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| November 17th, 2000 |
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Contact: Christopher Rosche - 202.224.9851 |
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Printable Version |
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THANKSGIVING MESSAGE FROM SEN. HATCH
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WASHINGTON – Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) made the following statement with regards to Thanksgiving Day:
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year that gives me the opportunity to reflect on my many blessings. There is no doubt in my mind that each of us, no matter what our circumstance, can be thankful for what we have. I hope that you will allow me to communicate, in the next few paragraphs, some of the things I am thankful for.
Let me first express my appreciation to my Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ for all of their loving service to the mankind - past and present.
I am very grateful for my wife, Elaine, with whom I have shared the last 43 years of my life. I am also thankful for our six children and nineteen grandchildren. It is such a great blessing for Elaine and I to have them as part of our lives. One of my favorite hymns says, “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” I can say with certitude that my family has made it more easy for me to count my many blessings.
I am also thankful to be an American because I know that we, in this nation, live in the greatest country on earth! We enjoy freedoms and opportunities that other people of the earth wish they had. But, that freedom was not just given to us. There have been many who have sacrificed their own lives to help to secure the freedoms that we enjoy today.
This past election across our country has shown all of us what I have always believed - that our vote counts, and I am thankful for that opportunity that all American citizens have in choosing their leaders.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t express my deep appreciation for the great people of Utah for electing me to my fifth term as senator and for allowing me to continue to stand up for Utahns while I strive to serve valiantly in our nation’s capital.
I have been privileged, in my lifetime, to witness the end of the cold war and a continual progression toward freedom and peace, which I am thankful for as well.
Some of us can still remember the Great Depression,” which brought with it the lingering effects of poverty and much sorrow to our nation. We lost our family home during that time and my father used a $50 loan and second-hand building materials - including lumber that had been partially burned by fire - to build a home for my family. While I am grateful today that America is economically strong and thriving, I do not want to overlook some who are struggling to put food on the table for their families.
I believe that it was Harold B. Lee, one of the greatest religious leaders of our time, who lovingly admonished everyone to be thankful for one more day. I echo his sentiments.
During this very special time of the year, I encourage all to remember our many blessings and to express appreciation for them. Have a happy thanksgiving everyone.
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