British lawmaker says founder's ideals remain

Since James Edward Oglethorpe served the people of Surrey, England, as a member of Parliament in the mid-1700s, 43 successors have followed in his footsteps and centuries have passed, but his work for freedom and social reform still holds purpose, said Virginia Bottomley, who serves in his seat today.

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"Finding an opportunity for oppressed people to find a new life ... I believe his values are as important today as ever," Mrs. Bottomley said Thursday, shortly before a statue of Oglethorpe was unveiled in the Augusta Common downtown. She was in town for the midmorning ceremony and served as keynote speaker at a luncheon afterward.

Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the United Kingdom and is responsible for making and repealing laws. Mrs. Bottomley represents south West Surrey, which includes the town of Godalming, where Oglethorpe lived much of his life.

While serving in the elected position, Oglethorpe - the founder of Georgia and Augusta - dedicated his life to creating new beginnings for the impoverished and afflicted. Those same goals are still shared by many modern-day politicians, Mrs. Bottomley said, especially in dealing with the war on terrorism.

"In England, we believe we have had peace because we became involved," she said. "Now, (Prime Minister) Tony Blair believes deeply and strongly that we have common values with the U.S. to stand up against individuals whose evil agenda is to destroy the values we've worked so hard for."

In the United Kingdom, terrorism - largely from the conflict with the Irish Republican Army - has been a constant threat, Mrs. Bottomley said, explaining that packages in her home have never been opened without being checked for bombs beforehand.

Her daughter was never permitted to get directly into their family car, and instead had to be picked up around the corner to ensure it was not hooked to explosives.

"We've lived with the reality of terrorism for 20 years," she said.

The Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington seemed to make the idea of terrorism more of a reality for Americans, Mrs. Bottomley said, which is why the United Kingdom is standing "shoulder to shoulder" with the United States "in the face of terror."

"As we celebrate the life of Gen. James Oglethorpe, we also celebrate our long-standing connections," Mrs. Bottomley wrote in a letter to Mayor Bob Young before her arrival in Augusta. She called the statue a "visible symbol of our pivotal relationship."

"We must encourage future generations to recognize the value and significance of our shared trust," she said.

Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215 or heidi.williams@augustachronicle.com.