THE BEACON Gillespie County Republican Women (PAC) Newsletter, 3rd Quarter, 2014 2014 Officers President: Pauline Cusack 1st Vice President: Jeanie Pehl 2nd Vice President: Linda Schmidt (Membership/Community Engagement) Secretary: Debbie Campbell Treasurer/Pac Chair: Mary Roye ww.gillespiecountygop.org www.tfrw.org; www.nfrw.org

President’s Message --Pauline Cusack

Tis the season!!! Purpose • To promote an informed electorate through political education. To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation. • To facilitate cooperation among Republican Women’s Clubs. • To foster loyalty to the Republican Party, and to promote its principles and candidates in all elections, including nonpartisan elections. • To work for the election of the Republican Party’s nominees. • To encourage women to be political candidates.

GCRW Meetings 3rd Wednesday of each month during the months of Jan-May and Aug-Nov. Meeting are held at the Officer’s Club in the Hangar Hotel at the Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg. Coffee & social at 11 AM; meeting begins at 11:30. You may bring in food or order from the Airport Diner.

Yes, it is time to get busy. We need to tell the truth to all our friends, neighbors and all with whom we work or volunteer. We can take back the Senate and keep the House. We desperately need to have a Republican Congress and demote Harry Reid. I cannot give a list of the bills the House sent to the Senate never scheduled for a vote. The newsletter wouldn’t hold the list. Reid has blockaded every attempt to reform government and protect the citizens whether it is illegal immigration, tax reform, health care or any other measure that would be helpful to citizens of our country. One of the worst is not forcing through approval of the XL Pipeline from Canada to our own coast in Texas. The jobs created would be a huge boost to our economy. Another travesty is the EPA rules for the Clean Water Act. The rules would give the government control over tanks, puddles and even depressions in the ground that could hold a little runoff temporarily. These people want to control every aspect of our lives in the name of “It’s good for you and your children”. Let’s send the Democratic lawmakers packing on Election Day, November 4th. Pauline Cusack, President GCRW

Keep Texas Red!

Tribute to Texas Women Congratulations to Mary Roye and Rita Travis - honorees at Tribute to Women Luncheon at Republican Convention in Ft. Worth this past June. Thanks for your outstanding work and dedication.

Mary Roye joined Gillespie County Republican Women in 2010 as a way to get personally involved in GOP activities and have a better voice in America’s future. Highlights of her contribution to the Republican Party include: • Working at the Gillespie County Republican campaign headquarters in 2012. • Current Gillespie County Republican Women / PAC Treasurer, having been elected in 2012. • 2013 TFRW Texas Senatorial District 24 workshop in Waco. • Republican Gillespie County Precinct 12 Convention Secretary this year during the recent primary election and organization chairman at the Gillespie County convention. • Delegate at the 2014 Republican State Convention in Fort Worth. • Harris County delegate to the state convention 1998 and 2000. • Active in the grassroots campaigns of John Culberson for Congress and Dan Patrick for Texas State Senator.

Mary Roye (2nd from right) received the award from U. S. Congresswoman Kay Granger, U. S. Senator John Cornyn and U. S. Senator Ted Cruz.

U. S. Senator John Cornyn, U. S. Congresswoman Kay Granger, Rita Travis, and U. S. Senator Ted Cruz.

Rita Travis A chance meeting in the grocery store six years ago with a fellow Republican woman brought Rita Travis into the fold of the Gillespie County Republican Women (GCRW) in Fredericksburg. Rita, a long time Republican, was unaware of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, and when she learned it was “The most powerful women’s political organization in Texas today” she jumped in with both feet. Her accomplishments include: • Leadership “Boot” Camp (organization’s structure, purpose and strategies to confront critical issues) • Legislative Day sponsored by TFRW. She has held the positions of Legislative Chair, Secretary and Campaign Activities Chair. • Served on the Audit, Dictionary, Constitution and Nominating committees. • Member of the 2013 interview team to choose GCRW-sponsored delegates for Blue Bonnet Girls State. • Caring for America activities sponsored by GCRW which includes the Fredericksburg Food Pantry, Fredericksburg Salutes Our Wounded Warriors and Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry. • Instrumental in initiating GCRW’s current fund raising endeavor: the sale of soft vehicle magnets that read “Save the U. S. Constitution” which are popping up all over Gillespie County. • Delegate to the Gillespie County Precinct 4 and the Gillespie County Conventions • Delegate to the 2014 Republican Party of Texas Convention. GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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EPA Clean Water Rule (Posted August 27, 2014 by Robert Richardson)

(Picture taken from article by Robert Richardson)

Representative Lamar Smith accuses the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) of secretly trying to take over large amounts of private property throughout the United States. He released a series of EPA maps showing the agency’s plant to expand their power “to control a huge amount of private property across the country.” [1]Lamar Smith “Under the guise of the “Clean Water Act,” the EPA is attempting to take control of all tributaries, regardless of size and flow, and all private and public lakes, ponds and streams. The proposed rules would give the EPA control of temporary waterways like seasonal streams, and even land where heavy rainfall causes runoff to flow into a body of water.”[2]

“The proposal is intended to clarify the EPA’s regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. While the EPA argues that the rulemaking is necessary to clear up uncertainties left in the wake of two Supreme Court rulings, Republicans argue that the agency’s action could amount to one of the biggest private property grabs in history.”[3]

VOTE f

We need to get out the VOTE for our Republican candidates! [1]

Lamar Smith Robert Richardson [3] Michael Bastasch [2]

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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News from our Congressional Leaders U. S. Senator, Ted Cruz-No Clearer Renunciation of Citizenship than choosing to join ISIS

U. S. Senator Ted Cruz R-Texas, announced his intent to file the Expatriate Terrorist Act (E.T.A.) of 2014 on Monday, September 8th when the Senate was called back into session. “Americans who choose to go to Syria or Iraq to fight with vicious ISIS terrorists are party to a terrorist organization committing horrific acts of violence, including beheading innocent American journalists who they have captures,” said Senator Cruz. “There can be no clearer renunciation of their citizenship in the United States, and we need to do everything we can to preempt any attempt on their part to re-enter our country and carry out further attacks on American civilians.” The ETA amends an existing statute that provides certain actions by which a United States citizen renounces their citizenship to include becoming a member of, fighting for, or providing material assistance to a designated foreign terrorist organization that is working to attack the United States or its citizens. Provided the requirements of due process are observed, if a U. S. Citizen undertakes these acts with the intent of supplanting his U. S. Citizenship with loyalty to a terrorist organization, that person can be deemed to have forfeited their right to be a United States Citizen and return to the United States.

U. S. Senator, John Cornyn On September 10, 2014 John Cornyn said, “I urge the President to go beyond the rhetoric and offer a clear explanation of our military objectives and our strategic objectives.” Senator Cornyn also urged the President to explain “how and why the Islamic State poses a dangerous threat to U.S. national security interests” so the American people can understand it. In his outline on the Senate floor, Sen. Cornyn urged President Obama to “explain how U. S. allies can help support America’s mission,” because we need them to come to the table and help. Finally, Cornyn urged the President to “explain what his strategy is and how U. S. operations in Iraq and Syria fit within the broader war on radical Islamic terrorism.” Senator Cornyn’s hope is “that we as Americans can come together and do what is in our national interest.”

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept.., 2014

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On June 20-21 we had our “fundraiser” garage sale! Thanks to Pauline Cusack, Rita Travis, Jeanie Pehl, Mary Roye, Linda Schmidt, Melissa Shoppe, Kathy Boyd, her niece, Jo Defoor from Dayton, TX, Doug Travis, and Martin -21 for working! On Ramos June 20 we had our “fundraiser” garage sale! Thanks to Pauline Cusack, Rita Travis, Jeanie Pehl, Mary Roye, Linda Schmidt, Melissa Shoppe, Joanne Owens, Kathy Boyd and her niece, Jo Defoor from Dayton, TX, Doug Travis, and Martin Ramos for working! Also, thanks to Thom Schmidt and Paul Stracker for helping haul items to Rita’s house and to all who helped in our garage sale in June by donating items. A special thanks to Rita & Doug Travis for providing their covered carport for our garage sale! Through the generosity of our members, we raised over $1,200 which will be used for our projects throughout the year!

Remember… we still have “Save the U. S. Constitution” Magnets available. We need YOUR help to sell them! Thanks in advance!

We NEED strong leadership and we NEED to save our Constitution and our rights as U.S. Citizens !

How do you see Obama’s leadership role as our President?

Obama's cabinet preparing to advise him on his military strategy. GCRW Newsletter, July-Sept., 2014

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Members and Associate Members rode the Gillespie County Republican Float in the parade down Main Street on July 4th and in the Fair Parade on August 22nd. Thanks to ALL of you for participating!

All Photos Courtesy of Dalton Fromme

Those helping decorate our Fair Parade Float were Jerry Farley, Mary & Buzz Roye, Danny & Jeanie Pehl, Eric Wendt, Roland Borchers, and Debbi McCurdy. Those riding on the float were Joye Fromme, Mary and Buzz Roye, Debbie Campbell, Carole Ragland, Jo Dunning, Joe Murphy, Jeanie Pehl, Eric Wendt, Roland Borchers, Debbi McCurdy and Jerry Farley. Dalton Fromme, the County Chair rode in the pickup with Danny Pehl.

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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Dictionary Project --Joy Fromme & Mary Jo Brooker Many, many, heartfelt and humblest thanks to a very special person who generously provided GCRW a monetary contribution to purchase the 312 dictionaries for all Gillespie County 3rd grade students.

Helping to make a presentation and to personally hand each student their own dictionary were Linda Schmidt, Joy Fromme, Kathy Boyd, and Debbie Campbell.

Fredericksburg Elementary 3rd Graders Class Representatives

Several GCRW members met on September 3rd at Joy Fromme’s home to place the book labels inside each dictionary. Helping were Sherryl Davis, Mary Jo Brooker, Linda Schmidt, Mary Roye, Joy Fromme, Debbie Campbell, and Kathy Parrish.

St. Mary’s 3rd Grade Teachers Anne Blake & Christine Duecker GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

Providence Hall 3rd grade Teacher Deborah Stinnett 7

Caring for America --Anne Matthews and Linda Schmidt

One of our Caring for America Projects is Wounded Warriors at Nebo (WWAN). WWAN provides getaway weekends and retreats, along with many other special events for these families and care givers. Wounded Warriors at Nebo (WWAN) is a local support group for wounded warriors at Fort Sam in San Antonio. Fort Sam is the number one center for prosthesis care. Many warriors have lost arms and legs. They come to Fort Sam along with their families and caregivers to heal not only physical wounds, but also emotional wounds. This all takes money and man power. Upcoming events include: archery tournaments, fishing tournaments, and R& R weekends in Fredericksburg, Best Fest in Fredericksburg, singles retreats and family retreats in Fredericksburg, and care providers retreats in Fredericksburg. The WWAN team continues to go to San Antonio to the WFSC (Warrior Family Support Center) on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Anyone interested in making donations can send them to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church/Wounded Warriors, 1800 North Llano, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or online at woundedwarriorsatnebo.blogspot.com. Please designate that your donation is for Wounded Warriors at Nebo (WWAN). If you are interested in helping with the Wounded Warriors at Nebo in any role, please give Anne a call at (830) 990-0299.

The Fredericksburg Food Pantry Continuing to provide food for over 350 families in Gillespie County each month. Each one of us can help support the food pantry by bringing food items to our monthly meetings or dropping them off at the Fredericksburg Food Pantry . Located at 701 Mustang Street across the street from the stockyard. Food items that are always in demand include: sugar, flour, peanut butter, canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc.), soup, cereal, canned vegetables, and canned fruit. Remember, when you go to HEB and get the “meal deal” (yellow coupons), if you don’t get all of the free items, please give the unused coupons to the cashier and indicate that you want these items to be donated to the Food Pantry. Donations can also be mailed to Fredericksburg Food Pantry, P.O. Box 2165; Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Don’t forget to bring empty plastic bags to the monthly meeting meetings for the food pantry!!! GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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Americanism/Constitution Day --Royce Ann Baethage September 17th was Constitution Day. Royce Ann and Jackie Stump handed out Constitutions to all the 5th graders in Gillespie County. These easy-to-read copies of the Constitution were purchased from The Liberty Day Institute. To find out more about them, please go to www.libertyday.org.

Volunteer Campaign Activity -Rita Travis Volunteer Campaign Activities Hours Need Resuscitation For the Second Quarter of 2014, 1044 hours were reported to TFRW for GCRW. This is 777 hours less than the First Quarter. Less than one half of the membership reported hours. In case you haven’t heard, the Republican Party is in a race to win back the U. S. Senate in November of this year. Surely, our membership can continually ramp up participation in this process during this critical year. Activities supporting the advancement of Republican philosophy, policies and political views may be counted as Volunteer Campaign Hours. Examples of such activities include: *Travel to and from GCRW meetings and GCRW Board meetings (but NOT attendance at the meeting itself) *Attendance at Gillespie County Republican Dinners *Work done to plan, prepare and conduct fundraisers *Riding the County Republican Float, decorating and breaking down *Time spent preparing for, traveling to and attending TFRW meetings (examples: Legislative Day, TFRW Convention and Board Meetings, State Republican Convention, training seminars) *Time spent researching candidates, activities that support Republican philosophies and political views (example: time spent on the computer doing same) *Officers may count time required of the office in preparing for meetings and GCRW activities It is ridiculously easy to report your hours at the end of each quarter. Email or call me ([email protected] or 997-0961 and just give me your number or print out the sheet on Volunteer Hours at the end of this newsletter and give to me. The Third Quarter ends September 30.

PLEASE GET BUSY! GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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Membership --Linda Schmidt We currently have forty-five members and twenty-three associate members for the 2014 year. Thanks to everyone who has joined this year. Since it is an election year, maybe some of your family or friends would like to join and help us in our goal to win the Senate in 2014 and back the White House in 2016! If you know of someone who would like to become either a member or an associate member, please print out the application below for them or pick one up at one of our monthly meetings. Have them make their check payable to GCRW-PAC and mail to GCRW-PAC Treasurer, PO Box 3075, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Please remember to tell them it is NEVER too late to join. Our year runs from January 1 to December 31 with dues payable on November 1st for the following year.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was Barbara Bush Literacy founded by our former first –Sharon Bailey lady on March 6, 1989. Since that time the foundation has awarded nearly $20 million to build or expand over six hundred family literacy programs in forty-seven states. We are encouraged to donate at least ten (10) books to a local library and/or a school for this project. Please bring 1 or 2 of your new or gently used books to our next meeting!

A special “Thank You” goes to Sharon Bailey for volunteering to be Committee Chair. Participation in the following literacy programs will earn award points toward the TFRW John Goodwin Tower Award of Excellence and/or the NFRW Achievement Award.

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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2014 •September 28, 2014 Sunday - Pizza for a Purpose, West End Pizza, 232 W. Main St., Fredericksburg 11:00 AM–1:00 PM/Door Prizes/Silent Auction/T-Shirts All Proceeds Benefit Wounded Warriors at NEBO •October 7, 2014 Tuesday – GCRW Board Meeting , Windcrest Clubhouse, 11:00 AM •October 13, 2014 Monday – Fundraiser for John Cornyn; The Herb Farm; 6:30 PM-8:00 PM •October 15, 2014 Wednesday -- GCRW Monthly Meeting, The Officer’s Club, Hangar Hotel, 155 Airport Rd., Fredericksburg 11:00 AM Social; 11:30 AM Meeting •October 20, 2014 Monday -- Early Voting begins •October 23, 2014 Thursday at Hermann Sons Lodge, 1109 S. Adams, Fredericksburg 6:00 PM Social; 7:00 PM Dinner •October 31, 2014 Friday -- Last day of Early Voting •November 4, 2014, Election Day

April 16, 2015 SAVE THE DATE! Austin, Texas

If you know of qualified voters without an approved photo ID, they may obtain a free Election Identification Card from DPS. Find out more at dps.texas.gov.

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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On the lighter side…

Photo Caption Contest And the winner of our last quarter picture contest was... Sharon Remele with her quote, “Hey, Dems, don’t let your mouths overload your ass.” Congratulations, Sharon! Call Linda Schmidt (997-7474) for your gift certificate to The Airport Diner

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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Gillespie County Republican Women Please print and fill out and give to Rita Travis, Campaign Activities Chair Month Of July

TYPES OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

Month Of

Month Of August

September Work at home, mailings, phoning, posters, clerical, cooking, etc. Work at or for a special event (but not as a guest) Attendance at (travel to) Federation Board Meetings/Conventions As well as committee work in preparation

Political Work while at Federation meetings Travel time between events, except when stopping Volunteering at any county, state, or Federation HQ Volunteering for a Republican candidate for a non-partisan office such as school board

Presenting political programs or speeches at local civic clubs Running for office – all time spent campaigning Campaign sign preparation, distribution and removal Volunteering for a Republican candidate in any capacity Voter Registrar GOTV (“Get Out The Vote”) participant Other work, describe briefly: Name:

Club Name:

Active Member



or Associate



Year:

Quarter:

Address:

City:

Zip:

Precinct:

Phone:

E-mail:

Total Quarter Hours: __________

GCRW Newsletter July-Sept., 2014

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We appreciate our advertisers!! Please call or visit the following supporters of GCRW. Jenny Neffendorf RE/MAX Town and County of Fredericksburg 116 E. Austin Fredericksburg, TX

(830) 990-8708 Phone (830 990-8906 Fax

If you would like to advertise in the Beacon, please e-mail Linda Schmidt [email protected]

Remember… Debbie Campbell 996 Homestead Dr. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830)997-9999 [email protected]

POLITICAL AD PAID FOR BY THE GILLESPIE COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN, PAC - A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 527 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODECONTRIBUTIONS TO GCRW, PAC ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES - CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED-NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR COMMITTEE