Introduction

The word pillar comes from the Latin word pila, which means barrier made of stone. Thousands of years ago pillars stood as the symbol of strength in Roman and Greek architecture, and those symbols live on today in many of our institutions which project strength and stability.

The word pillar has also been used to describe people. These people are supporting, integral and upstanding members of their communities, and I believe there are many common denominators which are inherent in individuals who help tie a community and its people together. For me, those common traits are faith, family support and showing patriotism in our community and standing behind our country and its flag.

Faith

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness." There are few things in life that I know to be more true, and I have seen faith in this community create a great many changes and bring to fruition a great many dreams.

No matter what your religion or beliefs, it is important to have faith, and I have faith in this community. One of the most notable events where faith gathers people together to achieve great things in Mesquite is through Addressing Mesquite Day. This is a time when hundreds of people from local churches, and other organizations, get together and, through their faith, create change. Last year they helped answer the prayers of people in 80 homes who had no where else to turn for help.

I also have faith in the plans we are setting forth today with "Project Renewal." Project Renewal was set in motion in 2007 to meet the challenges we face in our community, in the region and with the economy. It will one day bring about a great many changes, and, though I will likely not be here to see those changes, I have faith that my children and grand children will be better off with the work we are all doing today.

Family

Of course, family is the key to creating strong community bonds, and Mesquite’s accomplishments, big and small, have always been driven by the people who call it home.

The passion we all share for Mesquite has driven our past success, and has cultivated during these past 135 years. Today, we are all working to continue that legacy into the future, and we all have an affection and commitment to our home. It is what helps enrich the fabric of our community and our lives.

In the end, our legacies are left behind to those lives which we have been blessed to reach. That holds true more so with our children than with anyone else. It is important to be impeccable role models for the youth in our community. They will continue from our example, and build on what we leave behind.

The Flag

As the symbol of our nation, the flag of the United States of America is the embodiment of many beliefs we hold dear. Around the world it is a symbol of freedom, and, for me, it is an ever living image that instills pride and a sense of home and community.

I truly feel there is no other place on earth which provides the opportunity and equality as our country, and those ideals must hold true for everyone who lives here no matter what their beliefs, religion, cultural background or heritage may be. This holds true for our nation, as well as our state and city government.

This is why I see the flag for our country as an important pillar which provides support for our community.