Today, I had the opportunity to attend a forum where Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) addressed some of the issues our community - civilian and military - are facing. There has been quite a bit of upheaval in our community with regard to the expansion of Fort Stewart and the promised addition of a brigade - a promise which did not come to pass. Congressman Kingston has led the charge in "righting this wrong". He has been a great source of strength and encouragement to our community's citizens and leaders. If you know his record, you know he has championed conservative values in and throughout our government.
I had the privilege of meeting the congressman personally a couple of years ago, during our city's race to elect a mayor. Jack accompanied one of the candidates to a gathering I hosted and spent a great deal of time answering questions posed by some of my friends. It was then that I became impressed with him, because he did not strive to give the "right" answers, as many politicians tend to do. He did not "spin" the facts to cast them in a better light. He was straightforward about our situation and very candid in his communication about the pro and cons of all that we are facing, and also the options he believed would best serve our community. I experienced that same sense of character in today's forum.
Growing up in Maryland, and living in Annapolis, the State's capital, I lived a short distance from Washington D.C. and had many opportunities to hear and even be around various political leaders. Throughout the forum and also afterward in more personal conversation, I found his candor very refreshing. He did not make everything better. He did not promise a perfect solution. But, he left me with a very real sense that someone with the ability to do something was on the job and truly cares - that he was honestly committed to the process of repairing the economic damage that has been wrought upon our city.
I believe that the greatest teachers are not the ones who give you the most information about something, but the ones who are able to stir in you a passion to become a part of something as they teach. (I will write about this in detail another time) Add to that, the lesson my father taught me early on that you cannot be in a situation and remain neutral. You are either part of the problem or a part of the solution. In the meeting today, Congressman Kingston made me feel as though I am part of the solution. He managed to draw me into the process. Whether he realizes it or not, he became a teacher for me today.
I have a renewed passion to be a part of the fight and to see our city and our military base move forward. I am encouraged to know that the fight continues and that victory can be achieved. I have respected and liked Congressman Kingston from the day that I met him. But today, I feel a great sense of pride that he is our congressman and I am thankful for his service.
I encourage you to learn more about the people who represent you. They need your prayer and they need your support - not simply in the polls but in the actions of your life as you work and live in your community. Get to know them. Learn their values and beliefs. And, let them know you know - in so doing, you take the first steps in becoming a part of the solution to some of the things we are facing in the nation.
God bless you.
t
