Pete Ashdown

One hundred forty-two years ago, our greatest President, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed:

“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.”

Someone once said,

“It never occurs to some politicians that Lincoln is worth imitating as well as quoting.”

I hope that all of us recognize the great blessings we have, but also give more than words as our thanks. Below are a few of the numerous organizations who need your actions during this Thanksgiving:

America Supports You
American Red Cross
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
LDS Humanitarian Services
The Road Home
United Way of Salt Lake
Utah Food Bank

Whatever you consider giving to my campaign, please consider giving double to any of these or other charities. I wish all of you a happy, meaningful Thanksgiving, as we work to “restore…peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.”