U.S. Senator Tim Kaine shows emotion at the Harrison Museum
Friday U.S. Senator Tim Kaine hit Roanoke early with five stops on his calendar. His fourth stop that evening was at a reception at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture in Center in the Square. At one point Kaine when talking about how he became aware of his own segregated life and paused as his emotions got the better of him.
Kaine praised Charles Price, Executive Director of the Harrison Museum. “Cultural institutions have been especially challenging in recent years … it’s a heavy burden – a labor of love” that has dedicated people taking on the challenge.
Kaine talked about reading a book by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how his words stuck with him. “The most segregated hour of the week was 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.” There was something about that sentence that made him examine his whole life he said.
He asked himself how much was he segregating himself from people who were not like him. “That was a challenge for me that put me on a different path.” Kaine then went to work as a civil rights lawyer for 17 years.
As mayor of Richmond he wondered where all the art and statues were that recognized the accomplishments of African Americans.”That’s what museums like this are all about.”
He noted that 2019 was the 400th anniversary of the first slaves being brought to Jamestown – dubbed the “The Black Mayflower.”
“Had that Jamestown not begun something who would we be … I don’t even know if there is an answer to that,” said Kaine. “The contributions of African Americans are just so in the DNA … just so integrally related.” Kaine paused as his emotions caught up with him wiping away a tear.
This museum as many others are opening throughout Virginia “is a important time.” He encouraged the 70 people present – politicians, lawyers and volunteers to make the museum an “overwhelming success as we run up to that important time.”
Create a usable past he said. “Create something that can be used to point the way to a better future … and that is what the Harrison Museum does.”
Kaine hurried off to throw out the first pitch as the Salem Red Sox take on the Frederick Keys at Salem Memorial Ballpark. He said he had been practicing but wanted to get a few more throws in before facing a stadium full of critical baseball fans.
On Saturday morning, Kaine and members of his staff planned to host a Citizen Day service project to clean up a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and help maintain nearby hiking trails.
His first stop on Friday morning was at the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia’s Drug Court Graduation ceremony in Salem where he congratulated 22 men and women who successfully completed the program.
His second stop was at CoLab in Grandin Village where he participated in a roundtable discussion listening to the concerns of entrepreneurs and young professionals. CoLab is an innovative facility in Roanoke where technology, business, and community improvement projects are incubated.
Senator Kaine’s third stop was at the Brandon Oaks Nursing Home to celebrate Brandon Oaks is home to several World War II veterans, including the sole surviving Army Chaplain to serve in World War II.
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