Pol Light

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Harry Reid Designates Suicide Survivors Day

Harry Reid

Pol Light Moment #143 happened on May 11, 1999, when Harry Reid introduced a Resolution to the United States Senate designating the Saturday before the American Thanksgiving as the annual "National Survivors for Prevention of Suicide Day" (Congress.gov, S. Res. 99). Harry Reid has been a United States Senator from Nevada from 1987 to 2017.

Reid's father Harry Vincent Reid was a miner and killed himself in 1972 (Biography.com, Harry Reid). Harry Reid believed his father struggled with undiagnosed depression (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Sen. Harry Reid: A Lifetime of Service to Suicide Prevention, November 4, 2016). This personal tragedy motivated Harry Reid at the request of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to create a resolution for the US Senate to designate a National Survivors of Suicide Day.

The first observance of Suicide Survivors Day took place on November 20, 1999, and the observance continues to this day on the Saturday before the American Thanksgiving Day. The day is designed to bring people together who have had family or friends commit suicide, so that the survivors may receive comfort and encouragement from others. The following is a video of a trailer about Reclaiming Life after Loss designed to encourage survivors of suicide.

For More Information: For more information on Survivors of Suicide Day visit these links.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Harry Reid is in the Public Domain.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Steve Daines Helps Family Adopt a Child from Congo

Steve Daines

Pol Light Moment #142 happened on May 13, 2016, when a boy named Rocky met Steve Daines, who had helped his Montana parents with his adoption process and assisted Rocky with becoming a US citizen. Steve Daines has been a United States Senator from Montana since 2015. From 2013-2015 he had served as the at-large member from Montana to the US House of Representatives.

Rocky is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Steve Daines worked for three years to help Rocky become an American citizen and be adopted by his parents in Montana.

Below is a video of a news story down by KXLF.com on the story of Rocky meeting Steve Daines a few months after he was adopted by his parents in Montana.
KXLF.com | Continuous News | Butte, Montana

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Steve Daines is in the Public Domain.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Chris Murphy Filibusters over Gun Control Reform

Chris Murphy

Pol Light Moment #141 happened on June 15-16, 2016, when Chris Murphy led a 15 hour filibuster on the floor of the United States Senate appealing for gun control reform. Chris Murphy has been a United States Senator from Connecticut since 2013.

Chris Murphy started his filibuster in the US Senate in the late morning hours on June 15, 2016, in order to raise awareness of gun violence and appeal for gun control reform (CNN Politics, Nearly 15 hours later, Democratic Senator Ends Filibuster over Guns, June 16, 2016). After receiving a commitment from leadership that gun safety measures would be brought forward for a vote in the US Senate, Chris Murphy ended his filibuster 15 hours after he started at about 2:00 am on June 16, 2016.

I am proud to announce that after 14+ hours on the floor, we will have a vote on closing the terror gap & universal background checks
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 16, 2016

Here is the video where Chris Murphy ends his filibuster by talking about Dylan Hockley, a child with autism, and his teacher Anne Marie Murphy, who were killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut in 2012. Note: Dylan Hockley and Anne Marie Murphy were memorialized in 2012 on our companion Autism Light blog.

The photo of Chris Murphy is in the Public Domain.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Ted Cruz Shares About Addiction Problems in His Family

Ted Cruz

Pol Light Moment #140 happened on February 4, 2016, when Ted Cruz shared two stories of addiction problems in his family at the Addiction & Recovery Forum in Hoskett, New Hampshire. Ted Cruz has been a United States Senator from Texas since 2013.

An Addiction & Recovery Forum was held on February 4, 2016, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hoskett, New Hampshire. During this forum Ted Cruz shared about his half-sister's battle with prescription drug addiction and his father's struggle with alcoholism.

Here is a video of Ted Cruz sharing about the prescription drug addiction of his older half sister Miriam. Miriam Cruz died on January 11, 2011 of a drug overdose (DailyMail.com, June 29, 2015). Ted Cruz later paid for military school expenses for Miriam's son Joey.

Rafael Cruz, the father of a Ted Cruz, was an alcoholic. Here he tells the story of his father who would recover from his addiction and become a minister.

More information about Ted Cruz sharing about addiction problems in his family can be found on the Breitbart website.

Ted Cruz has been the subject of other posts on this blog. To find other Ted Cruz posts search with the label "Ted Cruz" on the blog.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Ted Cruz is in the Public Domain.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Marco Rubio Answers an Atheist's Concerns about His Christian Faith

Marco Rubio

Pol Light Moment #139 took place on January 18, 2016, when Marco Rubio answered an atheist's concern about his Christian faith in a town hall meeting in Waverly, Iowa. Marco Rubio has served as a United States Senator for Florida since January, 2011.
An atheist named Justin Scott attended a Marco Rubio town hall meeting on January 18, 2016, and asked Rubio the following question:

I’m an atheist voter. I represent millions of atheists and non-theists around the country. One of the fastest growing voter blocs. And you said earlier that you wanted to stand up for religious freedom and all of that. My question is: For atheist voters that are looking for somebody that will uphold their rights as Americans, and not pander to a certain religious group, I just noticed your recent ad. It mentioned nothing about policy, it mentioned nothing about ideas, and it simply talked about wanting us to follow faith, and find God, and go to Heaven, and things like that. Which is fine for those people that align with you. My question is: how do you plan on upholding our rights and focusing on non-theists… because there’s talks in our community about running as “pastor in chief” instead of commander in chief, so I’m curious your thoughts (Patheos, Asking Marco Rubio How He'd Protect the Rights of Atheists is not a Gotcha Question, Hemant Mehta, January 21, 2016).

Here is a video that Justin Scott recorded and placed on YouTube of the answer Marco Rubio gave.

In part of his response to the atheist Justin Scott, Marco Rubio said:

We are also going to have a country where no one is forced to violate their conscience, which means that no one is going to force you to believe in God. But, no one is going to force me to stop talking about God. I am not going to force you to pray. I am not going to force you to go to church. I am not going to force you to espouse beliefs that you don't have. But, no one is going to take away my right and your right to live out the teachings of your faith — no one.

You shouldn't be worried about my faith influencing me. In fact, I think you should hope my faith influences me and here's why. You know what my faith teaches me? My faith teaches me that I have an obligation to care for the less fortunate. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation to love my neighbor. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation for those who are hungry to help try to feed them; for those that are naked, to help clothe them. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation that I need to minister to those in prison. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation that if I want to serve Jesus that I have to serve [others]. I think you should hope that influences me (Marco Rubio as quoted by The Christian Post, Rubio to Atheist, Samuel Smith, January 19, 2016).

For more information on this moment when Marco Rubio answered an atheist read these articles:

Marco Rubio has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Marco Rubio posts search with the "Marco Rubio" label at Pol Light. Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo in this Post: "Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress" by US Senate - Email from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Michelle Obama Opens Special Olympics

Michelle Obama

Pol Light Moment #138 happened on July 25, 2015, when Michelle Obama opened the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.
Michelle Obama said these words to the approximately 6,500 athletes from 165 countries were at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the World Games on July 25, 2015.

"To all of our athletes, I just want you to know that all those people won't just be cheering for you, they're going to be learning from you," the first lady told the cheering crowd during the opening ceremony. "You're filling us with so much hope. And you're uniting us in a way that nothing else can (Michelle Obama, CNN.Com, Kristen Holmes, Michelle Obama Kicks off Special Olympics, July 26, 2015)."

Michelle Obama has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all the posts featuring Michelle Obama search with the label Michelle Obama.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Michelle Obama is in the Public Domain.

Monday, February 29, 2016

Ronald Reagan Pens Letter Clarifying His Views on the Ku Klux Klan

Ronald Reagan

Pol Light Moment #137 occurred on April 30, 1984, when Ronald Reagan sent a letter to the Chairman of the Commission on Civil Rights concerning his views on the Ku Klux Klan. Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981-1989.

Below is the content of the letter that Ronald Reagan sent to The Honorable Morris B. Abram, the chair of the Commission on Civil Rights, on April 30, 1984.

April 30, 1984

Dear Morris:

While in China, I have been distressed to learn that some individuals back home have questioned whether my views on the Ku Klux Klan have somehow changed since 1980. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In 1980, I said that I have no tolerance for what the Klan represents, and would have nothing to do with any groups of that type. If anything, my feelings on this subject have only grown stronger. The politics of racial hatred and religious bigotry practiced by the Klan and others have no place in this country, and are destructive of the values for which America has always stood. Those of us in public life can only resent the use of our names by those who seek political recognition for the repugnant doctrines of hate they espouse.

I firmly believe that there is no room for partisanship on this question. Democrats and Republicans alike must be resolute in disassociating ourselves from any group or individual whose political philosophy consists only of racial or religious intolerance, whose arguments are supported only by intimidation or threats of violence.

We must, and will, continue our unified rejection of such elements of hate in our political life, for while there are many issues which divide us, it is fundamental principles such as this which will always draw us together.

Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan

[The Honorable Morris B. Abram, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1121 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20425]

Source: Reagan Library Archives

Ronald Reagan has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Ronald Reagan posts search with the Ronald Reagan label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Ronald Reagan is in the Public Domain.

Pages