We have begun the nomination process for the Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida presentation of the Jefferson Cup Award at our annual Constitution Day Celebration on September 18th.
Below you will find links to the bios of the four Patriots that have already been nominated and some background on this unique award.
If you would like to nominate someone for this award please send Kristi Dunn your nomination, along with their bio no later than 5pm Saturday, September 5th to:
Once all nominations are in, the additional bios will be posted and a poll will be placed on the right column of this website, where it currently says Jefferson Cup Award Poll. Please return to vote for on the nominee of your choice starting Sunday, September 6th.
BIOS:
Sarah Lovett
John Stevens
Kimberly Wells
Will Pitts
The Background of this Award:
I would like to take a moment to tell you a story about one of the most influential men credited with our historic founding as a Nation of States, Thomas Jefferson. As you have probably observed, the RLC quotes Thomas Jefferson quite extensively as a source for many of our stances and has become an identifying figure for our movement of fellow Liberty loving compatriots.
Thomas Jefferson had a very close friend and mentor, George Wythe, whom he often referred to as a “Second Father”. During a time when many men only studied law for a year, Jefferson, under Wythe as his instructor studied law, philosophy and political science for more than five years. Wythe became a highly influential member of the Continental Congress in 1775, voting in favor of the resolution for Independence and as first from the Virginia delegation to sign the Declaration of Independence. Following his tenure in the Continental Congress he served in various public office positions in his home State of Virginia, and became the first Professor of Law in U.S. History. When he later died in 1806, he left many items to Thomas Jefferson. , Among those items where two Silver Cups.
Later, Jefferson had the Wythe cups melted down to make eight 5-ounce silver cups, gilded inside. The model was a very small cup, believed to be French in origin. The maker was John Leitelier, a silversmith from Richmond. Jefferson had four of the cups marked “G.W. to T.J.” and four marked “T.J.”
Based on this story we have decided to begin a new tradition in the RLC of Northeast Florida. Every year we will select an individual based on their dedication and commitment to the cause of Liberty and Freedom. To commemorate their contribution, this person will receive a Jefferson Silver Cup, crafted from Sterling Silver, which shall then be passed on from year to year. It is our intention for this to symbolize the passing of the torch of Liberty and Freedom and the internal vigilance required to maintain them both as they were intended by our Founding Fathers.
Additionally, we will be awarding Jefferson Cups made of Pewter to the Jefferson Silver Cup holder. This cup will be kept permanently by the recipient as a token of our deepest gratitude for their invaluable efforts and vigilance. Like in the Original Jefferson Cups that Jefferson had inscribed with “G.W. to T.J.” we will customize these cups with Thomas Jefferson’s initials to the initials of the cup recipient as we feel Jefferson would want these cups to go to those who share his commitment to Freedom and Liberty.
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Thu, Sep 3, 2009
Action Items, Jefferson Cup