"Over the course of many decades, our village has had no greater champion" -Chris L

Dear Vanessa,

I wanted to send a few words because I know you are going through a hard time.

I have so much admiration and respect for you, Vanessa. Over the course of many decades, our village has had no greater champion. Always at the forefront, always eloquent and armed with the facts, you have engaged with virtually all important issues facing us.

As a long time leader of our Hastings Democratic Committee, you have provided ideological clarity and trained all of us to carry out our role in local elections. Despite your extraordinary work as a law professor and leader and activist in the field of immigration law, your heart is always with your home town and keeping our democratic traditions alive and thriving.

Personally, I have often sought out and appreciated your views on so many political topics, always supported by extensive research. How often we have gotten those Vanessa emails - calling us to action, cogently summarizing the issue and bolstered by a raft of cites to related reading!

I also appreciate and admire your powerful presence. When you speak, people listen. You command the room. You take the mic. You educate and advocate and convince. And you also delight with that famously dry wit!

With love and gratitude,
Chris L