Virginia. Remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of america by the senator from james city county, senator norman, the National Anthem performed by larry j. Giddens. Great is your name in all the world. Great is your presence in this land. You were here when native peoples first lived and loved and governed themselves. You were here when the first englishman emigrated to these shores and when they held their First Legislative Assembly 400 years ago. You were here when the first english women chose to come and join the men in establishing settled communities. And when the first African People were brought here in harrowing circumstances against their will. You were with our ancestors, men and women of diverse races and cultures through triumph and adversity, through hope and fear. In the same way that you were with your people then, be with us now while we remember the relationships and legacyies tha have shaped us as americans today. Forgive us the ways that we have hurt and exploited one another. Give us the courage to do the hard work of real reconciliation. And bless our continued efforts for justice, freedom and peace for everyone in this land. Everyone. Everyone, everyone without exception. For you are a god who does wonders, and in your name, we see wonders. May it be so, and may we be partners with you in making it show. Amen. Please remain standing. In these days of sometimes strident and conflicting political views, theres one thing that all americans can remain united on. If you would please join me in pledging the aplellegiance to o flag of the United States of america. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [ applause ] please be seated. If everyone would please be seated. What a perfectly moving way to get our session under way. Earlier today, Governor Northam and others observed this important occasion with a program in the 1907 reconstructed Memorial Church in historic jamestown. Then, just a few moments ago, many of us sat nearby in a more primitive structure recreated to replicate the church in james fort around 1614. The structures and conditions under which the virginia General Assembly first met may have been primitive to our standards, but the dynamic model of democratic government that began here at jamestown 400 years ago on this very day was anything but. For the first time in virginia, free englishmen brought their concerns to a gathering of their peers. The first representative Legislative Assembly in the western hemisphere. And it all began right here in jamestown, virginia, the First Capital. In 1699, the First Capital moved from jamestown to middle plantation, or williamsburg it is known today. Then in 1780, the state capital moved to richmond. Today, the Virginia House of delegates and the senate of virginia continue working to improve both the lives and livelihoods of all virginians and Thomas Jeffersons beautiful capital building. The logo behind us and above us underscores that continuity. In 2007, americas 400th anniversary, we worked to focus national and International Attention on jamestown. Its the First PermanentEnglish Settlement in the new world. And on the convergence of cultures, it would shape our country. Now in this commemorative year of 2019, we have been drawing more heavily from archaeological and cultural research. We have broadened our perspective. The result . A far more diverse, comprehensive and compelling picture of events has emerged. And we are determined to continue that story and bring to light other seminal events. Commemoration 2019, american evolution, spotlights the genesis of american democracy, american slavely, american diversity and opportunity. American survival and american genius. We are resolved to tell the story. Today we are gathered on a momentous occasion for the virginia General Assembly which had been serving the people of virginia on this very day beginning in 1619. We are delighted by the presence of each of you here and those watching. And we are truly honored to be joined at the joint assembly by so many distinguished guests. And if i could, before i recognize some of those distinguished guests, i ask that we pause and remember a great leader of our commonwealth who passed away this week. President Harrison Wilson was a true pioneer in higher education, ably led norfolk state university, one of virginias historically black universities through more than two decades of progress and growth. Please join me in a moment of silence in his memory. We are truly honored to be joined at this joint assembly by so many distinguished guests. Deputy secretary of the interior, kate mcgregor. Ambassador of portugal, counselor of defense, embassy of the uk, edward ferguson, former clerk of the british house of commons, sir david nasler. Our congressional representatives, the honorable jennifer wexton. The honoral elaine loria, honorable robert wittman, former congressional representatives, barbara comstock, virgil goo, robert goodlatte, robert hurt, the honorable thelma drake, the honorable scott taylor. Statewide elected officials, the honorable justin fairfax, the honorable mark herring, the honorable john hager, former Lieutenant Governor. We also want to certainly welcome members of the governors cabinet. Our former governors, the honorable george allen. The honorable gerald l. Balals, the honorable james s. Gilmore, the honorable robert f. Mcdonald. We also want to welcome our members of the supreme court. State legislators, the honorable jordan harris, pennsylvania, the honorable tori hutchinson, illinois. And, of course, our tribal ch f chiefs, chief linnet alston, chief w. Frank adams, indian chief, chief emeritus ken adams, chief steven r. Atkins, chief john lightner. Chief ann richardson. We also want to welcome our local officials and the honorable andrew h. Carr jr. , the chairman of the National Endowment of democracy and james e. Ryan, the president of the university of virginia. On behalf of the entire joint assembly, we are thankful you are all here to be a part of this commemoration with us. [ applause ] the clerk will report a resolution. Commemorative session joint resolution, commemorating the first representative Legislative Assembly in the western hemisphere whereas 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first and oldest continuous representative Legislative Assembly in the western hemisphere, when the General Assembly met july 30th, 1619 at jamestown in virginia. And whereas in 1619, members of the Virginia Company implemented a series of reforms that resulted in the great charter which directed incoming colonial governor George Yeardley to over see the selection of male settlers from each of the major settlement areas who would attend a General Assembly and whereas the members of the General Assembly called burgesses shared power with the governor and a council appointed by the Virginia Company in the first meeting that took place from july 30th to august 4th, 1619. And whereas, at that first meeting of the General Assembly, the burgesses formed several committees to review the great charter, develop just laws for the happy guiding of the people, and address concerns from the major settlement areas to improve the overall management of the colony. In its early years, as well as acting as a legislative body, the General Assembly functioned as a high court of justice whereas charles i of england recognized the General Assembly in 1627 and while the Virginia Company continued to appoint governors and issue instructions, the seeds of selfdetermination and democratic rule had been planted in the fertile soil of virginia. Whereas after the concept of parliamentary government was introduced to virginia, the General Assembly created the house of burgesses in the early 1640s. The result in Bicameral Legislature which included the house of burgesses and the council of state. It is now the oldest continuous law making body in the western hemisphere and has become a model for governments of other english colonies, the United States congress, the other 49 state legislatures and countless local and representative bodies across our country. And whereas american evolution and other organizations are hosting a variety of programs and special events throughout 2019 to commemorate this historic milestone and unique contributions of 1619 formation of the virginia General Assembly to the democratic process and the heritage of the nation. And whereas the story of virginia is the story of america. And the commonwealth continues to influence history with its citizens serving as leaders in their community at hom and throughout the United States and the world. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the house of delegates and senate concurring, they hereby commemorate the 400th anniversary this very day of the establishment of the first representative Legislative Assembly in the western hemisphere and be it resolved further that the clerk of the house, delegates shall enter into the proceedings of the commemorative joint assembly in a special Edition Journal and certify a kaucopy of the same t the clerk of the senate. The delegate from fairfax . Delegate hugo. Speaker, on behalf of the general is sassembly, i those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed no. The resolution is agreed to. Now greetings on behalf of other sister state legislatures throughout the United States. We are honored to have with us the very accomplished Illinois State senator toi hutchinson, president of the National Conference of state legislators, madam president. [ applause ] good afternoon. Distinguished guests, General Assembly and state of virginia, speaker cox, my ncsl family. When the group of 20 burgesses convened here in jamestown on this day in 1619, little did they know that they were establishing a template for selfgovernance that would endure for 400 years. A form of Representative Democracy practiced by billions of people worldwide. What a privilege it is for us to be on these very grounds to mark this monumental moment in political history. To honor that moment in time and celebrate the legacy that their experiment left behind and to affirm the enormous potential that Representative Democracy still provides for our future. Generations have passed since that midsummer day. A day i imagine was probably just as hot and humid as this one. From that humble beginning inn evolved a system of which it is the cornerstone. In 1619 it marks the first time africans were brought to the colonies and laid groundwork in 1662 for the house of burgesses law that created a system where children were either born free or bond. Determined by the status of their mothers which laid the cornerstone for that peculiar institution of slavery itself in these United States. That evolution is breathtaking. From that rudimentary gathering of landowning white men to professional legislative bodies filled with the best and brightest of every race, every creed and every race, every creed and every gender, legislatives serve as the place where ordinary ambassadors can strive to secure the blessings of liberty. Legislatures are where innovation flourishes. Where the voice of the people is expressed in selfgovernance. Im here today as the president of the National Conference of state legislatures, representing over 7,500 american state legislatures and more than 30,000 legislative staff. It is a tremendous honor to be here. It began as an experiment nearly 45 years ago. Our formation was the product of intensive study, debate and compromise. And the members and staff of this organization remain as committed to its founding today as they were then. We were founded on the belief that a powerful cohesive voice representing legislatures is essentially to shaping federal policy. We are founded on the principle that the bonds that United States unit us are strong. And the conviction of Legislature Service is one of democracies worthiest pursuits. Im proud to stand here with you today. Im proud that in 2009 at the age of 36 i was dually elect ed to represent my district in the great state of illinois in a country where my grandparents didnt have a constitutionally protected right to vote until they were 34 and 35. Im proud that as a woman of color, a mother, and an american. Im proud because we as a people fought for and died for, protected and nurtured the nascent idea born in this place so many years ago and have worked tirelessly to ensure the survival and further its success. I am proud because despite the many challenges and set backs this country has faced, american is still a place where our right to selfgovernance is not taken for granted. Where we can challenge our government and debate our principles and the institutions which provide for that right are held dear, and most of all, i am proud because our state legislatures remain places where we come together even in the most divisive of times to find solutions to the problems that plague us and serve the people of the United States. So on behalf of the nearly 7,500 state legislators across this country who understand that our service is our legacy, who understand that legacy as described in the amazing american broadway play hamilton, legacy are the seeds planted in a garden you may never get to see. The institution of the legislature, the article 1 branch of our three coequal branches of government, needs to be protected, for it is as strong and as fragile as democracy itself and absolutely worth fighting for. Thank you. [ applause ] [ applause ] hutchinson, for your strong leadership on behalf of state legislators, lawmakers and staff. Now for the purpose of welcoming todays keynote speaker, we are pleased to have with us a former Capitol Square colleague who presently serves in washington, d. C. , in the United States congress representing americas First District, the honorable robert j. Whitman, the United States house of representatives first Congressional District of virginia. Congressman whitman. [ applause ] thank you, folks, and good morning. And welcome to americas First District and welcome to jamestown, the locust of so much of your history. It was here where a small group of adventurers established the very foundation of this nation, a nation built on democracy and the rule of law. Mr. President , you made all americans proud earlier this summer when you traveled to normandy to recall and honor the sacrifices made there by so many Young American patriots, many from right here in virginia. Your eloquent words touched us all and what you said there has such resonance for our anniversary gathering today that i want to read a passage from your remarks, speaking of the d day heroes, you said, more powerful than the strength of american arms was the strength of american hearts. These men ran through the fires of hell, moved by a force no weapon could destroy. The fierce patriotism of a free, proud, and sovereign people. They battled not for control in domination, but for liberty, democracy, and selfrule. They pressed on for love of home and country, the main streets, the schoolyards, the churches, the neighborhoods, the families in community that gave us men such as these. They were sustained by the confidence that america can do anything because we are a noble nation with a virtuous people, praying to a righteous god. Mr. President , liberty, democracy, and selfrule to which you paid such tribute, the cause for which so many made profound sacrifice traces its roots here to this place. It was here in a little church, in a little fort, in a struggling colony that the light of the liberty was first lit on these american shores. It was here that representatives first gathered to give voice to the will of the people. A government deriving its power from the governed. On this day 400 years ago, governor yardly called for the first representative Legislative Assembly marking th