Senator Ghazala Hashmi April 21, 2023 Newsletter

Dear friends,

In this week’s newsletter, I provide information on our upcoming town hall, recognize National Library Week and Earth Day, share highlights from community engagements from this past week, and send well wishes to community members celebrating Eid al-Fitr. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter and for staying informed.

Join Us for Our Upcoming Town Hall

On Tuesday, April 25, I will be hosting a town hall at Brightpoint Community College’s Chester Campus in the Nicholas Center Ballroom. Topics include the recent General Assembly session, the state budget, redistricting, and other community concerns. The town hall is open to the public, but registration is required. Register to attend here. We hope you will join us.

National Library Week

April 23 through 29 is National Library Week, an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role libraries, librarians, and other library staff play within our communities. This year’s theme, “There’s More to the Story,” highlights all of the resources available at local libraries such as access to technology, educational programming, audiovisual materials, and much more. This week, and throughout the year, I encourage community members to visit our incredible libraries in the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Powhatan County, to take advantage of the invaluable resources and programming provided to everyone, of every age.

Access to public libraries is a privilege that is often taken for granted, but trends across the Commonwealth and the country are challenging the very existence of libraries. In Virginia, books are being pulled from library shelves in Madison County, some individuals in King William County are calling for books bans and the defunding of public libraries, and certain members of the General Assembly continue to introduce legislation to ban targeted books from our public school libraries. We have seen similar calls across the United States: the Republican-controlled Missouri House voted to defund public libraries in their version of the state budget, and the Texas Senate voted to defund libraries because of story hours with actors performing in drag. Side note: let’s not forget that during the Elizabethan era, women were not allowed on stage, and so every Shakespearean play (and all other plays, for that matter) had only all-male casts. Ophelia, Juliet, and Lady Macbeth: all were played by men in “drag.” The point is, an extremist agenda is targeting access to one of the most democratic of institutions: public libraries.

During this past session, I made a point of personal privilege on the floor of the Senate in February to denounce book banning and censorship. I hope you might listen to it.

Commemorating Earth Day

This Saturday, April 22, marks the 53rd celebration of Earth Day. It's a day dedicated to honoring our environmental efforts and raising awareness about the critical need to protect our natural resources for future generations. This anniversary provides an array of opportunities to make a positive impact in our community, from the family-friendly Powhatan County Earth Day Celebration to the Richmond-wide “The Great Big Clean-Up” event to organizing individual outdoor adventures at one of our public outdoor spaces.

Environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change are the challenges of our lifetime. They are unequivocally existential threats, and as stewards of this planet, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve it.

Community Events and Meetings

*Last Thursday was a big day for Chesterfield County with LEGO hosting its groundbreaking ceremony for the 340-acre,* *carbon-neutral* facility. This project promises to create 1,760 jobs, with 500 positions expected to be filled by end of year here in Central Virginia. The facility will be housed within the new Senate District 15, and I look forward to working with LEGO and its employees as they establish this major operation in Chesterfield County. I was able to create my own LEGO figures at the “LEGO Bar” that evening.

During the lunch hour last Thursday, I joined members of the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) and AAPI public servants from across the state for the “APIDAs in Public Service” panel hosted by the Asian Cultural Engagement Center at Virginia Tech.

Later that Thursday afternoon, I participated in the U.S. Green Building Council Virginia Chapter’s Legislative Review, discussing how states and the federal government can partner in our green infrastructure transition.

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Last Friday, I visited the University of Richmond along with Delegate Carrie Coyner for a panel discussion with the UR Bonner Center of Civic Engagement. Many of the students attending the discussion served as legislative interns during the 2023 General Assembly. Dr. Anthony Sparacino (pictured) has served as an excellent partner with the UR Capitol Internship Program.

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Saturday’s forecast was beautiful–the perfect conditions to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Reynolds Community College. At Reynolds’ 50Fest, I connected with former colleagues, Virginia Community College System (VCCS) administrators, Henrico County administrators, and community members. Pictured here is Dr. Tim Merrill, Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning.

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Later on Saturday, I joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Richmond for an interfaith iftar. Gathering with community members and sharing a delicious meal to break the fast were a welcomed addition to the weekend.

On Tuesday evening, I attended the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Promotion and Recognition Ceremony, honoring some of our County’s finest first responders. Our Fire Department and EMS workers are true heroes, and many were honored Tuesday night for their life-saving efforts.

On Wednesday afternoon, I joined elected officials from across the Richmond region at Huguenot High School for the groundbreaking of their new broadband network. Reliable internet access is crucial for 21st century education, granting students access to information, resources, and expanding curriculum opportunities for teachers.

*Also on Wednesday afternoon was another welcome announcement – this time for Chesterfield County. I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for* *ISO Group, a Netherlands-based supplier of automation solutions in protected horticulture. Chesterfield County is now home to more than 40 companies representing 13 different countries.*‍

Wednesday rounded off with a fun evening event as my staff and I joined the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, the Islamic Center of Virginia, and the Bon Air United Methodist Church for the Fourth Annual “Iftar for the Richmond Community.” Community members from diverse faiths came together to join the Muslim community in breaking the daily fast for the holy month of Ramadan. We shared assorted delicious food during a potluck-style meal.

Eid Mubarak!

Today, Muslims across Virginia and across the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of spiritual reflection, charity, and volunteerism. I have been fortunate to break fast throughout the month with loved ones, friends, and community members of all faiths. I wish all who are celebrating this occasion a very joyous Eid al-Fitr. Eid Mubarak!

Connecting With My Office

Please email us at district10@senate.virginia.gov or call our office at 804-698-7510. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here.

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