Common Sense" with Congressman Jamie Raskin

Congressman Jamie Raskin, D-MD, appeared at Cape Henlopen High School on the very rainy evening of Jan. 10, the 250th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. Rep. Raskin has focused a good part of his life on Paine, a failed corset-maker from England.  What Thomas Paine lacked in garment skills, he made up for by writing pamphlets that sparked the American Revolution and changed the world.  Rep. Raskin captivated the audience by reciting parts of the pamphlet from memory.  The 47 page pamphlet was pivotal in driving the cause for independence forward; George Washington even had his troops reading it by campfire light at Valley Forge.

Almost 500 people lined up patiently outside the library to hear Rep. Raskin speak, with another 275 online.

The event began with introductions by Delaware Sen. Russ Huxtable, and U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride.  Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco later read audience-submitted questions.

The special program was part of the Lewes 250 celebration and moderated by Ron Collins. Collins is a retired law professor, co-founder of the History Book Festival and distinguished lecturer at Lewes Public Library.

For a full account of this event, refer to the Cape Gazette article by Bill Shull:
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE