THE 2006 race for the United States Senate from Virginia has been hard-fought on both sides -- mainly because there is so much at stake. As citizens, it is vitally important to understand what is at stake and why we should vote on Nov. 7 for the candidate who also understands the complexities we face today. Often, we only hear how the politics of the race have become dirty, but I challenge you to look beyond that sensationalism to see who has truly presented time and again his record of accomplishment and his ideas for moving Virginia forward. I encourage you to cast your ballot for that candidate, Sen. George Allen.
Allen's passion and political convictions were nurtured right here in the shadow of Monticello. He served as the delegate to our state legislature. Later, he was our congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1994, he took office as the 67th governor of Virginia. The next four years saw unprecedented reform and growth in the Commonwealth. He reformed welfare, provided for accountability in education with the Standards of Learning and strengthened the criminal justice system by abolishing parole for violent offenders and improving the juvenile justice system.
Virginia netted 312,000 new private sector jobs. $14 billion dollars of investments came into Virginia, and many of the technology companies that provide so many jobs for Virginians today were encouraged to come here through Allen's progress as Governor -- including cutting taxes by $1 billion for Virginia families and businesses.
His commitment to that progress has continued as our U.S. senator. He has sponsored legislation to eliminate the "Death Tax" and to increase the number of Americans eligible for the 10 percent tax bracket. Allen introduced both a constitutional amendment that would require the federal government to present a balanced budget and legislation that would hold members of Congress accountable if they did not pass a budget by the start of the new fiscal year. He has consistently fought for fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Sen. Allen strives to make America attractive for investment and innovation from across the globe. Without competitive citizens, America cannot be competitive in the world, and Allen has continued to show his understanding that a quality education is essential to success. He fought to pass legislation twice in the U.S. Senate that provided $250 million to fund technology for minority-serving institutions, and he introduced a $1,000 per child tax credit for educational materials including computers and tutoring.
One of the most important issues facing Virginia voters this year is the war on terror. George Allen has consistently fought to keep Americans safe here at home and abroad. American soil is not safe while radical dictators are allowed to provide aid to terrorists, and because our brave troops are helping to bring democracy and freedom to new lands, we are safer. Allen realizes that an immediate withdrawal of troops is neither safe nor responsible. We cannot leave new democracies to collapse and become safe havens for brutal terrorists. While his opponent is opposed to the war, he has not been able to offer any plan for victory (we can assume he will not be sending any women over there, however, based on his sexist comments over the years about the inability of women to serve in the military). A steadfast supporter of the Armed Forces, Allen has championed funding for active duty, reservists, National Guard and veterans.
While his accomplishments as both governor and senator discussed above positively affect many groups of people representing nearly every Virginian, it is important how his care and concern affects individuals.
One week ago, at an event with Allen here in Charlottesville, two women recounted how he had touched their lives. Teresa Sayers of Galax, Virginia no longer has to worry about her abusive husband getting parole after he was convicted of attempted murder for stabbing her repeatedly; Rhonda Winfield, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq, thanked Allen for making sure we accomplish what her son gave his life for. Winfield gave her son's dog tags to Allen; he looks at them every day, and he knows that the decisions he makes representing Virginia affect millions of real lives.
The decision you make on Nov. 7 will also affect those lives, and I hope you join me in sending someone with a proven record of accomplishment and real plans for Virginia back to the U.S. Senate -- George Allen.
Amber VerValin is the chair of the College Republicans.
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