Patricia Rucker
Independence Day
Independence Day is upon us. It is one of the few holidays that is celebrated on the same date every year: July 4th. It is an especially important date for me because the independence that we enjoy here as American citizens is something that most people around the world do not get to experience. I arrived here the United States as a child; my family is originally from Venezuela. My father was a journalist. During that time Venezuela went through some dramatic changes. Those changes le
Read More >>Memorial Day
I am grateful to all those who have served our country and have risked their lives in defense of our principles. I will forever remember those who gave their lives in service to America. According to History.com, in the aftermath of the Civil War many locations around the nation began holding ceremonies to honor the fallen soldiers on both sides of the deadliest conflict in American history. The death toll led to the institution of national cemeteries. People would come to decorate the graves
Read More >>I Have Been Named to a Task Force Looking at African American Covid-19 Rates
We need more in depth analysis on the ways this crisis has impacted our community. I am honored to have been asked to become part of this task force. You can read more about it in this article in the Herald Mail.
Read More >>My Journal Sunday Column – Let’s work on safely getting our state re-opened….We’re All In This Together
I've gotten requests for reprints of my April 26th column in the Journal. Here it is: Here is the full text: We Are All In This Together There have been many challenges throughout history posed by disease: the Spanish Flu, AIDS, Swine Flu, Ebola, H1N1 and now COVID 19 – to name a few. In the past the policy response has been to do risk assessment: identify the most vulnerable among us, protect those individuals and to identify the best protocols for treatment for the disease. With COVI
Read More >>Follow Up on Keeping Kids Fit While Staying at Home
In my previous post I shared news about a program to helps kids stay in shape and practice good nutrition while waiting for the Covid 19 emergency to run its course. Recently I appeared on television station WDVM, serving the Eastern Panhandle, to talk about it. You can access that story here. The Herald Mail also published an article about the program that provides some good details. You can access that story here. I'm praying that the Covid 19 emergency will be over soon. In th
Read More >>Something to help with sheltering in place – for the kids
A home fitness program for kids... Because of the Covid 19 emergency, West Virginia schools are closed and school children are now forced to shelter in place at home. I am concerned that our children may not be getting the exercise and physical activity they need to stay healthy. Concerned businesses and individuals have stepped up to fill the need for a program to help kids stay in shape while they shelter in place at home. The great people at Accept the Challenge have developed a progra
Read More >>Governor Justice’s Stay at Home Executive Order
Today Governor Justice issued an Executive Order instructing West Virginians not to leave their homes unless it is necessary. Here are the specific things deemed to be necessary: Please take all precautions necessary to avoid contact with people. Wash your hands frequently and take extra precautions with regard to hygiene . Keep a reasonable distance from people you do not know and avoid large groups. Let us all pray that this is resolved as soon as possible. You can find the compl
Read More >>Legislation to Help Children
The session ended this past weekend and this post contains an updated version of my column that appeared last week in the Journal. Here are some of the highlights regarding legislation aimed at helping our young people. All of these bills are completed legislation. I am particularly pleased with HB4092 and HB4094. These bills address issues relating to foster care. HB4092 establishes a foster care Bill of Rights for both foster parents and children while HB4092 clarifies the role of
Read More >>Press Release: SB 657 Allowing For The Creation of Tourism Development Districts Passes the House
SB 657, allowing for the creation of tourism development districts passed the house yesterday 93 - 6. Having already passed the Senate this legislation now goes on to the governor for his signature. In a statement from the bill's lead sponsor Senator Patricia Rucker, (Jefferson) she stated: "This legislation is needed to continue the positive momentum in West Virginia's economy. The tourism industry has become a vital part of a more broadly diversified economic picture in our state and
Read More >>Jefferson County Passes Resolution Supporting SB 657
The Jefferson County Commission passed a resolution in support of Senate Bill 657 that will help Harpers Ferry get the help it needs to get Hilltop House built. It's a wonderful thing when the community unites around a project and stands together to make things happen. I'm proud to have been the lead sponsor on the bill. Thank you to the Jefferson County Commission! Here's the text of the resolution: JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION, CHARLES TOWN, WV RESOLUTION Whereas, Senate Bill 657,
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