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Description
The Arlington County Board today (Wed., Nov. 9, 2016) reacted to the presidential elections results. Board members reaffirmed Arlington as a community that values inclusion and protection of our diversity and our residents.
A
I'd
like
to
begin
with
a
statement
regarding
the
major
events
of
the
last
couple
of
days,
so
there
is
obviously
this
is
a
time
of
great
uncertainty
for
us
here
in
Arlington
County,
with
many
questions
about
potential
impacts
to
our
collective
future
and
I.
Think
the
the
sound
planning
the
sophistication
of
our
staff
of
our
residents
will
allow
Arlington's
institutions
to
navigate
the
coming
days,
as
we
have
other
major
economic
and
political
events
in
the
past.
A
I
wanted
to
make
a
couple
of
comments
today
that
public
safety
means
that
we
not
only
strive
for
a
low
crime
rate
and
an
excellent
police
force
which
we
have,
but
we
also
ensure
that
all
members
of
our
community
know
that
their
leaders
will
continue
to
stand
up
for
their
safety.
No
matter
what's
to
come,
and
so
I
want
to
take
this
opportunity
to
reaffirm
what
has
been
a
hallmark
of
Arlington
County
inclusion
and
protection
of
our
diversity
and
of
our
residents.
A
I
would
like
to
underscore
today
our
legacy
as
a
welcoming
home
to
refugees
from
all
over
the
world,
as
this
board
did
in
2015
and
emphasized
now.
Is
that
board
did
then
they
quote
responding
to
today's
urgent
humanitarian
crises
by
serving
as
a
new
home
for
those
seeking
refuge
is
in
keeping
with
our
national
and
local
traditions.
I
would
to
elevate
today
our
tradition
of
interface
engagement
in
our
belief
that
not
just
of
our
government
but
of
our
neighborhoods,
our
schools
and
religious
institutions
that
Muslim
Americans
are
respected.
A
Arlington
will
be
a
community
that
continues
to
ensure
that
survivors
of
gender
violence
are
met
here
with
dignity,
compassion
and
a
plan
to
seek
justice.
I
believe
at
this
time
of
uncertainty
for
many
of
our
residents.
Arlington's
long-standing
commitments
to
the
safety
of
all
must
be
unwavering
and
I
want
to
reaffirm
that
today.
Thank.
C
To
share
some
thoughts
might
be
a
good
time
if
you
don't
mind.
Okay,
thank
you.
I
appreciate
your
your
statement
and
any
others
that
may
come,
but
I
am
I
just
want
to
take
this
opportunity.
Since
we
were
meeting
today-
and
there
has
been
a
lot
in
the
news
lately-
we've
all
been
sort
of
riveted
to
the
to
the
national
news
and
the
presidential
race
and
others
that
I
take
my
opportunity
to
share
my
some
thoughts
with
you
today.
C
So
on
each
of
these,
the
first
is
easy
for
me.
Everyone
must
and
will
come
together
to
respect
and
accept
the
election
results,
as
that
is
how
we
work
via
the
example
set
by
our
very
first
president
George
Washington.
So
congratulations
to
mr
trump.
The
second
will
be
harder
to
open
like
me,
to
open
my
mind
and
give
our
president
elect
a
chance
to
lead.
Yet
we
must
do
that
after
we
each
finish
our
own
grieving,
those
that
supported
ms
clinton
and
our
assessment
of
what
happened
and
why
it
happened.
C
We
must
give
the
president
chance,
though
my
doubts
are
deep
in
a
qualitatively
different
way
than
ever
before.
I
truly
hope
that
the
man
that
I've
watched
and
learned
about
will
change
and
evolve
and
recognize
the
vast
responsibility
of
the
US
presidency,
as
it
involves
I'm
happy
to
share.
You
know
my
personal
analysis
of
why
it
happened
what
it
means,
as
we
all
do,
that
independently.
C
Suffice
it
to
say
that
I
believe
the
top
priority
reform
on
my
list
would
be
to
gather
bipartisan
support
in
Virginian
across
the
country
for
nonpartisan
redistricting
reforms,
which
may
be
the
best
way
to
reduce
some
of
what
is
this
national,
partisan
polarization
that
we've
experienced
and
on
the
third
item?
Finally,
I
will
absolutely
continue
to
believe
in
our
vision
for
our
community
and
for
America
and
the
stand
firm
for
our
progressive
values
in
in
our
this
wonderful
community
of
Arlington.
C
C
Here
we
have
created
a
very
special
place
that
embraces
diversity
as
effectively
planned
for
and
implemented
enormous
change
to
create
a
more
sustainable
and
safe
and
healthy
community,
a
community
that
works
and
we've
done
it
together.
I
believe
that
our
Langton
has
traditionally
invited
wide
expressions
of
thought,
promoted,
civic
engagement
and
civility
and
as
thoughtfully
developed
policy
while
being
guided
by
that
policies.
Impact
I
believe
Arlington
has
been
a
model
for
many
others,
both
in
Virginia
we've
influenced
many
in
Virginia
and
in
the
washington
metropolitan
region.
C
So
similar
to
Katie
I
specifically
today
means
that
as
a
leader
in
this
community,
I
am
choosing
to
reassure
Arlington's
of
all
stripes
and
all
hues
and
all
homelands
that
Arlington's
commitment
to
remain
a
welcoming
and
safe
community
will
not
change.
I
know
different
people
are
reacting
to
the
events
the
last
two
days
differently.
C
So
I
want
to
quote
the
few
lines
from
a
past
resolution
of
this
board
quote:
Arlington
County
remains
committed
to
making
certain
that
all
our
residents
have.
The
ability
to
engage
as
full
members
of
our
community
arlington
county
has
always
been
and
will
remain
a
community
that
welcomes
and
values
all
its
residents,
treating
them
with
human
dignity
and
respect
regardless
of
immigration
status.
C
C
We
look
forward
to
continuing
together
as
one
Arlington
in
the
best
traditions
of
our
community
and
our
nation.
That's
the
end
of
that
resolution.
We
passed
some
time
ago
so
today,
I
want
to
reaffirm
my
commitment
to
that
vision
for
our
community
and
our
country
and
overall,
while
I'm
saddened
at
some
level.
I
am
old
enough
to
know
that
pain
and
loss
inevitably
opens
up
opportunity
and
that
the
future
can
be
very
bright
and
we
in
Arlington
will
do
our
part.
B
D
D
Regardless
of
our
political
perspective,
everyone
in
the
nation
and
across
the
globe
is
still
processing
the
remarkable
outcome
of
yesterday's
election.
Many
are
jubilant.
Others,
as
Katie
crystal
indicated,
are
apprehensive
or
even
fearful,
and
many
others
no
doubt
are
conflicted.
In
my
view,
all
four
party
nominees
on
the
Virginia
ballot
for
president
this
year
fell
short
of
what
our
nation
deserved
and
needed
in
2016
I
voted,
but
did
not
vote
for
any
of
them.
Still.
The
American
people
have
spoken.
D
I
am
confident
that
our
democratic
institutions
will
heal
and
endure
and
I
hope
and
pray
that
people
of
goodwill
will
come
together,
lower
our
voices
and
work
together
to
find
common
ground
to
advance
the
human
condition.
I'm
reminded
of
the
statement
chiseled
in
stone
above
the
main
door
to
the
State
Capitol
in
my
home
state
of
Nebraska
quote,
the
salvation
of
the
state
is
watchfulness
in
the
citizen.
These
words
are
true
or
today
than
ever
before,
the
American
people.
D
E
E
For
all
I
know,
perhaps
some
of
you
in
this
room
chose
mr.
Trump.
I
won't
purport
to
understand
the
basis
for
that
choice.
But,
of
course,
as
someone
who
believes
in
America
and
who
believes
in
our
constitutional
democracy,
I
accept
it
I'm
going
to
depart
a
little
bit
from
the
politeness
of
my
colleagues,
which
I
admire
it's
just
not
within
me.
Today,
I
remain
dismayed
that
come
January.
E
We
will
inaugurate
a
president
who
has
demonstrated
a
lack
of
integrity,
who
has
been
uninterested
in
policy
details
who
demonstrates
little
understanding
and
no
appreciation
for
our
country's
socio-economic
diversity
or
history
has
proven
quick
to
anger
and
slow
to
acknowledge
mistakes.
Who
is
objectified,
belittled
and
disparaged.
Women
as
cast
Latinos
as
criminals
and
degenerates
has
cast
all
Muslims
eggs
as
existential
threats
to
us
all
who's
aware
pneus
of
African
Americans
ignores
the
last
45
years
of
progress
and
development
who
mocks
those
who
were
different
with
glee
and
no
sense
of
remorse.
E
He's
refused
all
legitimate
inquiry
into
his
business
interests,
which
may
compromise
his
ability
to
be
our
commander
in
chief
and
he's
demonstrated
a
temperament
that
makes
him
completely
unfit.
In
my
opinion
to
be
a
head
of
state,
while
it
seems
that
many
people,
if
you
believe
exit
polls,
believe
that
these
negative
traits
have
been
political,
theater
I,
take
mr.
Trump
at
his
word
and
his
deed.
I
hope
that
I
am
misguided.
E
So,
while
so
much
is
unclear,
I
have
to
say
that
what
is
not
is
my
commitment,
as
echoed
by
my
colleagues,
to
seeing
that
Arlington's
vision
being
realized
and
not
just
our
words
but
our
actions,
and
when
we
say
that
we
are
a
place
Arlington
where
people
unite
to
form
a
caring
learning
participating
sustainable
community
in
which
each
person
is
important.
I
know
I
speak
for
all
of
us
when
I
say
I
mean
it
and
I
implore.
E
All
of
you
who
are
here
and
who
are
listening
to
help
us
bring
comfort
and
security
to
those
who
embrace
today
and
tomorrow,
concerned
about
having
neither
in
closing
I
just
like
to
say
when
facing
consequential
consequential
decisions.
I
often
remind
myself
and
constituents
who
view
these
decisions
in
the
most
strident
and
apocalyptic
terms
that
tomorrow,
the
Republic
will
still
stand
no
matter
what
we
do.
I
hope
I'm
right.
Thank
you
well,.
B
Thank
you
all.
My
colleagues,
I
certainly
agree
with
everything
up
that
was
said
here
is
all
set
in
different
ways.
I
certainly
agree
that
I
have
not
prepared
a
statement.
I
think
there
may
be
a
time
in
the
future
for
more
statements
at
this
point.
I
know
we
need
to
not
give
in
to
fear.
We
need
to
not
give
into
anger.
We
need
to
not
assume
that
we
know
why
everybody
voted
the
way
they
did
and
we
need
to
continue
what
we're
doing
here.