Delegate Rose Marie Heck
@ Republican National Convention

Assemblywoman Rose Marie Heck is a voting  delegate at the Republican National Convention 2000.   Here are her dispatches from  the convention.

Photographs from the Convention Floor

Daily Dispatches from the Convention

Dateline: RNC -- Thursday, August 03, 2000  4:51 PM

Dear neighbors:

What an energizing evening! And what a great start of the day with a special breakfast for  Congressman Bob Franks. It was great! Big push for all the voters to put a good Republican  back in the Senate. Bob has a wealth of experience not only in transportation, He helped  us in Bergen get the dollars for the improvement of Routes 4 and 17; He helps us to iron  out any hold-up of money for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Transit (you know what used to  be known as trolleys) and he has been a great supporter of missing and exploited children  and education. He has joined me and parents and advocates and educators all over New  Jersey to work to get us the money due us from Washington D.C.

Remember we only received 10% of the 40% due our state for our special ed students. It  would be a tremendous help to all of us, not only in property tax relief, but in helping  us to better ways of helping our kids,: not only the physically challenged but those with  emotional and behavioral problems. We could do so much with those extra dollars. Keep  watching as I continue preparations for the Children's Summit II set for October 24 (first  of three to be held in 2000) more about that later, but NJEA is joining my group to go to  Washington to push for that money. We've been far too patient for far too long. More on  those plans later.

We heard from David Norcross from South Jersey, Congresswoman Marge Roukema, Congressman  Rodnew Frelinghsausen and former Governor Tom Kean. Governor Christie Todd Whitman arrived  after having been a greeter at the airport for our Presidential Candidate George W. Bush.

We were then briefed by the Bush team on economic matters. Some good stuff ... I took many  notes and will report when I get back on Friday to Bergen. Info on the economy, social  security and technology.

In the evening the Convention was alive with anticipation and I was in my glory. Many  speakers, young ones, on entrepeunership. They all gave us a briefing on each of their  areas of interest.

A young 26 year old read the letter she wrote to George W. Bush. It was so moving and all  eyes in the room focused on Windy Smith of Knoxville TN. After she read a reply from W...  the chant picked up throughout the room "WE LOVE YOU WINDY" What an emotional  infusion.

Speakers included the Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore, Congressman John Kascis (I'll  have to check that spelling), Lynn Cheney the former director of the Endowment for the  Humanities (What a well spoken and impressive woman), etc.

The Temporary Chairman Trent Lott introduced the Vice Presidential Nominee, The Honorable  Dick Cheney. WOW AND DOUBLE WOW! He spoke with such clarity and conviction ... He held the  crowd in silence as they listened and then boom they exploded spontaneously in chants.  "time to go... Time To Go... TIME TO GO!

That was a play on the same words said by Gore eight years ago to Republicans, and now  Dick Cheney said the wheel had turned and he was dismayed at the way the Democrat  Administration had squandered their time in office.  It was time to bring honor and  integrity back to government with the election of a man who will bring respect back to the  office of President - That man is George W. Bush. You can access the his entire speech on  www.gopconvention.com.

I've taken many digital photos and you'll be able to see them after I download on Friday  when I get home.

My daughter Nancy and I had the pleasure of attending the Laury Bush tribute and I'll tell  you more about that tomorrow.

I have to get ready for the final night of the convention and I must tell you my muscles  are aching, as are my feet, from all that walking and walking and walking, and I won't  bore you with the amount of lines we stood on, and the number of security check lines we  had to pass, and the hundreds of steps we climbed. Add to that the humidity and poor air  quality - heat -rain- AND GUESS WHAT, I wouldn't have missed a second of this ... It was  an experience I will never forget.

More tomorrow folks.

Best Regards,

Rose

Dateline: RNC -- Wednesday, August 02, 2000 5:34 PM

Dear neighbors:

Couldn't connect earlier, but the short and the sweet of it is ... Colin Powell is tall,  straight as an arrow, very impressive looking, and speaks with conviction. No doubt in my  mind - he has what the Hollywood crowd in the 40s would call movie star quality and magic.  I am so proud he chose to be a Republican. What a fantastic representative - whatever  color he comes in. I believe God has given this man some gifts of greatness and  communication. He has made a difference for the better in the past and I am certain he  will do so again in the future, not withstanding his wonderful mentoring project,  nationwide.

Let's get to Tuesday, August 2, 2000. Wow! Super duper speakers!! Some ordinary in  comparison to the greats, but in another venue they, too, would be deemed very good. Flags  flying, Past Presidents, Past VPs, and Cabinet members, along with their wives and some of  their children.VERY IMPRESSIVE and everyone looked FANTASTIC! Nancy Reagan was tiny  somewhat bony, older, but lovely. The tears in her eyes belied the smile on her face as  the tribute to husband former President Ronald Reagan was shown on the screen. All of the  history, the salute to Presidents Reagan, Ford, and Bush had me sniffing back tears of  pride and memories of the greatest of the people who were the heroes of those years.

Add to that the U.S.S. New Jersey SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS with General Norman Schwarzkopf  giving an inspiring tribute to our great county and our wonderful Veterans.

The media keeps saying everything is heavily scripted is nauseating. So prejudiced and the  cheap shots are very apropos of those who saw no evil, heard no evil and spoke no evil  about democrats during the days of disgraceful behavior in Washington D.C. I like the Wake  Up America feeling I get from the entire Convention. I have spoken to people, not only in  our state but from across the county who are tired of our children and grandchildren being  exposed to bad behavior, lack of morals, lies and sarcastic slurs to those who want a  return to a BETTER TIME OF GOOD MORALS AND VALUES...HONESTY, INTEGRITY, LOYALTY.

Vice President Bob Dole was his fun self...Opening line... "It's not too late for a  recount." Everyone laughed. He spoke of America as being the "Youngest, Greatest  and Free-est Nation in the World." He spoke of the heroes and the World War II  Memorial as being a wonderful happening in Washington, but said we should be doing more  than arches and concrete pillars, we should give our nation's heroes a "true"  memorial. Look around at the convention. We can choose our destinies." He continued  with fervor that we have an opportunity to vote for a man of integrity and honor. A man  who values this country, his family, people. George W. Bush is a man who can lead this  country into greatness in this new century.

I can tell you, "My heart beat" with pride and excitement and tears rolled down  my cheeks as I remembered my Uncle Lou, who never came back from World War II. I remember  how much I love him and still miss him. I remember his V-Mail, telling me how important it  was to serve and love the U.S.A. He told me how lucky I was to be able to grow up free and  be whatever I wanted to be when I grew up. He, along with my cousins who joined as very  young men, were so proud to join in the fight against evil dictators.

First generation Americans, who went overseas, to fight in the Pacific and in Europe.  Uncle Lou found it ironic to fight in this war to save people, by fighting in places like  Italy, where he might be the enemy of a family member. So many of us have memories of  standing up for what we believe is right and just, because of the greatest of those heroes  who continue to serve our country when called. George W. Bush serves his country by  placing himself in a position to run for this great office. He will have to pay a price as  will his family. He will be the focus of vicious political players.

As was said last night, and I'm not certain if it was Dole or McCain who said it, he will  be the focus of Democrat polls, posturing and spins. Elizabeth Dole was wonderful and  Barbara Bush (who said she wanted to be the first to welcome everyone to Philadelphia, the  City of Motherly Love) proudly introduced her son George W. Bush by remote to everyone. It  was electric. No pun intended.

George W. Bush and making a tremendous impact on the delegates, he spoke with strength and  sincerity about his gratitude to all, especially John McCain for his friendship and  support. He spoke at length and concluded that he and John would make a great campaign  team. By the way each day has a theme.

Monday -OPPORTUNITY WITH A PURPOSE: LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND.

Tuesday - STRENGTH AND SECURITY WITH A PURPOSE: SAFE IN OUR HOMES AND IN THE WORLD.

Tonight Wednesday - PROSPERITY WITH A PURPOSE: KEEPING AMERICA PROSPEROUS AND PROTECTING  RETIREMENT SECURITY.

Tomorrow night Thursday - PRESIDENT WITH A PURPOSE: A STRONG LEADER WHO CAN UNITE OUR  COUNTRY AND GET THINGS DONE.

I have so much to say, because so much is happening, but I don't want to forget a woman  with a magnificent future - Dr. Condoleeza Rice of Hoover Institute Stanford CA who spoke  of her heritage and her father who wanted to become a citizen and was denied help from  Democrats but was welcomed by Republicans and that is why he is a staunch Republican as is  she. She spoke eloquently on International Relations. Here I believe is a future Cabinet  Member.

When we see the caliber of people support George W. Bush - Farmers, young people, techies,  students, older people, the physically challenged, the elderly and just plain folk.  REPUBLICANS ARE NOT ALL MILLIONAIRES, BUT WE ARE RICH. Rich in our love of country, family  and in our faith.

I have so much more to share with all of you. My heart is so full. And I look forward to  tonight and hearing Dick Cheney. We'll get together tomorrow ... so log on. Regards, as  always,

Rose

Dateline: RNC -- Tuesday, August 01, 2000 10:15 AM

Dear neighbors:

What a wonderful experience! Not only am I seeing all of our New Jersey officials, local,  county, state and national, but the biggies we see only on the news. No one is mentioning  Newt Gingrich, but my daughter, Nancy Radwin (owner, publisher of the Knowlton News in  Warren County) was walking behind Newt in Philadelphia on Sunday. She called her sons on  the cell phone and gave a blow by blow to them as she experienced this rare occasion.

On Sunday, besides finding places to eat breakfast and picking up credentials, attending  briefings, etc., we had great fun talking with everyone and anyone we saw. The humidity  here is so bad that everything is wet and sticky all the time. Lots of people with curly  hair, but smiling all the time.

We have seen so many outfits indicative of the states represented here and so many red,  white and blue hats, vests, jackets, cowboy hats, spangles, jewelry that blinks lighted  colors at you, balloons, bangles and confetti. Convention fare, so to speak. Oh, and let's  not forget the many tee shirts, funny, patriotic and those announcing RNC 2000 (Republican  National Convention 2000). Even saw an elephant adorned shirt, and the elephant blew up  like a balloon on the front of the shirt. Looked a little strange.

Went to the Camden Aquarium Party hosted by Jack Collins and Donny DiFrancesco. (Photos  below). Won't be able to send new ones every day. It's difficult to find a computer to  e-mail them as Nancy didn't have her "transfer component" with her. The staff  and hotel didn't have one either. But, I was undeterred. Took the disk with me to seek out  newspaper people and lo and behold, I met Eugene Keily, a former editorial chief with The  Record, now with another paper and he kindly sent it to Nancy's paper (took photo of her  local G.O.P. Chair with Jack and Donny and it will be on the front page of her newspaper  this week). I will continue to take pix and we can place them on the web site on Friday  when I return.

Had a great time meeting all sorts of people at the Aquarium. Too dark to get good pix not  to mention the crowds or mobs of people. 4,000 at the Aquarium. The red, white and blue  lighted bridge was beautiful and the parade of ships was fantastic. The fireworks display  was wonderful, with some unusual features, some exploded into willow tree-like showers of  sparkling light, and others exploded in red, white and blue stars. Not a show as long as  Heights, but certainly just as spectacular. Tell the Lions to check out those stars for  next year, please. Really great!

Last night, opening night of the convention was memorable. Great speakers, Bob Franks our  Congressman running for Senate was inspiring. He revved up the New Jersey delegation,  along with many of the other states. Laura Bush won the hearts of the entire delegation.  What a beautiful person! President and Mrs. Bush looked at her with love, and pride.  Governor Bush appeared on the large screen and spoke to all of us. Very evident that they  adore and respect one another. Very nice!

I have to go now. There is much more, but Nancy has to send something to her paper.  Deadlines you know, very important!

Regards to all ... coming to you from Cherry Hill and Philly.

Rose


 

Dateline: RNC -- Sunday, July 30, 2000 5:32 PM

Dear neighbors:

Well here we are at the Hilton in Cherry Hill.  It's been busy since last night when  we arrived on July 29, 2000 at 5 p.m. Getting into our room and then going back down to  register was easy. We received "goodie bags" part of our overall badge fee, I  believe. T-shirts with Convention 2000, and a Barbie 2000 Convention Delegate Doll (since  I collect dolls it was a great surprise).

Everyone is very friendly and excited to be here as part of the New Jersey delegation. Pat  Schuber, Sandy Robinison, Eleanor Nissley, County Chairman Henk Shotmeyer, Henry Wallace,  Nick Felice, and many Assembly and Senate members are here.

Tonite we'll attend the big NJ Delegation party at the Camden Aquarium which is being  hosted by Speaker Jack Collins and Senate Pres. Di Francesco. Fireworks, bridge lighting  ceremony, ships, and speeches by Governors Whitman and Ridge will kickoff Philadelphia  2000.

Tomorrow, Monday, is the opening day of the Convention. Bob Franks will speak in the  afternoon. He's a great speaker. and tomorrow nite Colin Powell and Laura Bush will speak.  I'll give you a review.

Will send some pix tomorrow with Chairman Chuck Haytaian and his wife and with former Gov.  Tom Kean, etc. Check out the fireworks tonite. Lots of media people are also here.

Say hello to everyone for me. Regards,

Rose Heck - Delegate 2000