Happy November, it’s hard to believe the holidays are just around the corner! Before then, here’s some news on the Commonwealth and the 93rd distinct. This newsletter contains election results, local announcements, updates on Virginia’s continued effort to beat COVID-19, and more!
Election Results
Thank you to the people of the 93rd District for re-electing me as your Delegate. I am humbled by the faith you have put in me and will never lose sight of the fact that my job as your Delegate is to improve the lives of everyone in the 93rd District.
I want to say thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who made this victory possible. I know the results of the election were not everything we wanted them to be; we will be going back to Richmond under very different circumstances. While the landscape has changed, we will move forward, and continue to fight for what is best for Virginia!
W&M and Colonial Williamsburg announce Bray School’s future location
Bray School project is a partnership with W&M and Colonial Williamsburg to relocate, restore, and research the oldest extant schoolhouse for African Americans in the U.S. During a ceremony the two educational institutions also announced the creation of a joint research initiative to document the history of the school and its students, which will lead to new interpretive programming that explores the complicated history of this 18th-century institution dedicated to the education of Black children.
Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport
I was honored to present HJR 119 to the Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport for serving the residents of the Virginia Peninsula and aviators from around the country for 50 years. The airport can traces its roots even further to 1967, when Larry Waltrip asked his parents, the owners of a construction company, about building a new airstrip to replace the recently closed College Airport at The College of William & Mary.Since then, the Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport has become a beloved community meeting place, with civic groups using the airport’s conference room for events and the award-winning Charly’s Airport Restaurant providing delicious food to locals and travelers alike.
Launch of The Local Black Histories Project
The Village Initiative for Equity in Education sponsored a new, interactive platform that uncovers the rich history of the Black community in the Greater Williamsburg area. The Local Black Histories Project launched on November 14th. The project is in collaboration with The College of William & Mary and Williamsburg-James City County. Jacqueline Bridgeforth Williams, The Village founder, describes the platform as a ‘virtual museum.’ It features stories told by Black descendants, films, community forums, and curated exhibits on the history of Williamsburg and James City County.
Williamsburg Faith in Action & the Arc of Greater Williamsburg
This past month, I was honored to present HJR 755 to Williamsburg Faith in Action and the Arc of Greater Williamsburg to commend their work developing a partnership to respond to the issue of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Williamsburg Faith in Action serves the elderly community in James City County, Williamsburg, and the Bronx District of York County by helping many individuals age safely in their homes. The Arc of Greater Williamsburg serves individuals with disabilities who have aged out of special education services. From April 1 to December 14, 2020, volunteers with Williamsburg Faith in Action conducted 434 food pantry deliveries, representing more than a 600 percent increase from the previous year.
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Booster Shot Updates
Great Job Virginia! Three out of every four adult Virginians are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but our work is not done yet. All Virginians aged 5 and older are eligible to receive the covid-19 vaccine! If you haven’t received either a first or second dose, you can get vaccinated at many distribution sites without making an appointment first. If you would like to find a place to get the vaccine you can find vaccination sites here or by calling 877-829-4682.
VDH recommends that individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine can receive a booster dose about 6 months after their second dose. Those individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are recommended to receive a booster dose at least 2 months after their shot.
Happy Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for all of your support and generosity throughout the years. Without you, we would not be where we are today! I hope you have safe travel and a joyous holiday!
That’s all for this newsletter, thanks for reading! Keep connected with our office by calling (757) 525-9526, emailing DelMMullin@house.virginia.gov, or @mikemullin4va on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Be well,
Mike