Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
First In War, First In Peace & First in the Hearts of His Countrymen!
On December 14th, 1799, George Washington, the man described by fellow soldier and Virginian Henry Lee as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen" dies at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.
Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the second son from the second marriage of a colonial plantation owner, Washington rose to eminence on his own merit. His first job at age 17 was as a surveyor in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1752, he joined the British army and served as a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. When the war ended, Washington left the army and returned home to Virginia to manage Mount Vernon, the plantation he had recently inherited upon the death of his older brother. He married a wealthy widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, in 1759. Although the couple had no children, Washington adopted Martha's son and daughter from her previous marriage. While in Virginia, Washington served in the colonial House of Burgesses and, like many of his compatriots, grew increasingly frustrated with colonial rule by the British government. He soon joined his co-revolutionaries in the Continental Congress.
In 1775, the Continental Congress unanimously chose Washington to command the new Continental Army. Part of his success in the Revolutionary War was due to his shrewd use of what was then considered the "ungentlemanly," but effective, tactic of "guerrilla" warfare, in which stealthy "hit-and-run" attacks foiled British armies used to close-formation battle-line warfare. Although Washington led almost as many losing battles as he won, his successes at Trenton, Princeton and Yorktown proved pivotal for the Continental Army and the emerging nation. In 1789, largely because of the leadership he displayed during the war, Washington was elected the first American president under the new U.S Constitution.
Washington's stubbornness and concern for protocol proved his undoing.
On December 12, 1799, he rode out into the freezing sleet to survey business affairs on his estate. He returned home late for a dinner engagement and refused to take the time to change out of his wet clothes. On December 13, he developed a severe respiratory infection and died the following day. His last words were "'Tis well."
The nation plunged into a state of mourning and Washington was eulogized by friends and political foes alike, both at home and abroad. (King George III of England once grudgingly called Washington the "greatest character of the age.") In his will, Washington referred to himself simply as "George Washington, of Mount Vernon, a citizen of the United States."
On a current note, the Missouri Senate and House were called into special session by the Governor pertaining to the location of Boeing Aircraft which is expanding with a new passenger plane. There are four other states in the running besides the state of Missouri. The final proposals had to be submitted by 12/10/13 for a decision to be made by Boeing in January. The Senate proposed the bill provided by information from our Governor and using existing programs available to all businesses as part of the proposal. This is an incentive type proposal, which means if they do not create at least 2,000 new jobs none of the proposal would take effect providing they select Missouri for their home, where they already have a presence building fighter jets. Suppliers for Boeing are spread all across the state and which a new facility would only increase. When I think of this opportunity, I envision a tree with a large trunk and branches protruding out with a fruitful harvest that can benefit all through suppliers creating jobs.
The Senate passed the bill before the body on Wednesday and then came to the House where it overwhelmingly passed. Due to weather issues, a few members were unable to be at the Capitol for the final vote.
Speaking of weather, Southeast Missouri has entered a weekend of weather. I appreciate all the Departments that are working to keep our power on and our roads safe. We know the Bootheel way of helping and checking on others exists twelve months of the year. For this I am thankful to be part of such a great group of family.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
U.N. Arms Treaty Hurts 2nd Amendment Rights
Friday, December 6, 2013
8th Congressional District - Missouri - "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - Second Amendment, The Constitution of United States
When I was sworn into office to represent Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District in the House of Representatives, I took an oath to uphold the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. The federal government should not compromise the ability of decent Americans to own a gun for protection or sport. Recently, Secretary of State John Kerry signed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty on behalf of the Obama Administration. The treaty clearly violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The Arms Trade Treaty threatens our Second Amendment rights by including firearms owned by law-abiding citizens in its jurisdiction. The treaty urges recording keeping of firearm sales and transfers for a minimum of ten years. Data kept on imported firearms is a de-facto registry of law-abiding firearms owners, which is a violation of federal law. Even worse, the Arms Trade Treaty could be construed to require such a registry to be made available to foreign governments.
To make my opposition to the Arms Trade Treaty known, I have joined a bipartisan group of 180 House members in sending a letter to President Obama raising our concerns. This letter makes it absolutely clear to President Obama and his administration that the House of Representatives will not support legislation to give this dangerous treaty the legs it needs to take effect. I will also oppose any efforts by Obama Administration to implement or enforce the Arms Trade Treaty through executive action. The liberty of the American people and the independence of the United States are far too sacred to ever be sacrificed to a dysfunctional global institution like the United Nations.
Since the founding of our country, “the right to keep and bear arms” has been a part of our nation’s fabric. The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty violates the Second Amendment of the Constitution and I will continue speaking out against its implementation. The rights of law-abiding Americans to own firearms must be preserved.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Jefferson City, Missouri - To mark the beginning of the holiday season, the 2013 Missouri Christmas trees will arrive at the Governor’s Mansion on Monday morning (Dec. 2). The outside tree and the tree for the grand staircase are expected to be delivered between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. and will be set up shortly after they arrive. Members of the media are invited to cover the arrival of the trees. The Missouri Governor's Mansion is located at 100 Madison St.
The outside tree is a 30-foot Blue Spruce that was donated by Jose and Floetta Carrera of St. Peters from their yard. The indoor tree, an Eastern White Pine from Tannenbaum Tree Farm in Armstrong, Mo., will be situated near the grand staircase of the Mansion and decorated in classic gold and burgundy. The Tannenbaum Tree Farm is owned by Clell Solomon.
In addition, four eight-foot Eastern White Pines will be delivered later in the day to be decorated in the double parlor and the library on the Mansion’s first floor. Two trees in the double parlor will feature a Victorian theme, and two trees in the library will feature a musical theme. Those trees are coming from Pea Ridge Nursery, near Hermann. The nursery is owned by Leroy Rood.
A tree-lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. Visitors also will have the opportunity to see the indoor Christmas trees during tours given on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. Additional information about those tours will be made available next week.
I meet many folks in my role as Missouri's Republican Party Chairman, who are unsung. They are too little noticed as they toil away keeping the wheels of the party rolling. I do try to say "thanks" as often as I can, though I cannot possibly say it often enough. To a person they are gracious. Their work is not for their own aggrandizement, they are all working away for the cause of liberty.
Republicans believe that our vision of America and government will better serve all Americans. We believe that orderly freedom needs a much smaller footprint than the government we have. Our beliefs, rooted in the Creator, yield our conservative principles: we love life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness BECAUSE we think these will lead to better things for ALL Americans.
Which brings me to Sharon Barnes. If you never met Sharon, you missed out. Sharon was as pretty as she was energetic. Sharon had a smile that lit up a room. She worked tirelessly for Republicans. Sharon was a leader on the St. Louis City Central Committee and the Missouri Federated Republican Women.
Sharon was a doer. The yearly Republican Picnic held in the big gazebo in Carondolet Park in the city of St. Louis was all her doing. It was at this picnic I gave one of my first stump speeches. In addition to organizing picnics, she staffed phone banks, threw parties, and worked the polls. Sharon Barnes was a civic treasure.
The love she held for her husband Geoff and their extended family was a wonderful example for all. There was no better friend than Sharon. Above all she loved the Lord which I know was the wellspring of her ebullient grace and cheer.
Two weeks ago, Sharon Barnes passed away. At her wake, I met her 83 year old mom, a sweet woman who exudes all those qualities you expect from a mother. It is clear who taught Sharon her virtues. Hundreds of people who loved Sharon gathered to pay respect. It was a bittersweet event.
A few weeks before Sharon went to be with the Lord she loved, I brought lunch to her house. Illness had taken a toll on her appearance, but her smile remained undimmed. So too was her spirit undiminished.
We prayed and laughed. (And hatched plans to beat Democrats!)
When I left, we hugged. Tightly. We both held on for a moment longer than usual. I told her we loved her and she said the same. What a privilege to know her. What a gift to have her as a friend and fellow Republican.
Don't forget to hug the ones you love this Thanksgiving. And tell them you love them. I am learning more and more how precious and too short is our time together.
God bless you all and thanks again.
Ed
Chairman, Missouri Republican Party
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
8th Congressional District - The United States is home to some 28 million small businesses. Locally owned businesses help tell the uniquely American story of rural communities in our Eighth Congressional District. Many times these businesses become cornerstones and landmarks in small towns, and are proudly passed down from one generation to the next. They represent what can be achieved when an entire family works together to provide a good or service for their community.
Saturday, November 30th is Small Business Saturday. On this day, shoppers across the country are encouraged to show their support for locally owned small businesses. With the Christmas season fast approaching, Small Business Saturday is a perfect opportunity to buy local gifts for family and friends while supporting the entrepreneurs that are the lifeblood of rural Missouri.
Small businesses truly are the engine for job creation in our nation. Through my own experiences and by talking to small business owners across our District, I also know that nothing kills jobs faster than a Washington regulation. Too often federal agencies impose rules without talking to those who will be forced to live with them. As your representative in Congress, I am working to give small business owners and job creators some relief from onerous regulations. Small businesses are responsible for over half of the jobs created in the United States. At a time when our economy is still weak, Washington bureaucrats should not be implementing burdensome new regulations on America's job creators.
On Small Business Saturday we all have the opportunity to be an advocate for locally-owned small businesses. Entrepreneurial ventures and small business are the backbone of the American economy, not only across Missouri's Eighth District but throughout our entire country. In fact, small businesses are responsible for 57% of the private sector workforce in the United States. I hope you will join me on November 30th, Small Business Saturday, to show support for locally owned businesses and the families who make them run.
Sincerely,
Jason Smith
Member of Congress
