Convention Recap: This past Saturday, hundreds of Republican Party members traveled to Liberty University in Lynchburg from all around the 6th District to attend the party’s biennial convention. The convention’s purpose was to elect a new 6th District Chairman, divisional vice-chairmen and pass party resolutions.
The two candidates vying for the head position were Danny Goad and Trixie Averill, both long-time party members.
The Heritage High School ROTC color guard (rated #1 ROTC program in the nation in their division) presented the flags, and the National Anthem was led by Charles Billingsley. Invocation was given by Pastor Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University.
Guest speakers included Senator Mark Obenshain, Delegates Ben Cline and Scott Garrett and Congressman Bob Goodlatte. Fred Anderson, the outgoing chairman, was greeted with a standing ovation. Anderson has served the 6th District as chairman for the last ten years and leaves a long conservative legacy. He plans to continue his involvement with the party, saying, “I am stepping down, I am not stepping out.” One of his goals is the repeal of the 16th Amendment.
Anderson also said he wants the country to have a consumption tax and not a VAT (value added tax) on top of all the other taxes citizens already pay. He plans to honor the vision of the founding fathers and work toward a more limited federal government and away from “the Chicago mob that rules this country.”
Senator Obenshain began by asking if anyone knew the significance of April 30th. When no one responded, he said that it is “tax freedom day,” the day when citizens’ pay theoretically starts going to them and not to the government in the form of taxes. He pointed out that “we now pay more in taxes every year than we pay for food, clothing and shelter combined, and that is wrong.” He told the crowd that there are only 282 words in the Gettysburg address, but there are 29,611 words in the federal regulations to describe “cabbage.”
Congressman Goodlatte asked that a flag be flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Anderson on May 22nd, to be proclaimed Fred Anderson Day. Goodlatte said that “when Bush was President, the debt held by the public as a percentage of the GDP stood at 30%. Under the Obama administration, the debt ratio is now 60% and in a few years it will be 100%, something this country cannot afford to have happen. The total deficit under Bush was $200 billion and under Obama it is $1.4 trillion so far.”
Goodlatte reminded the crowd that every year he introduces a balanced budget amendment, and every year the Democrats vote it down. “Forty-nine states have a balanced budget amendment, but not the United States. We need to reform the IRS and scrap the current tax code.” He also proposes eliminating the current lottery system that hands out green cards –simply by drawing, and not by merit — to fifty thousand illegal immigrants every year.
When it came time to vote for the new 6th District Chairman, Trixie Averill won by a weighted vote of 871 to 326 over Danny Goad.
Thank You Luncheon: On Sunday, May 23rd about 50 people attended a “Thank You” luncheon for outgoing 6th District Chairman Fred Anderson at the Inn at Sunnybrook on Plantation Road in Roanoke.
Mike Bailey, Roanoke County Republican Committee chairman, welcomed the crowd and gave the opening remarks. Mr. Anderson’s son, Captain Charles Anderson, who recently returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Many local political leaders spoke highly of Mr. Anderson and his accomplishments over the past ten years. Senator Ralph Smith said that if he were still the Mayor of Roanoke, he would issue an official proclamation for “Fred Anderson Day.”
Incoming Chairman Trixie Averill presented Anderson with an official proclamation from Governor Bob McDonnell for his years of service and hard work for the Republican Party. By the time Anderson came forward to receive his award, there were quite a few tears in the house. Anderson leaves very large shoes to fill.
By Carla Bream [email protected]