Dear friends, We got great news this week when President Trump issued an executive order that begins the process of restoring the art and monuments that were wrongly altered and destroyed during violence of 2020 and the subsequent Biden administration. Our organization has mobilized to speak out against these destructive tactics by leftist Marxists who want to collapse the cultural pillars of our society and push our country towards their historical misery and inevitable failure. I am thankful we have leaders now who will take action before more damage is done and will try to right these wrongs. We have so many programs upcoming at the Virginia Council which will entertain and enlighten and hopefully inspire more people to join our cause. I hope to see you at next Saturday’s Un-Cancelling History and Heroes lecture on the great explorer Christopher Columbus. Our speakers will explore why Columbus has been revered for centuries and why modern leftists are determined to lie and gang up to destroy his reputation. Buy tickets here. That same afternoon we will gather for a great bit of Americana as the baseball season opens in Richmond. Be sure to join us with your family! Buy tickets here! And finally, I am so excited to welcome former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder to the Virginia Forum on Tuesday, April 15th. Governor Wilder is one of the most interesting and influential men of his time and this will be a remarkable moment to hear him reminisce about Virginia’s past and talk about our future! Get tickets here! We are also forming groups of volunteers to help manage these wonderful educational events and to help us expand our programs in the second half of 2025. If you’d like to help… please let us know your skill set here! I’ll be excited to see you at one of our upcoming events soon! Keep the faith and keep speaking up! Sincerely,   Get your tickets today for our next event! Governor Doug Wilder April 15, 2025 7pm at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center  “THE VIRGINIA WAY: USING HISTORY TO SHAPE A BETTER FUTURE” PURCHASE TICKETS HERE Since Doug Wilder’s tenure as governor, Virginia’s political landscape has transformed into a battleground of competing interests. His leadership marked the end of an era defined by civility and fiscal responsibility. How can we restore those principles today? Governor Wilder will offer his insights on reclaiming that legacy. L. Douglas Wilder’s distinguished public service career spans more than 70 years. In 1990, he made history as the first African American elected governor in the United States, serving as Virginia’s 66th governor until 1994. Renowned for his strong fiscal stewardship, he successfully balanced the state budget during challenging economic times. Under his administration, Financial World magazine recognized Virginia as the nation’s best-managed state for two consecutive years. Today, Governor Wilder is a Distinguished Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs where he lectures and hosts symposia, including “Race in Academia,” “The Triple Pandemic,” and "Racism, Health, and Accountability," and most recently "HBCUs and the Absence of Support." He is also the author of "Son of Virginia: A Life in America’s Political Arena," published by Lyons Pres General Admission and VIP tickets are available here. Virginia Election Updates: In WTOP exclusive, candidates in Va. governor’s race sound off on federal cuts - WTOP News By Nick Iannelli Commentary: Bridging Virginia’s Honesty Gap: A Call for Educational Integrity and Excellence By Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears Thousands of tax rebate checks sent out with incorrect names By Michael Phillips Military veterans launch Democratic runs for Va. House in GOP strongholds • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Richmond sheriff settles federal lawsuit over 2023 jail death By Dean Mirshahi Richmond is paying tens of millions for overtime every year. That’s raising some eyebrows. By Sarah Vogelsong A Night at The Diamond 5pm Saturday, April 5  Join your friends from The Virginia Council and bring your family for opening weekend at The Diamond! Tickets include a 90-min private buffet at The Cantina (hamburgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, sodas, water, and light snacks; beer and wine available for purchase), followed by The Akron Rubberducks vs. The Flying Squirrels! $32 per person, all ages. Seats are limited, so book early! IMPORTANT: Ticket holders will check in at the Group Check-In stand The Diamond is a cashless facility The Diamond has a clear bag policy https://www.milb.com/richmond/ballpark/bag-policy No refunds Click Here to Purchase Tickets Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: Here's the status of key bills that the governor signed, vetoed or amended - Cardinal News By Cardinal Staff Governor amends Virginia's budget bill to increase rainy-day reserves over changes in Washington | AP News By Olivia Diaz Youngkin budget proposal funds raises, health and safety; cuts wages and health programs | Just The News By Shirleen Guerra Youngkin tweaks state budget with eye on federal cuts, but embraces key spending • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Virginia Gov. Youngkin threatens to withhold state funding from alleged 'sanctuary cities' | FOX 5 DC By Tom Fitzgerald Governor Youngkin proposes state funding for survivors of February floods | WVTF By Roxy Todd Repairs to section of U.S. 58 destroyed by Hurricane Helene are expected to be completed 6 months ahead of schedule - Cardinal News By Susan Cameron After years of unsuccessful attempts, Virginia closes campaign spending loophole | WVTF By Brad Kutner Youngkin signs several maternal health bills, tweaks another on unconscious bias training • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods Statement from The Jefferson Council on the Removal of Bert Ellis from the UVA Board of Visitors — The Jefferson Council Youngkin fires Bert Ellis from UVa board By Dmitry Martirosov March- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces His Intention to Appoint Ken Cuccinelli to the UVA Board of Visitors | Governor.Virginia.gov Virginia Tech will dissolve its DEI office. Some students fear doing so will increase discrimination on campus. - Cardinal News By Lisa Rowan Youngkin wants to extend flood relief to cover February's storm and add funding for VMI center to state budget - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer Youngkin adds religious exception to contraception bill | News | cbs19news.com By Sarah Allen Elon Musk and Gov. Youngkin target Fairfax County over education on gender identity | FFXnow By Vernon Miles Youngkin signs blighted property bill into law following Virginia Intermont College fire | WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather By Murray Lee Youngkin signs bipartisan law banning synthetic dyes in school meals • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Youngkin signs overdose bill, Va. lawmaker says it looks like LCPS avoiding accountability By Nick Minock Vetoes by Year: 2025 By VPAP.ORG  The Virginia Council presents Un-Cancelling History and Heroes Symposium  RESERVE TICKETS HERE Tickets per event: $30 and includes: 10:30am Welcome coffee & presentations 12:30-1:30pm Lunch with speaker 1:30-2:30pm Additional presentation and discussion Hanover Tavern 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd Hanover, Va 23069  Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Truth and Sanity to American History – The White House The Order also directs the Secretary of the Interior restore Federal parks, monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties that have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history or improperly minimize or disparage certain historical figures or events. Articles, News, & Quotes: Trump Orders Return Of Removed Monuments Dismantled During Biden Era | The Daily Caller By Thomas English Trump Issues Order to Eliminate ‘Improper, Divisive’ Ideology at Smithsonian Museums | The Epoch Times By Aldgra Fredly Top MS-13 leader arrested in Dale City, Virginia after months of surveillance, FBI says By Jessica James & 7News Staff Youngkin demands Virginia counties work with ICE or lose funding- Washington Examiner By Ross O'Keefe (1) Virginians 4 Safe Communities on X: "BREAKING: Top MS-13 Leader Arrested by FBI / ICE Should NOT have Been Free but… In 2024, Sanctuary City Officials in Virginia *FREED* MS-13 Leader Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos— after arrest for no drivers license / insurance & prior drug conviction (2019) — known to be illegal https://t.co/PY0A3braip" / X I’ve Got Your Back… | Bacon's Rebellion - By James A. Bacon Long-awaited report on 2022 UVA shooting determines the university waited too long to alert students By Anastasiia Carrier University releases two independent reports on Nov. 13 shooting - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Cecelia Mould & Naima Sawaya Attorney for victims' families reacts to redacted UVA shooting report By Amaya Mitchell Youngkin, Democratic leadership still at odds over immigration enforcement | WVTF By Michael Pope 9 things to know about the federal Department of Education and Virginia K-12 schools - Cardinal News By Lisa Rowan Government expert Bill Leighty says VCU’s Wilder School fired him after dispute over ‘gotcha’ question for Richmond mayor By Graham Moomaw Leighty was fired by VCU - by Brandon Jarvis State landmarks register gets 9 new additions - Cardinal News By Cardinal Staff Indoor farming startup Plenty files for bankruptcy amid multiple lawsuits in Chesterfield - Richmond BizSense By Jack Jacobs Richmond's chief judge says security gaps at courthouse need urgent attention By Tyler Layne Downtown Richmond tower to bring condos, hotel, market and skydeck - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer Va. leaders not happy with Dominion Energy's plan to cut trees on historic 45 mile trail By Scott Taylor Construction of Virginia's tallest building slated for April - Virginia Business By Josh Janney Dollar Tree will sell Family Dollar; both will remain headquartered in Chesapeake By Ryan Murphy National Park Service studying potential Heritage Area centered around the Great Dismal Swamp By Katherine Hafner Give Me Liberty | Virginia Museum of History & Culture Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Give Me Liberty highlights Virginia’s leading role in the American Revolution. It explores the continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and ordinary people that brought about a model of democratic government that changed the world. Celebrating Virginia’s Legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily By Zamone Perez Oak Hill State Park Hopes Stay Alive After Youngkin Includes Funding in Budget | News | loudounnow.com By Hanna Pampaloni The private owners of James Monroe’s Oak Hill estate want to preserve it as a state park in Virginia | AP News By Olivia Diaz  Interviews & Videos of Interest Youngkin dodges anti-DOGE protesters outside Virginia church | Fox News By Deirdre Heavey Youngkin greeted by protestors at recreation of Patrick Henry’s famous speech | WVTF By Brad Kutner Republican Primary 2025 - John Reid Buddy Bishop, of the Virginia Tea Party, interviews Lt. Governor candidate John Reid. VA secretary disputes staffing claims at new clinic By Brett Hall Ken Burns gives sneak peek of new documentary on American Revolution: 'No story more important . . . than this one' - Cardinal News By Brandy Centolanza (1) C'villeBubble on X: "Patrick Henry wanders amongst the sign-holders, including one with a swastika https://t.co/5KZ6vZmK9U" / X Shifting Populations: Why Northern Virginia is Shrinking While the South Grows | Podcast Episode on RSS.com By Dutchie Jessee With rural opposition to solar growing, Sen. VanValkenburg worries about how Virginia will meet its renewable energy goals - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Ken Burns reflects on his FOMO after watching Patrick Henry speech reenactment By Andy Thompson What dismantling the Education Department means for student loans in Virginia - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer & Sareen Habeshian Evan Feinman, who led the nation's broadband expansion for 4 years, talks about how it helped Virginia, and why he's worried about future growth - Cardinal News By Tad Dickens Sunday Story: Bygone Days, Delivered - richmondmagazine.com  The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty (1) American Revolution Resurrected on X: "“Give me liberty, or give me death!” These immortal words were spoken by none other than Patrick Henry, one of the most fiery and influential voices of the American Revolution. But there’s far more to Henry than just one speech. Let’s dive in. 🧵🇺🇸 #AmRev https://t.co/rxabGccMqE" / X Youngkin signs bill giving wrongfully incarcerated Richmond man at least $2.7 million | WRIC ABC 8News By Ryan Nadeau 78. Is Digitalization Threatening our Medical Freedom? | Valerie Borak and Dr. Sheila Furey Give Me Liberty | Virginia Museum of History & Culture Events Children's Home Society of Virginia Let Love Grow: Celebration & Annual Fundraiser, Sunday, April 27, 2025, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden The Virginia Council has been blessed with unwavering support from the community since its founding a few years ago. And we decided to add some new ways to thank you for your ongoing assistance in our efforts to educate and inform Virginians. "Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting. Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin. Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access. President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice. We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives. We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year. To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here. To volunteer, click here. The Executive Board of the Virginia Council If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below). Contact us HERE for more details.  The Virginia Council Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. P. O. Box 5 Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
