The Big Apple is almost over ripened with hospitality. The NYPD and security folks are everywhere and most helpful with directions and transportation hints.
Shortly after our arrival Sunday, the South Carolina delegation enjoyed a marvelous reception with Chairman Katon Dawson. In attendance were Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Attorney General Henry McMaster, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Congressmen Jim DeMint and Joe Wilson. Sen. Graham addressed the group with an encouraging message to continue support to President Bush and the Republican agenda. An afternoon treat was a trip to the Broadway theatre district to see “Fiddler on the Roof.” This was a hit with everyone. Champagne was free, yet bottled water was $2.00 (I still haven’t figured this one out yet).
Monday began with a breakfast held by Bridgestone/Firestone honoring Sen. Lindsey Graham. Afterward, the delegation proceeded to Madison Square Garden for opening ceremonies of the convention, which ended at l p.m. We were all welcomed by New York Mayor Michael Bloom-berg and former Democratic May-or Ed Koch, who despite his party affiliation, is supporting Bush.
At 5 p.m. we attended a reception for Wilson at the beautiful Columbus Citizens House. Did you know Wilson’s wife Roxanne is a native of Florence, the daughter of Dick and Martha Dusenberry. It was fun seeing them again.
Monday evening, the convention’s highlights were speeches from Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor “Rudy” Giuliani. Sen. McCain received a standing ovation several times. He spoke of America’s courage during these trying terrorist times. Giuliani emphasized the need to re-elect Bush because the nation owes “the loved national heroes we lost on Sept. 11” a president who continues to fight an unrelenting war against terrorists. The evening ended with a reception at BMW of Manhattan. Everyone enjoyed this delightful event. It has been so much fun seeing old GOP friends and sharing so many political experiences. South Carolina delegate Charlie Appleby of Florence said his most memorable event so far were remarks by New York Gov. George Pataki on Sunday.
Tuesday morning greeted everyone with a breakfast honoring constitutional officers, held by BellSouth. Shortly afterward, S.C. Republican delegates participated in the 2004 community service project. The delegation joined the Prospect Park Alliance to literally clean the park as a community service project for NYC. It was tedious, yet the results were rewarding. Linda Butler Johnson, convention community service leader, did a fantastic job getting the S.C. delegation to volunteer for the project. The second phase of the project has also been completed. The S.C. GOP delegation contributed to a fund to purchase dictionaries for third-grade students in South Carolina. This, too, has been a huge success in conjunction with the Republican National Committee’s Compassion Across America project.
The afternoon’s highlight was a dinner and harbor cruise from 1 to 5 p.m. honoring South Carolina’s congressmen.
- Florence resident Barbara Leonard is a South Carolina delegate at the Republican National Convention in New York. This convention is Leonard’s third as a delegate. Throughout the week, she is filing a daily journal to the Morning News about the state’s delegates’ activities in New York.
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