2008 Republican National Convention Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Lisa Keegan Below is the text of Lisa Keegan's remarks to the 2008 Republican National Convention this evening. The text is embargoed until delivery. The text will be available later tonight on the 2008 Republican National Convention's media portal at portal.GOPConvention2008.com under "Speeches."
Lisa Keegan
When I decided to run for state school superintendent in Arizona, folks were pretty skeptical. Nobody had ever run for that position before as a committed advocate for school choice. But John McCain was there for me. He even offered to be my campaign chairman. Just as he was there for me, John McCain is there for the people of the Gulf Coast who need our help. It took him only a matter of minutes to turn the focus of yesterday's Convention agenda from Presidential politics to the potential devastation of Hurricane Gustav and the human suffering of the people in its path. So, behind John McCain stood the delegates, volunteers, Convention officials, and the great community of Minneapolis-St. Paul to do what he asked to be done, without hesitation. They turned on a dime to meet this new priority, to answer a new call. John McCain knows what is right and he knows how to motivate people to do what is right. Over this past weekend, we watched the evacuation of some 2 million residents of Louisiana. Eight neighboring states took in more than 60,000 evacuees. The Governors of the Gulf States worked together to oversee the deployment of National Guard troops, and offered donations of food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid. But I think the most heartening outcome was watching the levees hold in New Orleans. Yesterday, our First Lady and our future First Lady told us about several charities where we can go to help. They are listed on the screen behind me. These charities are those the Gulf Coast Governors identified for donations - of funds, clothes, and food.
So, today - I stand before you to repeat the request made yesterday by the First Lady and Mrs. McCain: It is time for us to come together and help the people in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. There are many of our fellow Americans who have been hurt or displaced or deprived of food and clothing.
Our hearts and our prayers go out to them. So must our dollars.
You can also text message, as Chairman Mike Duncan advised you yesterday. The number for a contribution to the American Red Cross is: GIVE 2 HELP (448) 322-4357.
As you can, as you are willing - please answer John McCain's call. Thank you. About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Paid for by the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Not Authorized By Any Candidate or Candidate's Committee.