Virginia legislator receives prestigious Stephen D. Lee Award
The Sons of Confederate Veterans recognized one of the South's great patriots, Virginia United States Representative Virgil H. Goode, Jr. of Virginia's 5th District, December 5 during a special ceremony at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn @ Key Bridge in Arlington. Rep. Goode was presented the General Stephen D. Lee Award which is the SCV's highest honor for a non-member. The presentation was made by SCV Commander-in-Chief Christopher M. Sullivan .
Rep. Goode had been conferred with this award at the SCV's 2007 General Reunion in Mobile, Alabama.
"Virgil Goode earned this honor by conducting himself in office as our forebears and Founding Fathers would want their elected representatives to behave," said Army of Northern Virginia Councilman Brag Bowling in introducing Rep. Goode. "Congressman Goode has lived up to a conservative, states' rights vision of how the United States government should be run. With Virgil Goode, you know that he will represent you with honor, courage, dignity and sincerity."
"It would be hard to forget when Virgil Goode stepped up to the plate during the Lincoln statue controversy in Richmond by questioning the actions of the National Park Service," Councilman Bowling continued. "For this, he was criticized in the press but Virgil was proven correct in the long run."
In making the official presentation, Commander-in-Chief Sullivan praised Rep. Goode's commitment to "the permanent things." "Congressman Goode understands the importance of principle over popularity," Sullivan said. "He shows, everyday, that one doesn't have to sacrifice his ideals in order to be a success in Washington."
The occasion for the award was hosted by the Jefferson Davis Camp #305.
