Home | Join | Leadership | Volunteer | Calendar

State GOP Convention Issue

THREE JAM PACKED DAYS

BY: JOYCE HOWARD PITTMAN

Attending the State Convention for the first time in several years proved to be a brand new experience. Elena Blake, Kaye Ward, Oscar Ward, Loren Byers, Bill Brown, Linda Harper Brown, Chris Chapman and I were the attendees from our club. Some of us managed to get together for lunch one day and were much like ships passing in the night the rest of the time since we were not seated in the same CD district.

I knew that our Congressional District was large, but not until I compared our very small Irving contingent to the large picture did I understand the true significance of how the dis- trict has been drawn to increase Dallas’ influence (900 delegates) and decrease Irving’s ability to secure appointments to the National Convention, the National Committee posi- tions, Presidential Elector positions or State Committee positions. (Irving had approximately fifteen delegates.) There were over 12,000 delegates including the alternates.

Ron Paul’s supporters were very exuberant. They managed to get State Convention delegates elected at their various precinct conventions. They also sent a contingent of alter- nate delegates who were seated (as were most all alternates) because of the failure of elected delegates to attend. Ron Paul’s gathering proved to the be the most exciting and energetic of the convention. Although not a Ron Paul backer, I came away glad to know that they will be a factor in the Presidential race as they are hoping to push the agenda in a more conservative direction.

Donald Huffines, active since 1976 when he worked to support President Reagan, secured a National Delegate spot after a couple of ballots. June Rentmeester, a 34-year political veteran from Richardson, also was elected as a National Delegate. Johnny Lopez, chair of Irving’s SD 9 will be an alternate delegate. Former member of GIRC Steve Hillier lost his bid for a National alternate position.

In other races, Jane Burch won re-election as the SREC Committeewoman, SD 9, and Tim Hoy won again as SREC Committeeman SD 9. Bill Crocker won another four year term as National Committeeman. Our very own Loren Byers whom I supported narrowly missed a position for Electoral College running against Frank Eikenberg who has been around since the “I Like Ike” days.

Newt Gingrich gave what turned out to be one of the most exciting speeches at the convention. A visit to his website would be rewarding. (www.americansolutions.com ) Another “barn burner’ was delivered by Mitt Romney at the Friday night dinner. Irving’s Linda Harper Brown was in attendance at this dinner and was introduced from the podium.

At the “Victory or Death (by Chocolate)” reception for Senator Cornyn, Michael Williams (Chairman of the Railroad Commission), and Roger Williams (Chairman of Texas Victory 2008 to elect Republicans), I was glad to see Linda Harper and Bill Brown to say “Hello.”

It seems to me that John McCain needs to make a decision to jump on the genuine, certified, conservative band wagon instead of acting like a RINO. We must all write, fax, and email his elections campaign to push him in the right direction. He needs to do what the French President did and out conservative the conservatives, thereby convincing the public of his sincerity to represent what the Republican Party stands for.

If all of us are working hard this summer and fall, we should manage to carry Texas candidates. I hope other states are as determined as Texas is.

WE MUST GET OUT THE VOTE TO RE-ELECT OUR GOP INCUMBENTS AND KEEP OR GET A MAJORITY EVERYWHERE.

Notice Meeting Times

•All meetings will be on the first Tuesday of every month as was announced in March’s newsletter.

•Meetings will continue to be held at Spring Creek Barbeque at 7:00 PM unless you
receive notice otherwise.

•At each meeting the social hour with dining will begin an hour before the scheduled time for the meeting to be called to order.

OUR TROOPS - UPDATE!

We are continuing to honor our soldiers by sending packages to the troops. We filled 10 boxes in May with more socks, regulation green T-shirts, microwavable product, candy, toiletries, drink mixes, etc. The weather is already getting unbearable in Iraq. They need our help. If you hear stories not printed in the mainstream press and think they would be appropriate for our newsletter, please send them to us.

We are still asking for tidbits and photos that you find so that we can make this your paper.

~~~~~~~~~~

Mailing Address You may send your checks for dues and any other correspondence to:

GIRC

PO Box 154062

Irving, Texas 75015-4062

Allen Clark, Author, Speaker, Green Beret

Allen Clark, author (Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior) and public speaker, West Point Graduate who served in Vietnam as a covert army intelligence officer, has done extensive research and study on the origins, history, background, leaders, and current operational capabilities of the Islamic jihadist terrorists threatening the United States and other countries of the world.

Allen cut his teeth in politics at age six campaigning for Lloyd Bentsen in his first race for Congress in Mission, TX in 1948. For his second foray, however, he “switched sides” becoming a GOP member after a 3 year tour as an Army brat in Japan. He took a break from politics while he completed his studies at West Point, graduating at age 20 in 1963. He was the youngest man in his class of 504 students.

Subsequent service in Vietnam, while assigned to the Army Special Forces (Green Berets), found him on June 17, 1967 at Dak To camp in the Central Highlands where a mortar attack in the early hours caught him in the open. He was awarded the Silver Star, America’s third highest honor, for actions that day. His sharpenel wounds caused amputation of both his legs below the knees. And if this was not wound enough, he suffered Post Traumatic Stress disorder that hospitalized him in a closed psychiatric ward for fourteen weeks in 1968, where his “war after the war” began.

He re-entered politics in 1974 when he worked on the State Comptroller campaign of fellow West Pointer Nick Rowe. President George Bush nominated him twice for high level political positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He was confirmed by the U.S. as an Assistant Secretary for Veterans Affairs and Director, National Cemetery System.

Allen has been a delegate to our national convention in 1984 and 2000. In 1983 he oversaw the Texas Republican Party’s Blue Ribbon Committee to help rebuild our party after the 1982 election defeats. Allen suffered one of the defeats that year when Ann Richards won the State Treasurer office for the Democrats. He also ran for County judge in Travis County in 1982 losing to a Democrat.

Allen is a patriot and a party loyalist who has served his country and his state with distinction and honor. His very interesting life is detailed in his book, Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior, which you will be able to purchase at the meeting replete with autograph. The forward is written by Ross Perot. You will find many people you recognize in this insightful book. You can also access notes on this book and an interview by Larry King at his book website, www.woundedsoldierhealingwarrior. com.

Allen’s main personal cause today is a lay ministry to his fellow war veterans. His ministry website is located at www.combatfaith.com.

At our meeting he plans to talk to us about the Islamic Jihadist Terrorist Threat.” This subject is close to his heart as he believes that it is an imminent threat to all of us.

Please invite anyone you know who would like to meet and hear Allen Clark as he speaks from his heart at our GIRC meeting.

Coming Attractions

August - The August 5th meeting will feature Karen Tyrone from Exxon corporation.

September -Jim Dark with the Texas State Rifle Association will speak to us about securing our Second Amendment Rights.

October -Look forward to the reception for our Republican candidates.

Father - Daughter Talk

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, 'How is your friend Audrey doing?' She replied, 'Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.'

Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.'

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, 'That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!'

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to the Republican party.'

*** Sponsorship Opportunities ***

The Greater Irving Republican Club has been meeting in Irving for over 30 years as an organization of highly civic-minded citizens. We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the First Church of the Nazarene on MacArthur. Any support we receive goes toward maintaining a Republican presence in our community, spreading Republican values, and is very much appreciated by our 120+ members. If you would like to help us take care of our country you may do so by:

____ Sponsoring our meetings. ____ Sponsor our monthly newsletter by placing an advertisement. ____ Sponsoring or donating food and/or refreshments. ____ Sponsoring or donating office supplies and postal supplies. ____ Help with expenses for parade floats. ____ Donate to our Scholarship Fund. ____ Joining the club!

Donations will be gratefully acknowledged in our newsletter and at meetings. Contact the Treasurer, Michael Huebner, at (972) 438-1750 or email at mikesmail74@verizon.net. or download our sponsorship form (opens a Word Doc)

The Greater Irving Republican Club is not a Political Action Committee.

Sponsorship Levels and Benefits

Meeting Sponsor: $75 pays for rental of the church for our meetings and entitles the sponsor to a quarter-page advertisement in our monthly newsletter and individual membership in the club for one year.

Half-Mailing Sponsor: $150 pays expenses toward newsletter production and postage. Entitles the sponsor to a half-page advertisement in the newsletter and Sustaining membership in the club for one year.

Mailing Sponsor: $300 pays all expenses of newsletter production and postage as well as rental of the church for our meetings. Entitles the sponsor to a full-page advertisement in the newsletter and Patron membership in the club for one year.

Refreshment Sponsor: $90 pays for refreshments and miscellaneous expenses. Entitles the sponsor to a business card sized advertisement in the newsletter for one year.