Will now rise, please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem. Governor, grace is your name and all the world. Grace is your presence in this land. You were here when native people first lived, loved, and governed themselves. You were here when the first englishmen emigrated and when they held their First Legislative Assembly 400 years ago. You were here when the first english women chose to come and join the men and dabblers communities and when the first African People were brought here in harrowing circumstances against their will you were with our ancestors men and women of diverse races and cultures through trial adversity , hope, and fear. In the same way that you are with your people then. Be with us now while we remember the relationship and legacy that has shaped us as americans today. Give us the courage to do the hard work of real reconciliation, and bless our continued effort for justice, freedom, and peace for everyone in this land, everyone without exception. You are a god who does wonders, and in your name we see wonders. May it be so and may we be partners with you and making it so. Amen. Please remain standing. In these days of conflicting political views, there is one thing that all americans can remain united on. Please join me in pledging the allegiance to the flag of the united dates of america. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, what so proudly we haild at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro the perilous fight, oer the ramparts we watchd, were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof thro the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [ applause ] but if everyone will please be seated. What a perfectly moving away to get this session underway. Earlier today gov. Northam observed this occasion with a program in the reconstructed church in historic jamestown, and then just a few moments ago many of us sat nearby in a primitive structure that was recreated to replicate the church in james ford in a 1640. The condition under the gen. Assembly. It may have been primitive to our standards , the dynamic model of democratic government that began a james town 400 years ago on this very day, it was anything but. For the first time in virginia, free englishmen brought their concerns to a gathering of their peers. The first representative Legislative Assembly in the western hemisphere, it all began right here in jamestown, virginia. The first capital. In 1699, the capital moved from jamestown to Middle Plantation , or williamsburg as it is unknown today. In 1780 , the state capital moved to richmond. Today the Virginia House of delegates continues to work to improve the lives and livelihood of all virginia residents. And that Thomas Jeffersons a beautiful capitol building. The logo behind us underscores that continuity. In 2007 on the anniversary we work to focus of national and International Attention on chains town. The First PermanentEnglish Settlement in the new world. On the convergence of culture did it shape our country. In this commemorative year of 2019 we have drawn heavily on archaeological and Cultural Research and broaden our perspective. The result is a far more diverse, comprehensive, and palling picture of the event. We are determined to continue that story, and bring to light other events in our nations history. Commemoration 2019 we highlight the genesis of american slavery, diversity, and opportunity. American survival and american genius. We resolved to tell the story , today we are gathered on this momentous occasion of the virginia gen. Assembly. Which is been serving the people of virginia beginning in six virginia beginning in 6t 90. We are delighted with the presence of each of you here and those of you watching. We are truly honored to be joined as a joint assembly by so many distinguished guests. If i could before i recognize some of those distinguished guests, asked that we pause to remember a great leader of our commonwealth who passed away this week. President Harrison Wilson was a true pioneer in higher education, one of virginias historic black universities through two decades of progress and growth. Join me in a moment of silence and his way. We are truly honored to be joined by so many distinguished guests, deputy secretary of the interior kate mcgregor, amb. Of portugal, counsel of defense edward ferguson, clerk of the british house of commons, congressional representative, Toi Hutchinson , tommy norment, robb wittman. Statewide elected officials, the hon. Justin fairfax, mark caring, and former lieut. Gov. John hager. And we welcome members of the governors cabinet. And former gov. Allen, and robert mcdonald, we also want to welcome members of the supreme court, state legislators, Jordan Harris from pennsylvania, and Toi Hutchinson. And of course our tribal chief, from austin, and Stephen Adkins , and Chickahominy Indian tribe , and Stephen Adkins. We also want to welcome local officials and the chairman of the National Endowment of democracy and the president of the university of virginia. On behalf of the joint assembly we are thankful that you are here to be part of this commemoration. The clerk will report a resolution. Commemorative the first representative Legislative Assembly in the western hemisphere. Wears 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first virginia gen. Assembly. When they met on july 30, and whereas members of the Virginia Company implement it a series of reform that resulted in gov. George yeardley selecting two sellers from each of the areas that would attend a General Assembly, whereas the members shared power with the council appointed by the Virginia Company, which took place from july 30 to august 4 and at that first meeting they formed several committees to develop just laws and addressed concerns to approve the management of the colony. Also functioned as a high court of justice and now we officially recognize the assembly in 1627. And while we continue to appoint governors the seeds of Self Determination have planted , whereas the concept of parliamentary government was introduced , they created the house and eckstein 40 , the result included the house and council of state. Is now the oldest lawmaking body in the western hemisphere and has become a model of other english colonies, and the other 49 date legislators and countless bodies across our country. Whereas other organizations are hosting programs to commemorate the milestones, of the gen. Assembly and the heritage of the nation and whereas the story of virginia is the story of america and they continue to influence serving as leaders in their community now for may it be resolved that the house of delegates hereby commemorates the anniversary this very day of the establishment of the First Assembly in the western hemisphere. Resolving that the delegates should proceed in a special Edition Journal to the clerk of the senate. That delegate from fairfax. Delegate hugo. Adopts the resolution, all those in favor say aye. We bring you greetings on behalf of other legislators, and we are honored to have Illinois State senator tori hutchinson. Good afternoon, distinguished guest, when a group of 20 burgess convened in 1619 little did they know that they were as that machine a template for selfgovernance that would endure for 400 years, a democracy that was practiced by billions of people worldwide. What a privilege it is to be on this very ground, to mark this monumental moment , to honor that moment in time, and celebrate the legacy that their experiment left behind. Generations have passed since that summer day. It was probably just as hot and humid as this one. From that humble beginning evolved as the sum of democracy where the legislative institution is the cornerstone. The first time africans were brought to the colony, and laid the groundwork for the law that created a system where children were born free or bond determined by the status of their mother which laid the cornerstone for that institution of slavery the United States. That evolution is breathtaking. From that rudimentary is breathtaking. From that rudimentary gathering of land owning white men to legislative bodies filled with the best and brightest of every race and gender, legislative bodies now serve as the place where ordinary, hard working americans become extraordinary ambassadors of their neighborhoods, their cities, and their towns and strive together to secure the blessings of liberty. Legislatures were where innovation and experimentation flourish, where people come together to solve vexing problems and where the voice of the people is expressed in Self Governance. I am here today as the president of the National Conference of state legislatures, representing over 7,500 american state legislators and more than 30,000 legislative staff. It is a tremendous honor to be here. Ncsl also began as an experiment nearly 45 years ago. Our formation was the product of intensive study, debate, and compromise. And the members and staff of this organization remain as committed to its founding today as they were then. We were founded on the belief that a powerful, cohesive voice representing legislatures is essential to shaping federal policy. We were founded on the principle that the bonds that unite us are stronger than the differences that divide us. And we were founded in the conviction that legislative service is one of democracys worthiest pursuits. I am proud. I am proud to stand here with you today. Im proud that in 2009, at the age of 36, i was duly elected to represent my district in the great state of illinois, in a country where my grandparents didnt have a constitutionally protected right to vote until they were 34 and 35. Im proud that as a woman of color, a mother, and an american. Im proud because we as a people fought for and died for, protected and nurtured the nascent idea born in this place so many years ago, and have worked tirelessly to ensure its survival and further its success. I am proud because despite the many challenges and setbacks this country has faced, america is still a place where our right to Self Governance is not taken for granted, where we can challenge our deposit and debate our principles. And the institutions which provide for that right are held dear. And most of all, i am proud because our state legislatures remain places where we come together even in the most divisive of times, to find solutions to the problems that playing us and serve the people of the United States. So on behalf of the nearly 7,500 legislatures across the country who understand that our service is our legacy, who understand that legacy as described in the amazing american broadway play hamilton, legacy are the seeds planned in a garden you may never get to see. The institution of the legislature, the article i branch of our three coequal branches of government, needs to be protected. For it is as strong and as fragile as democracy itself. And absolutely worth fighting for. Thank you. [ applause ] [ applause ] thank you, senator hutchinson, for your strong leadership on behalf of state legislatures, lawmakers and staff. Now for the purpose of welcoming todays keynote speaker, we are pleased to have with us a former Capital Square colleague who presently serves in washington, d. C. In the United States congress representing americas first district, the honorable robert j. Wittman, United States house of representatives, first Congressional District of virginia. Congressman wittman. [ cheers and applause ] well, thank you, folks, and good morning, and welcome to americas first district, and welcome to jamestown, the locus of so much of our history. It was here where a small group of adventurers established the very foundation of this nation, a nation built on democracy and the rule of law. Mr. President , you made all americans proud earlier this summer when you traveled to normandy to recall and honor the sacrifice made there by so many Young American patriots, many from right here in virginia. Your eloquent words touched us all and what you said there has such resonance for our anniversary gathering today that i want to read a passage from your remarks. Speaking of the dday heroes you said, more powerful than the strength of american arms was the strength of american hearts. These men ran through the fires of hell, moved by a force no weapon could destroy. The fierce patriotism of a free, proud, and sovereign people. They battled not for control and domination but for liberty, democracy, and selfrule. They pressed on for love and home and country, the main streets, the school yards, the churches, the neighborhoods, the families and communities that gave us men such as these. They were sustained by the confidence that america can do anything because we are a noble nation with a virtuous people, praying to a righteous god. Mr. President , the liberty, democracy, and selfrule to which you paid such tribute, the cause for which so many made profound sacrifice, traces its roots here to this place. It was here in a little church, in a little fort, in a struggling colony, that the light of liberty was first lit on these american shores. It was here that representatives first gathered to give voice to the will of the people. A government deriving its power from the governed. On this day, 400 years ago, governor yardley called for the first representative Legislative Assembly, marking the beginning of Representative Democracy that is now the great United States of america. They did not know that they would succeed in this great experiment of democracy. But through ingenuity, perseverance, and idealism, the founders of jamestown created a movement, the one that has brought us here today. All that we have become and aspired to be today in this great and diverse american democracy could not even have been contemplated on that hot summer day. But what was unleashed was a powerful idea, the idea that free people can govern themselves. The idea that created a great nation. And it changed the world. Mr. President , your presence today as the leader of our great nation says something profound and powerful about the importance of this place, about the national and International Significance of this anniversary. We are grateful that you have come to help us tell that story to a listening world. Reflecting on the birth of our nation allows us to see how far we have come as a nation and as a commonwealth. When the small group of british settlers landed in this place, they could not have imagined what they were about to set in motion. Just in this area we have the second Oldest University in the country that educated the Founding Fathers of this nation. We have the Largest Naval base in the world and our oldest nasa field center. We are so blessed to call this place home. As a former member of the house of delegates, the chamber that is the first decescendant of th legislative gathering, i am so pleased to be here this morning. When you speak in a few moments you will become the first president of the United States to address this virginia General Assembly in its swire illustrious 400year history. [ applause ] this is the highest of honors and a singular distinction that will live on in history. But we too are honored. We are honored by your presence. And we are honored by your recognition of this 400th anniversary. It is a worthy moment that stands in significance and remembrance by all americans, all of whom live in this land of freedom and enjoy its blessings because of four centuries of service and sacrifice. Mr. President , welcome. Thank you so much for your leadership and for taking the time to be here with us today. [ applause ] the assembly will be at ease just for a second. Ladies and gentlemen, the commonwealth is honored to have with us on this historic occasion, and it is my privilege as speaker to now formally present to the assembly the president of the United States, donald j. Trump. [ hail to the chief ] [ applause ] thank you very much. Please make yourselves comfortable. I want to thank you, speaker cox. Its a true privilege to be back in the great commonwealth of virginia. [ applause ] and its a tremendous honor to stand on these historic grounds as the first president to address a joint session of the oldest lawmaking body in all of the western hemisphere, the virginia General Assembly. Congratulations. [ applause ] on this day, 400 years ago, here on the shores of the james river, the first repetitive Legislative Assembly in the new world convened. By the devotion of generations of patriots, it has flourished throughout the ag