Posts second floor Community Room, Tony Ahnn USMC (Ret), Janette Blea USN (Ret), Joel Blea USN (Ret) , Jim Caputo USAF (Ret), Tom Cox USAF (Ret), JD Gibson USA (Ret), and Kerry Kachejian USA (Ret) took their their membership oath in front of an enthusiastic crowd of members and their spouses.
The inspiring ceremony reflects over 117 years of VFW history, tradition and accomplishment. Post 7916 Commander Chuck Wilson administered the oath of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and then said:
“My comrades: You have been admitted to this great order because you have served our country in the face of hazard and danger. But our country deserves your highest devotion at all times, in peace as well as in war. In this organization you are now privileged to mingle with comrades who have gone to the far lands of the earth when duty called. They, better than anyone else, can understand your language as a veteran.
Henceforth you are privileged to wear this beautiful Cross of Malta which will distinguish you as a member of America’s true knighthood, bound together by ties of comradeship formed through a century of campaigning in foreign lands and waters—the golden age of American chivalry.
Into this great fraternity we now welcome you. Here you will find true comradeship. And so, as you go about your daily duties, I admonish you to cherish the beautiful emblem you are now privileged to wear. Look upon it as an inspiration to noble citizenship. Treasure it as a symbol of all that is best in our national life, resting assured that if you will practice the principles for which it stands comrades will come to you in the hour of need even as you will go to them when duty calls.
We trust that what you have experienced here will not soon pass from your mind, but that its impression will remain with you through a long and prosperous life.
Comrades, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
May you find pleasure in the comradeship of this great order and help perpetuate the hallowed memories of service so dear to all of us. And now, with my best wishes for your future success, I commend you to your new comrades. Comrades, extend to our new comrade a hearty welcome.”
In 1913 the VFW modeled its organization, terminology and ritual on the Grand Army of the Republic—an organization for veterans of all ranks who had served in the American Civil War. The VFW grew rapidly after the WW I with hundreds of thousands eligible veterans returning from the war. Between the two world wars the VFW focused on advocating for benefits for veterans. After the Second World War, millions more veterans were eligible to join the VFW. Membership steadily grew after the war peaking at about 2.5 million in 1993 with over 10,000 posts nationwide. During the turbulent 1960s era, the VFW supported the American involvement in the Vietnam War and condemned the counterculture trends of the era. For the last decade, the VFW has faced declining membership due to the aging of WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam veterans and the reduced enrollment from veterans of South West Asia conflicts. Also reflecting the precipitous reduction in serving U.S. military (.4% of Americans), today there are 1.7 million VFW members and 6,700 posts world wide.
On Saturday, January 7th, Prince William County elected representatives will host a Prince William County 2017 General Assembly Session Public Hearing. Details are as follows:
Prince William County 2017 General Assembly Public Hearing
Saturday, January 7, 2017
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Chamber Room
James J. McCoart Administrative Building
1 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Laci has been missing since December 7, 2016. She is a toy poodle, silver/gray in color with some black highlights. Laci weighs approximately six pounds. I need Laci home with me where she belongs ~ I am devastated without her! There is a large reward for information leading to her SAFE RETURN. Contact 703-407-9710
For nearly 35 years, Keep Prince William Beautiful has served the communities and citizens of Prince William County by inspiring individual responsibility and collective action to keep our beloved neighborhoods clean, green, and vibrant places to live, work, and conduct business. As we begin a new year, our organization renews our commitment to the communities we serve and pledge to inspire greater action in the year ahead.
As another cold winter approaches, the Prince William County Republican Committee and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) collected and donated cold-weather supplies for the homeless in Woodbridge this week. On Wednesday, the Committee donated a dozen large bags of clothes, coats and blankets, as well as six large propane tanks, to Streetlight Ministries, a charity that serves the unsheltered homeless in Prince William County. This end-of-the-year service project concludes the 2016 Prince William County GOP Community Service Initiative that included ten service projects throughout the year.
The Prince William Republican Committee has served the community through projects like this collection for several years. During the last three years, the Committee has engaged in approximately ten service opportunities per year. Service projects have included projects like: a fashion show to benefit the B.A.R.N Transitional Housing charity in Bristow, led by the Bull Run Republican Women’s Club; a back-to-school supply drive for schools with high populations of economically disadvantaged students; and a meal for residents of the ACTS Homeless Shelter in Dumfries, just to name a few. Any Prince William County resident, regardless of political affiliation, can participate in the Republican’s community service activities by contacting the Committee at 703-680-7388.
Delegate Richard L. Anderson (R-51st) and his legislative staff have put the finishing touches on the 51st House District “Future Delegate Program” at the Virginia state capitol in Richmond.
Now in its fifth year, the program brings public, private, and home-schooled students from grades 7 through 12 to Capitol Square in Richmond for a day-long immersion in the legislative processes of the Virginia General Assembly. The Future Delegate Program focuses on the policy process and exposes students and families to legislative life in Richmond. The goal is for students to return home with a greater appreciation for the business of the Virginia House of Delegates, where Del. Anderson has served for seven years since retiring from the US Air Force as a colonel after a 30-year military career. Anderson’s aim is to convince students why they should enter public service as their life’s calling.
