LOUISVILLE – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following Thanksgiving message today:

“Nearly one hundred fifty years ago, in the midst of a terrible civil war, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving. His point was to recognize God’s mercy in ensuring that beyond the field of battle the United States had prospered, freedom had increased, and peace with other nations had been maintained. These many years later, despite great challenges at home and abroad, the United States continues to be a nation blessed by prosperity, freedom, and opportunity. We may have our political differences, as the past year has shown, but ours has always been a nation where people of different backgrounds and beliefs could express themselves freely, without fear of reprisal, and that’s something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. We are also grateful today in a special way for those who have served at home and abroad to preserve and protect our God-given freedoms, and we remember those who do not enjoy as fully as we do the benefits of our nation’s prosperity. Today is a day to put aside the political disagreements of the moment and join together in recognition of our many blessings, knowing that among the greatest of these is the ability to call ourselves Americans. May all of you and your families have a happy Thanksgiving.”