2003 Purple Papers

"Those who create power make an indispensable contribution to the nation's greatness.

But those who question power make a contribution just as indispensable for they determine whether we use power or power uses us."

John F. Kennedy

FOR YESTERDAY IS BUT A DREAM,
AND TOMORROW IS ONLY A VISION,
BUT TODAY, WELL LIVED
MAKES EVERY YESTERDAY
A DREAM OF HAPPINESS,
AND EVERY TOMORROW
A VISION OF HOPE.
LOOK WELL, THEREFORE, TO THIS DAY.

SANSKRIT

Something to ponder with an already underserved elderly population...
For each $100,000 cut from the budget:

• 27 seniors will lose Homemaker Services or
• 52 Seniors will lose personal care or
• 50 Seniors will lose home delivered meals or
• 48 seniors will lose transportation services

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matter of religion, that that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.

Thomas Jefferson, 1786

TO GIVE AND NOT TO TAKE,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.
TO SERVE AND NOT TO RULE,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.
TO HELP AND NOT TO CRUSH,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.
TO NOURISH AND NOT TO DEVOUR,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.
AND IF NEED BE,
TO DIE AND NOT TO LIVE,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.
IDEALS AND NOT DEALS,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.
CREED AND NOT GREED,
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN.

Paraphrase of Peter Maurin

Something to consider...

• In 2000, 1129 crime guns used in various states and Washington, DC, were traced back to Virginia, making the state a leading source of crime guns in the nation.
  - U.S. Department of Justice and Treasury


• 794 Virginians died from gun violence in 2000-52 of them 18 years old or younger. Virginia's gun death rate is higher than the national average.
  - Centers for Disease Control


• 91% of crime guns recovered in Richmond were originally purchased within Virginia, suggesting the state's weak gun laws aid criminal access to guns.
  - Webster DW, Vernick J., Hepburn L., "Relationship Between Licensing, Registration, and Other Gun Sales Laws and the Source State of Crime Guns," Injury Prevention, September 2001

"TRUE PEACE is not merely the absence of tensions IT IS THE PRESENCE OF JUSTICE."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"INSTEAD OF AN ARISTOCRACY OF WEALTH...[we need] TO MAKE AN OPENING FOR AN ARISTOCRACY OF VIRTUE AND TALENT."

Thomas Jefferson

Currently 98,000 low income children in Virginia are UNINSURED.

One hundred years from now...it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a CHILD.

"...they feed for the love of God the indigent, the orphan and the captive (saying): 'We feed you for the sake of God alone. No reward do we desire from you nor thanks.'"

The Holy Quran, Chapter 76, Verses 8-9

A Post Crossover Thought: "TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED"

FROM A DELEGATE

A Faith-based lens to view the work of the General Assembly..."GIVE THE KING YOUR JUSTICE, O GOD, and your righteousness to the King's son; THAT HE MAY RULE YOUR PEOPLE RIGHTEOUSLY and the poor with justice. HE SHALL DEFEND THE NEEDY AMONG THE PEOPLE; He shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressors."

Psalm 72:1, 2, 4

"If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long and dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

AND WHAT DOES THE LORD
REQUIRE OF YOU, BUT
TO DO JUSTICE
TO LOVE MERCY
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD

Micah 6:8

By this standard:
How well is this General Assembly measuring up?
And is it not a good standard for each individual participant - legislator, aide, secretary, support staff?

WITH TEN DAYS TO GO, Goethe has a suggestion:
"A person should hear a little music, read a little poetry and see a fine picture every day in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

Lillian Hellman

A SENSE OF JUSTICE REQUIRES THAT INNOCENCE ALWAYS BE RELEVANT.

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR YOUR GIFTS AND
THOSE OF YOUR STAFF

RESILIENCE
PERSISTENCE
PRINCIPLE
GOOD HUMOR
LONG HOURS
STUDY
ERRATIC EATING PATTERNS
RESPONSIBILITY
ACCOUNTABILITY
OPENNESS TO OTHERS
HARD WORK
ENERGY
FAITH

AS YOU RETURN HOME,
PEACE, SHALOM, AND SALAAM.