Restore Patrick Henry to Virginia

On the Eve of America’s 250th Birthday—Virginians (and all Americans) Call on Historic Names Restored and Rightfully Remembered at our Colleges

Please add your name to our petition to restore Virginia’s Founding Fathers and President Tyler to our state’s two-year colleges.

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RESTORE PATRICK HENRY TO VIRGINIA

WOODSTOCK, Va. – When given the opportunity, Virginia voters overwhelmingly support their rich Old Dominion history.

“Unfortunately, Virginia voters were dismissed in 2021, when the woke Virginia State Board of Community Colleges removed the names of Patrick Henry, Thomas Nelson, Lord Fairfax, and John Tyler from our community colleges.

“In 1774, Patrick Henry served as a delegate to the First Continental Congress, where he drafted the Petition to the King. In 1775, Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death!" He gained further popularity among the people of Virginia by marching troops towards the colonial capital of Williamsburg after the Gunpowder Incident until the munitions seized by the King's troops were paid for. Henry urged independence, and when the Virginia Convention endorsed this in 1776, he served on the committee charged with drafting the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Constitution.

“A Founding Father, Henry was promptly elected governor under the new charter and served a total of five one-year terms. Henry is remembered as an enthusiastic promoter of the fight for independence.

• Thomas Nelson served as the third governor of Virginia, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and fought alongside George Washington in Yorktown, even firing upon his own British-occupied home at the time.

• John Tyler served as the 10^th President of the United States and is one of eight from Virginia, giving us the moniker, “Virginia—Mother of Presidents.”

• Lord Thomas Fairfax, from whom Fairfax, Virginia, served as George Washington’s mentor and hired him to survey Northern Virginia.

“In 2025, every member of the current State Board of Community Colleges has been appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“We are calling on Governor Youngkin, the 74th Governor of Virginia, to ask Chairman of the State Board of Community Colleges, Michael Wooten, to restore the names of Governor Patrick Henry, the 1st Governor of Virginia; Governor Thomas Nelson, the 3^rd Governor of Virginia; President John Tyler, the 10^th United States President; and Lord Fairfax to our community colleges.

“Virginians can take action now by calling Governor Youngkin directly at 804-786-2211 or by his website https://www.governor.virginia.gov/communicating-with-the-governors-office/.

“Virginians—and all Americans--can add their names to our Petition hosted on Change.org by searching ‘Restore Patrick Henry to Virginia’ or clicking here: https://chng.it/TsLhK5R5qL.

“When Virginia history is restored to Virginians, it is our hope that President Trump will attend the rededication ceremonies in Virginia, possibly before the November elections. Patrick Henry is a favorite of the President.”