Transcript: 2016 State of the Commonwealth address

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Governor Terry McAuliffe’s remarks from the State of the Commonwealth address at the Capitol in Richmond:

Lieutenant Governor Northam, Attorney General Herring, Speaker Howell, Leader Norment, men and women of the General Assembly, distinguished guests, citizens of Virginia – thank you for inviting me to be with you tonight.

A special thanks to my wife, Dorothy, for all that she is doing for Virginia’s children and their families.

I also ask that we all take a moment to thank the 575 brave Virginians in the National Guard who are away from their families this evening, deployed in the UAE, Cuba, Kuwait and elsewhere to keep us all safe.

The head of our Guard is here tonight. Thank you, Major General Tim Williams.

And finally, I welcome the new members of the General Assembly as you begin your first legislative session. I look forward to working with all of you.

Governor McAuliffe announces guests for tonight’s State of the Commonwealth Address

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The governor’s office has announced the names of special guests who have been invited to join Governor and Mrs. Terry McAuliffe for tonight’s State of the Commonwealth address. Seated in the gallery with First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe will be the following notable citizens:

Vanessa Christie, Vice President of Prevailance, U.S. Navy combat veteran: Vanessa Christie is a U.S. Navy combat veteran who spent the majority of her active duty time flying and instructing in the F-14 Tomcat.  Her company has historically provided engineering and flight services to the Pentagon and NATO, but it is now moving into international markets. In the first year of participation in the VALET program, Vanessa has joined trade missions to the UK, Canada and Mexico, and she has six return business trips scheduled to these international markets this year.  This is a defense contractor who is diversifying and creating jobs for Virginians.

 James DeLoach, student from Goochland County: James DeLoach is an 8^th grader in Goochland County who is already a skilled coder and has even designed an award-winning app.