{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398368", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.24.14", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Giving Thanks, Attitudes are Contagious\nWhile there are many important national issues deserving discussion, this week is a time of Thanksgiving. We all have things for which we should be grateful.\u00a0 But if you are like most, you or a loved one have likely experienced some trials and tribulations during the last year as well.\nI was recently reminded of this when my colleague, Congressman Alan Nunnelee (R-MS), returned to the House of Representatives.\u00a0 While in Washington in early May, Congressman Nunnelee began experiencing nausea and fatigue.\u00a0 Following consultation with a doctor, Congressman Nunnelee went to a hospital and underwent an MRI scan.\u00a0 As a result of this scan, doctors found a small abnormality on the right side of his brain, which doctors ultimately confirmed was a small intracranial mass, a brain tumor.\nCongressman Nunnelee underwent surgery on June 9, and his doctors were able to successfully remove the mass.\u00a0 However, as a result of a stroke he suffered during the surgery, Congressman Nunnelee experienced some complications including difficulty with his speech and mobility on his left side.\u00a0 Congressman Nunnelee spent this summer recovering and undergoing regular therapy in order to improve both his speech and mobility.\u00a0 Statements released by his office at the time indicate that his doctors were pleased with his progress, but confirmed that his follow-up treatment would require radiation and chemotherapy.\u00a0 Following his treatment, he has returned to work in our nation\u2019s capital.\nAccording to a June 20 statement from his office, Congressman Nunnelee communicated to his family and staff:\n\u201cAttitudes are contagious, so you better make sure yours is worth catching.\u201d\nWhat a positive, inspiring perspective.\nCongressman Nunnelee recently gave the opening prayer at one of the House Republicans\u2019 regular meetings, quoting I Thessalonians 5:18: \n\u201cGive thanks in all circumstances, for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus.\u201d\nI couldn\u2019t help but reflect on this choice and on Congressman Nunnelee\u2019s message that morning.\u00a0 \n\u201cI am glad the scripture in Thessalonians does not say to give thanks for all circumstances,\u201d Congressman Nunnelee says, \u201cbecause I would have a difficult time being thankful for a tumor or a stroke, much less both.\u00a0 I have learned the way to approach the difficulty of stroke rehabilitation is to give thanks in all circumstances.\u201d\nThough we may not be thankful for hardships such as tumors, strokes, etc., we ought to be thankful in all situations for our blessings and that with which we have been provided in order to deal with health scares and other tribulations.\nAs Thanksgiving draws near, I am reminded of the many things for which I am grateful, including my wife, my children, and my health.\u00a0 I am thankful to have the opportunity to serve our community, first in the state legislature and now in the halls of Congress.\u00a0 \nI am deeply thankful in the Lord for these blessings and others bestowed upon me and my family, and for the blessings on this nation, where a man or woman can determine their fate by the sweat of their brow and their ingenuity.\u00a0 This is true no matter what family you are born into or whom you are fortunate enough to know.\nIn preparing this column, I looked into some of my books for additional guidance on Thanksgiving messages.\u00a0 While doing so, I found the \u201cOld 100th\u201d as a hymn listed under \u2018Thanksgiving\u2019 in my 1952 Book of Common Prayer/Hymnal:\nPraise God, from Whom all blessings flow;\nPraise Him, all creatures here below;\nPraise Him above, ye heavenly host;\nPraise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. \nHow very meaningful, the familiar words of the \u201cOld 100th.\u201d\nLike Congressman Nunnelee, many in the Ninth District have experienced losses that we are not thankful for, but we remain thankful in the Lord for the blessings that have been bestowed upon us.\u00a0 To again borrow from Congressman Nunnelee, \n\u201cI am thankful in this circumstance and pray you find yourself doing the same.\u201d\nMay God bless each and every one of you, and may God bless these United States.\u00a0 Best wishes to you, your family, and your friends for a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  \n\u00a0  \nAs always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office by email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398368"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5684179961681366, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}