Young Republican National Federation

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
I hope all of you take this time to give thanks for family, friends, and our Country. Many years ago Pilgrims came to this great land, to pursue greater liberty and freedom.  It is these very freedoms that we must give thanks for tomorrow.  
 
We must also give thanks for our brave servicemen and women, who sacrifice so much to preserve our way of life.
 
Finally, I am also extremely thankful for all the hard work and dedication YRs have shown throughout the country. After a successful fall election cycle, we as a group have much to celebrate this holiday season.
 
God Bless and enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday,
 
Audra Shay
YRNF Chairman
 

Saturday in a rare evening session, Democrats passed a devastating vote to move America one step closer to a government-run health care system. As recent studies have indicated, the current proposal will likely decrease the quality of care for the elderly and burden America's youth by creating a massive bureaucratic government run health system. For example, under this Democrat initiative, we will actually create 70 new government agencies. 
 
YRNF Chairman Audra Shay challenges younger Americans to stand up against this legislation: "It is time that the youth speak out against this program which is bad for America, and especially burdensome on our younger citizens. As we have seen in recent elections, Americans do not support this health-care experiment and we hope all the youth who turned out in 2008 will turn out again to hold accountable members of Congress who support these bills." 
 
Shay continues "The Young Republicans National Federation calls on all U.S. Senators to reject President Obama's unprecedented expansion of government control over health care, and instead support free market reforms that would provide choice and competition to American families and ultimately lead to lower costs and broader coverage for all Americans, without raising taxes or limiting individual liberty." 
 
YRNF Policy Chairman Dave Smith (TX) adds, "Regrettably, the Senate has chosen to move forward with debate on a health care 'reform' bill that is based on government mandates, prohibitions, and sanctions rather than choice and competition for American families.  The bill is especially bad for young adults, as it would impose so-called 'community rating', prohibiting insurance companies from providing discounts for coverage of low-risk consumers.  It also enforces an 'individual mandate', forcing young adults to pay for coverage they may not want or need."
 

The YRNF encourages younger voters to educate themselves about this proposed legislation and make their opinions known.   Find your representatives and make your voice heard:
 
 http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Dear Young Republicans,

Last Saturday at our Young Republican National Federation Board Meeting in Kansas City, U.S. Senator Kit Bond discussed the upcoming 100th anniversary of the birth of one of America's greatest Presidents ever, Ronald Reagan. Plans for honoring President Reagan during his Centennial are underway. This is going to be the ultimate of Presidential celebrations, and rightly so. Our 40th President is going to be honored through official events across America and around the world throughout 2011.

As Young Republicans, there will be a lot of ways you can get involved in the celebration. If you want to stay updated on what's going to happen, visit President Reagan's Foundation website at www.reaganfoundation.org and sign up where it says Newsletter Sign-Up to stay informed on how you can get involved.



Thank you,
Audra Shay

Chairman
 Young Republican National Federation

The Kansas City and Missouri Young Republicans  hosted the YRNF National Committee this past weekend in Kansas City, MO for the Fall Board Meeting.

On Friday night, there was a group dinner at the American Jazz Museum. Speakers included former pro-football player Damon Dunn, currently running for California Secretary of State; Congressman Todd Tiahrt, running for U.S. Senate;  Congressional Candidate Jacob Turk; and talk radio host Chris Stigall.
 
The YRNF Committees met for the first time on Saturday morning and the meeting rooms were full of interested members looking to get involved to advance the YR brand!  These members were officially appointed to the committees later that day at the YRNF board meeting. The YRs were also honored to be joined by U.S. Senator Kit Bond for lunch.

Saturday was a full day as the National Committee also approved the YRNF budget, the YRNC bid specifications for the Site Selection committee, an Amendment to the Bylaws, and had reports to review from the officers and committee chairmen.
 
Importantly, the YRNF National Committee also unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming their support for Chairman Audra Shay.

MAINE YOUNG REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the Maine Federation of Young Republicans held their elections for officers in Bangor, Maine.
Allison Geagan was elected as Chair,  Jim Fossel as National Committeeman, and Kate Carter as National Committeewoman.  Present was former Maine State Chair and YRNF Northeast Regional Vice Chair Kerry Sullivan. The federation is very excited to begin working on building the membership and getting ready for the 2010 election. 
 
FEDERATION OF ILLINOIS YOUNG REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

Also on November 7th, the Federation of Illinois YRs held their biannual convention in Bolingbrook, IL.  This convention featured several of the Republican contenders for Governor, candidates, training on club building and fundraising.
YRNF Auditor Dennis Cook was re-elected to Chairman, Keely Drukala was elected to National Committeewoman, and John Acardo to Committeeman. YRNF Co-Chair Lisa Stickan was in attendance. As was YRNF General Counsel Rick Veenstra and Membership Chair Tiffany Chiu.
 

 The Young Republican National Federation remembers all those who have so unselfishly given their all so that we may live where Freedom Rings! Please thank a Veteran today.   

Resolution passed in support of YRNF Chairman Audra Shay.
"The national committee of the Young Republican National Federation reaffirms its support for our national chairwoman, Audra Shay of Louisiana".  It was good seeing you this past weekend and e-mail or call if you have any additional questions.

CALL TO ACTION

The Young Conservatives Coalition sent out the following message regarding tomorrow's historic healthcare vote.

ACTION ITEM
Below is a list of the congressmen who have not fully decided on how they will vote.

The scheduled historic vote is on Saturday - we all have time to make at least ONE phone call to one of these congressmen today and tell them "we don't want you to vote for socialized health care!" I've already provided you with the phone numbers for their Capitol Hill office.

Please fwd list on to your personal/organization email lists!

Let's show everyone the young conservative movement has muscle and springboard off of our victories in the VA & NJ elections where Bob McDonnell, the conservative candidate, actually won the youth vote by 10%! Please forward this email to your lists and start calling yourself!

The YRNF leadership believes that significant victories across the United States for Republican candidates Tuesday evening represented the American people's belief in conservative ideals.  Tuesday's Republican Victories in Virginia and New Jersey took on additional importance for the Young Republican National Federation, Inc. (YRNF). Last month, the national organization of Young Republicans helped to recruit dozens of volunteers from cross the county to travel to these battleground states and campaign for the GOP candidates. "Last night's victories are a sign that the American people don't agree with the policies of President Obama's Administration and the present Congressional Democrat leadership", said Audra Shay, Chairman of the YRNF. "We view the outcome of the races in New Jersey and Virginia as clear signs that the political climate in this country has changed significantly over the last 12 months. Republicans selected two great candidates which we were happy to help with focused support and volunteer deployments and are thrilled by their historic victories last night", she continued.

Lynn Krogh, Chair of the New York State Young Republicans, has released the following statement regarding Tuesday's special election for the 23rd Congressional District:
 
"After learning yesterday of Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava's "selfless" act of dropping out of the special election, I was proud of her for putting her constituents and the good of the party before herself.  But after learning that she has formally endorsed her once Democratic opponent, it is obvious that her support for Bill Owens is based upon her inability to excite the Republican base in the 23rd District.  Driven by bitterness, she would rather see a Pelosi-Democrat sitting in Congress than a member of her own party.