July 10, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

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Voting Rights Need Protection       

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 

The Supreme Court had an historic week recently with major decisions on gay marriage, immigration and voting. I am particularly concerned about the decision that I believe does major damage to the Voting Rights Act.

 

I grew up in a segregated Virginia. Not only were there laws requiring that black and white children go to separate schools, that black and white customers be served at separate lunch counters, and that blacks always sit in the back of the bus, but there were laws designed to keep African Americans from voting. My earliest political involvement was in efforts to break down these barriers. I have always been disappointed that it took federal court decisions and federal laws to overcome these discriminatory practices, rather than the state legislature acknowledging that they were wrong and repealing them. Instead of desegregating the schools as the Supreme Court directed, Virginia political leaders undertook a decade-long campaign of massive resistance that ultimately was unsuccessful.

 

A key part of extending civil rights to all citizens was the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It required states with a history of voting discrimination to have their laws reviewed and approved by the U.S. Justice Department. Virginia was one of those states because voter discrimination was rampant. Under laws passed beginning early in the 20th century by the dominant Democratic Party machine, voters had to complete a voter registration form that was so complex that few blacks were successful but whites--no doubt with some help--were able to complete. The $1.50 poll tax as a requirement to vote kept some people from the polls as did the requirement that the tax be paid three years in a row at least six months before the election. The result of these and other laws led to Virginia having one of the lowest voter participation rates in the country. And Virginia's legislative district lines were drawn to exclude the possibility of a minority getting elected to office and to keep power in the rural areas of the state. Under a Supreme Court decision and the Voting Rights Act, Virginia had to hold elections three years in a row--in 1981, 1982, and 1983--until district lines were drawn to satisfy the federal review of fairness.

 

The Voting Rights Act and other court actions and laws ended much of the discrimination in voting and redistricting. The current Supreme Court seems to think that certain provisions of the Voting Rights Act are no longer needed. I do not agree. Justice Ginsburg said it best in her dissent to the Court's decision, "Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet."

 

Each year I see efforts by the now Republican majority to restrict or discourage minorities from voting under the guise of preventing unidentified voter fraud. I hope you will join me in encouraging the U.S. Congress to pass new provisions to the Voting Rights Act right away to ensure that minority voting rights are protected.

      

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

 

Virginia ReportTune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. Watch these upcoming programs:

 

TONIGHT - Wednesday, July 10 at 10:30 p.m. - Jon Liss, Virginia New Majority, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform"   

    

Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m. - Joanna Simon, Alliance to End Gun Violence - Reston/Herndon 

 

"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.     

 

Bulletin Board      

 

Reston Energy Fair: Smart Energy Solutions for Reston...July 14, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Save energy, save money, and have fun! Get federal tax credits for new appliances, make your own home energy assessment, keep "energy vampires" off your energy bill, learn about new alternative energy devices, make batteries from household items, see solar ovens cook everyday foods, experiment with solar panels, ride the energy cycle, take the Home Electrical Energy Conservation Challenge...win a prize for saving the most energy, see the new Chevy Volt! Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. For more information call 703-476-9689.  

 

Intensive Restoration of Rights Training, Saturday, July 13, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. The Northern Virginia (NOVA) Coalition, along with Advancement Project, will host an intensive training  on the restoration of voting rights process in Virginia. There are new rules surrounding the process of getting your rights restored for nonviolent offenses. This training is intended for those who are interested in learning more about the process, those who will be assisting in any way to help others regain their rights, and those who need to get their rights restored. Also, throughout the day, persons needing assistance with their applications can stop by and receive help. The second half of the day will be a media training to help nonprofit groups effectively promote their work. RSVP to monica.lynette.reid@gmail.com.  

 

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) summer food service program for children, a program established to ensure that students who qualify for free and reduced price meals during the school year continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free meals that meet federal nutrition guidelines will be provided to children at approved sites throughout Fairfax County. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for every child regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals may be provided, pending qualification, in our area at the times listed as follows:

--Aldrin Elementary School: July 15-August 2, noon to 12:30 p.m.

--Dogwood Elementary School: July 15-August 2, 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

--Forest Edge Elementary School, July 1-August 9, 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 to 1:00 p.m.  

--Hughes Elementary School, July 1-August 1, 8:00-9:00 a.m. and 12:50 to 1:50 p.m.

--Hunters Woods Elementary School, July 1-August 9, 8:00-9:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

--Hutchison Elementary School (program I), July 1-August 9, noon to 12:45 p.m.

--Hutchison Elementary School (program II), July 8-August 2, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to noon.

--Lake Anne Elementary School, July 15-August 2, 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. 

--Terraset Elementary School, July 15-August 2, 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.    

For more information, contact the Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800. 

    

Calendar of Events      

 

Tonight: Wednesday, July 10, Countywide Transit Network Study. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is holding its third round public meeting to gather feedback on the proposed High Quality Transit Network concept. Open house at 6:00 p.m.; presentation at 7:00 p.m. Fairfax County Government Center, Conference room 4/5, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.  

 

Energy Efficiency in Your Community workshop, July 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NRECA Conference Center (Ballston Metro Stop) at 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. Learn how citizens, businesses and communities are reducing their footprint in the Northern Virginia region. Come meet some of the people making it happen, and learn ways to get involved. For more information and to register, visit Energy Efficiency Workshop. 

 

4th Annual Ukulele Festival, Saturday, July 13, 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront). The free music festival will feature performances by internationally known and local ukulele musicians, music demonstrations, beer garden, open-to-the-public jam session, festival vendors and other family-friendly activities. Visit www.lakeanneplaza.com for more information. 

  

Reston's First Community Energy Fair will be on Sunday, July 14, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Walker Nature Center. Fair is free, but there will be a small materials fee for some activities. Will include a Green Living workshop on "How to Build a Solar Generator" (requires preregistration and fee). To volunteer or participate, email klpelliott@verizon.net.    


NRA Vigil to mark the 7th month since the Sandy Hook massacre, Sunday, July 14, 2:00 p.m., in front of NRA HQ Building, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. Join in remembrance of the victims and to show your support for commonsense firearm safety laws. 

      

Bullying Prevention 101 Facilitators' Training, Wednesday, July 17, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sign-in opens at 8:30 a.m. Pennino Building, Room 734, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Space is limited. Register at Bullying Prevention 101 - Facilitator Training.   

  

Document Shredding, Saturday, July 20, 8:00 a.m. to noon at Oak Marr Rec Center, 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton.

  

Electric Sunday TV and Computer Recycling, Sunday, July 21, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax.   

 

Reston Community Orchestra Summer Reading Session, Monday, July 22, 7:30-10:00 p.m., at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Sign up and information at www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.    

 

Wednesday, July 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Community Cookout at Hunters Woods Pool, 2501 Reston Parkway. For more information contact Kevin Danaher at kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-390-6166.  

  

Reston Community Orchestra Summer Reading Session, Monday, July 29, 7:30-10:00 p.m., at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Sign up and information at www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.  

   

Monday, August 5, 8:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. The Governor's K-12 Education Reform Summit at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly.  

For more information about the initiative, visit www.allstudents.virginia.gov. Register at http://govk12summit.eventbrite.com/#.      

  

Reston Community Orchestra Summer Reading Session, Monday, August 5, 7:30-10:00 p.m., at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Sign up and information at www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.

 

Tuesday, August 6, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Community Cookout at Lake Newport Pool, 11601 Lake Newport Road. For more information contact Kevin Danaher at kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-390-6166.   

  

On August 11 at 8:00 a.m. the YMCA Fairfax County Reston and Reston Association will be holding the third annual Reston Kid's Triathlon. The event is intended to be a fun opportunity for youngsters to stay active through the summer and learn about the fast growing sport of triathlon. In keeping with the missions of the sponsoring organizations, a number of the participants will be from families who might not be able to afford the entry fee and equipment for the event. Through individual and corporate sponsors their costs will be covered. All net proceeds from this event will be used for the Y and RA youth scholarship programs. For more information, visit www.restonkidstri.org.          

Reston Community Orchestra Summer Reading Session, Monday, August 12, 7:30-10:00 p.m., at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. Sign up and information at www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.

    
In This Issue
Commentary..."Voting Rights Need Protection"
"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News
703-758-9733 * kenplum@aol.com * www.kenplum.com 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
 and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.