I’m joining the Loudoun Delegation and Lt Gov Justin Fairfax to provide an update on the 20th Circuit Court Vacancy at 3:30 EST.
Don't forget to vote this Saturday; Nov. 17 for Delegate Jennifer B. Boysko for Virginia Senate, from 10:00AM - 4:00PM, at one of these four locations:
Loudoun Location 1 - Leesburg Tolbert Elementary 691 Potomac Station Drive NE Leesburg, VA 20176
Loudoun Location 2 - Sterling Cascades Senior Center 21060 Whitfield Place Sterling, VA 20165
Loudoun Location 3 - Ashburn Rosa Lee Carter Elementary 43330 Loudoun Reserve Dr. Ashburn, VA 20148
Fairfax Location: Herndon Herndon Municipal Center 777 Lynn Street Herndon, VA 20170
Del. Reid and Governor Northam are live today at the UMFS Charterhouse School in Richmond, where Del. Reid grew up during his youth in foster care. A bill signing of HB1219, Del. Reid’s Foster Care Reform Bill will follow the speeches!
Del. Reid Black History Month Speech on Benjamin Banneker
Yesterday, I gave a speech in honor on Black History Month. I chose to speak about Benjamin Banneker, one of America's foremost inventors in the 1700s.
Banneker built a pioneering irrigation system that was widely copied in the Colonies when he was only 15. He invented the first clock built completely in America, which told time for 50 years despite being made solely of wood. He became known for his almanacs, which became must read material for farmers, fishermen, astronomers, and engineers in the colonies.
Banneker’s almanac was the first of its kind by a Black author in America. He invented, wrote, & studied at a time when the intellectual & scientific contributions of Black Americans were ignored. He was a man who defied the constraints of his era, contributed to his Country, and advocated for truths we know now today: that all of us, regardless of circumstance, race, gender, or creed, are a part of the same American family.
This morning I got to bring a little piece of my life in Loudoun here to Richmond with me in the form of Pastor Chris from Arcola United Methodist Church.
Arcola UMC is my place of worship back home, and holds a special place in my heart. I'm appreciative of the opportunity to share the story of Arcola, and of Pastor Chris, who came down to Richmond to give the Invocation as we began work today in the House.
Each of us has a story, and today I stood to share mine. I shared it for the 30 children & teachers from UMFS who I asked to stand alongside me, and for my fellow Delegates whose stories began in adopted or foster care.
I also shared my story for the 5,186 children in foster care in Virginia. Many have been displaced by violence, drugs, alcohol, abuse, or neglect; all things over which they had no control.
Through my story and the stories of my fellow Delegates, these children know that no matter where you start in life, given the right opportunity and a little help along the way, you can achieve anything in Virginia and in our great Country.
I spoke on the floor yesterday for the first time as a Delegate. I say this a lot, but coming from where I've come from, and being here in Richmond every day representing the people of the 32nd in an incredibly humbling experience.
It's even more humbling when Delegate Marcus B. Simon tries to raze me on the house floor!
I spoke about HB1219, which is on its third reading today. This is a bill which gives young people aging out of foster care an opportunity to petition the court to reach out to their birth parents. It is the right thing to do for Virginia's foster children.
Del. Reid speaks to reporters on the importance of Full Day Kindergarten
We all know how important early childhood education is. Here's something most Virginians don't know: three localities still don't offer full day kindergarten for every student. I ran for office to change that, and that's what HB 350 does.
House Bill 350 asks those three localities - Loudoun County, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Chesapeake, Virginia - to provide their reports on how to make 100% full day kindergarten possible, provide the lessons learned, and most importantly, tell us what we can do here at the state to help them be successful.
Del. Reid speaks on caring for our Firefighters
Yesterday, an identical bill (HB1245) to my bill (HB472) ensuring more cancers that our firefighters get are covered by worker's compensation, passed out of subcommittee. Every day that these brave men and women go rushing into a burning building, they expose themselves to the known threats of the fire and the heat. Every day, our firefighters are also being exposed to unseen killers and threats to their health. We took the first step toward ensuring they are cared for.
I'm eternally proud of the work that Loudoun County Professional Firefighters- IAFF Local 3756 on their grassroots organizing that got this bill across the finish line.
Follow along as Del. Reid officially takes his place as the representative for the 32nd district with friends and family at his side!
713
My opponent said missing 713 votes is just "not that big of a deal." I disagree. Don't miss your chance to vote on November 7th!
Why I will fight for gun safety legislation
If you weren't able to join last night's Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America meeting, please take a few minutes to watch me share my perspective on this issue. I hope it provides you with insight into why I support measures to reduce preventable gun violence.
David Reid is a decorated Navy veteran and small business owner who represents Virginia’s 32nd district in the House of Delegates.
