Patrick Henry Award from Bill Bolling

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling has the "Patrick Henry Award" that he bestows to folks around the Commonwealth.

Yesterday, at the SWAC-GOP Breakfast, I was very surprised and honored when the Lt. Governor presented the Patrick Henry Award to me.

Growing up in Chesterfield County, I learned Virginia history and, along with my fourth-grade class, memorized Patrick Henry's stirring "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech and visited St. John's Church in Richmond. He was one of the Revolutionary War figures, one of the Founding Fathers, and the first Governor of Virginia. He was also from Hanover County, home of Bill Bolling. What struck me about the award was that it was presented almost exactly 232 years to the day after the Virginia Convention Speech excerpt that is quoted on it.

So I take this opportunity to thank the Lieutenant Governor. My Republican volunteer work is because I truly believe in the values of our Party. To be recognized for that work in the same sentence with the name "Patrick Henry" is humbling.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

Whereas the distinguished and deserving citizen:

Lynn Mitchell

Has demonstrated the same unwavering commitment
to justice and good government that was embodied
by the great revolutionary statesman and first
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia,
Patrick Henry.

I do on this day, the Tenth of March
in the year of our Lord, TWO-THOUSAND and SEVEN,

Hereby confer upon her the

PATRICK HENRY AWARD

For Steadfast Devotion To The Just And
Sound Government Of Our Commonwealth

(signed) Bill Bolling
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the
lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future
but by the past."
--Patrick Henry Speech in Virginia Convention
Richmond (March 23, 1775)