Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Triumphant general of the War of Independence and the first president of the United States, George Washington stands out as one of our nation’s great heroes. His birthdate is February 22nd.

One of the oldest U.S. Senate traditions is the annual reading of George Washington’s Farewell Address to commemorate his birthday. The address, written as a letter, was the president’s way of announcing to the American public that he was not seeking re-election. Ever mindful that his conduct and actions would set precedent for future presidents, Washington wished to retire to make it clear that the presidency was not a lifetime appointment and to signal that America would conduct a peaceful transfer of power from president to president.

Published in Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796, Washington spoke of national unity and warned of the dangers of internal factionalism and foreign interference in American affairs.

This year, on February 18, 2025, Senator Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi delivered Washington’s Farewell Address. As is tradition, after reading the address Senator Wicker wrote a few remarks in a small, black leather book kept by the secretary of the Senate.

Read George Washington’s Farewell Address.

Learn more at:

George Washington’s Farewell Address | George Washington’s Mount Vernon

U.S. Senate: About Traditions & Symbols | Washington’s Farewell Address

George Washington’s Birthday or Presidents Day? | George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Foreign Cash in KY Elections? House Bill 45 Says No More!

Senior Vice President of AMAC Action Andy Mangione interviewed Kentucky State Representative John Hodgson (District 36) to discuss House Bill 45—a powerful new election integrity measure aimed at stopping foreign money from influencing Kentucky’s ballot measures. This bill would close loopholes that allow foreign entities to fund state-level campaigns, ensuring transparency and protecting the voice of Kentucky voters.

Click here to watch the interview and don’t forget to like, comment, and share if you want to see more videos like this!

Legislation and Policy Support

H.R. 1107 – Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025

This bill will permanently extend telehealth flexibilities that allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals to prescribe medically necessary controlled substances via telemedicine without requiring an in-person visit. Without this legislative fix, the temporary exemption will expire at the end of 2025, once again limiting access to necessary medications for veterans who need them most. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

H.R. 34 – LASSO Act

This legislation takes a bold and innovative approach to strengthening the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund by dedicating 10 percent of the revenue generated from public lands to the fund. This bill will not only reinforce the OASI Trust Fund and help protect benefits for retired workers, their spouses, children, and survivors of insured workers, but it will also encourage responsible resource development on public lands by generating revenue from energy production, livestock grazing, and timber harvesting. Additionally, the LASSO Act aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Executive Order by establishing a clear legislative framework for using the nation’s natural resource assets to support Social Security. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

Texas S.B. 2 Supports School Choice

This bill allows Texas parents to choose effective educational facilities or home school programs for their children when public school options are suboptimal. Ultimately, this bill will enable approximately 100,000 students to enjoy a better educational experience for a smaller investment by the citizens of Texas. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

AMAC Supports Three Election Integrity Bills in Wyoming

Wyoming H.B. 0131, 0156, and 0238 offer Wyoming voters a comprehensive election integrity package that will increase the fidelity and veracity of their collective voice before government. From requiring proof of residency, to prohibiting ballot harvesting, and ensuring secure delivery of ballots, these bills safeguard the election process and confirm that the will of Wyoming voters will be heard. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

Meetings

February 19 Chapter Meeting: CO-06 Delegate Sheri Tuffield hosted the meeting. Linda White, Founder of Grandparents4Kids and Stephen McKenna, Board member of Grandparents4Kids, spoke about their organization which is dedicated to fighting for the principles, ideas, and policies that emphasize high quality, non-political, academic education.

February 20 Chapter Meeting: AK-At Large Delegate Robert Coulter hosted the meeting in Anchorage. Terrance Shanigan and Mikaela Emswiler discussed fixing Alaska’s elections and writing to your Congressman.

Action ☆ Academy 

Milton Friedman: No Free Lunch

In PragerU’s 5-minute video Milton Friedman: No Free Lunch, Johan Norberg, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, introduces viewers to the economist Milton Friedman and explains the Nobel-Prize winning economist’s ideas on free enterprise. PragerU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes American values in short educational videos for people of all ages.

Term of the Week: Constitutional Republic

“The Constitution creates the form of government we have in the United States, which is a constitutional and federal republic. A constitutional republic means that it is one in which, rather than directly governing, the people select some of their members to temporarily serve in political office; the constitutional part means that both the citizens and their governing officials are bound to follow the rules established in that Constitution. A federal republic is one in which a federal government is given only limited powers for limited purposes, while state governments retain most powers of government.  The Constitution describes this division of power, establishing which specific powers have been given to the federal government, while reiterating that most remain with the state governments.

The Constitution’s status as supreme law of the land works in two ways. As long as an action of the federal government is authorized by the Constitution, that action supersedes any state or local law with which it might conflict. But not every action by the federal government is supreme – federal activity must also follow from the Constitution or it too would be illegal.”

(“Section 1: Principles of the American Republic.” Section 1: Principles of the American Republic | Center for American Civics, civics.asu.edu/civic-literacy-curriculum/section1. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.)

Class for January and February

Great Books 101: Ancient to Medieval

Reading great literature can help improve critical thinking skills, broaden your understanding of the world around you, and provide insight into human nature. In the free online course Great Books 101: Ancient to Medieval, Hillsdale College introduces you to great literature from early authors of Western Civilization. In 11 sessions learn about such classics as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Dante’s Inferno, and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Quote of the Week

“The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very essence of republicanism is the duty of every citizen to be vigilant in guarding against encroachments upon the public liberty.”

– George Washington

Fight to save the America we love! If you’d like to become a volunteer AMAC Action Delegate, please contact us at (855) 809-6976 or [email protected].