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For Immediate Release Date: March 7, 2005 Contact: Delegate David D. Rudolph Phone: 410-841-3444 Rudolph Delivers House of Delegates President's Day Speech Delegate David Rudolph, (Cecil County) delivered this year's President's Day speech before the House of Delegates on Monday, March 7. Rudolph's speech was entitled, Washington and the Art of Governing Through Civil Discourse. Rudolph's speech emphasized the importance of civil discourse, civic education, and an informed citizenry in our society both in President Washington's time and today. Delegate Rudolph was invited to deliver this year's speech by the Speaker of the House, Delegate Michael Busch. In his speech Rudolph spoke of President Washington's relationship with Cecil County. While he was General of the colonial army and also as President, Washington traveled through Cecil County on his way to and from Philadelphia and his home in Virginia. Delegate Rudolph added a bit of levity when, as a follow-up to last week's vote on legalizing slots, he speculated that President Washington probably loved standard bred horses. In discussing civil discourse Rudolph stated, "President Washington believed that with freedom comes obligation, and with liberty comes duty, because a democracy is always building a more perfect union - that our freedoms and beliefs cannot be taken for granted - that we should not fear our differences, but embrace it as a vital part of democracy, and that our government must cherish civility. We need not agree with one another. Quite the contrary, elected officials must air their differences in the dialogue of democracy, but with civility." Rudolph also addressed the current status of civil discourse in our society especially our youth when he stated, "if, on this our celebration of his birthday, we are to remember any advice that our First President, George Washington, gave us, it is that only by educating well our children and promoting civil discourse, civic engagement and an informed citizenry are we able to enjoy the fruits of our liberty. Regrettably, while our country has done well in promoting an educated citizen, President Washington would likely suggest we have work to do in promoting civil discourse and civic engagement." As an educator, it is an issue important to Rudolph. Delegate Rudolph currently has legislation before the House of Delegates that would encourage State officials to convene a Summit on Civic Literacy. Rudolph also serves as a member of Maryland's delegation to the US Congressional Conference on Civic Education. Rudolph concluded his comments by stating, "Indeed the challenges that President Washington spoke of continue to be our country's challenges today. May we all promote the civil discourse President Washington believed and so cherished." Indeed the challenges that President Washington spoke of continue to be our country's challenges today. May we all promote the civil discourse President Washington believed and so cherished. A copy of the speech can be viewed here (pdf). back to press releases |