Dear Friend,
As Elizabeth and I look back on the past year, we are so
happy to have you as a supporter and a friend. When I think of
what we've accomplished together — the candidates we've
supported, the initiatives we've championed, the thousands of
lives we've touched — I know that none of it would have
been possible without you. Elizabeth and I thank you for all
that you've done, and we are inspired by your generous
commitment to the many causes we share.
I want to start by letting you know that Elizabeth is doing
very well. She completed her treatment earlier this year, and
she feels great and has her energy back. Throughout this ordeal
your compassion and loving support have given us great courage
and strength. You've become a part of our family, and we're so
glad that you've been there for us in our time of need.
I want to talk a little about the issues we care about so
deeply. Sadly, millions of Americans still suffer in poverty
every day, and it took a disaster like Hurricane Katrina to
remind many Americans how dangerous and tragic this poverty is.
But you and I have known about the true nature of poverty for a
long time, and that's why we've been working tirelessly all year
to shine a spotlight on poverty around the country, especially
among working Americans. Together, we have pushed for important
anti-poverty initiatives like increasing the minimum wage and
expanding the earned-income tax credit, and in the coming year
we will continue to push for these initiatives and others so
that thousands of working Americans have a real shot at getting
out of poverty and creating safe, stable lives for their
families. Fighting poverty is the most basic and important cause
we share, and Elizabeth and I are so glad that you've joined us
in that fight.
In fact, this fight against poverty is so important that I
believe it will become the cause of the next generation. That's
why this past fall I went on a college tour to encourage
students to join us in this fight. At ten campuses across the
country I spoke to young people about the ways that we can work
together to lift thousands of working Americans above the
poverty line, and I encouraged them to apply their tremendous
energy and creativity to our all-important effort. I knew that
young people would be particularly eager to get involved, but I
admit I was overwhelmed by the support I saw. Thousands of
students signed up, and the devotion they've shown so far has
been amazing.
Thanks to your support I've also been able to commit my time
to traveling the country, rallying our fellow Democrats and
telling others why I think America needs the Democratic Party.
We know that it's important to project our message all over the
country — not just in our Democratic strongholds —
because we know that in every state there are Americans who are
eager to fight poverty and to get this country back on track.
Like you, I believe that our Party fights for the core American
values — educating our children, expanding health care,
governing with integrity, recognizing the dignity and honor of
hard work, and maheyking sure our workers have a voice at work.
When I speak about these values in states around the country, I
know that I speak for you as well, and that makes my voice
stronger. Thank you for always being right there by my side.
I'm also glad that you've committed to strengthening our
Democratic Party from the ground up, and together we have helped
raise over $4.5 million to help elect Democratic candidates
around the country. This money we've raised is so vital. With
these candidates in office, we can pass crucial reforms at every
level — reforms that will fight poverty, improve health
care and education, and raise the minimum wage. These candidates
will also serve as the future leaders of our Democratic Party,
providing a foundation at the state level that we can build on
nationwide, and that's why our Raising the States program is so
important. All Democrats want our Party to be stronger, but you
set yourself apart — you made the Party stronger by
stepping forward and supporting our candidates. I am so proud of
what we've done through the Raising the States campaign, and you
should be proud to know that none of it could have happened
without you.
It's amazing to think about how much we've already
accomplished together. Just this past September we started the
College for Everyone pilot program. This program helps
low-income North Carolina high school students in a poor rural
county by offering them a bargain: if they earn admission to
participating state universities or community colleges, if they
pledge to work at least ten hours a week during their first
semester (either at a job or doing community service), and if
they pledge to abstain from alcohol and drugs and stay out of
trouble, then we will pay for their tuition, books and fees. I
feel like we are already making a difference for these kids and
I can't wait to see the paths they decide to take once they
finish college.
We've also done some great work abroad. I had a chance to
meet with British leaders Tony Blair and Gordon Brown when I
visited London earlier this year to discuss the fight against
poverty in America and in Britain. I traveled to India in
November to see how the Indian government is dealing with the
rampant poverty there, and I had an opportunity to discuss the
issue in-depth with not only the leaders of India, but also with
a number of Indians who struggle with poverty every day. And on
behalf of the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on
American-Russian Relations, I traveled to Moscow with Jack Kemp
to determine how America should help Russia become a more open,
free, and democratic society.
These are only a few of the many things we have accomplished
together over the past year. I'm so proud to think of how many
lives we've touched with our efforts. I thank you for the
tremendous work you've done, and I look forward to the even
greater work we have yet to do.
God Bless you, and I hope you and your family have a
wonderful holiday season.
John
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