David joined community members and leaders at City Hall today for the annual ceremony marking this year’s Days of Remembrance of the Holocaust, the state-sponsored annihilation of more than six million Jews and other victims by Nazi Germany during World War II.  Speakers emphasized the importance of remembering as a way to learn from the past so together we can play a more active role in preventing similar tragedies now and in the future.

Each year beginning in 1988, the City of Alexandria has sponsored a civic ceremony observing the Days of Remembrance of the Holocaust.

Join David, Shayna, and Caleb at this year’s Kelley Cares 5K Run/Walk. The race honors Kelley Swanson, a young Alexandrian who died too early, by carrying on Kelley’s civic-minded spirit and her desire to make people aware of the need for inclusion regardless of ability. Kelley was a very active member of the Therapeutic Recreation Program’s Youth Opportunity Sports program from the fourth grade through her graduation from T.C. Williams High School in 2005.

When: Saturday, June 7, 2008, 8:00am (start time)
Where: George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Registration: Available online through June 4th; Mail-in through May 31st; Day of race 6:45 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Register online for the race here.

Many thanks to the dozens of grassroots volunteers from every part of the 45th District who turned out in force for Team Englin volunteer nights last Thursday and yesterday.

“I’m so incredibly grateful that you would give your time and energy on a beautiful spring evening to help me reach out to constituents and supporters,” said David in a thank you note to volunteers.  “So many people came out on Thursday that volunteers were stuffing envelopes on blankets on the front lawn!”

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NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia announced last week that David earned a 100 percent pro-choice voting during the 2008 General Assembly session, making him one of the leading defenders of women’s health and reproductive freedom in the state.

“When we ensure access to contraception and accurate sex education, we empower women socially and economically and we reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, which is the best way to reduce abortions,” said David.  “I’m proud to work hand-in-hand with NARAL to promote prevention and contraception and to defend the right of every person to determine his or her own reproductive destiny.”

Click here for a copy of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia’s 2008 legislative scorecard, which rates legislators based on their votes on critical legislation affecting reproductive health care issues.

Since the end of the this year’s regular General Assembly on March 13, David has enjoyed meeting with various groups throughout the 45th District to brief them on this year’s legislative activities and to listen to their feedback.  On Monday, the Alexandria Democratic Committee hosted its annual desert reception and legislative wrap up, where David joined local colleagues from the House and Senate to share highlights of this year’s session.  On Tuesday, the 45th District played host to NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia’s legislative reception.

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This week’s edition of the Alexandria Times includes a terrific article covering our most recent Volunteer Night:

“Campaigning or not, Englin has support”
by David Sachs, Alexandria Times, April 18, 2008

Del. David Englin (D-45) is not on any ballot, and likely won’t be, until he is up for reelection in 2009. But that did not stop dozens of volunteers from stuffing several thousand envelopes at the delegate’s campaign headquarters — his Del Ray home.

Such early support among Englin’s followers indicates a different kind of politician and a distinctive approach to constituents than a traditional delegate, according to volunteers who attended the casual envelope-stuffing event over a few beers last [Thursday].

“He’s constantly seeking input from us about issues,” said volunteer Wally Sinaiko, who began his political volunteer career working for Harry Truman’s cause. “He tells you what he’s doing, and he keeps people informed.”

[Read more...]

As April 15th quickly approaches, here are two free tools to help you file your federal and state taxes online:

The Free File Alliance is a voluntary coalition of tax software preparation companies that partner with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax preparation services to millions of Americans. Through the Free File Alliance, 70 percent of taxpayers can file online for free in 2008, including all 95 million taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $54,000 or less.

The Virginia Department of Taxation’s iFile program provides free online filing of state income taxes.  You can prepare and file your state taxes, request an extension, and and make payments online.  Answers to frequently asked questions about the iFile program can be found here.