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Dear Friend,
This week’s newsletter reflects on my time at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this past week, provides information on upcoming events hosted by my office, shares the Senate Page Program application and the “Virginia She Served Business Builder Pilot Initiative,” and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.
The Democratic National Convention
I had the honor of representing Virginia and Congressional District 4 as a national delegate to the Democratic National Convention last week. Each day of the convention, from Sunday, August 18 - Thursday, August 22, was packed with various caucus meetings, events hosted by a variety of organizations, and lots of meetings with delegates from other states. Every night of the convention was filled with excitement and energy at the massive United Center of Chicago [[link removed]] .
I attended several caucus meetings including the AAPI Caucus, the LGBTQ+ Caucus, the Women’s Caucus, and the DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis. The caucus meetings gave us a chance to hear from several speakers on the urgency of policy matters at both the state and federal levels. At the United Center each evening, we heard from an array of speakers including Michelle and Barack Obama, President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, the grandsons of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, and many more. Our Democratic nominees for Vice President and President – Tim Walz and VP Kamala Harris – were, of course, the highlights of the convention.
As I have the opportunity to reflect further on my convention experiences, I will be sharing more on what these next few weeks will look like as we head into the November elections.
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Upcoming Community Conversation
On Wednesday, September 4, from 6:00 pm until 7:30pm, I will be hosting a community conversation at the Meadowdale Public Library (4301 Meadowdale Blvd). I will share some updates from the General Assembly, discuss the upcoming 2025 Session, and ask participants to share their thoughts and ask questions. This event is open to constituents of the 15th Senatorial District and the registration link [[link removed]] is now open.
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General Assembly and Richmond School Board Meeting
On Thursday, September 5, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, members of the Richmond City Delegation will meet with Richmond City School Board members for a joint meeting at Reynolds Community College - Downtown Campus. The focus of our joint meeting is to initiate conversations between state and local officials representing Richmond City in preparation for the 2025 legislative session. These discussions are designed to help us collaborate on delivering effective policy and budget measures to support Richmond’s students and their families. RPS families are encouraged to attend. Registration is required [[link removed]] .
Senate Page Program: Applications Being Accepted
Applications are now open for the 2025 Senate Page Program. The Senate Page Program is a remarkable educational experience for young Virginians who are interested in being a part of the annual General Assembly, learning about policy making, and engaging directly in state government processes. It is a tradition that has been in place for over 150 years.
Selected Pages perform administrative duties, participate in team building and leadership skills development, and help with the day-to-day operations of the General Assembly. Pages are an integral part of the Capitol during the convening of the General Assembly. Pages live in Richmond throughout the duration of the General Assembly, visiting home on the weekends. The well-structured program provides time for Pages to keep up with schoolwork while also engaging in the direct experiences of government and policy making. More information about the program is available at the Senate Page Program [[link removed]] .
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Senate Page Program, and the application process remains open until 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 1. Applicants must be residents of the Commonwealth and either 13 or 14 years old on January 8, the first day of the 2025 session. The online application is available here [[link removed]] .
Virginia She Served Business Builder Pilot Initiative
Women make up roughly a quarter of the total service members [[link removed]] . As the second-most populous state with the largest share of active-duty members, Virginia recognizes the unique skills and experiences that women bring to our communities. The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) has launched the Virginia She Served Business Builder [[link removed]] (VS2B2) pilot program, dedicated to women in or with ties to our armed forces and who are interested in entrepreneurship or expanding their small businesses. Participants will receive specialized training, workshops, and seminars teaching the skills needed to succeed in owning and growing their small businesses.
To apply for the 2025 VS2B2 cohort [[link removed]] , interested parties must determine eligibility [[link removed]] and submit their application [[link removed]] by 11:59 PM on August 30, 2024.
Select Community Engagements
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Last Saturday, I joined dear friends and supporters to share my vision for Virginia as our next Lieutenant Governor - a future that protects our rights and uplifts all communities across our Commonwealth. Our conversations reinforced the essential reasons why I ran for office.
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The House of Delegates Health and Human Services Committee hosted its Health Care Policy Boot Camp on Monday [[link removed]] and Tuesday [[link removed]] . I was delighted that my staff had the opportunity to attend on my behalf. This meeting provided legislators and staff with presentations on our Medicaid system, behavioral health, disability services, workforce issues, and the insurance market. Thank you to the office of Delegate Mark Sickles for coordinating this Boot Camp. Pictured: Director Cheryl Roberts of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: [email protected] [gmail.com]
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here [[link removed]] .
— Ghazala
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