Jeb Bush

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks Tuesday at Bluefield College as part of the school’s lecture series.

Previous speakers in the lecture series include former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Vice President Dan Quayle.

Bush’s address will be broadcast live online; you can listen in at www.bluefield.edu/bushlive.

He’s scheduled to speak at 11 a.m.

Jeb Bush

You may recall that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was scheduled to speak at Bluefield College back in the fall, until weather intervened in the form of Hurricane Sandy.

His talk has now been rescheduled for April 16.

Here’s a release from the college with details: Read more »

Planning to see the Air Force Jazz Ensemble when it plays in the Roanoke Valley on March 17?

Don’t bother now. The event has been cancelled, due to the sequester budget cuts.

We have the full announcement on our Southwest Roanoke County community news site (the band had been scheduled to play at Cave Spring High School.)

Notice that there’s a request to send comments about the cancellation to the Air Force, which I suspect is a public relations ploy to demonstrate public support for the event.

Del. Greg Habeeb

Del. Greg Habeeb, R-Salem, will hold a community meeting March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Roanoke County Administration Building.

We have more details on our Southwest Roanoke County community news site.

Rep. Robert Hurt

Here’s what Rep. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, had to say:

“At this important time in our nation’s history, we are tasked with the duty to leave this country a better and a more prosperous place than was left to us. And while the President discussed many important issues tonight, a harsh economic reality remains. Thousands of hard-working Americans in Virginia’s 5th District are out of work, a more than $16 trillion national debt threatens the future of this great nation, and too many are finding the American Dream to be out of reach.
“The President’s policies have led to bigger government, more debt, less job creation, and fewer Americans doing better than our parents’ generation. Consistent, double-digit unemployment has plagued the 5th District; fewer small businesses have started and more have failed; families have continued to struggle as the cost of living is rising and wages are falling; and hardworking taxpayers across this country are paying the price for the President’s continued resistance to balance the budget.
“The House of Representatives has acted, but we cannot alone restore American prosperity. We must, over the next two years, together adopt policies that will preserve this great nation for our children and grandchildren. Together, we can balance the budget, restore economic stability, empower our small business owners, and ensure that all hardworking Americans have a chance to be part of the American Dream. We can do this, not by government solutions, but as generations before us have, by placing faith in the American people. As we continue our work in the House to ensure that all of those in Virginia’s 5th District and across this country have a chance, I look forward to the President and the Senate joining with us.”

Rep. Morgan Griffith

Here’s what Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, had to say:

“Tonight, the President’s speech included a lot of platitudes and proposals for lots of new programs that cost money. The President cannot pay for these new programs without new taxes on the middle class, or significant spending cuts. President Obama has said he wants neither significant spending cuts or new taxes on the middle class. It will be interesting to see his actual proposals.”

Rep. Bob Goodlatte

Here’s what Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, had to say:

“President Obama’s fifth State of the Union address was more of the same: another politically charged speech filled with empty promises. Four years ago, the president said that the time to take hold of our future is here. However, his first term was characterized by a slow recovery, sluggish job creation, and record budget deficits. The economy has clearly taken the back seat.

“If the president is truly serious about creating a growing economy that creates good, middle-class jobs he must focus on making meaningful spending cuts, submit a balanced budget, remove burdensome regulations on small business, and implement a tax code that works for American families. Actions will speak louder than words.”

Bob Goodlatte. Photo by Sam Dean, The Roanoke Times.

As expected, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, has been named chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Here’s a statement from his office:

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve in this position of leadership,” Goodlatte said. “The House Judiciary Committee will certainly be at the forefront of some of the most significant issues facing Virginia and the Sixth District, including protecting Constitutional freedoms and civil liberties, oversight of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, legal and regulatory reform, innovation, competition and anti-trust laws, terrorism and crime, and immigration reform. It is likely that many of these issues will be the deciding factors in determining the future direction of our nation.”

Congressman Goodlatte has been an active Member of the Judiciary Committee since arriving in Congress, serving in a variety of leadership positions on the Committee including Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet (112th Congress), Vice Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee (111th Congress), Ranking Member of the Task Force on Judicial Impeachment (111th Congress), Ranking Member of the Antitrust Task Force (110th Congress), and Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property (109th Congress).

“Congressman Bob Goodlatte is a conservative leader committed to pro-growth policies that protect American innovation, boost economic growth and create jobs,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. “As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he will play a key role in promoting common sense solutions to help people get back to work, lighten the regulatory and tax burden on small businesses and limit wasteful government spending. I look forward to continue working with my good friend and fellow Virginian and know he will proudly serve the people of Virginia’s Sixth District.”

Earlier this week, a 31 member Republican Steering Committee, primarily composed of Republican House Leadership, interviewed Goodlatte for the chairmanship. Following the interview, the Steering Committee voted and then made their recommendation to the House Republican Conference, which is composed of all Republican Members of the House of Representatives. The Republican Conference later voted to confirm Goodlatte’s chairmanship.

“I’m pleased to learn that our Congressman, Bob Goodlatte, will be serving this district — and the nation — as the next House Judiciary Chairman,” said Virginia State Senator Mark Obenshain. “As a lawyer myself, I know what an important position this is. For it to be filled by our Congressman is an honor to the district and a credit to Congressman Goodlatte. Congressman Goodlatte clearly has the background, knowledge and experience necessary to be an effective leader for this important committee in these challenging times.”

“The Judiciary Committee, which has far-reaching legislative jurisdiction, is one of the most active committees in Congress,” said Goodlatte. “Under my leadership, the House Judiciary Committee will play an active role in advancing a pro-growth agenda that will help to create jobs and restore economic prosperity to America.”

Goodlatte continued, “It is truly an honor to serve Virginia and our nation in this new capacity. While there is much to do, the outlook for a stronger, more competitive America is promising and I look forward to continuing to work toward these goals as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the coming Congress.”

Goodlatte becomes the first House Judiciary Committee Chairman from Virginia in the last 125 years. The last Virginian to serve as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee was John Tucker, who was Chairman from 1883 to 1887. Goodlatte becomes only the fourth Virginian to serve as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee since the Committee’s creation in 1813 and he is the first Republican from Virginia to hold this position.

“With Bob’s familiarity with the federal judicial system and his attention to principles and details, I can think of no one better suited to lead the House Judiciary Committee,” said Donald W. Huffman, founding partner of Huffman & Nixon, P.C. located in Roanoke.

In addition to being elected Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Goodlatte currently serves as a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. Goodlatte is also the Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus, Chairman of the House Republican Technology Working Group and Chairman of the Congressional Civil Justice Caucus.

Chief Carl Custalow presents Governor McDonnell with a deer as tax tribute, killed Monday | Courtesy of Kathy Scott

It’s late November, which means it’s time for the annual tax tribute from the Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes at the Virginia governor’s mansion.

After Bacon’s Rebellion, the British Crown concluded a peace treaty with the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Indian tribes in 1677. In it, the British reserved certain lands for the tribes, “confirming to them their just Rights.” In return, the Indians and their posterity were to pay the royal governor a token every year in lieu of taxes.

In the tribute ceremony, tribal members honor their ancestors who negotiated the Treaty of Middle Plantation to preserve Virginia Indian lands and the rich heritage they enjoy to this day. The ceremony is the oldest continuing nation-to-nation ceremony in the United States.

So today, Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen McDonnell welcomed Chief Carl Custalow of the Mattaponi Tribe, Chief Kevin Brown of the Pamunkey Tribe, and other tribal members to the Governor’s Mansion to observe the 335th tax tribute ceremony.

Chief Carl Custalow presented them with a piece of pottery decorated with fish and turtles, a beaded feathered medicine bag and an eight point buck deer. Chief Kevin Brown presented them with a drum made by a Pamunkey artisan, a beaded barrette, and a deer. Drumming and dancing followed the presentation of gifts, led by Assistant Chief Mark Custalow.

Governor McDonnell also announced that as soon as next year, there will be a new monument on Capitol grounds – a tribute to Virginia Indians. The Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission recently voted on a design submitted by a Canadian Indian artist and fundraising has begun for the new monument here on the capitol grounds.

Find more photos of this year’s ceremony, plus a throwback photo to the 1928 ceremony with then-Gov. Harry Byrd, below the fold.

We wrote about last year’s tribute as well.

Read more »

President Obama pardons the Thanksgiving turkey in 2009.

OK, that “resident” is a turkey.

The fowl that the president traditionally “pardons” in a Thanksgiving ceremony hails this year from Rockingham County. (And note there’s an an alternate — an understudy turkey?)

Here’s a release from the White House:

On Wednesday, November 21, President Obama will pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey in a ceremony in the Rose Garden. The President will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, reflect upon the time-honored traditions of Thanksgiving, and wish American families a warm, safe, and healthy holiday. The 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate were raised on the farm of Craig and Nancy Miller in Rockingham County, Virginia.

After the pardoning, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will be driven to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. The National Thanksgiving Turkey will be on display for visitors during “Christmas at Mount Vernon,” a special program through January 6th. After the holidays, the turkeys will live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon’s nationally recognized livestock facility.