6th district convention speech

The following is Sam's speech from the May 24th 6th District Democratic Committee Convention.

Sam Rasoul: Honoring Our Heroes

Sam held a press conference at the American Legion in Salem yesterday, May 27th. The following is Sam speaking about the importance of giving back to our veterans and his plans to support increasing veterans' benefits:

Honoring Our Heroes

I wanted to wish you all a Happy Memorial Day.
I hope you are celebrating this day as I am by remembering the service of our military men and women. It is important that we honor their memory every single day, and give back as much as we can to our living veterans.
I wanted to invite each of you to attend a press conference I am holding on veterans' issues tomorrow Tuesday May 27th at 12:30PM at the American Legion on Apperson Drive in Salem. I hope you can attend, and please bring your friends, family, and any veterans you know. It is time we provide our veterans with all the benefits they deserve.

Veterans' Benefits: What do you think?

Sam wants to know your thoughts on how to best address the difficulties our veterans face obtaining basic necessities like quality healthcare and affordable education.

At an upcoming press conference on Tuesday, May 27th at 12:30PM at the American Legion Post on Apperson Drive in Salem, Sam will be discussing his ideas for how to best repay our service men and women for their service to our country. He will be announcing his support of several pieces of legislation including Senator Jim Webb’s New GI Bill as well as his proposals on how to combat increasing mental health problems and homelessness amongst our veterans.

Sam wants to hear to your opinion on these issues. How would you propose we provide our veterans with the benefits they deserve? Which benefits should be expanded, how should we pay for the expansion, and which specific pieces of legislation do you think our representatives should support?

Exciting Weekend Ahead

I have a busy and exciting weekend ahead! Tomorrow afternoon I will be walking door-to-door talking with voters in Lynchburg. I hope you will join me, starting at the Lynchburg Public Library at 3:00PM.

Saturday I will be walking in the Strasburg Mayfest Parade in Shenandoah County. We will be meeting at W. King St. (behind the M&R Mart) at 1:00PM; the parade will begin at 2:00PM. I hope you will come walk with me to show your support for my campaign!

Also on Saturday afternoon my family and friends will participating in the Local Colors Festival at Elwood Park in downtown Roanoke. They will be at the Palestine booth giving samples of a traditional dessert, baklavah. It should be a lot of fun!

Email info@samrasoul.us if you would like more information about any of these events. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, there is certainly no shortage of activity around the 6th district!

Young Virginia Democrats: Energetic and Engaged

Thanks to my friend and supporter Bob Dickerman for pointing out the following interesting numbers regarding youth participation in Virginia's Democratic presidential primaries: In 2004, only 31,698 voters ages 17-29 cast ballots. In 2008, an astounding 134,968 voters came out to the polls.
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

That means that there are about FOUR TIMES as many young Democrats in Virginia today than in 2004, and they are actively participating in the political process in other ways besides simply casting a ballot. A recent article on Leesburg Tomorrow also cited the engagement of
young people and the grassroots effort they have put forth on my campaign.

I am proud to have both staff and volunteers that are young, energetic and enthusiastic about turning the 6th district blue. They are just as excited as I am to change congress, and I hope you will join us in this necessary fight to bring common values back to Washington.

Local Elections in Roanoke

A quick post just to remind registered voters in Roanoke City about the local elections May 6th.

Not only is it important that you personally remember to cast your ballot between 6am-7pm on Tuesday, but it is also critical that you encourage everyone you know to get out and vote. It is possible that only a few votes could decide who will be Roanoke's next Mayor, councilmen, and school board members. These elected officials will be making the decisions that directly impact our daily lives.

There will be phone banking for local Democrats on the ballot at our campaign office from 1:00PM-8:00PM on both Sunday and Monday. Please stop by the office at 5524 Williamson Road even if you only have a small amount of time to help out.

This is an election where one vote could make the difference!