WILMINGTON, Del. - Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement for Thanksgiving:
"In the days since the election, I’ve heard from many Delawareans of different backgrounds and political perspectives. They’ve shared their hopes and fears about the election and what it means.
"Thanksgiving is often our only chance to see family and friends with other points of view. Our dinner tables reflect our national conversation, leading some to fear this Thanksgiving dinner might feel less like a family reunion and more like a cable news set. In the spirit of coming together, I hope we’ll try to see this holiday as an opportunity.
"What do I mean by that? I hope Thanksgiving will give us an opportunity to practice listening and hearing those with whom we disagree, rather than simply preparing our own comeback. I hope we can ask the questions we may not have asked before we went to the polls. I hope we’ll see this time as an opportunity to dive not just into Black Friday sales, but also into conversation with someone we may only see once a year.
"Elections are about far more than just winning or losing. They’re about listening to each other, taking stock of where we’re at, and figuring out how to move forward because, ultimately, we’re in this together.
"That’s not easy, especially after an election defined by levels of intolerance and divisiveness our country hasn’t seen in a generation. But we have to try to come together precisely because it’s hard. The only way we’ll change is if we begin to hear each other and find a common purpose.
"We can make a difference right now. We can listen to each other. We can look out for our friends, neighbors, or strangers who may be hurting. We can hear them and we can lift them up. We can find an opportunity to give back.
"Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday that reflects some of the best of our society. It’s a chance to take a breath and reflect on what we’re grateful for and what truly matters. Rather than avoiding these difficult conversations, let’s use them as a time to hear each other and to practice kindness.
"One way we can embody the spirit of Thanksgiving following a difficult election is by giving a few hours of our time to those in need of a helping hand. Visiting Volunteer Delaware is a great place to find a service project near you.
"I wish you a happy Thanksgiving with many laughs, fond memories, and -- yes -- some healthy disagreements."