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Governor's Holiday Hoops Classic Raises Over 100 Tons of Food for Virginia's Food Banks

Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, noted, “When we partnered with the Governor and the participating schools for this first-ever food drive, we set a goal of raising 100,000 pounds. That goal was doubled. Now, food banks in every region of the state will be receiving much-needed contributions at a very busy time of the year. I want to thank all those who gave in this food drive. ... This is just a wonderful outpouring of generosity, and it means the world to us.”
Read the News Release

Governor McDonnell Participates in Statewide Moment of Silence

Governor Bob McDonnell today issued a call for Virginians to join in a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting exactly one week after the shootings occurred. Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy has issued a proclamation declaring this Friday as a Day of Mourning in Connecticut and called upon all citizens of that state to observe a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.
Read Press Release | Read the Proclamation | View Photos

Capitol Tree Lighting and Military Tribute

The Governor, First Lady and Virgina military including the Virginia National Guard's 29th Band are in attendance for the lighting of the official state tree and to honor our military
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Annual Tax Tribute

Governor and Mrs. McDonnell today welcomed Chief Carl Custalow of the Mattaponi Tribe, Chief Kevin Brown of the Pamunkey Tribe, and other tribal members to the Executive Mansion to observe the 335th tax tribute ceremony. The ceremony is the oldest continuing nation-to-nation ceremony in the United States.
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Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning regarding the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.

"150 years ago today, our nation awoke to the dawn of freedom. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In a document that history will forever remember, the President wrote, "I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons." With those words, issued unilaterally by a brave and good man, the evil and shame of slavery upon these shores had met the beginning of its ultimate demise. President Lincoln's historic proclamation was spurred, in large part, by events that took place here in Hampton. It was at Fort Monroe, "Freedom's Fortress", that Frank Baker, Sheppard Mallory and James Townsend, three escaped slaves, had reached Union ground early in the Civil War and were granted freedom by the commanding general. That moment preceded and helped precipitate Lincoln's proclamation. For that reason, and many others, Fort Monroe was declared a national park by President Barack Obama in 2011."
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UVa Improves to Number 2 "Best Value in Public Colleges" in Annual Kiplinger Ranking

Office of the Governor Robert F. McDonnell | © Commonwealth of Virginia 2013