Parental opinion on race in 5th

By The Daily Progress

Published: October 6, 2008

Our son, Tom Perriello, is running for U.S. Congress from the 5th District of Virginia. Recently his opponent, Virgil Goode, ran an ad with an altered photograph of Tom that made him look more like a terrorist than our son. Additionally, the ad suggested that Tom was a carpetbagger from New York.

We want to clarify that Tom was born, raised and educated through high school in Albemarle County. Tom received his Eagle Scout Award from Troop 114 of Stonewall Jackson Area Council and was a page for Del. Mitch Van Yahres in Richmond. He was based in New York for a couple of years while serving abroad in Afghanistan, Darfur and Kosovo working as a national security analyst.

From an early age Tom demonstrated an uncanny compassion and concern for those in need that grew into a lifelong commitment of working for the common good. After years of working in the non-profit sector, Tom feels that he and his generation are ready, able and obligated to lead. He returned home to answer that call to service in a community of friends, family and mentors that helped him develop the core values and work ethic that embody who he is today. He believes America’s best days are ahead if we have the courage and determination to seize the opportunities and take on the challenges we face.

Tom’s position on issues like his seven-point economic revival plan for Southside, and his support for drilling as part of a plan for energy independence that is critical to our economy and to our national security, can be found at perrielloforcongress.com. He understands the need for new leadership with a vision for solving the problems facing all parts of the 5th District.

Tom is part of a new kind of politics that focuses on right and wrong, not right and left and that provides leadership that brings divergent views together to find bipartisan solutions. Please learn the truth about who Tom Perriello really is and what progress and pride he could bring to our district.

Vito Perriello Jr.
Linda Perriello
Albemarle County