September 27, 2003

 

“NFRW Delegates Convene in Salt Lake City”                 by Laura Riffle   

 

Excitement filled the air in Salt Lake City as the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) met at the Grand America Hotel for their 32nd Biennial Convention.  The optimism and enthusiasm for the upcoming 2004 elections was contagious.  Everyone believes that the popularity of our president and the resulting receptiveness of the American public to Republican ideas will result in many victories across the country.  Republican women are invigorated and ready to work hard to win!

 

Friday’s opening reception and gala was phenomenal.  In the courtyard of the hotel, over 1,000 people gathered to listen to a series of interesting speakers, both scheduled and unscheduled.

 

It took a combination of hurricane Isabel and the unexpected arrival of the king and queen of Jordan in Washington, D.C. to keep President George W. Bush away from the event but the storm also delayed Utah Governor Mike Leavitt’s trip to Capitol Hill (for his confirmation hearings on his nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency) so he was a surprise speaker at the event. 

 

Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Olene S. Walker also said a few words.  With Governor Leavitt hopefully leaving for Washington, Olene will step in as governor, the first woman to do so in Utah’s history.

 

Also speaking to us was the well-respected United States Senator from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison.  She is a long-time member of the NFRW and stirred the crowd with her enthusiasm for the 2004 elections and the great prospects for the re-election of George W. Bush.

 

After the cocktail reception and short speeches, we were treated to some great entertainment.  The show was entitled, “One Nation Under God” which emphasized out commonality while showcasing a number of different cultures we find in our wonderful country.  The Broadway quality show ended with a new song entitled, “This We Believe (We Believe in America)”, which might make a good Republican anthem for the 2004 elections.  Oh, yes, and then we all sang, “God Bless America”, as we filed out of the room for dessert and coffee.

 

Saturday’s General Session opened with remarks from Heidi Smith, NFRW President.  We are fortunate to have someone with such leadership qualities at the helm of our national organization.  She is an awesome speaker and got the whole meeting off on the right foot.

 

Lieutenant Governor Olene Walker also spoke at the General Session and former congressman Jim Hansen filled in for Orrin Hatch who couldn’t make it due to having back surgery earlier in the week.

 

Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii told us about her unique experience of running for governor in what has been a one-party state.  She had previously been the mayor of Maui and ran on the question, “Do you really want to live in a one party state?”  Maybe we can learn something from her. 

 

In the session, we made a few changes to NFRW by-laws and elected the new leaders for the organization.   

 

The Saturday Luncheon revolved around the “My Favorite Teacher” Award and the keynote speaker was The Honorable Eugene B. Hickock, Under Secretary of Education for the Bush Administration. The luncheon gave me new insight into the No Child Left Behind program, which I will also share with you at our next meeting.

 

Also appearing at the luncheon was a fellow dressed as Abraham Lincoln.  He uttered words Lincoln had spoken nearly 150 years ago that still have meaning today.  We truly are the “Party of Lincoln” and are still reflect his ideals, even in 2003. 

 

At the Sunday General Session, we again heard from Governor Mike Leavitt and then Gary Aldrich, author of the new book, “Thunder on the Left” as well as the junior United States Senator from Utah, Robert Bennett.  The luncheon keynote speaker was Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition and now President of Century Strategies.

 

Author Emily Watts was an unexpected speaker during the Sunday morning session.   She spoke to the everyday experiences of American women with humorous insight.  She was entertaining as well as stimulating thought and was a great addition to the program. 

 

Over the course of the weekend, I learned that the oldest Republican women’s club still in existence today was established in Utah in 1899.  The theme for the event was “Our Heritage is Our Future” and a lot of emphasis was placed on the important role Republican women’s organizations have played over the years.

 

Even more exciting, however, is “Our Future”.  The over 1,200 delegates in attendance couldn’t have been more energized.  Over the course of the weekend, I had the opportunity to talk to a number of women and found the whole event exhilarating.  I cannot tell you how much of an honor and a privilege it was to have the opportunity to attend.  I can’t wait to tell you more at our next meeting.