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RestonReston Exterior of Wiehle-Reston East Station at night looking west. Area Gears Up for Rail Opening News, Page 3 Classifieds, Page 14 Classifieds, ❖ Sports, Page 12 ❖ Entertainment, Page 10 ❖ Opinion, Page 6 What’s Offensive about Redskins Pride? News, Page 2 Music and Community at Café Montmartre Entertainment, Page 10 Photo by Terry Lowenthal online at www.connectionnewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.comJuly 2-8, 2014 Reston Connection ❖ July 2-8, 2014 ❖ 1 News What’s Offensive about Redskins Pride? Absolutely nothing, “We’re not the KKK; if you’re state Sen. we’re not a bunch of Chap Petersen. insensitive old white By Victoria Ross guys. People who know The Connection me may say I’m a boring lifelong Redskins fan, Fairfax old white guy …” state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) — State Senator Chap Petersen Ahas had it up to here with all the (D-34) talk about the need to change the name of his beloved football team. He vented his frustration and indignation The Redskins public relations team on his blog — Ox Road South — but said also attended the news conference, he was leery of tackling what he deemed but released a statement asserting the forces of political correctness in the “War that neither the franchise nor Snyder Against the Redskins” until June 18, when was behind the formation of the cau- the Federal Patent Office blocked the team’s cus in any way. Redskins trademarks, declaring that the Photo Contributed Snyder has been stalwart in his de- name was “disparaging” to Native Ameri- State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax – center), stands with Republican fense of the name. In a letter he sent cans at the time the trademarks were regis- Delegates David Ramadan of Loudoun (left) and Jackson Miller to season ticket holders last October, tered — as far back as 1967. (Manassas) right, during a news conference at the Capitol in Richmond he cited the association of the name That action pushed Petersen off the side- Monday, June 23, announcing the formation of the “Redskins Pride Redskins with the team’s long NFL lines to lead an offensive attack. Caucus.” history and its symbolic importance On Monday, June 23, he announced the to himself and fans. formation of the “Redskins Pride Caucus,” a bipartisan alliance with two other state The Redskins Pride Caucus Founding Principles DURING THE NEWS CONFER- lawmakers from Northern Virginia — Re- ❖ Providing a voice for Redskins fans and ❖ Opposing the inappropriate involvement of ENCE, Lucas — whose nephew is season tickets holders. the United States Congress in issues surround- Redskins player DeAngelo Hall — said publican Del. Jackson Miller (Manassas) ❖ Supporting the Redskins franchise, a Vir- ing the Redskins franchise and its supporters. “none of us feel there is any racism and Republican Del. David Ramadan ginia-based business that generates hundreds of ❖ Supporting commercial freedom in the (Loudoun.) millions of dollars in taxable revenue for Commonwealth of Virginia and the rights of and we love the name,” Lucas said. The three men scheduled a news confer- schools, roads, public safety and other impor- businesses to their own brands and intellectual Petersen said he wants people to ence at the State Capitol the same day. By tant public services in the Commonwealth. property. know that the caucus is not the KKK. the time the news conference started, sev- “We’re not just a bunch of insensitive eral other lawmakers joined the group in old white guys,” Petersen said, announcing the caucus: Sen. Louise Lucas “People who know me may say I’m a (D-Portsmouth), Sen. Frank Ruff (R- Virginia Members of the Redskins Pride Caucus boring old white guy … Seriously, I Mecklenburg), Del. Lionell Spruill (D- In the first day, the following members announced they were joining the Redskins Pride Caucus: am here because I believe in the Chesapeake), Del. Michael Webert (R- SENATE OF VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES Redskins, and the name was intended Fauquier), Del. Michael Futrell (D-Prince Majority Leader Tommy Norment (R- James City Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) to honor American Indians”. William) and Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin). County) Majority Caucus Chair Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax) Petersen said the response to the Minority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax) Majority Whip Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) After the news conference in Richmond Senator Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) Delegate David Ramadan (R-Loudoun) caucus has been overwhelming, and the same day, Petersen became the popular Senator Bill Stanley (R-Franklin) Delegate Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake) overwhelmingly positive. “I am appre- pick for making the case on news shows and Senator Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) Delegate Michael Webert (R-Fauquier County) ciative of all the comments I’ve re- Senator Frank Ruff (R-Mecklenburg) Delegate Michael Futrell (D-Prince William sports talk shows. The story was picked up Senator Walter Stosch (R-Henrico) County) ceived — even negative ones.” by dozens of newspapers — including USA Senator Steve Martin (R-Chesterfield) Delegate Dave Albo (R-Fairfax) But one letter from Karen Fettig of Today and The Boston Globe — sparking Senator Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William McLean, “really struck me as impor- Senator Richard Stuart (R-Spotsylvania) County) heated debates by people posting on media Senator Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke) Delegate Lee Ware (R-Powhatan) tant, and perhaps offering a solution websites. Delegate Scott Taylor (R-Virginia Beach) to the endless ranting. I asked her for permission to print it on my blog, and THE CAUCUS gained momentum through- she said yes.” out the day, and by Tuesday afternoon com- “I don’t get the controversy,” said Daniel In May, 50 senators — half of the U.S. “Chap: I happened to catch your prised top leadership from both houses of Flores, a 47-year-old Redskins fan from Senate — sent a letter to the NFL urging bit on the news last night re: The the legislature — and from both parties — Burke. “The name was chosen to represent the team to change its name. Several Na- Redskins name. I could not agree including Senate Majority Leader Tommy the bravery and fierce fighting abilities of tive American groups have declared their with your more. You may recall that Norment (R-James City County), Senate Native Americans. It’s a respectful name, opposition to the name. During the NBA fi- I have a good bit of Native blood in Minority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax), not insulting.” nals a few weeks ago, the Yocha Dehe me. It infuriates me to see all these House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colo- “The government has no place in forcing Wintun National paid for an ad that high- ‘white people’ telling me that I nial Heights) and House Majority Caucus [franchise owner Dan] Snyder’s hand,” said lighted the history of Native Americans, and should be offended by the name. It’s Chairman Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax). Stephanie Sullenger of Vienna. “The issue took a parting shot at the Redskins. quite the opposite. Even before I “I wanted to speak for fans who say ‘You should be left to the franchise and the fans “Look, if I felt like this was an honest com- moved to this area, I was a Redskins know what? Enough is enough,’” Petersen themselves as no one but Snyder can seem plaint, I would pull it back. But I see so fan because of their name. It is a very said in an interview Tuesday. “(Who) has to get Snyder to act. But in the end, much misinformation about this issue,” proud heritage. Not one member of the back of a few thousand loyal Redskins shouldn’t there be a separation between Petersen said, adding that many Native my family is offended either. The fans who never did anything wrong, except Sport and State?” Americans call themselves “redskins,” and bottom line is that 90 percent of true to love a football franchise that united this One of the caucus’ stated goals is to pre- that the name “Oklahoma” is based on Native Americans are not offended town in way nobody did before?” vent the U.S. Congress from forcing a name “Choctaw Indian words which translate as in the least. The answer is simple: The Redskins Pride Caucus had scored, change upon the NFL team. “red people.” take a poll of only Native Americans. giving a voice to Redskins fans of all In the past six months, pressure to change “This is truly political correctness on ste- Whatever that poll says should be the stripes. the name has been mounting. roids,” Miller said at the news conference. answer. End of story.” 2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ July 2-8, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic 703-778-9414 or News [email protected] Photo by Whitney Winn Wiehle-Reston East Station: The first Silver Line train will leave the Photo by Chuck Samuelson station on Saturday, July 26, at noon. Train approaches McLean Metro Station. See Local Perspec- Area Gears Up for Rail Opening tive, Page 8,9 Silver Line starts Spring Hill and Greensboro stations - bike paths and bus routes will be beefed up. running on July 26. “You’ll see significantly improved bus transit services in the surrounding areas,” By Reena Singh said Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. The Connection “We’re also planning dramatic road im- provements.” n July 26, the expectations Foust sees the influx of commuters head- and hopes of commuters in ing to the stations as economy drivers who OTysons and Reston will either are stimulating developers to build more in be met or dashed when the the area. He foresaw that, with less people gates to the Silver Line Metro stations are using cars in their commute to Tysons, that opened at noon.