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Bernie Kunkel's notes from the 9th Annual Grant County Kentucky Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner on April 2, 2005

Adam Howard from Senator Mitch McConnell's office reads McConnell's letter.  55 Republicans in US Senate - "Fighting War on Terror is at top of agenda" - "We have much to be happy about" per McConnell's letter.

Pam Mann  speaks: "studied history & political science in college" she says. Brags on Budget and Tax Reform from this Session in Frankfort. Says Northern Kentucky fares well with Republican Leadership in Frankfort - Big money for NKU, Gateway, etc. 

(Pam Mann ran unsuccessfully against Representative Royce Adams last November for State Representative).

8-year Army Staff Sergeant Jennifer Able - She was a soldier in Kosovo in 2001.  She was involved in the ground war into Iraq. Once guarded President Bush - Sergeant Able was the first woman soldier to enter Baghdad with the American troops.  She stated that many good things are being done in Iraq which the press ignores.  "No matter what reason we initially went into Iraq for" it was a good thing, she says. She states that the initial reaction from the Iraqi people towards the American troops was good.

Sgt. Able is now a recruiter in Florence.  Recruiting is very tough now she says in answer to John Salyers of Bunning's office who gushed about the all-volunteer army and young people "eager to serve".  She said that young people are apprehensive about joining the armed services right now and that her husband is a recruiter in the Eastgate area and he is finding it even more difficult to recruit. Sgt. Able says: "The extending of terms of service brought morale down for soldiers in Iraq."   NKU is very supportive of recruitment as are all the high - school authorities in Northern Kentucky.

Congressman Geoff Davis speaks: Where we are going as a nation is a very decisive time in our history he says. Pointed out that Cicero says the greatest of all virtues is gratitude. Geoff expressed his gratitude to all who helped him win his Congressional seat. Geoff says he won every precinct in Grant County - "For everything there is an appointed time", he says.  This is an exciting time to live per Geoff.

Geoff said he is on these committees: Armed Services, Financial Services, and a House Subcommittee on Terrorism.  States he is making the effort to create jobs and  help small businesses.

    Regarding Subcommittee on Terrorism - #1 Rule of Feds: "Provide for security for citizens." 

Geoff emphasizes he is strong on 2nd Amendment which protects 1st Amendment.  Geoff has co-sponsored Roscoe Bartlett's H.R 47.  This bill is specifically designed to protect people who are persecuted for exercising their right to use a firearm in self-defense. As you know, this right is under attack in many parts of our country. Anti-gun prosecutors frequently show their disdain for the Constitution by prosecuting individuals who have used firearms in clear-cut cases of self-defense.  Geoff spoke of his pro-life work and his sponsorship of H.R. 356 (The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act).  This bill would require every abortionist to provide, whenever a woman seeks an abortion past 20 weeks after fertilization, specified information about the capacity of her unborn child to experience pain during the abortion. After that, the woman must either accept or refuse (by signing a form) the administration of pain-reducing drugs directly to the unborn child. The bill would apply to all abortions past 20 weeks, regardless of the method used. The bill contains a number of proposed congressional findings regarding the scientific evidence that unborn children would experience great pain during abortions at 20 weeks (and perhaps earlier).

 Geoff is also working for parental rights with other legislative pieces.  Also, he voted Yes on the Terri Schiavo legislation and is proud of his vote. "All Congress did was empower the Federal Court to review case."  The issue was - What is a person?  What is life?  Geoff said that if Congress did err then they erred on the side of life.

 Geoff said it is a destiny changing era in the United States right now .  Said he was a principal co-sponsor of HR 418.  Geoff said that there is regrettable misinformation out there and no one should believe that H.R. 418 is a National ID.  HR 418 was great he says. All it does is stop fraudulent drivers' licenses by allowing all law enforcement to share information.  Congress is NOT affecting people's liberties &  we are NOT moving to an Orwellian society per Geoff.  Everything out there attacking HR 418 is false, misleading, and bad propaganda. H.R. 418 is NOT a Trojan Horse designed to give us a National ID he says. Congressman Davis emphasized that it is a different world than 200 years ago and protecting the security of our citizens is the #1 obligation of the Federal government.

Says he met with President Bush on Social Security and the System is in need of reform.  Keeping it solvent without raising taxes is the challenge per Geoff. 

Geoff says he has learned that you "Take what you can get in politics," as in support for your legislation from the other side of the aisle.  Has friends in Congress that he has serious disagreements with on some issues.

Says his daughter has plans to join the military and Geoff says thanks to all the parents sending their children to defend the United States.

Geoff says the media was honest on Iraqi elections but the media is lying about everything else.  Good things are happening in Iraq.  The Iraqis are rising up to take back their country.  The only exit strategy in Iraq is winning.  If we win in Iraq, we make it safer in America. The Congressman also told us that he just returned from Israel and saw a device that shoots around corners.  Observed a joint American & Israeli contingent testing missile defenses.  They are no longer shooting at American troops in Iraq is what Geoff is hearing from our soldiers.  "Soldiers are happy, morale is high," per Geoff.  It is a "revolutionary time in the Mideast" and  Democracy is breaking out all over" he says. The head of Israel's Mossad was skeptical of the U.S. efforts in Iraq at first he said, but the Iraq elections made this man a believer.  While there was only a 38% turnout of registered voters in our 4th District in 2002, over 80% turned out to vote in Iraq. Even women went to the polls to vote.

Geoff says it is an exciting time and we should be encouraged.  But remember: " There is No true freedom without the shedding of blood" -- per Geoff.  We must stand with the Iraqis for their freedom.

Geoff said he took his children to the holocaust memorial and when his children asked him how we are to keep something like this from happening again, he told his kids that they must be willing to answer the call for service of our country to protect freedom.  Congressman Davis says the Foundations of the Constitution and freedom and liberties must be preserved in America. 

Congressman Davis emphasizes that the issue is to participate.  There is a huge seriousness of issues nowadays and we should remember: "Those who make policies are the ones who show up."   And he concluded by saying: "We are committed to make sure the 4th District prospers."

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