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Richmond Times-Dispatch: YRFV Convention 2008 in the News

Young Republicans hear pitch from Virginia leaders

A group member says they are worried about making a living, paying for college

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Sunday, Apr 06, 2008

By CHRIS I. YOUNG

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Seasoned Republican leaders urged their younger supporters to recruit more party members and build their ranks at the annual Young Republican Federation of Virginia convention.

About 50 members who attended the convention yesterday in Richmond heard again and again that the GOP had suffered losses to Democrats in recent state elections and needs to build momentum for November's general election.

State officials said the party needs a candidate with bold ideas. They cited Ronald Reagan's presidential years as an example.

"When we're successful, it's because the grass-roots [effort] was strong," said Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, R-Prince William. "Look at [Democratic Sen. Barack] Obama's campaign events. They're energized. . . . We have to get excited again."

The Young Republicans, who are between 18 and 41 years old and have about 500 members statewide, networked with each other and heard speeches by former Gov. Jim Gilmore, now running for the U.S. Senate, state Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the presumptive GOP nominee for governor in 2009, and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who is seeking re-election.

McDonnell said, "Young professionals, if they just talk about issues, ought to be with us 100 percent of the time -- limited government, lower taxes, respect for the rule of law, creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and free enterprise."

Regarding his assumed nomination, McDonnell said he thought state Democrats would fight among themselves to nominate a candidate, while his party would be free of that.

"I'm hopeful that Bill [Bolling] and I can unite the party," he said. Several attendees said the issues the party needed to talk to young voters about include education, taxes and economics.

Young people are concerned about paying for college, paying lower taxes and making a living, said Ted Brown, 39.

Brown, who teaches political science at Virginia State University in Ettrick, added that presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona should try to reach out to moderates and give conservative solutions to economic issues, such as fixing the mortgage crisis and offering solutions for the nation's health-care woes that would allow people to buy their own private insurance.

"In the next few months, Senator McCain has got to focus on those issues in order to recapture part of the political middle that has been drifting away from Republicans in recent elections," he said.

Megan Svajda, a legislative assistant for the National Rifle Association, said young Republicans need to tailor messages to issues that people in their 20s are facing.

"I think our generation has a hard time identifying with [either] political party," said Svajda, 25.

"I don't like lots of [layers of] government," she said.

"I don't want to pay a lot of money at the pump every time I fill up.

"I want to buy a home some day, and the economy's not that great right now.

"I worry about the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism.

"I think the Democrats have done a better job at that than the Republicans have, so it's time for the younger Republicans to step up and recruit those people."

Contact Chris I. Young at (804) 649-6754 or cyoung@timesdispatch.com.

Thank You Virginia Young Republicans for Attending the YRFV Convention 2008

Thanks to everyone who made the YRFV Convention this year in Richmond such a successful convention.  We appreciate everyone who traveled from our YRFV Clubs in Arlington, Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Goochland-Louisa, Hampton Roads, Loudoun, Prince William, Richmond and soon-to-be-chapter in Roanoke and our interest groups in Lynchburg, Harrisonburg and the Fredericksburg-Stafford area.

YRFV Convention 2008 Immigration Panelist: Corey Stewart, Prince William Co. Board Chairman and Convention Silver Sponsor

Corey A. Stewart was re-elected Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in November 2007 in the General Election. Prior to that election, Chairman Stewart won in a special election for Chairman in Nov. 2006, and served as Occoquan District Supervisors after the voters had elected him in Nov. 2003.

Chairman Stewart is an international trade attorney with the Washington, D.C. office of Foley & Lardner, LLP.  He earned his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Chairman Stewart received his bachelor’s degree from GeorgetownUniversity’s School of Foreign Service.

Chairman Stewart has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CBS Evening news, BBC World Service and Skynews in Europe. He is a regular guest on radio stations across the country, including Laura Ingraham, Chris Core and has been featured in Guardian News (UK), Washington Post and Washington Times.

Chairman Stewart resides in Lake Ridge with his wife Maria and two sons, Isaac and Luke. He and his family attend St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish.

YRFV Convention 2008 Luncheon Speaker: Governor Jim Gilmore, Candidate for U.S. Senate and Convention Platinum Sponsor

Jim Gilmore - Candidate for U.S. Senate and Convention Speaker

YRs please visit: www.jimgilmoreforsenate.com

A Brief Biography

Jim Gilmore is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and the son of working class parents.

In a career encompassing important roles as an attorney, army intelligence specialist, prosecutor and state attorney general, he rose to become the 68th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since the expiration of his term of office, he has seen distinguished service on behalf of both his party and his country.

Born in the historic “fan” district of Richmond, Gilmore is the son of supermarket meat cutter. His mother was a church secretary. After high school, he became the first in his family to attend college and was accepted at the University of Virginia where he elected to study in the field of foreign policy.

Upon graduation, Jim Gilmore volunteered for the U.S. Army and won honors after completing training at the Army Intelligence School and Defense Language Institute.

He was then assigned to the 650th Military Intelligence Group. Serving in Germany during the Vietnam War and fluent in German, Jim Gilmore played an important role in counter-intelligence work safeguarding the security of American bases in Europe.

He is the recipient of the Joint Services Commendation Medal for his service to NATO.

Returning to Virginia, Gilmore entered the University of Virginia School of Law, receiving his degree in 1977. There he met Roxane Gatling. The couple was soon married and are the parents of two grown sons, Jay and Ashton. Roxane Gilmore, a former school teacher, is a professor at Randolph-Macon College.

He began practice with a small Richmond law firm but soon felt the call of public service. In 1987, he ran for the office of prosecutor for Henrico country. He was an underdog against a well known Democrat, but won handily. As a crime fighter, he led a series of winning prosecutions that established him as a no-nonsense prosecutor determined to keep the community safe from criminals.

Four years later, he carried his prosecutorial record into Virginia’s statewide race for Attorney General. Although again considered an underdog – against a wealthy, popular Democrat from Northern Virginia -- Gilmore’s crime busting determination soon became evident to Virginia’s voters electorate and he won the general election by a wide margin.

As Attorney General, Jim Gilmore established himself as a champion of the taxpayers by launching successful investigations into Medicaid fraud, government waste and consumer protection. Responding to a rash of arson attacks on African American churches, Gilmore became a national leader in a campaign to put an end to the arsons and to assure future insurability of African American churches that chose to rebuild.

With a solid record of protecting working men and women, Jim Gilmore entered the 1997 race for Governor. Once again he was considered a long shot in a race against a heavily financed and well known Democrat from Northern Virginia. But Gilmore appealed to Virginia’s traditional values of character, integrity and hard work, and campaigned on Republican principles of improving education and cutting taxes. He was overwhelmingly elected Governor carrying 56 percent of the statewide vote.

As Governor, Gilmore kept his campaign promises in both areas including hiring 4000 new teachers to reduce class sizes, reducing college tuition, implementing stronger educational standards, and for the first time ensuring all lottery profits went to education.

He also signed into law five different tax cuts for Virginians totaling $1.5 billion. Time and again, Gilmore stood his ground against those who wanted to raise revenue by increasing taxes. In doing so he earned the admiration of Virginia citizens and three times was awarded the “Friend of the Taxpayer Award” by Americans for Tax Reform. Looking to the future of the state’s economy, Gilmore created the nation’s first cabinet level Department of Technology launching Virginia into the Technology Age as “the Digital Dominion.”

Gilmore’s successes laid the basis for additional roles in the service of others. Congress chose him to chair a national commission charged with making recommendations on methods to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on the United States. The Gilmore Commission warned in 1999 and in 2000 that America was facing a possible terrorist attack. After 9/11 Congress adopted 146 of the Gilmore Commission’s 164 recommendations.

He also chaired a Congressional Commission to study Internet Commerce and guided that group to a recommendation that the internet remain free of taxation. Today, Jim Gilmore is a recognized authority on homeland security. He is president of USA Secure, a not for profit homeland security think tank. He is also a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a former chairman of the Republican National Committee. He is the overwhelming choice of the leadership of the Virginia Republican Party to seek the U.S. Senate seat being left vacant by the retirement of distinguished Republican U.S. Senator John Warner.

For more information on why former Governor Jim Gilmore is running for U.S. Senate, click here.

YRFV Convention 2008 Spotlight: Speaker Bill Howell, Convention Silver Sponsor

[Note: We would like to thank Speaker Howell for his long-time support of the YRFV and our ongoing YR development efforts in Stafford, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania.]

William J. Howell
Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates

On January 8, 2003, Bill Howell was sworn in as the 54th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. He leads a nearly 400-year old institution, which is the "oldest continuous law-making body in the New World." First elected a delegate in 1987, he represents the residents of the 28th House District, which includes parts of Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.

Speaker Howell performs a number of important duties as presiding officer of the 100-member chamber. He appoints the chairman of each of the 14 House standing committees, and all other delegates who serve on them. He names delegates to all House-Senate conference committees, including for the state budget. The Speaker also assigns all bills to House committees, approves out-of-state travel requests for delegates, and names lawmakers and citizens to various boards and commissions. In addition, Speaker Howell is chairman of the House Rules Committee as well as the Joint Rules Committee whose House and State Senate members set administrative policy for the Virginia General Assembly and other legislative branch agencies.

As leader of Virginia’s governing majority in the House, Howell is spearheading a broad-based effort to reform state government in a forward-looking and fiscally responsible manner. He established and chairs the Virginia Reform Initiative (VRI), a nonprofit education and advocacy organization. A top priority for VRI is promoting new ideas and market-based reforms to improve the delivery of core state government services, maximize the return on investment of taxpayer dollars and minimize the costs of government wherever possible.

A student of history, Howell is a member of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, whose mission is to educate and promote understanding and awareness of Virginia’s role in the creation of the United States of America. Speaker Howell also is very much involved with organizing Virginia’s statewide observance in 2007 of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America.

Bill Howell is active and involved in many legislative, business and community organizations.

Prior to being elected speaker, Howell served as chairman of the House Courts of Justice Committee, and led the Virginia Code Commission. The Civil War Preservation Trust honored him as the 2005 recipient of their State Leadership Award for his efforts in promoting land preservation tax credits, which put free-market tools to work for open spaces land conservation. Since 2003, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation’s largest bipartisan, individual membership association of state legislators. In 2001, ALEC honored Howell as State Legislator of the Year. In addition, business and civic groups have benefited from Howell’s life-long commitment to public service. He is a director on the board of Virginia Heartland Bank, a former director of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, a former president and campaign chairman of the Rappahannock United Way, and a past vice-chair of the board of directors of Mary Washington Hospital. Howell also has been active in and a strong supporter of Young Life, a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and preparing them for the future.

Howell earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1967. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond in 1964. The University of Richmond Alumni Association honored Howell in 2005 by presenting him their Distinguished Service Award.

A citizen-legislator, Bill Howell is an attorney who practices trust and estate law in a log cabin he restored that overlooks the Rappahannock River in historic Falmouth. He and his wife, Cessie, have been married for 39 years, have two sons, and enjoy six wonderful grandchildren. Howell was born May 8, 1943. Please visit the Speaker at: www.billhowell.us

YRFV Convention 2008 Spotlight: Delegate Sam Nixon, General Assembly Panelist and Convention Bronze Sponsor

(Pictured: Delegate Nixon presenting Peter Zaino with the Peter Zaino Commendation Resolution during the 2008 General Assembly Session.)

Virginia House of Delegates 2008
Delegate Samuel A. Nixon, Jr.
Preferred Name: Sam 
Member Since March 10, 1994
R - 27th District -Chesterfield

House of Delegate Committees Assignments:
Health, Welfare & Institutions Committee (Vice-Chair) 
Commerce & Labor Committee

Science & Technology Committee

Brief Bio:

Born:

Martinsville, VA, (11/9)

Education:

James Madison University (B.B.A., Marketing, 1980)

Occupation/Profession: Practice manager (TCSC)

Spouse: Carol A. Gibbs

Children: Johnathan

Memberships & Affiliations (Only a few samples of many):

Southside Church of the Nazarene
Chesterfield Jaycees (life member, former treasurer, director)
Virginia Jaycees (former Governmental Affairs Program Manager)
Chesterfield Business Council
House Policy Committee

Recent Awards:

Virginia Family Foundation, Legislator of the Year (1998, 2003)
Virginia Association of Manufacturing, Industrial Strength Legislator of the Year (2003)
Greater Richmond Technology Council, Chairman's Award (2004)
Virginia Association of Health Plans, Distinguished Service Award (2005)
Virginia Retail Merchants Association, Delegate of the Year (2006)
Virginia Association of Commissioners of the Revenue, Delegate of the Year (2007)

YRFV Convention 2008 Spotlight: Delegate Jeff Frederick, Candidate for RPV Chairman and Convention Sponsor

Jeff Frederick is a member of the House of Delegates in the Virginia General Assembly, representing the 52nd district (eastern Prince William County). There he is a member of the Finance Committee; Transportation Committee; Health, Welfare & Institutions Committee; and the Privileges & Elections Committee. He was first elected in November 2003, re-elected in November 2005, and again in November 2007 with 59% of the vote.

He currently serves on several boards and commissions, among them the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Joint-Subcommittee on Teleworking, and is Vice-Chairman of the Virginia Small Business Commission. Jeff was also a member of the now completed Rt. 1 Location Study Steering Committee, developing the future plan for the Rt. 1 corridor.

Jeff is active in a number of local and national political organizations, including the Club for Growth; the Republican National Hispanic Assembly; America's Future Foundation; and the Council for National Policy.

Jeff is a concerned citizen and community activist, serving on the Civilian-Military Council at Marine Corps Base Quantico and is a graduate of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Citizen's Academy. He has been active with Virginia Citizen’s League, the Masons, and a past member of the board of directors for the National Capitol Area Chrysalis/Emmaus community. He also is involved and works closely with the Hispanic Business Roundtable and the Latino Coalition. Jeff attends McLean Bible Church and has served in various leadership roles there.

Professionally, Jeff is Chief Executive Officer of GXS Strategies, a Virginia based company using internet technologies for small organizations and governments. He founded the company in 1998 and under Jeff’s leadership, GXS has become an industry leader in the field of online activism and in providing IT solutions to government agencies.

Jeff is a graduate of Oxford College and Emory University with degrees in economics and political science. Jeff is a life-long and avid sailor who loves the water; he's been a Redskins fan since childhood; and keeps fit by playing racquetball and cycling frequently.

Jeff is a Virginia native (born in Fairfax hospital). He and his wife, Amy, live in Woodbridge with their daughter Gracie. For more information about Delegate Jeff Frederick, visit www.va52.com or www.votejeff.org