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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia E-News
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Conferring with the late Speaker of the House of Delegates Thomas W. Moss, Jr. and former Majority Leader Delegate Alan Diamonstein in about 2000.
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Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Last week I made a journey to Norfolk, Virginia, to say a final goodbye to a former colleague in the House of Delegates, Thomas W. Moss, Jr., who passed away. He was more than just a member, however; he was Speaker of the House from 1991 to 2000. His service in the House from 1966 to 2002 spanned a passing of an era in Virginia's history, and he was an important transition figure.
Speaker Moss was first elected to the House of Delegates as an anti-establishment Democrat. His campaign slogan, "Get Norfolk Out of the Byrd Cage," reflected the fact that while a Democratic-controlled political machine dominated the state since Reconstruction it was not good for urban areas like Norfolk. That machine was headed from the 1930s by Governor and then Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr., a tight-fisted conservative who called himself a Democrat but could more appropriately be labeled a Dixiecrat as many white Southerners were known. Byrd vehemently opposed racial desegregation of Virginia's schools, and his opposition to government spending kept Virginia a backward state for decades. Mr. Moss was a national Democrat and succeeded in getting himself elected to the House of Delegates where he was in the minority among the more conservative members. Changes in Virginia's political alignment came about because of the work of leaders like Moss working within the system and federal laws and court decisions influencing the system from the outside. Getting rid of the poll tax and other restrictive voting laws that kept mostly African Americans from voting, passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and court decisions on redistricting brought about a shift of power where Delegate Moss as a more progressive member became Speaker and the more conservative Democrats switched parties and became Republicans. Eventually this realignment of political allegiance and federally-enforced fairer representation among the regions of the state led to Speaker Moss losing his leadership role in 2000. He retired from the House after the next term when the new Republican majority drew him into a legislative district with another Democrat. He was elected Treasurer of the City of Norfolk where he served until January 2014.
Virginia became more progressive during Mr. Moss's tenure--in the areas of public school spending, investments in higher education, improved mental health and social service programs, and roads. In areas of civil rights it languished. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for women was opposed by Mr. Moss until he was challenged by a woman who came close to defeating him in a primary. Virginia still has not passed the ERA.
Talk with anyone who knew him and you are likely to get a funny story about him. His sense of humor was always evident no matter how serious the moment. Sometimes his wisecracks challenged the boundaries of social acceptance. During tense times in the legislature his levity helped move the business along.
Not only did Mr. Moss get Norfolk and Virginia out of the Byrd cage, he helped move the state into a modern era where public education and strong institutions of higher education were valued and transportation and infrastructure were recognized as critical investments. Speaker Moss provided leadership during the passing of an era for which he will be remembered. Whether his legacy will be built upon or neglected is in part in the hands of those who mourned him last week.
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Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28
Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming (Verizon Channel 1981). Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference.
TONIGHT- Wednesday,
December 9 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with President Scott Ralls of Northern Virginia Community College
Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 16 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Don John of NOVA Scripts Central
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Bulletin Board Gifting for Families Holiday Drive
Nearly 2,000 children and their families are in need of holiday assistance this year. Starting this Friday, toy donations for ages 0-17 and gift cards ($10 grocery store gift cards and $25 Walmart and Target gift cards recommended) can be dropped off at the Chantilly collection site. Each and every toy and gift card donated will put a smile on a child's face and brighten their holidays.
Drop-off site: 13926 Metrotech Drive, Chantilly VA 20151
Dates and Times: Friday, December 11, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 15, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
To donate online and for more information about this holiday drive, including directions, visit www.nvfs.org/gifting.
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Community Health Needs Assessment
 Make a difference in the health of your community by participating in a brief anonymous survey! Inova Health System is conducting a community health needs assessment to identify and address the greatest health and healthcare issues in our communities. The results will inform community health improvement efforts across the region. The survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete and is open through December 31, 2015. Click on the language of your choice to participate: English, Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. For more information on Inova's Community Health Needs Assessment, contact Rachel Lynch at [email protected]. To get involved in community health improvement efforts in the Fairfax Community, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/livehealthy/.
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Lake Thoreau Festival of Winter Lights  The Lake Thoreau Entertainment Association invites all residents of the lake to participate in the 3nd Annual Lake Thoreau Festival of Winter Lights, occurring in December and the first week of January. The Association invites residents to light up houses, townhouses, boats, and condos on their lake-facing side. Last year they raised over 10K through this spirited fundraiser. Download the details here.
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Calendar of Events
Now through December 22, Vale United Methodist Church of Oakton's Christmas tree lot is open. Proceeds from the tree sale will be donated to the global relief organization Stop Hunger Now. Vale Church is located at the corner of Vale Road and Fox Mill Road in Oakton (11528 Vale Road, Oakton). Hours are weeknights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 703-620-2594 or email [email protected].
Now through December 31, Meadowlark Gardens' Winter Walk of Lights, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, in Vienna. Tickets are available at Winter Walk of Lights.
Tonight: Wednesday, December 9, 7:00 p.m., 3rd Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 301 A St SE, Washington, DC. Details are at National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence.
Tonight: Wednesday, December 9, 7:00 p.m., Movie Screening: Paycheck to Paycheck, George Mason University Johnson Center Gold Room, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. After the movie there will be discussion of the fight for Virginia women's reproductive rights, economic security, and equality during the 2016 Virginia legislative session. Details are at GMU Screening.
Tonight: Wednesday, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Reston Sings! Handel's Messiah, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (Chapel), 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. Join the chorus this holiday season with The Reston Chorale's annual Messiah Sing-Along, benefiting Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith). Bring a new or gently used coat--or new hat, gloves, socks or scarf--and receive $5 off the price of admission. Tickets and information are available online, or call 703-834-0079.
Thursday, December 10, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Tom Gjelten Conversation and Book Signing, Arlington Central Library,
1015 N Quincy Street, Arlington. Hear author and NPR correspondent, Tom Gjelten, discuss his latest book, A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story that features five immigrant families who live in Fairfax County. Sponsored by the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. See more at Book Signing.
, at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza, at Lake Anne in Reston. Call the church at 703-471-5225 for more information. Download a flyer here.
Monday, December 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. This month's vigil commemorates the three year anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided.
Monday, December 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Dulles Corridor Rail Association Annual Meeting and Reception. At Starplex Loudoun Station Cinemas, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn. Details are at DCRA Annual Meeting.
Monday, December 14, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Service for Gun Violence Victims - "From Newtown to New Hope: An Interfaith Memorial Service," at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. More is at Newtown to New Hope.
Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, Christmas Illuminations Tour at Mount Vernon, at George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia. Buy tickets here.
Saturday, December 19, 4:00 p.m., Holiday Play/Sing-Along, at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road in Reston. Free admission, no ticket required, but space is limited. Accepting donations for Embry Rucker Community Shelter which provides emergency housing for men, women, and children. Urgent need this season for gas station gift cards and Metro Smart cards, bottled water, new unopened toothpaste, brand-new socks for men, women, and children. More details are at Holiday Sing-Along.
Thursday, January 7, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Town Hall Meeting with Delegate Plum and Senator Janet Howell, in the Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. Call 703-758-9733 or email [email protected] for more information.
Wednesday, January 13, Virginia General Assembly session begins. More information, including links to watch the live stream of daily House and Senate proceedings, can be found at General Assembly.
Saturday, January 16, 4:00 p.m., "Remembering the Dream." Reston Community Orchestra's 10th Annual MLK concert celebrates the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through symphonic works, spirituals, and songs inspired by his legacy. Featuring baritone Bryan Jackson and Reston's own Beverly Cosham. At Reston Community Center -- Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Free Admission -- No Tickets Required -- Seating is Limited. More information is at MLK Concert.
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36th District Reston, Virginia |
 Monday marks three years since the tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. See the calendar for ways to mark the event.
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