One of the signal stories of 2021 was a narrative of unfulfilled promise: the promise by a new president to open a path to citizenship to 10.2 million immigrants – and the thwarting of that promise by the politics of a particular historical moment. As the story goes, Congress members supporting immigration reform included a path to citizenship in the president’s “Build Back Better” bill. But the Senate parliamentarian nixed the immigration provision, and Senator Joe Manchin subsequently refused to vote for the bill itself, ending all hopes for immigration reform in 2021.

We have on exhibit a treasure, a 100-yearold booklet bound in faded army-green paper and laced together with an old gold cord. The front page declares it to be The 1921 Octopus, Volume the First, Yearbook of Madisonville High School, published by the Senior Class. A sticky note adds “donated by Mr. Bill Wakefield 3/17/07”. Beneath the title is the declaration “meaning an organization of many branches through which it maintains a hold on the interest of others”.

With the Thanksgiving holiday behind us and Christmas just around the corner, I want to encourage you and your family to embrace this season of giving by seeking out opportunities to offer a helping hand to those in need throughout our communities. While many of us are blessed to enjoy a regular meal and a warm place to sleep at night, it’s important to remember that there are countless others that do not enjoy these basic blessings. In the coming weeks, I hope you’ll chip in at your neighborhood food pantry, donate a few extra dollars in the Salvation Army red kettle, or volunteer time to assist your local church. What better way to express our gratitude than by helping one another?