releases: https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/taking-pause-and-giving-thanks
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/weeklyreport/taking-pause-and-giving-thanks | Taking a Pause and Giving Thanks | 2016-11-17 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Taking a Pause and Giving Thanks Thanksgiving is a holiday rooted in American tradition, engrained in hundreds of years of being grateful for all we have. In looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, I am reminded of how truly thankful I am to live in this great nation, and grateful for those who serve to protect it. Centuries ago, our nation’s God-fearing and forward thinking founders bravely rejected the notion of an unrestrained tyranny to instead champion democracy. These trailblazing Americans were willing to stand up in support of a republic built on the foundation of representative government, for the people, by the people, for freedoms and liberties we respect as Americans today. It was America’s strong foundation of freedoms and liberties guaranteed to all its citizens that drew my ancestors to this great nation from Europe six generations ago. For in this country, we have the right to free speech, to practice the religion of our choosing without government persecution. We have the right to assemble, to petition our government, to private property, to defend ourselves, to elect our neighbors to represent and listen to the people. These are only some of the freedoms which make up the fabric of this nation, and no one can take them away. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom - and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.” As Americans, we have the right to have and to entertain different ideas, beliefs and ways of thinking. The willingness and ability to love and accept our neighbors – even when we differ - is what makes our nation so great. It is what prompts countries all over the world to emulate this great republic we in America hold dear. Thanksgiving is also a reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to protect these freedoms and preserve our nation. Our veterans have served in defense of our liberties, and our service members continue to bravely wear our nation’s uniform and put themselves in harm’s way often far away from their own family’s holiday meal. It is also a time to pay tribute to the members of our law enforcement who protect our families and neighbors in our communities, ready to respond and help when they need us most. And, this year we must also keep in our hearts the families of Iowa law enforcement who have suffered incomprehensible losses. As we go forth this holiday season, it is my hope we can rise above the differences in our nation and instead recognize all of the hope and freedom this country continues to provide her people, to those who seek it, and those who stand to protect it. Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving this year. May God bless you and your family, and may God bless Iowa and America. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |