May 17: A Day to Remember

George Washington was a man of action. He knew that words were potent—but he understood that words alone couldn’t uphold the principles of life, liberty, and property that he held so dear. That's why in 1775, at age 43, he agreed to become commander in chief of the Continental Army and to fight for America’s independence. Washington’s willingness to act on his convictions made him a great hero and role model for his time and for all time. So it was fitting to have the monument that honors him—the 555-foot-tall Washington Monument on the National Mall—as the backdrop for our May 17 Rally to Protect the American Dream.

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Start your visit to the REALTOR® Rally by adding your name to the map of participants.

I wish all of you could have been there to see what I saw: 13,800 REALTORS® standing united for the principles that we hold dear; 13,800 REALTORS® affirming that Home Ownership Matters to individuals, to communities, and to our country; 13,800 REALTORS® taking action to make sure Congress understands that we are the architects and protectors of the American dream. It was a breathtaking sight.

You may recall that the rally was originally scheduled to be held near the U.S. Capitol Building. But as the date of the rally approached, it became clear that we would surpass—by a long shot—the space limitations of that park. No matter. About a dozen members of Congress and almost two dozen media outlets joined us on rally day. They saw a powerful example of what the REALTOR® Party can do, a sea of blue t-shirts with every man and woman in the crowd committed to fighting for home owners and for home ownership as a national priority.

Speaking at the rally, Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia reminded the crowd that George Washington and his cohorts—Presidents Adams, Jefferson, and Madison and others—fought for individual ownership and wide distribution of land. That’s a principle that we as REALTORS® cherish. So please do me this favor: Explore what the rally meant to all of us who were there. At the REALTOR® Action Center, you can view and share incredible photos and videos of the event, including a 360-degree, high-resolution view of the entire crowd. And you can even join the rally virtually. Already, more than 15,000 of you have taken part by registering and placing yourself on the map. Share the news with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues and encourage them to stand up for home ownership, too.

This summer we finally got a long-term resolution on flood insurance. Bravo! But in the fall, we will face new legislative challenges. When the time for action comes, I know we’ll look back on May 17 as the day we came together to reaffirm our fight. And when we call on you to "Vote, Act, and Invest," I know I can count on you to heed the call—not just for your profession but also because it’s the right thing to do for America. Rally on, REALTOR® Party! And remember, REALTORS® Are the Heart of the Deal.