Join us for the 23rd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Denver’s Civic Center Park May 8th-9th, 2010 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The RNHA-CO is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help promote the Republican cause in our Hispanic Community by signing up new members, registering voters, and completing surveys for a cash drawing.
Cinco de Mayo Hispanic Outreach In Cooperation with Colorado GOP, Denver County GOP , RNHA-Adams County Chapter and Allied Republican Volunteers & Organizations.
You do not have to be Hispanic to volunteer. All Republicans welcome to join us as we take back the majority – from “City to County and on to the State House”!!!
Republican candidates running for office will be on hand to meet our Hispanic Community.
Civic Center Park, Downtown Denver
Location: TBD
May 8th and 9th , 2010
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Both Days (Set-Up crew is from 6:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. each day. Last Shift includes break-down and clean-up. The booth space is 10x10ft. Will have canopy, coolers with water and tables and chairs.)
Cinco de Mayo Hispanic Outreach In Cooperation with CO GOP, Denver County GOP , RNHA-Adams County Chapter and Allied Republican Volunteers and Organizations.
Contact:
Mr. Martin Mendez , Secretary/RHNA-Adams County Chapter (e) mmendez@splashpublications.net (P) 303-288-8875
Come join your fellow Republicans in Downtown Denver as we ensure that our voice is heard and ALL Republicans get registered, get active, and help take back Colorado!
* * * * *
The Denver County Republican Party Headquarters is now Open for Volunteer Opportunities!
Denver County and state-wide candidates need our help! We have the calling sheets per District/Precinct at headquarters - callers are needed from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Mondays thru Thursdays. Also, we will be making phone calls on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. This is going to be a very exciting campaign year! Come join us!!
Centrally located in a highly visible location on north-bound Speer in the Golden Triangle, our new office will help us implement our ambitious voter registration efforts, community liaison program, precinct committee person and activist trainings, and provide candidates with meaningful support as we implement our plans for the 2010 election cycle in earnest. GOP allied organizations are welcome to use the office for meetings and other events.
Denver County Republican Party 1000 N. Speer Boulevard Denver, Colorado 80204 office phone: 303-782-9555
Sponsor: Mr. Jerry Natividad, American Facilities Services Group
Purpose: To educate on ways to reach out to the Hispanic Community
Invited Panelists and Participants: Declared Candidates, RNHA, LNRC, Hispanic Leaders, and representatives from Republican Allied Organizations, RNC Coalitions, and the Colorado Republican Committee.
Part I. RNHA Strategy (8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.)
Frank Tijerina, Jr. & Madelaine Rohan
Part II. Hispanic Community – Who We Are (8:15am – 9:15am)
Mario Carrera (Univisión), Teresa Johnston (KLVZ), Roberto Martínez (El Hispano), Manuel Rosales (RNC), James Garcia (CRC), Adryana Boyne (VOCES)
Part III. Candidate Introductions/Hispanic Issues Panel (9:15 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.)
Republican Candidates share their vision for Hispanic outreach
Following the RNHA Outreach 101 Breakfast, participants are encouraged to attend Surrogate Training in the Zirconium Room from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., sponsored independently by RNC Coalitions.
Please join us for this month's Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast featuring Mr. Dan Maes, Candidate for Governor of Colorado
Colorado Republican Candidate for Governor
Republ ican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast September 29, 2009 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Cost is $20.00 RSVP to franktijerinajr@aol.comor www.rnhaco.org
Born to a diverse, blue-collar family on the south side of Chicago, Dan’s mother, father, and 5 brothers moved to Rib Lake, Wisconsin when Dan was just 6 years of age.
Early Life
Unfortunately, alcoholism took Dan8 0s father, first in the form of divorce and ultimately by ruining his health. His father died shortly after Dan turned 10.
Dan did not let this sad event dictate his course in life. His mother encouraged him and his brothers to reach out for a better life. With the guidance and support of his mother, teachers, coaches, and his pastor, Dan Maes excelled.
At age 13 he took his first job delivering daily, early morning newspapers before heading off to school. He was Student Council President, Senior Class President, and captain of his football team in addition to many other activites he participated in during high school. Dan went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he played football.
He graduated in just 4 years with a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice. Dan knows that without the financial support provided by his father’s social security death benefits and his VA benefits, graduating with a college degree would be merely a dream. He is sensitive to the fact that government benefits, for the neediest in our society, have their place.
Moving to Colorado
From an early age, Dan knew he wanted to live in Colorado. Motivated only by a desire to live here, Dan moved to Colorado in 1985, after 2 years as a police officer, and with no job. After a month he stumbled into what was destined to=2 0be his career - business develo pment.
Career
Dan was able to quickly develop relationships and trust by keeping his word and delivering on his commitments. His natural leadership always led him to management roles and ultimately he earned part of a business through sweat equity. He has never looked back. Dan and his partners sold a telecommunications franchise in 1997. He then started and sold a credit reporting agency between 2005 and 2009 with the goal of public service upon its completion.
Family Life
Dan and Kar en have been married for 19 years. He and his wife enjoy their two children of 14 and 6 as well as Dan’s daughter, from his short first marriage, who recently graduated from UNC in May and resides in Greeley, CO.
A Note From Karen
On May 16, 1988, I walked into a job interview after being in Denver just one month. The man interviewing me was Dan Maes. One week later he asked me out. Where did we have dinner…? Governor’s Park Cafe. Years later he would admit that he saw my resume, went to the president of the company and said, “I don’t want to hire her, I want to marry her”, before he had even seen me. It’s one of our favorite stories.
After just weeks of dating I saw in Dan something that told me he would do something great=2 0in his life. Of course,=2 0I didn’t tell him that until recently! That is one of the many reasons I married him. He had those traits a women looked for in a strong husband and father.
Many ask Dan, “How is your wife with this decision?” I want all of you to know that Dan sat down with us corporately and individually on more than one occasion to make sure we all were on board. Anyone of us had veto power and we all signed on 100%. It was at this time I finally admitted to Dan that I knew he would do this one day.
We are excited to share Dan with Colorado. He so loves this state and wants the best for it as he has always provided for us.
Join us for the 30th Annual United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention and Business Expo hosted by the Denver
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Friday, September 18th , 2009
Colorado Convention Center (Booth #822)
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The RNHA-CO is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help promote the Republican cause in our Hispanic Business Community by signing up new members, registering voters, sharing our Republican Pro-Business Platform.
You do not have to be Hispanic to volunteer. All Republicans welcome to join us as we take back the majority – from the “State House to the White House”!!!
Republican candidates running for office will be on hand to meet our Hispanic Business Community at our booth.
Changing Demographics: Analysis of 2008 Elections & Future Hispanic Trends
Please join us for this month's Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast featuring Mr. Mario Carrera, VP and General Manager of Entravision Communications
Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast August 31, 2009 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Cost is $20.00 RSVP to franktijerinajr@aol.com or www.rnhaco.org/
Hilton Garden Inn, Denver Downtown 1400 Welton Street Denver, CO 80202 5th Floor, Plantinum Room 303-603-8000 www.denverdowntown.stayhgi.com
Frank Tijerina, Jr. State Chairman - RNHA-CO
Mr. Mario Carrera, VP & General Manager
Mario M. Carrera is a senior executive in media sales and television/radio station management, with deep roots in the formulation of strategic plans and objectives. With over two decades of experience, Mr. Carrera has also held positions at Univision Communications, Fox Television Group, Paxson Communications, Harriscope, and LBI Media. His success in broadcast media is directly attributed to his belief that the main purpose of a radio and television station is to enhance the lives and economic well-being of its audience through education, information, and entertainment.
In addition to his successes in his career, Mr. Carrera is active in a variety of community service organizations. As a member of the Denver community, Mr. Carrera currently serves on the board of trustees for the Denver Area Council, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Clinica Tepeyac.
Mr. Carrera holds a bachelor of arts degree in sociology with a concentration in film, communications, and Latin American studies from Harvard UNiversity. He has studied at El Colegio de Mexico and attended professional development programs offered through the University of California Los Angeles and the Kellogg School of Business NAB Executive Development Program at Northwestern University.
Mr. Carrera and his wife, Irma, live in Denver, Colorado, with their two sons.
The gubernatorial candidate courts a Latino group, calling Ritter "ineffective."
By Lynn Bartels The Denver Post
7/23/2009 - 12:23pm
The federal government has it backward on immigration, gubernatorial candidate Josh Penry told a Republican Hispanic group today.
"It should be more difficult to do the wrong thing than to do the right thing," Penry said, noting in some cases it is easier to cross the border illegally than to immigrate legally to the United States.
Penry, a Grand Junction Republican and the state Senate minority leader, addressed the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado at its breakfast meeting at a downtown Denver hotel.
Some of his speech covered the same themes he has echoed since launching his candidacy earlier this month.
On Republican mistakes of the past: "Our party doubled the national debt. We're in the wilderness for a reason."
On Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter: "Bill Ritter is a likeable and decent person who cares about Colorado. I think it's important in the rough-and-tumble business of politics that we acknowledge that. But as governor he has been weak and ineffective and he has let us down."
On how Republicans are revved up: "Our people are engaged, our voters are engaged. Today is a new day."
But Penry tailored the rest of the speech to his audience, noting the growth of the Latino community.
"Latinos will play a pivotal role in picking everything from mayors to presidents and yes, governors, too," he said.
He said Republicans' concerns mirror Hispanic concerns: jobs, the economy and education reform.
Penry, who is considered one of the education experts at the Capitol, praised Ritter for his efforts at reforming education but said more needs to be done, including increasing standards.
"If we don't improve the quality of our public schools systems to keep up with what's happening in China and India and other parts of the world, America's economy will not continue to grow," he said. "We need to make sure that we have a work force that is skilled and capable, and ready to compete."
Penry fielded one question about immigration reform, but no questions about his vote earlier this year against a bill allowing illegal immigrants and recent high school graduations to get in-state tuition.
One person asked Penry why he would be a better governor than former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis . McInnis and businessman Dan Maes also are running for the GOP nomination.
Penry said his plan is to lay out his vision for how he is going to lead and what he thinks Ritter has done wrong, and let the voters decide.
"There are some people who have said, 'We don't want a primary,'" Penry said. "We don't want an ugly primary but a robust debate. The future of our party and the future of our state has never been more important than now."
Please join us for this month's Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast featuring Mr. Josh Penry, Senate Minority Leader(R) Grand Junction
Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast July 23rd, 2009 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Cost is $20.00 RSVP to franktijerinajr@aol.comor www.rnhaco.org
Hilton Garden Inn, Denver Downtown 1400 Welton Street Denver, CO 80202 5th Floor, Plantinum Room 303-603-8000 w ww.denverdowntown.stayhgi.com
Hon. Mr. Josh Penry, Senate Minority Leader (R) Grand Junction
Elected in 2006, Josh Penry is the youngest member of the Colorado State Senate as well as its minority leader.
Penry has established himself as a key driver of public policy in the Colorado Capitol and a new generation of leader in the Colorado Republican Party. Penry has been identified by the Rocky Mountain News, the Denver Post, the Colorado Statesman and national publications like the National Journal and Politico as a key player in Colorado politics. Prior to serving in the state Senate, Penry served in the state House of Representatives for one term. Penry is a native and long-time resident of western Colorado. He graduated from Grand Junction High School and Mesa State College, where he quarterbacked the Mesa State Mavericks football team and served as student body President. In 1998, he was named the National Scholar Athlete of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and the Burger King Corp., an award given to Peyton Manning the previous year. Penry graduated summa cum laude from Mesa State in 1998. Penry moved to Washington, D.C. to work for Congressman Scott McInnis, first as an aide and later as Press Secretary. Penry helped McInnis formulate and negotiate natural resources legislation. Penry was appointed staff director of the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, where he played a lead role in negotiation the Healthy Forests Restoration Act with the White House and Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. After returning to Grand Junction Penry was elected to the state House in 2004. In his first term, Penry sponsored and won passage for the “Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act”, legislation designed to minimize water-resource fights. Penry’s bill, signed into law in June 2005, created roundtables for each river basin to assess and address regional water needs. In=2 02008, Penry was part of a bi-partisan effort involving Gov. Bill Ritter, Rep. Frank McNulty, and the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Board to divest public pension funds from companies with ties to Iran. Penry also sponsored legislation to strengthen Colorado’s education standards to better equip students to compete in a highly competitive global economic environment, and he initiated and negotiated a bi-partisan bill to invest growing federal mineral lease revenues into Colorado’s colleges and universities. Penry has also been at the center of a multitude of other policy debates, including road and bridge funding initiatives, efforts to pass Jessica’s Law and other tough penalties against sexual predators, the debate about natural gas drilling in Colorado, and a range of tax, fiscal and budget issues. While working closely on education issues with Colorado’s Democratic Governor Bill Ritter, Penry has been a frequent critic of the Ritter Administration’s tax, budget, jobs and union policies. Penry and his wife Jamie have two children Chase and Emme and live in Grand Junction.
Griego: Engaging Prospect For Latinos, GOP (6/18/2009)
The Republican National Hispanic Assembly, Colorado chapter, held a breakfast meeting downtown Tuesday at which state GOP chairman Dick Wadhams told a story.
After the 2008 election, he said, a few people told him he needed to gather some "high-powered" Republicans to select the party's next candidates for governor and U.S. Senate. "I'm not even sure who those high-powered people would be," Wadhams replied and rattled off Republican officeholders and party leaders and the thousands of state Republicans who participated in the election. "I asked these folks, 'Where do you want me to draw the line?' "
He said he told them that, in fact, he would be convening meetings to decide upon the state's future Republican leaders and that those meetings are called precinct caucuses and county and state assemblies.
What the party will look like, who will lead it, Wadhams told the Hispanic group, is a debate that must take place across Colorado. This is the time, he said, quoting conservative columnist Bill Kristol, "for a thousand Republicans to bloom."
"Especially in the aftermath of the 2008 election," Wadhams said. "I think it's very important that we have an urgent discussion within the party about the future."
Wadhams is no dummy. He knows how much this group wants to be included in shaping that future. He also knows the Republican Party — or its demagogues — has alienated many Latinos on illegal immigration and, more recently, on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.
Should Wadhams have needed a reminder about the work it will take to woo Latinos to the party, the meeting offered one. Take away the few party staffers and guests and, by my count, his audience of Republican Hispanics numbered 12.
All one had to do last year was attend a Republican rally and look at the crowds: white, aging, unrepresentative even of this state's population, which is 70 percent white. That's a house sitting on a shrinking foundation.
Simple numbers tell the story. Latinos are the nation's fastest-growing minority. The Obama/Biden ticket won the national Latino vote by a ratio of more than 2-to-1 and the Latino youth vote by 4-to-1. In Colorado, Latinos chose the Democratic presidential ticket over the Republican, 61 percent to 38 percent.
Hispanics are swing voters, and the 2008 exit polls revealed that too. Take the battleground states of Colorado, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico and, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, Colorado is the only place where the Republican presidential ticket fared better among Latino voters than it did in 2004 and the Democratic ticket fared worse.
"There's always been potential, and the potential is still there," former state Rep. Joe Nunez says. "There are a lot more Hispanic Republicans out there than people realize."
The Hispanic Republican of Colorado tends to be viewed as an oddity, a minority among both Republicans and Hispanics, welcomed by each group, but, at times, not embraced by either. This is a fact, not a plea for sympathy, which Republican Hispanics are not seeking and do not want.
They are, despite this, an optimistic group. It is hope that fuels their constant declaration that "most Hispanics are Republicans; they just don't know it, yet." Political philosophy or conservative social values or both draw Latinos to the party, says Frank Tijerina Jr., 40, and RNHA's new state chairman. What Latinos offer in return is "a new perspective of family, hope and inclusiveness."
"Over the years," Tijerina says, "there's been this discussion (among Republican Hispanics): 'We're here. Is that big tent ever going to happen?' Well, that big tent has to happen or the party will become insignificant, and we will become independents."
It's impossible these days to have a discussion about politics and ethnicity without drawing the accusation of pandering and to this Tijerina says, "we have to be part of the equation, part of the dialogue. Our voice needs to be heard. Call it what you want. I call it relationship-building. I call it outreach."
That outreach is already underway. The group is recruiting young Latinos and has a new staffer who will work college campuses. The state party is building and organizing a network of Latinos likely to vote Republican and wants to start RNHA chapters in every county.
"It's not going to be an easy road back," Wadhams told the group, but one way is education. Latinos consistently identify education as a top concern and Democrats, he argued, have dropped the ball on reform.
"I also think we can win Hispanics by returning to our core principles of limited government, personal responsibility and strong national security."
And, Tijerina added later, the debate on illegal immigration "has to be conducted with dignity and respect."
If you meet again next year at the same time, in the same room, what do you hope to see, I asked Tijerina. Seventy-five, maybe 100 Republican Hispanics, he said, and of those at least 40 will be young people. That's the future he sees.
Tina Griego writes Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Reach her at 303-954-1416 or tgriego@denverpost.com.
RNHA Statement on Judge Sotomayor's Nomination to Supreme Court
Today, Raul Danny Vargas, the National Chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, made the following statement regarding the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States:
“On behalf of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly we wish to extend our congratulations to Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her historic nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States, making her the first Hispanic nominated to the court. We also applaud Judge Sotomayor’s many personal and professional accomplishments. Her compelling personal story of overcoming adversity to achieve success through hard work and education are to be celebrated.
“We look forward to a fair and thorough confirmation process; a courtesy some Democrats did not afford to some conservative Hispanic judicial nominees during the Bush administration, including Judge Miguel Estrada. She will face strict scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats, as is appropriate.
We will listen closely to her answers on questions regarding her experience, decisions, jurisprudence, judicial temperament and the role of the Supreme Court.
If confirmed by the Senate, we would hope that Judge Sotomayor will keep faith with the Constitution of the United States and impartially interpret the law and that she will avoid judicial activism. Considering the relatively rare opportunities to fill vacancies on the Court, all Americans should carefully observe this process as its implications on our daily lives will be far-reaching and long-lasting.”
Please join us for this month's Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast featuring Mr. Dick Wadhams, Chairman of Colorado Republican Party.
Colorado Republican Party Strategy and Hispanic Outreach
Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado Breakfast June 16th, 2009 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Cost is $20.00 RSVP to franktijerinajr@aol.comor www.rnhaco.org(contact/rsvp)
Dick Wadhams was elected Colorado Republican State Chairman in March 2007. During the 2008 campaign he also served as campaign manager for Senate candidate Bob Schaffer. He worked from 1981 to 1989 for Colorado U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong. He managed the statewide Colorado campaigns of U.S. Senator Hank Brown in 1990 and U.S. Senator Wayne Allard in 1996 and 2002. He was campaign manager for Governor Bill Owens in 1998 when Owens became the first Republican governor of Colorado in 24 years. Wadhams was campaign manager for U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota in 2004 when Thune defeated Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle which was the first time in 52 years a sitting Senate Democratic leader was defeated for reelection. He also helped Montana U.S. Senator Conrad Burns in his successful reelection campaigns in 1994 and 2000. He served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator George Allen of Virginia in 2005-2006. Wadhams was born and raised in rural southeastern Colorado where he was a Republican county chairman at age 19 in 1975-1976 and he is a graduate of the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo.
Join us for the 22nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Denver’s Civic Center Park May 9th-10th, 2009 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The RNHA-CO is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help promote the Republican cause in our Hispanic Community by signing up new members, registering voters, and completing surveys for a cash drawing.
You do not have to be Hispanic to volunteer.
All Republicans welcome to join us as we take back the majority – from the “State House to the White House”!!!
Republican candidates running for office will be on hand to meet our Hispanic Community.
Civic Center Park, Downtown Denver
Location: Booth #255 (Located at Broadway & Colfax)
May 9th and 10th , 2009
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Both Days (Set-Up crew is from 6:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. each day. Last Shift includes break-down and clean-up. The booth space is 10x10ft. Will have canopy, coolers with water and tables and chairs.)
CONTACT:
Mr. Martin Mendez , Program Director/RHNA-Adams County Chapter (e) mmendez@splashpublications.net (P) 720-244-2448
Former Congressman Henry Bonilla, (R-TX) & Bob Schaffer, Republican Candidate for the U. S. Senate, will be the featured speakers this coming Friday, September 12th, at the Republican Luncheon.
Bonilla will speak on behalf of presidential candidate John McCain.
The luncheon is scheduled from noon to 1:30, at the Azteca Sol Mexican Restaurant, 2223 West 32nd Avenue, (Corner of Vallejo Street), in Denver, Colorado.
The Colorado Republican National Hispanic Assembly invites all of you to this month's breakfast program featuring Jeff Crank, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 5th Congressional District.
Mr. Crank will share with us his priorities if he were a member of Congress, his ideas and solutions to problems facing the U.S. and his vision for the future of the Republican Party. For more information on Mr. Crank, please see his Bio below.
Jeff Crank, 41, has been married for 16 years to Lisa Crank. Jeff and Lisa have two children: Joel, 10; and Jessica, 5. Jeff has served as the Vice President, Government Sales for XAware Corporation which provides next-generation data integration solutions for Financial Services, and State & Federal Government.
Jeff was most recently a candidate for U.S. Congress in the 5th Congressional District Republican Primary in 2006. Before running for Congress, Jeff was Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
He joined the Chamber as Vice President in May 1998 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in October 2001. He has been a frequent guest-host on the Joseph Michelli show on 740 KVOR. In 2004, that experience led him to host a weekly public affairs radio show, the Chamber Connection with Jeff Crank on Newstalk 1460 KZNT which he continued to host until his candidacy for Congress.
Jeff served as a staff member to U.S. Congressman Joel Hefley (R-CO) on Capitol Hill from 1991 until 1998. Jeff served as Administrative Director to the Congressman where he was responsible for all administrative operations of the Congressman’s Washington office.
Additionally, he was the staff person responsible for the Congressman’s work on the House Armed Services Committee dealing with funding for the U.S. Department of Defense, including military procurement, research and development, readiness, and personnel. In 1996 he helped author the Military Housing Privatization Act which privatized over 110,000 housing units at over 50 military installations, providing better quality housing for our military and their families.
Over the last 15 years, Jeff has been an active participant in the campaign to prevent the closure of Fort Carson, Colorado, through the base closure process. Jeff also served as Congressman Hefley's Legislative Assistant for defense issues and his education, labor, and government operations staff where he was responsible for all legislative initiatives in these areas.
Jeff graduated from Colorado State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Jeff was born in Pueblo, Colorado and has lived in Colorado all of his life except for his work for the Congress on behalf of the citizens of Colorado.
MONTHLY RNHA BREAKFAST MEETING FEATURING JEFF CRANK, CANDIDATE FOR THE 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TUESDAY, MAY 20TH, 7:30 AM CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL 1450 GLENNARM, DOWNTOWN DENVER Cost: $15. PAY OR DONATE ONLINE
We would like to invite all of you to this month's Republican National Hispanic Assembly's breakfast meeting. This month we will have as our guest State Senator Josh Penry. Senator Penry will be sharing his insights on the current legislative session, issues facing Colorado and the Western Slope, as well as his thoughts on the recent news surrounding a proposed fix to the way Colorado funds Higher Education in the State.
Josh Penry is a Republican member of the Colorado Senate, representing the 7th District since 2007. Previously he was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 2005 to 2006.
Penry served in the Colorado House of Representatives for one term, and then jumped into a hotly contested race for the Colorado Senate against a popular former State Representative. Penry ran away with the once-competitive Senate primary in a landslide, and was eventually elected by a wide margin in the General Election. Penry is the youngest member of the Colorado Senate.
Penry is a leading advocate for education reform in Colorado. Along with State Representative Rob Witwer, he has pushed for legislation to raise graduation standards for Colorado high school students, especially in the areas of math and science.
Penry has been identified as a rising political star by an array of publications, including the National Journal. The Rocky Mountain News called Penry and State Representatives Rob Witwer, Cory Gardner and Matt Knoedler the "Rock Stars" of the Colorado Republican Party. He is talked about as a possible opponent to John Salazar for Colorado's 3rd congressional district.
Penry is a former standout quarterback at Mesa State College. He was named the National Scholar Athlete of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and the Burger King Company. The award, won the prior year by Peyton Manning, came with a $135,000 endowment award to Mesa State.
Before his election to the Legislature, Penry served as a top aide to Congressman Scott McInnis.
MONTHLY RNHA BREAKFAST MEETING FEATURING STATE SENATOR JOSH PENRY TUESDAY, APRIL 22ND 7:30 AM CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL 1450 GLENNARM, DOWNTOWN DENVER Cost: $15
Integrity, competency and the right stuff to be the next president of the United States.
Backers of GOP presidential candidates stressed those themes Tuesday at a breakfast in downtown Denver hosted by the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Colorado.
Air Force Academy graduate Carl Bruning got the biggest laugh when he stood up and urged support of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, of Texas.
"It's great to be here. I'm glad this isn't a Fox News debate because we actually got invited," Bruning said, referring to Paul's snub at some debates.
Former Congressman Bob Beauprez told the crowd he disagreed with some political pundits' assessment that Republicans have a weak field.
"I think the fact that we don't have a front-runner, that it is very competitive, speaks to the fact that we've got a bunch of qualified candidates," the Boulder County Republican said.
"You probably saw Hillary (Monday) night in the debate. Can you imagine a more polarizing figure in the White House?" Beauprez said, referring to Democratic contender Sen. Hillary Clinton.
In addition to Paul, various Republicans urged support of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; former New York Mayor Rudy Giulani; U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Here are excerpts of what supporters had to say:
* Bob Martinez, former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, on Mike Huckabee:
"I could identify with him. His background isn't much different than mine. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. He also was the first person in his family to graduate from college. His mother and father were working people that sacrificed to have him better himself."
* Fred Ramirez, Adams County sheriff's candidate in 2006 and a former New York City police officer, on Rudy Giulani:
"This is a man who has taken a city that was on the edge of decay, that many considered ungovernable and turned it around. Many of (you today) have spoken about real-life managerial experience. I submit to you that Rudolph Giulani has real- life experience."
* Marti Allbright Whitemore, state attorney general candidate in 2002, on John McCain:
"I had the opportunity to work for Sen. McCain for two years. Never did I hear him say, 'Gosh, what are the polls going to say?' before he determined what his position was on an issue. John McCain is the man for the job."
* Bruning, Colorado and Wyoming coordinator for Ron Paul's campaign:
"Ron Paul is a real conservative. Real conservatives have always . . . advocated humble foreign policies. Today we have an empire with troops in 130 countries worldwide. We are spread so thin that we have too few troops right now to actually guard our country. We can continue to fund and fight these no-win police actions, or we can actually secure America."
* Beauprez, 2006 gubernatorial candidate, on Mitt Romney:
"I think the way you've lived your life, the way you treat your wife, your kids, I think it matters greatly. This is a good decent man. The United States should be so fortunate."
From:
Presidential candidates have local champions
By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (303-954-5327) Wednesday, January 23, 2008
After returning to Grand Junction Penry was elected to the state House in 2004. In his first term, Penry sponsored and won passage for the “Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act”, legislation designed to minimize water-resource fights. Penry’s bill, signed into law in June 2005, created roundtables for each river basin to assess and address regional water needs. In=2 02008, Penry was part of a bi-partisan effort involving Gov. Bill Ritter, Rep. Frank McNulty, and the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Board to divest public pension funds from companies with ties to Iran. Penry also sponsored legislation to strengthen Colorado’s education standards to better equip students to compete in a highly competitive global economic environment, and he initiated and negotiated a bi-partisan bill to invest growing federal mineral lease revenues into Colorado’s colleges and universities. 
Penry and his wife Jamie have two children Chase and Emme and live in Grand Junction. 
