Whereas, Virginia’s Republican-led General Assembly redistricted the state’s legislative districts this year based on year 2000 census data, completing the complex task fairly, efficiently and on time; and

Whereas, the new district lines undo much of the gerrymandering imposed by Democrats in 1991, and help to uphold the principle of “one man, one vote” and also to respect communities of interest; and

Whereas, the GOP redistricting plan for the General Assembly was widely supported by a wide range of community and civil rights organizations around the state, in recognition of the protection and advancement of election opportunities for citizens from non-majority backgrounds, and

Whereas, most Democrats in the General Assembly tried to impede the redistricting effort; and

Whereas, Arlington’s current all-Democrat delegation to Richmond – Delegates Bob Brink, Jim Almand and Karen Darner, and Senator Mary Whipple -- not only voted against the plan, but also called it “unconstitutional” and have supported a lawsuit to block it; and

Whereas, incumbent Democrat Delegate Karen Darner further objected to having the 49th District redrawn to include parts of Alexandria and Fairfax County, even though those precincts share many characteristics with the Arlington precincts of the 49th; and

Whereas, the Arlington County Republican Committee held a mass meeting on July 21 to nominate candidates, and selected Mike Peck in the 47th District, Victor Williams in the 48th District, and Edgar Gonzalez in the 49th District; and

Whereas, the three Republican nominees are strong candidates who share our Republican beliefs, who are well qualified through their personal, professional and community backgrounds, and who will ably represent us in Richmond;

Now, therefore, be it resolved:

The Arlington County Republican Committee congratulates our 2001 ticket of Mike Peck, Victor Williams and Edgar Gonzalez for the House of Delegates; and

We encourage our fellow Republicans to actively support these three qualified candidates this fall; and

We encourage all Arlington voters to carefully compare these three qualified candidates to the lackluster incumbent Democrat delegates, and to join our campaign to elect a better team to represent Arlington interests in Richmond.

Considered and adopted by the Arlington County Republican Committee at its monthly meeting on July 26, 2001, in Arlington, Virginia.

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