Blogging with AFRW

Ladies, our mission is to positively impact our nation and strengthen our Republican Party through recruiting, education, training, supporting, and electing Republicans. There has never been a time more critical than today for Republican women in Alabama to be organized and to be heard. 

 We must get to work and recruit new members, educate them on the issues, train them to volunteer, support our Republican candidates and keep a Republican president in the White House.  Our #1 goal for 2008 will be to grow our membership.  We are going to aim for 2008 members in 2008 and then we are going to add more.  It can be done.  We are going to launch a membership drive to grow our grass root political activism by getting one member at a time.  We must be intentional in our efforts to recruit new members.  The NFRW website has a great resource center with tools to assist us in growing our local club membership, and I look forward to partnering with each of your clubs to grow our membership to unprecedented numbers. 

 Once we have our new members, we must educate them on the issues and the positions of our candidates so they can educate their circle of influence.  This upcoming election will be won on the grassroots level. We have the tools and the “womanpower” to be the hub of information for women in Alabama to know about our candidates, and raise the awareness of our clubs and activities. 

 And as we are educating Alabamians on the issues that bring us together as Republicans, I believe we as Republican women have a responsibility to play a leading role in supporting Americanism.

  While at the NFRW Convention, I was introduced to a book entitled “How to Raise an American” by Chriss Winston and Myrna Blyth.  I encourage each of you to promote this book within your communities.  We need to help secure our future in our young people by making sure that they are being taught the true meaning of America and patriotism.   Today, popular culture tells our children and grandchildren that it is cool to bash this country rather than to love it. Moveon.org and the liberal pundits have redefined patriotism, and it doesn’t sit very well with me.

 I look forward to working side by side with you as we become intentional in our efforts to recruit and train new members, educate the citizens of this great state, and support and elect Republicans. 

On Saturday at our wonderful state convention, Senator Jeff Sessions helped us honor some of our AFRW elected officials, including State Treasurer Kay Ivey.  Below are her remarks from that event.  Speaking on behalf of AFRW, we are so proud to have Kay Ivey representing Alabama and especially Alabama’s women!

Thank you so much for this honor.  Members of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women, I count you as my AFRW team: my Always Focused Ready and Willing team.  I clearly know that in 2002, it was you, the ladies of the AFRW, that first gave my campaign credibility.  You told your friends and neighbors about me when they didn’t know Kay Ivey from Adam’s Housecat.  You were an Always Focused Ready and Willing team of supporters and you helped me win the campaign for State Treasurer in 2002 in which we were outspent 4 to 1.

And after I took office as the first Republican State Treasurer in Alabama since Reconstruction, you didn’t leave my side.  You were Always Focused Ready and Willing to tell your friends and neighbors about the cost savings and efficiencies we were implementing during my term in office.  And that groundwork that you helped me lay over the course of four years helped us win re-election with over 60% of the vote.

I am grateful for the informed role you play in the arena of political process.  People know that you know what’s going on in government.  They look to you to find out about candidates and who is up to snuff.  They value your opinion.  I thank you for being my AFRW team - Always Focused Ready and Willing.  Together, let’s keep on being an AFRW team to move Alabama forward!

WHEREAS, Sandra Schimmelpfennig and her convention committee have worked diligently and faithfully to provide a successful convention;

 WHEREAS, Sandra had to negotiate three different venues and “Aim at the Stars”;

 WHEREAS, The Embassy Suites Hotel, Ruth Chris Steak House and the Von Braun Center provided good food and good accommodations;

 WHEREAS, this convention has provided a weekend of education, fun and
Camaraderie;

 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that at their biennial convention in Huntsville, October 27, 2007 the Alabama Federation of Republican Women give a huge congratulations and thank you to the convention committee for a successful convention.

 Virginia Howard, President

and let’s not forget her Co-Chair Glenda Neill 

WHEREAS, Virginia Howard, has inspired and lead the Alabama Federation of Republican Women the past 2 years as president;

 WHEREAS, President Virginia has traveled to each and every club and shared her vision and leadership skills;

 WHEREAS, the Federation has taken the lead in the fight against illegal immigration under her leadership;

 WHERESAS, President Virginia has persevered through red tape, personality quirks, and unanswered messages to finally get the AFRW website up to date:

 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that at their biennial convention in Huntsville, October 27, 2007 the Alabama Federation of Republican Woman expresses gratitude and thankfulness to President Virginia Howard for her devoted service.

 Bobbie Lou Leigh, 1^st Vice President

 WHEREAS, Elois Zeanah, chair of AFRW’s illegal immigration committee has a passion about illegal immigration;

 WHEREAS, this passion has taken her over 3700 miles across this state, visiting seven clubs and six other organizations, speaking on the 14^th amendment and Birthright Citizenship;

 WHEREAS, Elois has worked on resolutions passed at NFRW and AFRW meetings, and has mailed and delivered petitions around the state, obtaining over 2500 signatures;

 WHEREAS, Elois is serving with distinction on the Joint Interim Patriotic Immigration Commission as the governor’s appointee;

 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that at their biennial convention in Huntsville, October 27, 2007 the Alabama Federation of Republican Woman acknowledges Elois for her dedicated work and accomplishments, and her “have petition, will travel attitude”.  She is truly an Alabama Republican Woman.

        Virginia Howard, President

RESOLUTION THREE

WHEREAS, 2008 is rapidly approaching and it is imperative that we retain the white House and recapture our Congressional seats;

WHEREAS, 2006 was a disappointing year for Republicans, and we do not want a repeat of it; and

WHEREAS, the NFRW members are an important factor in working on campaigns, raising funds and running for office;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alabama Federation of Republican Women will work enthusiastically and with resolve to retain the White House, hold onto our seats in congress, and secure a Republican majority in our state house.

 
RESOLUTION FOUR

 WHEREAS, General David Patraeus, United States Army, is leading our troops in the war against terror as a true patriot;

WHEREAS, our young men and women are making improvements in Iraq everyday; and

WHEREAS, General Patraeus and our troops are sacrificing each day to protect us;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alabama Federation of Republican Women thanks and holds in high esteem General Patracus and our men and women in uniform

WHEREAS, The Alabama Federation of Republican Women is a grassroots organization with 26 federated clubs and approximately 1300 members, and it believes that the strength of our state and nation is based on the rule of law, political education and individual activism; and

 

WHEREAS, The AFRW recognizes the threats imposed upon the American way of life by illegal immigration because of the heavy burdens it places on our medical services, educational institutions, prison systems and all public services; and

 

WHEREAS, The AFRW recognizes the urgent need to enforce the existing immigration laws to secure our U.S. borders and to eliminate economic magnets; now therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama Federation of Republican Women will endeavor to educate our residents, reaching out to communities at all levels regarding the issues of illegal immigration including border security, birthright citizenship and the Fourteenth Amendment, and both current and proposed laws.

 

Virginia Howard, President, Alabama Federation of Republican Women

   RESOLUTION ONE

 

WHEREAS, Illegal immigration is straining State resources for schools, medical services, public safety, prisons, entitlement programs, and other public services; and

 

WHEREAS, The Alabama Legislature has created two new state panels to find solutions to a growing public policy/fiscal crisis – one to find additional resources to deal with the issue that 16% of Alabama’s 4.4 million legal residents who live in poverty, and the other to propose ways to address the costs and impacts that illegal immigration brings to the State; and

 

WHEREAS, It could be many months or years before new policies and/or laws result from the work of these two panels, considering that the Alabama Legislature has been unable to pass laws that were introduced in the 2005-2006 and the 2006-2007 sessions dealing with illegal immigration due to Democrats blocking bills; and

 

WHEREAS, Current laws make it illegal to submit or accept bogus documents to get jobs or receive free public benefits, and high visibility of these laws and their enforcement would help dissuade illegal immigration; now therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, The Alabama Federation of Republican Women applaud our Alabama Governor for his actions regarding illegal immigration, and recommend the following to enhance efforts to cut costs and curb illegal immigration while new policies and laws are being formed and debated:

 

1.  Request the Attorney General to produce a pamphlet of all State laws that relate to illegal aliens and the filing of false and fraudulent documents – such as Department of Revenue Code Sections 40-29-113, 40-29-115, and 40-29-116, which make these crimes a felony and carry fines and/or imprisonment or both; list the departments which have enforcement responsibility for these laws; and distribute this pamphlet widely throughout the State to district attorneys, businesses, etc., as appropriate.  The knowledge that Alabama has these laws as well as a commitment to enforcing them will help discourage illegal aliens from migrating to our State.

 

2.  Encourage vocational schools and entrepreneurs to train students and workers for jobs that attract illegal workers.

 

3.  Inform the public that workers who feel they are displaced by illegal workers can report employers and evidence to their local county district attorney. 

 

Virginia Howard, President, Alabama Federation of Republican Women

AFRW 23^RD BIENNIAL CONVENTION

“AIMING FOR THE STARS”

The AFRW Biennial Convention kicked off on Friday, October 26^th, in Huntsville with reports on the National Convention given by Bobbie Lou Leigh and Brenda Horn on behalf of her granddaughter, Katie , who served as our page for the NFRW Convention.   John Ross, the Executive Director of the Alabama Republican Party, updated members on the status of ALGOP and also gave instructions to those wishing to run for delegate to the National GOP Convention.   Attorney General Troy King inspired the attendees with his passionate talk, which was followed by workshops dealing with health issues concerning the heart, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

State Representative Mike Ball and The Madison Mountaintop Band provided toe-tapping music for the Friday night’s “Starlight Reception”.  Mrs. Jeri (Fred) Thompson and daughter mixed and mingled with the crowd, posing for pictures with those who remembered to bring their camera!  The highlight of the Friday “Starry Night” Dinner and Program was hearing from Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (TN), and the stirring speech given by keynote speaker Congressman Duncan Hunter, presidential candidate from San Diego, CA.  There was also a fun balloon drop at the end of Duncan Hunter’s speech!

 There were 64 delegates, 10 alternate delegates, and 39 guests registered that attended Saturday’s General Session.  Eighteen clubs were represented.  The bylaws were modified to come into compliance with NFRW bylaws, and the delegates voted to increase AFRW dues by $2, which combined with the $3 dues increase voted in at the NFRW Convention will make a total of $5 per member dues increase.

 The nominees presented by the Nominating Committee were unanimously voted into office as follows:

 President                         Bobbie Lou Leigh                    

1^st Vice President            Elois Zeanah                            

2^nd Vice President            Vicki Drummond                     

3^rd Vice President            Margie George                        

^4th Vice President             Robbin Blake                           

Recording Sec                Holly Lollar                             

Assist Recording Sec      Frances Taylor                        

Corresponding Sec         Jo Lawley                                

Treasurer                        Phyllis Davis                            

Asst Treasurer                Barbara Sikorski

 Camellia Club reported 47 members for 2007.  This set a new record for AFRW.

 There were five resolutions passed; one acknowledging Elois Zeanah for her dedicated work and accomplishments as AFRW’s Illegal Immigrations Chairman, and one commending Gov. Riley for his actions regarding illegal immigration, along with some recommend suggestions to enhance efforts to cut costs and curb illegal immigration.

Just to recap, the entire convention went smoothly, as informative workshops on health issues were conducted by Janet Donoghue;  Presidential candidates were heard from on Friday evening; bylaw changes were approved in the General Session along with the election of new officers; club awards were given at the Awards’ Luncheon; concluding with the grand finale on Saturday evening with Senator Jeff Sessions.

Out of all the conventions I have attended from California to Washington D.C., I must say none have surpassed the decorations and food at the Saturday Night "Star Dust" Dinner.  The DVD Photo presentation from Kelley Smith was awe inspiring, Senator Jeff Sessions brought a challenging message, and awards were given to our AFRW members who are our State Constitutional Officers.  What a way to end a convention!