I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
For the past few weeks in recognition of Black History Month, my colleagues at the General Assembly have begun our floor sessions acknowledging individuals who have made an impact in history.
We have learned about Josephine Delores Foster Scott, the first Black president of the Norfolk Teachers Association, and who sadly passed away on Valentine’s Day this year; and Derrick Wood, the Mayor of Dumfries, who serves his community with great passion and pride.
We have learned about Weldon Edwards, the first Black football player in the University of Richmond’s history; and Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win speed skating gold at this year’s Winter Olympics.
And just Friday, President Biden made a historic nomination to the Supreme Court of Judge Ketanji Jackson, who will become our nation’s first Black woman Supreme Court Justice.
As we close out Black History Month, I’ve valued the opportunity to learn from my colleagues about so many great Americans who have shaped our history. Our diversity makes us a stronger Commonwealth and nation, and the foundation for our future progress to equality rests on understanding our history.
Legislative Updates
Many of our legislative measures have been moving forward in the Senate, including two which have passed both chambers and are off to the Governor.
Our bills offering historic recognition to Virginia’s Tamil community with an honorary road naming in Fairfax County and recognizing the service of Virginia law enforcement officers both passed unanimously in the Senate.
Our legislation expanding healthcare access by making it easier for out of state clinicians to be licensed in Virginia passed unanimously out of the Education & Health, and is now being heard by the full Senate.
I believe that home healthcare workers and grocery store workers deserve paid sick leave, which is why I joined with Senator Scott Surovell to serve as co-patron of his proposed Senate Bill 352. This bill has passed through the Senate and now has been referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Energy.
Because I also believe that every individual should have access to higher education, I am serving as House Patron on a bill which would permit members of the Virginia National Guard to apply to the Department of Military Affairs for college grants. Any Guard member who receives a grant, will owe two years of National Guard service. I was glad this bill passed the Senate unanimously, and hope we can get it across the finish line in the House.
You can follow and read more about all of the bills we are working on here. I look forward to keeping you informed on the progress we are making in the coming weeks and hearing your ideas and feedback.
Community Connections
I joined the League of Women Voters at a roundtable, where we discussed eliminating dark money from Virginia elections and democracy. Corporate and dark money carry far too much weight in Virginia, and I’ve been working hard to change that, whether by fighting for disclosure requirements on advertisements or against personal use of campaign funds. I appreciated speaking with dozens of LWV members, and will keep fighting on these issues.
I additionally want to highlight the work our Military and Veterans Caucus does on behalf of Virginia. As a member of this Caucus, I was especially impressed this week with presentations from the Northern Virginia Alliance Military Affairs Council and the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce Defense Affairs Council.
I also held a Town Hall meeting, where I shared legislative updates with constituents and took questions. I appreciated hearing your perspectives on topics ranging from reproductive rights to coastal resiliency. Thank you to all who attended.
Finally, I would like to highlight our administrative assistant Becky. Becky has devoted her career to our Commonwealth. While this is her second Session working as an administrative assistant to the House of Delegates, she previously worked at the Virginia Parole Board, as a public information officer, the training manager for the Victims’ Services Unit, and grant monitor for local victim services programs in prosecutors’ offices across the state at the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. I am grateful for all of her help to ensure that my staff and I have what we need to do our jobs.
COVID-19 Updates
On Friday, the CDC released new guidance recommending optional masking in areas with low and medium levels of COVID-19 transmission, with an emphasis on limiting severe disease, pressure on hospitals, and harm to our most at-risk neighbors. Like many of you, I’m excited at the end of mandatory masking and will continue to follow public health guidance as it evolves. As always, I am grateful to our researchers and public health professionals working hard day-in and day-out to keep our community safe.
Favorites of the 40th
This week’s Favorite of the 40th is Gracing Spaces. Located in the basement of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church Clifton campus, Gracing Spaces is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-4:00 pm. It is run by volunteers with financial support from the church and individual donors.
Working with non-profit organizations to provide the basics of living, Gracing Spaces furnishes apartments for families transitioning out of homeless shelters. Gracing Spaces provides everything needed to furnish a home from furniture, household goods, kitchen items, clothes, beds, and to home décor. Their work touches and improves many lives in our community. In 2021, Gracing Spaces assisted 913 families moving into transitional housing, up from the 681 families they served in 2020.
Gracing Spaces was created 17 years ago by Kathie Baumgart who was inspired to create this organization after transforming a community room in a half-way house for substance-addicted women. This week, my team visited Gracing Spaces, meeting with Ruth Hansen (left), who is honored to continue to co-direct Gracing Spaces after Kathie’s passing in 2021, and Jim, a volunteer (right).
Ruth takes pride in knowing that Gracing Spaces brings hope to many and transforms lives. “By sharing things we have been living with, we give those in need a piece of our lives” as they begin a new chapter on their own.
Jim has been working at Gracing Spaces for over 6 years. For him, Gracing Spaces has not only had an impact on those in need, but it has also had one on him. No matter your skills and aptitude, there is something here for everyone to do. For Jim, seeing an “individual’s life being changed” right in front of you, “makes the work even more meaningful.”
Ruth and Jim’s hope is that one day “we will not be needed,” but in the meantime, if you or someone you know is interested in donating, please check out the list of items Gracing Spaces is in need of here. Donations are stored in the depot until they are relocated to a new home.
Volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering or dropping off a donation, send an email to contact@gracingspaces.com. Gracing Spaces would appreciate it if you contact them before donating, especially for furniture donations, as some items may be too large for the spaces they help furnish.
Gracing Spaces truly is a blessing to so many in our community. Here are just a few of many testimonials that highlight the good work that Gracing Spaces is doing:
- “My clients have been tremendously blessed by the generosity of Gracing Spaces.”
- Gracing Spaces has “brought them so much joy and relief by providing essential items…these gifts represent a new beginning for a lot of our families…they feel renewed knowing others care.”
- “Gracing Spaces is in the ministry of healing.”
As always, thank you for being a part of our community and our work. I hope you and your family stay healthy and well.