This is an article from Lauro Garza in the Texas GOP Vote
http://www.texasgopvote.com/blog/review-growing-gop-event
Review of Growing the GOP Event
By Lauro Garza
He said to me over the telephone, “Lauro, we’ve gotta do somethin’! I’m ready, Richard Rios is ready, Adryana is ready…are you ready?! “Temo” I told him, “hell yes, I’m ready…time is short…we’ve got 13 months…this is our only shot and who cares if its sloppy…we’ve got to win back the House and Senate by 2010 or ‘“all bets are off!”’ “Let’s do it then!” Temo Muñiz finished with conviction and commitment in his voice.
That’s how the “Growing the GOP” conference of September 11, 2009 began, with a passionate telephone call late at night. That’s all it takes for you, me or anyone else. Stop sitting on your hands, stop standing idly by and get involved. It’s not hard or costly or I’d surely never get in the door! You just have to be interested and motivated. That’s what we’ve done at the Latino National Republican Coalition: Texas Chapter.
A Californian named Richard Rios, who was very successful with gathering Latino conservatives there, felt the need for additional national leadership amomg conservative Latinos and formed his own group, the Latino National Republican Coalition. Temo joined him and started a state chapter here in Texas. This and our first conference took place within a month. The fact is that the Republican National Committee has realized that the Latino vote is THE swing vote in America now and can no longer be ignored. Thus, they sent out word for speakers to come to Washington to be trained as speakers with instructions from the Chairman, Michael Steele. One of those persons was Mrs. Adryana Herrera Boyne of Texas. She is the President of VOCES and VOCES Action, a non-profit organization with the goal of communicating conservative values within and through the Latino population, and she has been a leading coordinator and facilitator of both this organization and of the event on Sept. 11th.
The event held at the DaVinci room at the brand new Hotel Indigo located to the south and in view of the Houston Galleria and several other upscale hotels and condominium buildings was packed for the presentation. Mrs. Boyne, who gave a dynamic, informative and persuasive presentation, reported to me later that she had 52 seats and we had some people standing in the back. Manny Rosales, past Small Business Administration appointee and presently, the GOP Director of Coalitions, also presented the assembled with words from Chairman Steele and his own experiences as a guide and encouragement. Dr. Robin Armstrong, Vice Chairman for the Republican Party of Texas, was also in attendance and gave the departing prayer. He spoke with me afterward and gave me his thoughts. “My purpose for being here was to show that the Republican Party of Texas is in strong support of the efforts that are taking place with Adryana and Temo…we understand the need for Hispanic outreach and coalition building. What I take from the meeting is that you all are very serious about that as well…growing our numbers there. Republican values are Hispanic values…Republican values are Latino values…we believe in the same things…” When asked what Mrs. Benkiser, RPT Chair might say about this meeting he said, “…chairman Benkiser definitely believes ….in outreaching to Latinos… we’d be crazy if we didn’t believe that…”
Tex Christopher, candidate for the 18th Congressional District, was in attendance. He said, “First of all we need to have a message that’s worth being heard. We need to learn to communicate with one another and focus on the things we can come into agreement on…and learn the words we need to learn to be able to share with others Personally, I live in the Latino community and so it's very important….I have the heart and passion for the Latino community and that’s why I’m here this evening.”
Paul Simpson, precinct chair for the HCRP and candidate for the Chairman of the HCRP, has 40 years of experience with the party. “We have to recharge the grassroots that have been neglected… We’ve got to open up the party to new visions, new creativity… We’re going to miss the boat here…the party needs… to grow in the Hispanic community and get the Latino vote or else it’s going to die and we’ve got to connect with those communities that are our natural constituency. The Latino community is a key part of that.”
Edward S. Hubbard, candidate of HCRP Chairmanship, said the important thing for the party is to become a permanent part of the Latino community. “I think this is the start of something big…this is fantastic. The election is in March 2009, and I’m running because we have some real problems with the party and we’ve become closed to many neighborhoods. We need to raised money and get the grassroots vote out."
Lt. Col. Roy Morales, candidate for Houston Mayor, presently Harris Co School Trustee Pos. 6, Pct. 1 was asked what he took away from tonight’s meeting. He said, “its very similar to what I did the other day when a Hispanic Democrat came into my campaign office….and he wanted to talk about how I could win, and I said come on in and lets talk about it…I bet you believe with 90% of the ideas I have…do you believe marriage is between a man and woman?…’absolutely’…do you believe in the right to life?…’absolutely’…do you believe government should stay out of your business? ‘absolutely’….do you believe your home is your castle...see I'll bet we agree on almost 100%...”
After the agenda for the evening was complete at about 9:00 PM, most people stayed and conversed busily. Contacts were made and volunteers were added. The meeting was great success overall for both the Republican Party in Harris County and for the conservative Latinos in Texas who seek a greater voice in the politics that run our government.
By Lauro Garza at 2009-09-15 12:3
