A day for thanks and reflection

On Thanksgiving, Americans from all walks of life gather with family and loved ones to celebrate our blessings of the past year. As we begin the holiday season, we join our family and friends around the table to share in our thanks and remind ourselves that we should not take these blessings for granted.

I am thankful for my three sons, McKay, Lucas, and Teddy, my loving wife Kristen, and our home in central Illinois. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our region in Congress and the constituents in our district. Our district is made up of folks who work hard, play by the rules, and have a strong faith in God, and I am honored to be your voice in Washington, DC.

Illinois is also home to some of the richest farmland on the planet. Our state leads the way in producing many of the specialty crops that we find on Thanksgiving tables across the country, including pumpkins, green beans, and sweet corn. Thank you to Illinois family farms and workers who continue to feed our country. 

I am especially grateful today for the brave men and women serving overseas so that we can enjoy the comforts of living in the greatest country in the world. Their sacrifice should not be forgotten as we gather this holiday season.

Like many of you, we are blessed with healthy lives, a loving family and a wonderful community, but it is important that during this season of thanks to not forget those who are less fortunate and do what we can to give back to those in need. 

Whether you are gathering with friends to watch football or the World Cup, making the last-minute run to the grocery store, or are putting the finishing touches on your turkey dinner, take a moment to stop and reflect on what you are thankful for today. We are all blessed to live in a country that allows each of us the freedom to chart our own path and to live out the American dream. For that, we should all be thankful.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with family and loved ones!

Sincerely,

Darin LaHood
Member of Congress