Politicians attend local conference

     This past weekend, several prominent Georgia politicians and college students from around the state descended upon GCSU for the 2007 Annual Georgia Association of College Republicans Convention. 
     The annual convention met at Emory University last year and this marks the first time the GACR has ever convened in Milledgeville. 
     “This is the second time we’ve tried to bring the convention here,” said Jason White, a sophomore political science major and current chairman of GCSU college republicans.  “This time, the association voted unanimously to have the convention here.   This was our opportunity to show off our campus to GACR representatives from all over the state.”
The convention was held to elect officers for 2007-2008. The College Republicans, established in 1997, exists on 32 different college campuses across the state of Georgia.  The GACR is the largest student-run political organization in Georgia with over 8,000 members.
      Members held a banquet Friday night to raise money for the 2007 year.  Phil Kent, an award-winning conservative columnist and author, spoke at the event.  Kent’s message was that college campuses should foster an environment where students can stand up and think for themselves.
     “There is too much apathy in this country,” Kent said.      “Someone’s values will have to prevail and we want ours to prevail.”
     Saturday morning, GACR members congregated in the Old Senate Chambers, located at Georgia Military College, to vote upon new executive officers for the 2007-2008 year and hear from several state politicians.  Georgia Sen. Johnny Grant, (R-Baldwin and surrounding counties) and Georgia Rep. Melvin Everson, (R-Snellville/Lilburn) were the featured speakers.
     Grant encouraged listeners to become an active part of their communities and recognized GCSU College Republicans as being an asset to his campaigning here in Milledgeville during the 2006 Senate election.  Grant, a Milledgeville native, was pleased to see the convention take place.
     “As state senator, I try to get as many groups to visit Milledgeville as I can,” Grant said. “We’re very proud of this town’s political and historical significance.”
     Everson earned a standing ovation after a rousing speech describing his political successes and failures toward becoming the first black republican representative in Georgia.  An inspiring Everson told his listeners to “never succumb to the rhetoric that this nation is not a great nation.”
     All of the candidates running for office in the GACR went unchallenged.  After the election, the new GACR executive board took their oath of office before the general assembly.  No GCSU College Republicans ran for office.
     After the convention ended, White appeared slightly relieved.
     “I think the convention went well,” White said.  “There was a lot of pressure planning the convention and the election process.  I am glad it is over and we can look forward to the 2008 U.S. presidential election.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 23 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry