NH State Representative Steven Smith

CONCORD – Honoring the 75th anniversary of the attack on the United
States at Pearl Harbor and paying tribute to the sacrifices of those who
were at Pearl Harbor that infamous day, Governor Maggie Hassan has
proclaimed Wednesday, December 7, 2016, as “Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day” in New Hampshire.  

“The course of history for our great nation and the world changed with
the horrific attack at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago,” Governor Hassan said.
“This solemn occasion is an important opportunity to join together in
honoring the sacrifices of the brave lives lost that day, as well as those
who survived and those who courageously went on to defend our nation in
World War II. Because of their selfless sacrifices, our country and world
are safer and stronger. I join all Granite Staters, Americans and people
across the world in remembering this dark day in our nation’s history and
in expressing our profound gratitude for the brave men and women who
sacrificed bravely to protect their fellow citizens and defend our shared
values of freedom, liberty and equality.”

In honor of the lives lost in the attack at Pearl Harbor, Governor Hassan
has directed flags to half-staff on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.

Today is Veterans Day.  We offer our thanks to those who have served to protect us.  We should do that every day, but especially today, we should make an extra effort.

You’ll note that I didn’t use an apostrophe in “Veterans Day”.  This is actually the correct spelling because it is a day of honoring all veterans.  The holiday belongs to all Americans.  Originally, this day was celebrated as Armistice Day, the end of World War 1.

U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through Congress. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. It had been eight and a half years since Weeks held his first Armistice Day celebration for all veterans.

Congress amended the bill on June 1, 1954, replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans,” and it has been known as Veterans Day since.

The National Veterans Award was also created in 1954. Congressman Rees of Kansas received the first National Veterans Award in Birmingham, Alabama for his support offering legislation to make Veterans Day a federal holiday.

So today, let’s not argue about things.  Let’s look for the people in our community have served, and simply say “Thank you for your service”.

I was re-elected to my 4th term in the NH House by a pretty wide margin.  In order for that to happen, a lot of people who voted for the other party had to also vote for me.  Thank you so much for your ongoing trust and support.  I take it very seriously, and will do my best to not let you down.

This election gave all three branches of New Hampshire government to the Republican Party.  Over the next two years, it is our duty to govern with grace and humility.  It is our responsibility to make sure that all points of view are considered, and that every voice matters.  I will do my best to do my part to make that happen.   The most important focus for me, is to spend the next two years convincing you that you made the right choice.

One thing I was very proud of were all the voters who behaved so much better than your elected leaders and candidates.  Despite the acrimony of this election cycle, every polling place I visited yesterday through District 11 was filled with courteous people who refused to be caught up in the fighting and treated each other well.

In Goshen, a woman looked at the sign I was holding and said “I won’t be voting your way”.  After voting, she came back and apologized.  She said that she regretted saying that just because she disagreed with me, and that we are all entitled to our opinion.  She then shook my hand and wished me luck.

Think how nice election season would be if everyone lived up to the example she set.  I wish I knew who she was, because I want to thank her for restoring some of the faith that I lost throughout this divisive process.  I want to thank her for being a better person than many candidates.  We should all try to live up to her standard of thoughtfulness and courage.  I know I will.

Steve