Virginia is board of trustees and Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation board of directors. I share our appreciation for friends and partners gathered today and i acknowledge the leadership of the administration, the gen. Assembly, american evolution and jamestown Yorktown Foundation. Our special appreciation to our partners managing historic jamestown, the National Park service, tribal representatives, and members of the descendents of the jamestown society. Today we commemorate the events that occurred 400 years ago. The distinguished speakers to follow me will capture the importance of todays proceedings and the direct influence still felt today. The history and body would be lost if not for the vision and dedication of women. In 1889 mary Jeffrey Gault and cindy Tucker Coleman founded the associate for the preservation of virginia now known as preservation virginia. Their goal was to save and restore disappearing landscape and buildings that embody our colonial tradition. Successfully securing Mary WashingtonFrederick Berg home. The women establish an organization, 130 years ago and has save more than 500,000 virginia Historic Places. Never veering from the early ambition to acquire jamestown in 1893. Obtaining 22 acres including the foundations of the old churches, within that first decade they brought guests and they convince congress to build a seawall preserving jamestown from further erosion. They made alliances with the colonial games of america, and many families of descendents. To construct this church, place monuments, markers, and gates in advance of the anniversary. Connections between these organizations and this place of his doric memory remain resolute. In early years they launched an excavation to find the foundations for the First Assembly met. Although amateurs their careful notes provided clues to marianna hartley, the senior archaeologist to in 2006 teen led the second archaeological investigation of this church. She and her team peel back the layers of concrete and brick to find evidence of the 5020 foot timbered framed 1617 church and its foundations. One evening the team stood back , the realization that they were looking at the footings of the cobblestone that represent the foundation of democracy. The team on earth the very spot where they First Assembly met. The very base in which we set. Historic jamestown and all of our preservation virginia programs, we embrace a belief that Historic Places offer singular opportunities to connect present and future generations. Standing where history happened, offering experiences that are inspiring and thoughtprovoking. Are preservation efforts capture the complexity of our history as a teenage girl the budget remains of angela, and angolan woman who was brought to jamestown on a ship. With his anniversary, Ongoing Research builds on the internationally recognized work by dr. William kelso and his team. Today dr. James horn leave the jamestown we talked Rediscovery Team to expand the narrative to reflect the perspective of people, english settlers and africans brought them willing to the colony. We follow there for tips here. The archaeological remains of 1617 church that survived through the persistence and patience of women. In 1907 at the dedication of the moral get, remarking on womens leg the quoted that any work that requires sincere, unselfish devotion is always best entrusted to the sympathy of women. Today we , rate commemorate the First Assembly in 1619 and honor all the people , women and men, who ensure that we could stand here where the seeds of our democracy were first planted. Thank you and welcome. Good morning, and thank you for being here for this incredible commemoration, i have the distinct pleasure of representing the commonwealth of virginia, this is a incredible opportunity, this is the site of historic jamestown where we are now needed and also includes the reconstruction of the settlement after the causeway that was when the world was turned upside down with yorktown. This is the first term when 104 brave young men and boys landed in 1607. The site also includes not only the first english settlement, but the construction and remains of colonial virginia. You will find sites directly related to our nation and others that involve the near destruction of our nation. On this island the site of the first english colony, the earthworks of the ports still exists. When you grow up surrounded by history where Different Things are preserved, interpreted, and protected. You accepted as part of your surroundings. Its just home. This is my home. Further stated that why when you see a person in super mart locally. And there dressed in a leggings, a west code or a tri con hat , you think nothing of it. Is just part of being home. The same goes for the native americans in traditional dress, or women in elaborate dresses of bygone eras. Its just home. Bygone is what we do. History for us is a preoccupation and an occupation. It is a central part of our present, and we hope that we will always be making that respect full part of our future. Our neighbors explore, teach, and preserve history as a living. Elizabeth , i want to thank you for the many years for what youve done for preservation virginia. Elizabeth and i spent a lot of quality time back in 2000 and , shes done a marvelous job. Even so we took on the 400th anniversary of Representative Government with all the efforts to better understand the emergence of slavery. The vital role of women and the effects of the colony on the addition of native americans . Is a challenge for all of us to do better. We have worked out a very hard , considerable thought has gone into it. I honestly do not know what they did in 1719 . I do recall what they did in 1819, because i was here to commemorate the 100 and the 200th anniversarys. But when the 20th century arrived, news accounts and records indicate that the efforts of remembrance and commemoration most the involved assist stained salute of our english roots. In point of fact, we do appreciate our english roots, it is foundational to our law and our current political structure. Now we understand so much more, and it is not by accident. We have worked arduously at that. We have examined the event that occurred here, including the consequences intended and unintended. We have done so much with greater sensitivity and honesty. It seems to me that it is our duty, our stewardship that we owe each other. It is our stewardship that we owe america. And then tell it all as best as we can , unvarnished. Theres history and memory. I will leave it to the scholars to make the necessary distinctions between history and memory. Clearly the to enjoy a very close relationship. Someone once wrote that memory remains of subject of reflection and anxiety. Because as people live longer, more than survive the connections to the past. I identify with that, i cant remember the things i used to. Technology and and far more open approach to history may have changed. And i preferably hope so. Clearly people yearn to better understand their own ancestry. We need to pull apart and closely examine our national dna. Historical milestones include commemorations such as what we are celebrating today, they offer us an opportunity for our greater insight and more depth of understanding. We want to remember, commemorate, and respect our heritage. I will now say it is an honor to be enjoined by a contemporary leader who employs his parliamentary and legislative form of government. Is my pleasure to introduce to you sir david lionel, the formal clerk of the house of commons. He the principal constitutional advisor to the house of commons of United Kingdom and an advisor on all of the procedure and businesses. He is a 50 person to hold that role. Present fairfax sometimes i meet him in the senate of virginia. Sir david hosted 2019 commemoration delegate and in 2016 it was keenly interested in the history of james down and all of the relevant matters of today. We are honored to welcome sir david to offer remarks on the intersection and impact of democracy worldwide. Sir david. [ applause ] thank you. For that generous grading. I know some may have difficult see me staring into the sun. So shut your eyes theres nothing to see on this very day 400 years ago, and in this very place, something very special happened. It was a real assembly. Not just a ceremonial meeting like this or a ritual, it was competent, assertive, and ultimately productive. It sat here at the hottest time of year. Hot enough to kill one of its members. We all have some idea what the weather would then law. And then a year later a similar assembly was held in bermuda. Its not just in the spirit of antiaquarius him , that this event 400 years ago needs to be celebrated and acknowledged. Its important not only to you here in virginia, and throughout the united state and all the legislatures which give your country its name. But throughout the world where the idea has taken root. That people wish to be governed by laws made by their elected representatives. And that is Representative Democracy. To represent democracy is not the perfect system of government. It is not the rule of the same, not even in new england. The 22 burgesses that gathered here 400 years ago were not exceptionally righteous or upright men. And they were all men. They were viable to all the frailties shown by their successors, over all over the world. The ideal of Representative Democracy expressed and here again in jamestown 400 years ago , it has survived those centuries of contact with those people. The Jamestown Assembly was the first child of westminster. And the first child occupies a very special place in the parents heart. You have descendents across the united state, siblings to the north in canada, and south in latin america. Across africa and asia and as far away as australia. Their 170 members of the interparliamentary union, that the union of parliament and assemblies. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association whose tie and wearing today. Forgive the garish colors. In the North Greenland has a parliament at 84 degrees north, 52 degrees south. Is the worlds smallest parliament , the Legislative Assembly of the falkland islands, which meets in and building the smaller than this. It has eight elected members , and a vigorous necrotic tradition, as i have experienced. This idea obstructed by authoritarian, resisted by elites, marked by six, sometimes insulted, belittled, or bullied. Again and again it raises the idea of a freely elected representative assembly. Wherever people seek freedom and selfrule. In the 1950s and 19 xts , it happened in the former european colonies in africa and asia and in central and Eastern Europe and most recently in the countries of islam and arab. As we meet on the streets of hong kong , the independence of the Legislative Council is a principal the mound of the demonstrators. In sudan people are fighting and dying for the employee. They had one simple remedy for which thousands have fought and died for over the years to elect their own representatives. Assisting those demand is and should be a common endeavor between those great Representative Democracy. Foremost among them , the United States and United Kingdom. Of course it is not, and never will was quite that simple. As a descendent of the british emancipator william wilberforce, i am only too aware that you are also marking the arrival years ago the first enslaved african men and women in virginia. In 1619 there was no Representative Democracy for women in virginia. And there was no justice for those who occupied the land having an assembly could not begin to write those wrongs we know that around the world Representative Democracy is under attack it will not survive on its own unless it is defended and sustained and criticized by engaged citizens modern assemblies are different in form to jamestown in 1619. Many have professional representatives, staff, sophisticated buildings, temples of democracy like jeffersons wonderful capital in richmond theyre not different in substance and the meeting here 400 years ago of two dozen hot and bothered delegates in this Little Church marks the start of a very big idea that the best form of government is a Representative Government and this is the best protection against tara neri tyranny and i bring you greetings from the mother of parliaments when the magna carta was signed it was a low lying marshy feel field. Jamestown echoes that freedom and rule of law. And 400 years ago the very special today and so is today. Thank you. Sir david, thank you very much for sharing those insightful remarks. I have a number of takeaways, but the one that stood out is that maybe we should emulate the falkland islands, im just trying to figure out who the other seven are going to be . It is indeed my pleasure, gov. Ralph northam and i have known each other for many years. We share a common alma mater which happens to be one of the outstanding public colleges and universities in the commonwealth of virginia. Sometimes known as the Virginia Military institute. Our professional interest took us in Different Directions in life. The governor went on to be recognized as a guild pediatric neurologist, serving our country as a doctor in the army as i struggled to be a humble smalltown country lawyer. Interestingly enough our careers to go back towards each other in the cause of publicly elected service. In some respects that follows a pattern that began 400 years ago at jamestown. Back then everyone knew each other for better or for worse. They knew each other strengths, habits, inclinations, all the attributes to go into human care for. Personally i think bmi did a world of good for both of us. Their billing gets to have discipline imposed upon you. Tradition is enumerated into your brain and you begin to realize that human leadership takes many forms as if human ideas. Ultimately, a democracy , you must work out your differences , have a workable system. Its grounded on sound principal , ordered by tried and true it is vitally important to that effort. Partisan rhetoric is a distraction no matter from whom it comes. Governor northam would agree with me, i believe , that we should all be respectful to our virginia ss hers for having set in motion the system of Representative Democracy enables our people, our citizens, and americans to resolve disputes, remains safe and prosper. We are all beneficiaries of that like. Ladies and gentlemen, its my distinguished honor and pleasure to introduce to you his or so and, the 73rd gov. Of the commonwealth of virginia, ralph northam. [ applause ]. Good morning, its a tremendous village to be with you today. Thank you for the kind introduction, is to share this date with you and thank you for your leadership in virginia. Its also good to see our Lieutenant Governor justin fairfax. Thank you for being here, and to all of our legislators, thank you for your attendance this morning and thank you for your leadership in virginia. As was said , i served as Lieutenant Governor, and that gave me at deep appreciation for the history of the senate as part of the General Assembly. I appreciate general normans service in the senate. I am privileged to be here with him and all you commemorating such important events in our state and our countrys his three. We are gathered here this morning at the spot where 400 years ago, Representative Democracy began on this continent. We look back across these 400 years as the colony of jamestown its hard to imagine what life is like in that colony. Jamestown was an experiment that merely failed it was not founded to give birth to a new way of government or to be it was founded it was played in a martial lifestyle a government. It did not make virginia an attractive place to come. Colonists were not eager to go to virginia. To save the colony the men running their Virginia Company started to make changes to make the place more attractive. With ideas they started talking about a different system of government. They directed the creation of a General Assembly. On this very day, july july 30 july 30, 1619. 22 people met here in this place. This Church Stands on the foundation of the one in which they met. And like today, it was hot. It was humid. For six days they sweated out the details of what will become our first Representative Government. They built a framework to settle disputes , pass law, and manage the colony through discussion and legislation. Over the years and centuries as the Jamestown Colony and the Plymouth Colony became 13 colonies , then state , and they became united as america, the ideals of freedom and Representative Government have flourished. They spread out on this very ground in jamestown. That is not the only thing that spread from this place. While we mark this history we must remember that it is more complex the story of virginia is rooted in the pursuit of liberty and in slavery because just a few weeks after that General Assembly and 1619 ship arrived caring stolen African People taken from angola. They were sold again and again. The first enslaved africans. People who were not granted this same freedoms that were given to white landowning colonists. Hear those enslaved africans joined the thousand of members of the tribe who would wait centuries to have the same freedom. Today as we hold these commemorations of the First Representative Assembly we have to remember who it included and who it did not. That is a paradox of virginia and america and of our Representative Democracy a full accounting demands that we confront and discuss those aspects of our history and demands that we looks and not just a point a. 400 years in the past , but how our commonwealth and country evolved . In many ways virginia today represents best of what it means to be american. We know our diversity is our strength. And we welcome immigrants, refugees, and all like those who stood on this spot or hundred years ago, come to virginia in search of a better life. Our doors are open and the lights are on. Matter who you are , who you love, and where you came from. You are welcome in virginia. There is nothing more american than that. Even as we stand here today proud of the progress that we have made. Lets not forget that we have a long way to go. There are a number of inequities that continue to exist in virginia and beyond. Inequities in access to a world class education. In access to health care and Business Opportunities to the Justice System and to the voting booths. A true commemoration of the founding of our democracy requires us to examine how we have lived up to our ideals, or failed to do so. And it requires that we do this work not just today but every day. And not just with big speeches or commemorative events, but with action. I want to thank the many people and organizations that have worked to create this event today, preservation virginia, the jamestown and Yorktown Foundation and the National Park service. And i want to thank all of those people who work to preserve these sites. Jamestown and provide comfort. The archaeologist and historians who work to understand what happened here from the food people ate to the laws of the past. I have always believed that if you do not know where you come from, you cannot know where you are going. To understand america as it is today and is it will be tomorrow we have to understand america as it was yesterday. This site is an important part of that understanding. I am in great role that we come together to talk about those aspects and the importance of this place and those events 400 years ago. They made us what we are today and they continue to guide us as we work towards a better , fairer, and more inclusive tomorrow. May god be with all of you thank you very much. Thank you very much gov. Northam i would remind everyone that them theme of this commemoration is the result of deliberate thought and it is american evolution we continue to differences, but as a love for our god , country, and commonwealth. Changing directions today we have members of the General Assembly to represent the boroughs of the original General Assembly who will offer some reflection, first my friend speaker curt cox. He will be followed by monte mason who represents james city, and i will turn it over to mr. Speaker. , givea few reflections. Probably one of the most blessed people in virginia. Its a beautiful day. 35 years ago i started as a schoolteacher i could not imagine i would be having here today. Its an incredible Representative Democracy. Thank you for your words. When i think about virginia and how blessed we are we should be in for. Heres the wonderful thing about virginia 20 years later, despite the growth in population and the development of cities and suburbs and airports you can find spots along the river where things have hardly changed as all. And thats what i would say about the district that i represent. It is modern and growing the more you look and examine the past more you give yourself to engage, past mistakes you guidance, ive been telling mice didnt that when i first walked into a classroom the first days of the early settlement were rough. Life expectancy was abbreviated it was a young population, mostly male between the ages of 1625. Very few children knew their grandparents. Settlers were disrupted , still the indians had flexibility, those of their culture and habit, tribes were often moving within the region from season to even in order to cultivate new land and find game. Land was managed and they cleared the underbrush with controlled fires. There were no domesticated animals. There were no fences. And when they began arriving they could you didnt see that settlers lasting very long you can weave back and forth across the centuries where reenactments pay tribute to the english settlers in my district. 80 miles from the original settlement. This is the second settlement and was named for King James King james i oldest son henry. He settled with 300 of his english countrymen and it is open today and tomorrow. You can visit , bias veneer. One thing that you will learn quickly is that governors of the settlement were difficult. The leadership failed to be responsive to the people and their concerns, and the system failed. To words on that subject. Nathaniel bacon. There is a reason why hes memorialized to this day. The common phrasing echoes through the century. What you find is a struggle to combine leadership, it didnt always work and dramatic adjustments were often made. Its changeable and flexible. Virginians were strong on what mightve been there is some truth to that. Sometimes there was more sentiment. It continues the process in a more inclusive direction. It is worth understanding. And my district along with virginia it offers endless opportunity to learn. Thank you. [ applause ] good morning. Distinguish guest its a privilege to have the opportunity to address this assembly on this momentum occasion. You can stack on another 10,000 years if you include native americans. And it is made for rich and dynamic community. If you go back and look at what was happening , i dont think how we could get any more dynamic or bewildering. Jamestown nearly came to nothing, but it survived to pivot the world in ways that remain a court challenge. The instinct to represent was strong here. They may have opened the door to the General Assembly but it remained open forever more. It was not always so in other parts of colonial america. After they seized New Amsterdam and turned it into new york, the instinct did not take hold until the end of the 17th century. A governor strictly ruled. Of course new york gets two things right. They were instructed to tolerate all people of religion and they do so. In the words of one historian they become a tolerant untidy town. And some things never change. That is why i mention this. The early inclination was for different colonies. The way we were structured right from the beginning establishes lasting characteristics. At this point the leadership of the Virginia Company has their mind set to fashion a society that promoted commitment to gods work. Just laws, and an economy based on trade and public work that would benefit the company and multitudes of settlers who would flock to the colony. They were not interested in surviving , they intended to prosper. That was a poor idea. You can see within that core idea, that substance of thinking that animate virginia to this very day. They pointed out that he advocated to a colony devoted to the public , that would benefit all those that venture themselves or their money, and representative improvement, in respect to the wellbeing and economics of the people. It sounds familiar doesnt it . It stands intended that the colony we get there by involving the people in their own public affairs. That mean meant that Representative Democracy was essential and darted here and never stopped. You can go through the excellent account of 1619 , and you will encounter ideas that endured , you will also encounter, and this is the part that is difficult to stomach. You will also encounter ideas on race and pavement, political participation and basic human rights that had no place in america, nor should they have any place anywhere in the world. Anyway you cut it the godly people of jamestown did ungodly things, this is a story, and it is our unvarnished history. It inspires preservation, and we learn from it all and with this commemoration we are intent on telling the whole story. I am privileged and grateful to represent this region, a community that stays interesting and constructive for a very long time. I think you for your participation. Thank you for your recognition of these important moments and for the opportunity to share these words today. I understand as a sir david pointed out that the light from behind is something of a challenge. I want to offer you the solace that in my case its a halo. Let us stand and pray. God of adventure and sustenance, you created all that is and all that will be. We offer you thanks for the work that you started here in this place. You made us a people , you inspired and initiated our efforts towards the precipitation participation of all people and the decisions that guide our nation. Presented of government in our land started here. The vehicle fairness and the common good started here. We are grateful for the principles that undergird this work. You are the god of truth , and we must tell the truth. Some arrived on the shores taking a better life. Some arrived here looking for freedom. Some arrived heres seeking economic possibilities. Men and women came here is acres. The arrival of some marked the end of freedom and shattered the principles we espouse , making a mockery of your dream for the human family. The original inhabitants of this land were pushed aside, and suffered at the hands of our forebears. We have ignored the fact that all people are made in your image. As we reflect on our beginnings, we pray that we might learn from the past, to enable a better future. We pray that we may cast off the work of darkness, and put on the armor of light now in this mortal life. We pray that we may be seekers in our time. Give us a longing for expansion an opportunity. And equality and justice. Both are in short supply in our time. We cannot claim to love you without loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. We pray that you will move us, and galvanize us with such divine love. Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the heart of those who travel the way with us. Will be swift to love. Make haste to be kind. May the divine mystery , who is beyond our ability to know , who made us, and who loves us, and who travels with us, bless and keep us in peace, amen. Thank you, if you will have a seat. Before we conclude i want to extend our genuine appreciation for the parents of gov. Ralph northam. My friend and the presiding officer of the senate who tries to keep in order unsuccessfully , just in fairfax and the atty. Gen. Of the commonwealth of virginia, mark kerry. We have a number of legislators here. Including the president pro tem of the senator steve newman. I want to thank all the legacy groups that are here , as i looked out i thought i young lady from the dar who is looking very patriotic. I want to thank all the members of the General Assembly who are here. And with that and the appropriate benediction that we just heard we will adjourn and continue the commemoration activities over at the jamestown settlement. I think all of you for being here. [ applause ]. We continue with the second part of the 400th anniversary of the first virginia assembly. This i