Happy Thanksgiving!

On Thanksgiving, Americans join family and loved ones to celebrate our blessings. We begin the holiday season gathering around the table today to reflect on the previous year and remind ourselves that we should not take these blessings for granted.

As we prepare for our Thanksgiving meal, I am thankful that Illinois is home to some of our country’s richest farmland, producing much of the food that can be found on Thanksgiving tables across the country. Whether you’re enjoying pumpkin pie, green bean casserole, or sweet corn, be grateful for the Illinois family farms and workers who continue to feed our country and the world.

I am thankful to live in the greatest country in the world and for the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces to protect our values and preserve our freedoms. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our region in Congress and the constituents of the 16th Congressional District. I am thankful to call Central Illinois my home, and there is nowhere else my wonderful wife Kristen and I would rather raise our three sons.

Like many of you, we are blessed with good health, a loving family, and a wonderful community, but it is important not to forget those who are less fortunate and to do what we can to give back to those in need during the holiday season. Earlier this week, I spent time volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army of Peoria to play a very small part in their mission to support vulnerable communities. I greatly appreciate the positive role they play in our community, and I encourage everyone who can, to volunteer or donate to a cause that gives back to those who need it most this holiday season. 

Whether you are gathering with friends to watch football, making the last-minute run to the grocery store, or 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