At this pivotal time in our nation’s history, we face a great challenge of putting an end to unacceptably high unemployment and getting the American people back to work. And for the future of this country, we face an even greater challenge of getting back on sustainable fiscal footing so that we may preserve the American way for our children and grandchildren.
Millions of Americans are without work and double-digit unemployment persists in Virginia’s 5th District due to uncertainty caused by Washington. And as I travel the 5th District, it is clear that Central and Southside Virginians are not only concerned about the present, but they are also concerned about the more than $16 trillion dollar debt amassed by the federal government that threatens the very future of this great nation.
While the current path we are on is unsustainable, we must not forget that Americans have always prevailed over the challenges we have faced. Just last week, on November 19, we were reminded of President Lincoln’s historic address in Gettysburg at the height of one of our nation’s most important crossroads – the American Civil War. As our nation stood on the brink of collapse in November of 1863, President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on the field where so many soldiers had been laid to rest as they fought to preserve this nation.
During the Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln said, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” And as we think about the challenges we have faced as a nation throughout the generations, and as we remember the sacrifices made by Americans throughout the years in the name of preserving this great nation for those who would come after them, I remain hopeful that we too will step up to the plate to address the challenges that we now face.
As we return to Washington this week, I look forward to working with my colleagues to get our nation back to a fiscally sustainable path and get Central and Southside Virginians back to work. As your representative, I remain committed to returning to our founding principles so we may preserve this great nation for our children and grandchildren.
Robert Hurt represents the Fifth District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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