November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings filled with feasting on turkey, watching parades, cheering on football games, and many more of our own personal traditions. Most importantly, Thanksgiving is a time to express our gratitude to friends and family for their friendship and support throughout the year and to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.
Two hundred and twenty-one years ago, President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Day proclamation. Washington’s proclamation followed Congress’ request “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God….”
In this way, Thanksgiving was created to celebrate our new-found freedom and liberties; and the peace and tranquility enjoyed by the citizens of our nation following the Revolutionary War.
America’s first settlers held feasts for the purpose of giving thanks as early as 1621. These feasts were usually held in celebration of a successful harvest and often in the company of Native Americans who had taught the settlers new hunting and farming skills.
This November, I hope you celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends and reflect on everything we have to be grateful for and to cherish.
O. Henry once said that “There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.” Please join me in appreciating the many blessings of our great nation this year.
May your hearts and homes be filled with blessings, happy Thanksgiving.
State Senator John Proos 