David stopped by the Lee District Democratic Committee’s Victory and Volunteer Party today to thank dozens of volunteers for their hard work delivering Virginia for Barack Obama this year and to urge them to stay involved for next year’s state elections.

“We won Virginia thanks to people like you giving your time and energy knocking on doors, talking with your neighbors, and doing the work to deliver victory,” said David, thanking the volunteers.  “Now we need you to stay engaged for the 2009 elections so we can win control of the House of Delegates and elect Brian Moran as Governor, Jody Wagner as Lieutenant Governor, and Steve Shannon as Attorney General.”

David represents the Mount Eagle and Cameron precincts of Fairfax County’s Lee Magisterial District.  He will stand for re-election next year.

Alexandria - In recognition of the courage and sacrifice of the one out of every eight adult Virginians who is a veteran, Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria) announced today that he will co-sponsor legislation directing the governing boards of public institutions of higher education in Virginia to admit automatically in-state students applying for admission who have graduated at the top of their class from a public or private high school in Virginia and have been honorably discharged from military service.

“We have a duty to the brave men and women who would trade their own lives for ours to honor their service with more than just words,” said Englin. “Delegate Poission’s initiative does exactly that. As an Air Force veteran, I’m proud to be part of this effort.”

Delegate Delegate David Poisson (D-Loudoun) is the lead sponsor and primary author of this legislation.

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Click image to download contest entry form.

Alexandria – In partnership with members of the local arts community, Delegate David Englin today announced his first annual youth art contest, which gives students the opportunity to display their creative talent and win prizes in elementary school, middle school, high school, and skateboard design categories.

“The arts are an important part of the economy of the 45th District,” said Englin.  “A contest like this is a fun way to engage students, let them show off their creativity, and give them a chance to enjoy tangible rewards from their artistic expression.”

First prize in each of the school categories is a $100 U.S. Savings Bond donated by Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust Company.  First prize in the skateboard design category is a genuine skateboard deck with the winner’s design, with additional prizes donated by Convoy Skateboards.

“As a skateboard dad myself, I see kids put creative effort into their skateboard decks even though they don’t otherwise think of themselves as artists,” said Englin.  “This is an opportunity to get those kids involved too.”

In addition to winning prizes, top entries will go on display in the Virginia General Assembly Building in Richmond during the 2009 legislative session.

Contest entries are due by January 1. Click here to download entry form.  Students must 18 years old or younger to enter.  There are no restrictions on media, but entries should be suitable for hanging on a wall.  Skateboard design entries must be 9 inches by 33 inches.  Drop off entries or mail to:  A Show of Hands, 2204 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301.  Art may be submitted by e-mail as an attachment to gro.nilgnedivadnull@tra.  Digital submissions must be at least 300 dpi resolution JPG file.

For more information, contact 702-549-3203 or su.av.etats.esuohnull@nilgnEDleD.

Together, we did a great thing for our country. Whether you volunteered through Team Englin, your local Democratic committee, or some other group, your hard work combined into a mighty force for change and progress.  Shayna and I are honored that so many of you chose to come to our home and join Team Englin’s contribution to this amazing grassroots effort.  Here in Alexandria, our entire community — from new volunteers to long-time activists — owes a debt of gratitude to Katherine McFarland and the rest of the Obama staff, whose leadership and talent have strengthened us for the work ahead.

I travel to Richmond tomorrow to confer with my Democratic colleagues about the upcoming General Assembly session, and the 2009 campaign is already underway.  In addition to my own re-election, Team Englin will be working to nominate Brian Moran for Governor, Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor, and Steve Shannon for Attorney General, and we will do our part to pick up the six House of Delegates seats we need to win a majority — our last chance before redistricting.  I hope you will stay engaged in our grassroots fight for change and progress.

I’ll leave you with a final thought — one of my favorite quotes, which conveys my gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this amazing effort:

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” — Robert F. Kennedy

Thank you again, and if there’s anything I can do to be of service, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who have worked so hard these past months to make Barack Obama the next President of the United States.  Saturday and Sunday — the first two days of the Final Four — were amazing!  (Click here for photos, including a surprise motivational visit by actress Debra Winger.)  The future of our country will come down to these next few hours.  We still need volunteers to get out the vote!  If you already plan to help through your local Obama or Democratic Party organization, then stick with your plan.  Otherwise, please join Team Englin at 1505 Wayne St, Alexandria (directions) as follows:

• Monday: Door hanger shifts begin at 10 a.m., Noon, 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 10 p.m. Phone banking 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday: Come over anytime after 9 a.m. and we’ll deploy you where you’re needed most. We’ll be door knocking, phone banking, and getting out the vote until the polls close.

VOTING INFORMATION
This short video from the Obama campaign contains the basic information you need about voting in Virginia:

• Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Remember that you must vote in the precinct where you are registered. (Click here to look up your polling place and for more information.)
• Prepare for long lines. We expect (and hope for!) record turnout, so you might have to wait longer than you’re used to. Bring some water, a snack — even a folding chair if necessary — but whatever you do, please stay in line and cast your vote. If you don’t vote, John McCain and Sarah Palin will win!
• Please do not wear Obama gear (stickers, buttons, t-shirts) to the polls. You will be asked to remove them or cover them before entering the polling place. (Click here for more information about this rule.)

AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE
Here are some options to spend the evening watching returns and celebrating the end of an amazing journey:

Democratic Victory Party
Join Mark Warner, Governor Tim Kaine and Senator Jim Webb
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
7920 Jones Branch Dr
McLean, VA 22102
More details and RSVP here

Arlington Democrats Election Night Celebration
Bailey’s Pub and Grill in Ballston
4238 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203
More details and RSVP here