Newsletter: Happy Thanksgiving 2014

Statement

Dear Friends,

On Thanksgiving, we gather with friends and family and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy -- including the constitutional rights bestowed by our Creator.

Every American has the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, the right to vote and participate in our democracy -- freedoms that are scarce in many parts of the world.

The origin of those liberties runs back to the first Thanksgiving.

In the fall of 1621, Pilgrims who left England to escape religious persecution marked their first harvest after much hardship.

Nearly half of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower had died. But with the help of Native Americans with whom they celebrated that first Thanksgiving, the settlement at Plymouth, Mass., continued.

In time, the Pilgrims prospered and their new-found freedoms inspired others to start new lives in the New World.

For my family, Thanksgiving is about togetherness and gratitude.

My wife comes from a large family -- 11 siblings plus spouses and children. We talk, we share, we play, we pray.

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving comes before we eat. Every person takes a moment to express their gratitude for the blessings they have received during the year. It takes a while, but it's wonderful to hear from everyone -- especially the younger children.

No matter the size of your gathering, on behalf of my family, I'd like to wish you and your family the happiest of Thanksgivings and pray that God will continue to bless the United States of America.

Thank you,

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