Greetings Friends,
I hope you had an enjoyable Juneteenth holiday. As senior VA Senator, Mark Warner, wrote in a message to constituents yesterday, “Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of the need for us to come together as a community and stand united in our dedication to ensuring freedom and fairness for all. … While we celebrate this milestone, we must also confront the ongoing challenges that hinder true equality in our society. Discrimination persists, casting shadows on the path toward progress.” The Senator goes on to state the following. “I will continue advocating for policies that promote social justice and support Black Americans throughout the United States and the Commonwealth. Let us use this opportunity to correct our historical wrongs and continue to make our future better.”
OK! I could not agree more with the Senator. However, actions speak louder than words. Our work continues to pass legislation to redesignate the National Park Service memorial to Robert E. Lee located in Arlington, VA as a National Historic Site interpreting not only the narrative of Lee, but of everyone associated with the site.
Senator Warner is the only member of VA’s democratic Congressional delegation who has not signed on to the legislation as a cosponsor. In my conversation with Senator Warner’s staff, I have been told he supports the legislation. I keep reminding them that support does not equate to being a cosponsor!
I SEEK YOUR HELP TODAY. Help us raise our collective voice to tell the Senator to walk the talk by supporting Senate Joint Resolution 35 (SJ Res 35). His cosponsorship of this legislation, and the other VA Senator, Tim Kaine, who introduced the bill, will go a long way to garnering the attention, support and cosponsorship of other Senators as we work to pass the legislation in this Congress.
How can you help? Take 5 minutes right now to send a message to Senator Warner here to state your support of SJ Res 35 and seek not just his support, but his cosponsorship of the bill.
USE THIS STATEMENT OR CRAFT YOUR OWN:
Senator Warner, I support SJ Res 35 to redesignate the Arlington House as a National Historic Site. I want you to become a cosponsor of the Tim Kaine legislation. In a recent letter to constituents you wrote: "I will continue advocating for policies that promote social justice and support Black Americans throughout the United States and the Commonwealth. Let us use this opportunity to correct our historical wrongs and continue to make our future better." Now is the time Senator to illustrate your leadership on policy that promotes social justice. Cosponsor this legislation. Thank you.
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Your help, your voice can help create the tipping point we need to get closer to, as the Senator puts it, “correcting our historical wrongs and continuing to make our future better.” If you have not done so, sign our online petition seeking the redesignation of Arlington House as a National Historic Site. Add your name and zip code. Tell a friend and family members. Anyone over 18 years of age can sign. As of this morning we have 4,322 signatures. Help us to make this effort go viral.
Together, we can get this done!