Thanksgiving Day (2006)

Thanksgiving Day 2006

WHEREAS,  a permanent English speaking settlement was established in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia as Captain John Smith led a group of settlers across the Atlantic on a voyage that would entail much adversity and hardship over the coming years, including disease and starvation; and

WHEREAS,  despite the tremendous adversity faced by the settlers, they found time to celebrate the first American Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation on December 4, 1619 in order to show their appreciation for the colony’s successes and to acknowledge and give thanks for their own gifts and blessings; and

WHEREAS,  while reflecting upon the actions taken by the colonists at the first Thanksgiving, we must also honor the Indian peoples, for without their presence, the survival of the colonists would have been ever more difficult; and
  
WHEREAS,  throughout the history of our great country, our leaders and citizens have recognized a day of Thanksgiving since our first president, George Washington, proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1789, stating, “it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor”; and
  
WHEREAS,  Thanksgiving Day provides an opportunity for all Virginians and all Americans to gather with family and friends in a spirit of goodwill in order to reaffirm our commitment to friendship and patriotism; and  

WHEREAS,   as we look forward to the many opportunities that await us during the holiday season, I encourage all Virginians to give thanks to our Creator for our unique blessings, including the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as well as the unwavering strength of our families, communities, and Creator;
             
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize November 23, 2006, as THANKSGIVING DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.