Td1 diabetes support Serenity

Please pass this important bill

I am writing to you as a concerned parent and proud supporter of our nation’s military traditions. My son is a 2nd cadet at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the nation’s oldest state-supported military college, where he is receiving an exceptional education and rigorous training ,VMI is currently under threat from a politically motivated attack by Virginia Democrats, including the new governor, which jeopardizes its independence, funding, and very existence as a state institution. I urge you to intervene by nationalizing VMI thereby safeguarding its legacy and ensuring its continued contribution to America’s defense. Virginia Democrats target military college’s funding after anti-DEI push” (published January 20, 2026), Democrats in the Virginia legislature have launched an effort that could ultimately end VMI’s status as a state-funded university. This includes proposals to subject VMI to a state inquiry over its handling of historical issues related to racism and sexism, and potentially place it under the supervision or merger with another Virginia public university—likely Virginia State University (VSU). Such moves appear to be a direct response to VMI’s recent anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, which align with broader conservative efforts to prioritize merit, discipline, and tradition over politically driven agendas. T This assault on VMI is not grounded in educational or fiscal merit but is a transparent political vendetta. VMI boasts impressive performance metrics that far outpace those of the proposed supervising institution. With a 77% six-year graduation rate, approximately 74% four-year graduation rate, and an 81-82% first-year retention rate, VMI ranks ninth among Virginia’s public colleges in retention. Moreover, it manages an $800 million endowment, demonstrating fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability. contrast, the Other institutions in question have a four-year graduation rate of only 26-28%, a six-year rate of 41-45%, a first-year retention rate of 62-71%, and a mere $100 million endowment. Forcing VMI—a proven leader in military education—under the oversight of a lower-performing university defies logic and serves only ideological purposes. It risks diluting VMI’s unique culture of excellence, which has produced leaders, including generals, CEOs, and public servants who have strengthened our nation. • Preserve VMI’s storied traditions, dating back to 1839, including its role in training citizen-soldiers who embody American values of resilience, integrity, and patriotism. • Enhance federal military preparedness by expanding access to high-caliber officer training, potentially integrating VMI cadets into ROTC or direct commissioning programs under Department of Defense oversight. • Counteract the erosion of merit-based institutions amid cultural shifts, signaling a commitment to excellence over equity mandates that have proven ineffective elsewhere. • Provide VMI with stable federal funding, allowing it to continue its high graduation and retention rates while contributing to a stronger, more unified military force. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I am available at your convenience to discuss further or provide additional information Michael Falcone

The NAACP supports HB22, HB 468 and HB1374

I’m Bob Hawthorne LtCol USAF Retd. I’ve served teaching in Virginia prior to active duty in hopewell Va the active to go to Vietnam until discovery I was an English history major at vmi and wrote on project blue book and given two years to write a two volume history of the foreign technology division in Vietnam Vmi produces many citizen soldiers. Ralph Costen ; Costen floor Glen allen who donated the wood floors vmi basketball bldg. Neil Steverson judge Henrico abd revojng judge across Virginia Also produces national leaders like head of the joint chiefs of staff General Caine and ambassador waltz to the president. For me my last job was protocol for President Clinton’s inauguration Putting vmi under vsu is like putting West Point under them. This is not a good natch. If you are doing this because of Maj Gen wins - a great guy remember most military are rotated every four years - they salute smartly - thank the General for allowing them to serve and live on. The vmi determined it was time to move on and selected a new superintendent It’s time to move on. ; Continue VMI’s funding ; recognize VMI’s. Board of vistors In the past this general assembly has delegates who are vmi graduated. So will the future George Patton attended vmi one year ; george marshall was a graduate and national leader Marshall hall at vmi is a museum now. His statue is in front of one of the barracks arches. Three young ladies I interviewed while at my reunion were going to be Virginia school teachers in physics and mathematics. Only 52 percent go on active duty or va guards. Many school teachers. Keep vmi. It’s a Virginia treasure

My daughter attended VMI, and it was the greatest education and life experience anyone could have gotten. And while I’ve read a number of articles and speeches recently, from personal experience, all I can say is that I felt better that she was at VMI than any other place. As a parent and a voter, I’d ask politicians from both sides of the aisle to stop politicizing Virginia colleges for political gains. Virginia has probably the best university system in the country, and its students and communities would be better served if the leaders of Virginia let its colleges serve their respective missions.

I am a proud 1984 graduate of VMI and then served in Army for three years after graduation It was the second best decision that I ever made and I obnoxiously tell people about VMI every chance I get. That said I realize that VMI is not now was not without its problems. We held onto Confederate customs for too long and for the wrong reasons. Today one of my Brother Rats told me that he experienced racism while he was at VMI and I am so saddened by that. I am sure he was not alone. There have been racists at VMI I hope it is OK to say, but, VMI while not without its faults is a great institution that produces many wonderful people. The system has worked and will work in the future. The shared suffering equalized us and created trusting friendships that last for years and cross generations. I would ask you to be curious, ask questions and listen. We are not a mini West Point, we are not a ROTC program, we graduate Citizen Soldiers.

I respectfully ask that you oppose this bill. VMI has been an honorable institution for a long time. Nothing needs to be changed as the mission of VMI has never changed. Politics should not be involved with VMI and this bill will fundamentally change the type of graduates VMI produces. As a member of the alumni association I ask that we allow VMI to continue to do what it does best.

Present BOV better to serve VMI.. VSU BOV has very limited military experience and has its’ hand full with their present responsibilities. This bill was submitted by an individual who needs an education on what is involved. Stupid bill! .

I do not believe this bill should even come before the committee. The only rational reason for changing the BOV of VMI is political. When partisan politics enters education, the students suffer. I taught at VMI for 33 years and did not experience any of the allegations that have been brought forward. I am sure some did happen, but it is not an everyday occurrence. Sometimes college students do dumb things. The final product speaks for itself. VMI has been producing graduates who have excelled in the civilian and military communities. Many have given the full measure in protecting our freedoms. The BOV, though politically appointed, has done an outstanding job through the years of ensuring the cadets get a quality education. When you have names like Marshall, Byrd, Puller, Shepard, and many others who have influenced the direction of our country and the world, you can surmise the system is doing something right. The country and the commonwealth are getting more than their money back in the contributions of VMI graduates.

While I served 14 years in the military, I had numerous leaders though those years. I will say that the best leaders came from VMI. Not only where they very knowledgeable in history, tactics, and many other aspects of military life but they also were the most fair and balanced individuals. When things got tough they always remained composed, professional and genuinely a strong backbone. VMI produces amazing men and women that are some of the best people, I have ever met. I have worked and looked up to just about every person that is a product of VMI. They were a driving factor in my military career because I never wanted to let my leadership down. I realized the type of great people they produced and decided that since I wasn't able to go to college there as an adult that I wanted to work there. I have spent over 5 years there. I have worked directly with the cadets and leadership. I served as a police officer as well a coach on the campus and really enjoyed working with the cadets. In the 5 years of working here I have noticed the VMI of 1864 is in the corner gathering dust. It's time that we look at the product VMI of today is polished and shiny, a beacon of hope. The current leaders and those of the recent years have moved VMI in a great direction and will continue to move in the right direction. Please leave this great institution alone as it serves more than just Virginia but our great nation.

I vehemently oppose this heinous bill. My son is currently a senior there, majoring in chemistry with a minor in math. He will also commission into the Army in May. There is no justification for this action. You are singling out one college over all other VA state colleges. And you propose to put it under one of the worst colleges in the country. VMI has graduated great leaders, explorers, actors, sportsmen, and businessmen. Graduates serve in the Armed Forces and some have lost their lives while fighting under our flag. Instead of asking what VMI offers the Commonwealth, what has VMI done for the country. My son has lived under the VMI Code of Honor that “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.” I doubt many of the VA delegates could adhere to this. If you pass this bill you will be destroying one of the oldest Institutions in the country as well as a large piece of Virginia history. You need to stop this now for the sake of history, for the graduates, and those still attending, for all those who have served and still serve in the military, and those who lost their lives serving our country. Shame on you. You should be doing better and building up instead of tearing down.