Time Capsule

Pragmatic Patriotism is a philosophy rooted less in ideology and more in results. It's optimistic without being naive, proud without being fragile, and serious about governing in a way that works. ... Our challenges, after all, are not Republican or Democratic challenges; they are community challenges. At 250, America doesn't need to reinvent itself. It simply needs to recommit to what has always worked: optimism, fairness, strength, and the practical courage to govern well.

What began as a small desert community has evolved into a global city and one of the world's most recognized and exciting destinations. Millions of visitors arrive here each year, experiencing firsthand the innovation, hospitality, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that define both Las Vegas and America. In many ways, Las Vegas has become a window through which the world experiences the American dream.

Two years ago, we marked our own centennial. Now, as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Virginia stands at the center of the conversation. But for our business community, this milestone isn't just about history books or museums. It’s about the active legacy we create every day. The work we do right now in governance, civic responsibility, and local commerce is shaping what the Commonwealth looks like for the next generation.

The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities. West Virginia is helping power our nation's energy future, advancing manufacturing, strengthening infrastructure and preparing the next generation of leaders. None of this happens by accident. It happens because people choose to invest, innovate and believe in what's possible.

It's not about changing people's minds, and it's not about agreeing on common ground. It's about learning to disagree better and rekindling conversations that begin with respect, rely on empathy, and end with deeper understanding…

Regardless of our differences, we are all in the same boat together, and we'll always do better by pulling together than by pulling apart.

We see it in the small business owner who opens the doors before sunrise. We see it in the manufacturer training the next generation. We see it in the teacher preparing students for a world that will look different than the one we now know. We see it in the volunteer giving time to make a neighborhood stronger. We see it in the young professional choosing to build a life here. We see it in the military family making Wichita home. ... America is built in places like Wichita, through hard work, ambition and community.

It's been said that 'well-behaved women rarely make history.' ... America's progress over the past 250 years has been built by trailblazers who expanded what was possible for those who followed. ... We demonstrate that spirit by helping the next generation of women in print explore their potential and chart their own pathways to success.

Our nation has never been perfect, and it never will be. We are tested. We face division. We stumble. But the enduring promise of America is not perfection, it is progress. It is the constant pursuit of becoming better, stronger, fairer, and more united.