DIXON – In response to a decision from the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce (SVACC) to include a DEI statement on their website and remove God from an opening prayer at the “Steak Fry in the Country” scholarship event, State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) withdrew his membership with the Chamber.
“Yesterday, after hearing the disappointing decisions made by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, I drove directly to the Chamber, discussed my concerns, and ultimately withdrew my membership,” said Fritts. “The steak fry is an annual event to raise money for scholarships and celebrate our agricultural heritage – not a time for political games.”
In releasing this statement, Fritts remains transparent with constituents. “I refuse to be complicit in initiatives that stand against our values. In our community, we evaluate our neighbors based on their merit, work ethic, and character. I am disheartened that SVACC’s actions took the spotlight away from the true focus of this event: ensuring local students receive agriculture scholarships.
“I am incredibly disappointed in the decisions made by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and hope management will reconsider the direction the organization has taken. We need strong leadership within our community to be laser-focused on fostering growth and helping small businesses, now more than ever.”
For more information about Representative Fritts, visit RepFritts.com.
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