From the office of Janice Lee Allen for Congress
P. O. Box 2092, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801
April 2, 2008

Dear Constituents of the 6th Congressional District of Virginia,

Hello.  I would like to take a few moments to tell you about myself and why I am running for the most important position in the 6th Congressional District of Virginia. 

Our District takes in a large area of many diverse demographics and needs.  The District includes all of the Shenandoah Valley, extending from the north in Shenandoah County, to the south including parts of Roanoke County (all of the cities of Salem and Roanoke), extending to the east (Amherst County and parts of Bedford County) and extending to the west (Highland, Bath and parts of Alleghany Counties).

Currently, I am the only candidate running for the Office of the United States Congress, from the 6th Congressional District in Virginia, who was born and raised in the District.  My family’s genealogy, in fact, can be traced to the 1700’s in the Shenandoah Valley.  I can remember the days of sitting in family households, at a very early age, and listening to stories of what happened, where and when, many years ago.  I have witnessed first hand the changes that have evolved over the course of the past 40 years in the Valley.

My father, a builder, had a fifth grade education.  He left home at a very early age and went to work for a farmer.  In time, he joined the military.  During World War II,  he fought at Normandy Beach, U. S. Army, Company “C” 116th Infantry 29th Division, Va.,  European Theatre of Operations.  My mother, a homemaker and a seamstress, met my father after the War, married, and raised four daughters.  I am the oldest. 

I realized at a very early age of the importance of having a college education.  I pursued that dream after graduating from Turner Ashby High School.   I became the first in the family to complete a college degree, a Bachelors Degree in Political Science, with emphasis on international relations, starting my education at Bridgewater College and completing the degree at Emory and Henry College.  My education did not stop there.  I have since completed Master Degrees in Urban Affairs, Business Administration, Divinity, and a Ph.D.  I also have a Real Estate Broker’s License.  Yes, I am a staunch believer in education, and the importance of continuous learning in life.

 I have worked in government.  I have held such positions as Urban Planner for Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Rockingham Counties.  In such positions, I worked on transportation studies, Comprehensive Planning and Zoning, and long range Capital Improvement Programs.  I have also worked as a Systems Analyst with Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.  In such capacity, I conducted feasibility studies and cost benefit analyses studies, and designed computer programs to be in compliance with the federal governments, (HUD’s), rules and regulations while administering Public Housing and Section 8 Programs.

Over the past 14 years, I have owned and operated my own real estate business.  In this capacity, I have become well in tune to the needs of the unheard voices of the low and the middle income families in this District.

I would never have voted for the War in Iraq.  I am an advocate for peace and negotiations; peace before war. I am the author of the book:  Peace or War. But now that we are in the Iraq War, it is time for us to return our troops home safely.  It is time for the Iraqi Government to take responsibility.

The welfare and security of this nation, individual employment security, job growth, raising families on less expendable incomes, growing health costs, and the need to eradicate illnesses and diseases are all very sensitive issues with me.

I am also very troubled with the growing national debt and the impact it is having on our families and the impact of this debt on our future generations.  When I say this, I think also of my own children and my granddaughter, and the debt we are leaving them.  This is why I am running for office.  I care.  It is time for me to step forward.  And, above all, it is time for this District to have a VOICE in the United States Congress, to be represented by someone who represents the people of and from this District, who has the knowledge, the experience, the foresight, the vision to make a change to the positive, for ALL of us!

Sincerely,

Janice Lee Allen, Ph.D.