April 2003 Newsletter

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER

Diamond Award Club

November 2003

President: Laura Ann Riffle 263-0990

1st V.P & Program: Doris Whitney 997-0581

2nd V.P. Barbara Ferguson 739-0795

Shirley. Harvey Newsletter Editor (408) 253-1591

Congratulations to all Republicans we not only elected a Republican Governor for California but we brought in over 60% of the vote statewide. It was rather nerve wracking but Tom McClintock stuck it out and may have helped Arnold to overwhelm the election results. It couldn’t have turned out better if it had been planned.

I was down in L.A. for the election and it sure was exciting! On Monday, my daughter-in-law and granddaughter took me out to Huntington Beach for lunch and were excited to find that Arnold was on his way down for a last minute campaign stop. We had lunch and then joined the crowd to await Arnold. It was really a lot of fun and there were many young people in attendance. We had a great time and my granddaughter went around the rest of the day with her Join Arnold sign saying, “Go Arnold! Go Arnold!” It seemed everyone in their apartment building was voting for Arnold even the parents of a young boy named “Clinton”. His parents named him after the man they had once voted for president. As the song says, “The times… they are a changing!”

On election night, Ed and I and a business associate of his headed over to Century Plaza Hotel for the victory party. It was great, but there were so many people and so many news cameras, we decided to go to a nearby restaurant for dinner and came back for the very end when all had calmed down a bit.

I look forward to many more Republican victories now that our party is fully energized and I hope Tom McClintock runs for another statewide office as he certainly set the tone for the debates and came out a winner even to some of the most liberal journalists.

I want to remind everyone that our November 6^th meeting we will be honoring veterans and we would like as many pictures as possible for our front table. Please also remember that we will be collecting for our annual donation to the veterans so please stuff a few extra bills in your wallet. It will be much appreciated.

I also want to remind you again to think about joining us for the Northern Division Convention, November 14^th and 15^th in Concord. The club will pay your registration. We have three members running for office and we can use all of your votes.

Shirley Harvey, Alice Wilson and Doris Whitney are all running for positions on the Northern Division Board. If you attend, you can vote for them!

WE DO NEED SOMEONE TO EITHER TAKE OVER OUR NEWSLETTER OR TO WORK WITH THE HARVEY’S ON IT. They have put in over seven years of hard work and have done an exemplarily job, but with family and friends all over the country, they would like a little freedom to travel without having to be home to put our letter together. If you have an interest please contact the Harvey’s or me ASAP.

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MEMBERSHIP

Please welcome a new member who joined our club this month! Thank you Constance Cook Turner.

We are nearing that time for everyone to renew their membership for 2004. it’s not too early to renew!

Associate Member may be counted as an Active voting Member in one Club only; she may be an Associate Member of one or more Clubs. To be eligible for such membership, it is a prerequisite that she already be a full voting member of a Unit Club. Spouses may be Associate Members.

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The committee consisting of Anita DeSmet, Louise Kenney, Barbara Ferguson and Alternate Doris Whitney submit the following names for the 2004 Executive Board. Voting will be at the November Meeting.

For our November Luncheon honoring the veterans, bring pictures or wear your uniform if you are a veteran. Any questions, call Doris Whitney. We will be collecting money for the Veterans Hospital. December 4 will be our Christmas Program and Installation of 2004 Officers for SVRWF.

Excitement filled the air in Salt Lake City as the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) met at the Grand America Hotel for their 32^nd 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.

Come to the FALL CONVENTION IN CONCORD

At the Holiday Inn

All rooms $ 75.00

Hon. Lois Haight, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge ( Fri. Luncheon Speaker)

Rear Admiral Jud Scott, ret., former Deputy Commander Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet and Director, Submarine Reserve ( Sat. Breakfast Speaker)

Your Host: REGION VI

Concord is only 1.5 hour drive away. SVRWF will pay members registration of $ 20.00.

Fri. Business meeting, Workshops and Northern Division Elections 9a.m. until 5 p.m.