Virginia Foxx: “In 1994, Jan Karon, an author from North Carolina, released a novel titled ``At Home in Mitford.'' That novel was the…”

“In 1994, Jan Karon, an author from North Carolina, released a novel titled ``At Home in Mitford.'' That novel was the first of 14 she wrote in a series that depicted a small town located in western North Carolina. To be clear, the town of Mitford is purely fictional, but, in fact, it was based off a town in North Carolina's Fifth District where Jan Karon grew up and drew inspiration from, the town of Hudson. In early October, it was my privilege and honor, along with hundreds of people from 31 different States, to be in Hudson for the dedication ceremony of the new Mitford Museum. The mission of this museum is to share the small-town values, through artifacts and archives, that relate to western North Carolina and Jan Karon's novels with those who visit. One of the museum's objectives is to also to enrich both reading and writing appreciation and enhancing the literary skills in youth and adults. Those important endeavors are worthy of praise. Jan Karon, along with many of us, grew up learning and appreciating the small-town values which have helped make our country great. By sharing them with her readers, she helps preserve the continuity of those values so that generations both present and future will carry them forward. We all long for America to return to those simple values and not stray off course. Think about what some of those values are. They are comradery, service, sense of community, putting in a hard day's work, and family.…”