Governor Palin Receives IGHL Award for Defending People with Special Needs

Updated June 8, 2009 at 3:30 EDT.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin received the Independent Group Home Living, Inc. 30th Anniversary award on June 7, 2009 presented at the Flowerfield catering hall in St. James New York for her advocacy and defense of people with special needs. Just prior to receiving the award, Governor Palin joined thousands of walkers in a Autism Speaks' "Walk Now For Autism" in Purchase, NY and saw part of a Yankee game.

A fleeting moment....from left, Walter W. Stockton, CEO, Independent Group Home Living, Inc., Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and husband Todd. June 7, 2009, 6:17 PM EDT.

Governor Palin said she was humbled to receive this award, because IGHL had been advocating for the disabled for 30 years; she had only started when she gave birth to Trig. Her sister Heather was present, along with her nephew Karcher who has autism. Governor Palin spoke about the sanctity of life and the importance of respecting all human beings regardless of their abilities. Regarding her son Trig, Governor Palin said, "God has blessed us, and we don't ask why me? why us?....Without Trig, I don't think we would ever have had our hearts, and our minds, our souls, and ourselves opened up to the passion that you all have and had for many years for the special needs community. Without Trig, I think that that would be absent from us."

"Every single person has purpose, no matter what their developmental abilities....Independence and freedom: they're cherished rights for every citizen regardless of their ability," she said. The Governor renewed her campaign pledge to be a friend and advocate of anyone with special needs. Of the IGHL, Governor Palin said, "you were pioneers....you offered dignity, and you offered independence, instead of basically, candidly, just warehousing people."

Complete video transcript of Governor Palin's speech follows:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

Also present were talk show host, Sean Hannity and Congressman Peter King, both staunch supporters of Governor Palin's. Mr. Hannity noted that Governor Palin did her speech without a teleprompter. "Obviously, this was from your heart," he said."I know her passion and her commitment to this cause, which many of you have been involved in for over 30 years," he said. "Whenever we serve other people in need, in our lives, we are serving a higher calling. I have been and continue to be as pro-life as anybody that I know...because...I believe as our founding document says, 'we are all endowed by our Creator.'" The video transcript of Sean Hannity's speech follows:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

The Governor's time at IGHL was fleeting. Following a photo session on a footbridge in the main dining area, Governor Palin went into another dining room where the podium was located, received the award, gave her speech then left the building. As this blog goes to press, Governor Palin is in Washington, DC to meet with Alaska's Washington office (John Katz) regarding the AGIA natural gas pipeline.

New York Newsday was the only major newspaper in the New York metropolitan area that provided comprehensive, objective, and respectful coverage of this event, as well as a beautiful photo spread of Governor Palin at Yankee Stadium and at the Autism Speaks walk (not a mention on Autism Speaks site, of Governor Palin's participation in their event). The New York Newsday coverage and photo spread is now part of a reference list.

Most media were not allowed to access the room in which the speech was given, but this author was able to get this shot through the window outside, as his video camera was running inside a room away....so near yet so far away....June 7, 2009, 6:49 PM EDT.

References

Lam, C. (2009, June 7). Sarah Palin speaks at fundraiser in St. James. New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-sarahpalin0608,0,1640711.story

Sarah Palin at Yankees game, on LI. (2009, June 8), New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-palin-pg,0,794332.photogallery

Janison, D. (2009, June 7). Is Sarah Palin running for prez? On Long Island, nobody's saying no. New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-pojanipalin0608-col,0,4798031.column

What to do with Sarah Palin?

"My concentration is on bettering our country. I've never been known as an obsessive partisan. In fact, I've taken on my own party. I've run against members of my own party in order to reform at a local level and a state level. And on a national level I'd do the same thing...

"I think those who would criticize what I believe I represent — and that is, everyday, hardworking American families who desire and deserve reform of government — I think they are out of touch with what the rest of the nation is talking about today. It's a reflection of some elitism that assumes that the best and the brightest of this country are all assembled in Washington, D.C., and I beg to differ. You can walk out in the rally that we are going to attend in a minute, and you talk to anyone there, and I believe you will hear the same thing. Enough of that arrogance. Enough of that assumption that unless you are a part of that Washington elite that you aren't worthy of serving this great country."

—Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, "I Haven't Always Just Toed the Line," by Kimberley A. Strassel, The Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2008

"...many in the [Republican] party establishment...would prefer [Sarah Palin] remain in Alaska and leave the party rebuilding to others who may appeal to the broad middle of the country." —"Sarah Palin in, then out, back in -and now again out of fundraising dinner," by Jonathan Martin, Politico, June 7, 2009

How's that workin' out for ya, guys??

The Washington establishment of the GOP knows that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is a solid conservative rock star who can't be counted on to follow the focus group-tested story line and stick to the teleprompter, and neither will her "fans." But Palin is no loose cannon: on the contrary, she is just one of those rare politicians who puts her traditional American values and conservative principles over, well, politics. Palin's remarkable record of cleaning house in Alaskan government speaks for itself, which could be why the Beltway boys are so befuddled about Sarah Palin — and why America needs her now more than ever.

Cross-posted at North Star Liberty.

June 8, 2009 Synopsis of Governor Palin's Accomplishments

Governor Palin received the Independent Group Home Living, Inc. 30th Anniversary award on June 7, 2009 presented at the Flowerfield catering hall in St. James New York for her advocacy and defense of people with special needs.

The Governor celebrated Alaska's 50th year of statehood in Auburn, NY.

A US Department of Energy document confirmed the Governor's assertion that the $28.6 million in stimulus funds she vetoed indeed came with strings attached.

Governor Palin introduced Michael Reagan with a powerful speech delivered in Anchorage, Alaska. Michael Reagan on September 4, 2008 referred to Governor Palin as the resurrection of his father in a woman's body.

The Governor defended a project to build a road across the Lynn Canal to Juneau, AK. The capital is currently under-served by ferries. An environmental group was granted an injunction to stop the project and the State of Alaska is appealing to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Colleague Gary P. Jackson wrote articles documenting how George Soros' CREW organization financed the dismissed FEC ethics complaint against Governor Palin, and also followed the money trail to Levi Johnston's expensive gifts received from Rex Butler and others. Butler is the Johnston family's attorney and a major Obama supporter.

The Governor lauded progress being made on the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act project to build a pipeline from the North Slope to Alberta, Canada so that Alaskan natural gas can be brought to the continental United States.

The 14th ethics complaint in Alaska's Department of Law against Governor Palin was dismissed. Every complaint thus far has been dismissed, most upon simple law review.

Governor Palin expressed "her appreciation to the individuals, businesses, and organizations that helped start the Point Thomson oil and gas development project" on June 2, 2009, at a luncheon sponsored by ExxonMobil.

An Investors Business Daily editorial supported the Governor's position on maintaining missile defense in the face of North Korea's ramped up missile testing activities.

Governor Palin denounced the politically motivated murders of William Long and George Tiller. Long was recruiting for the US Army and Tiller was an abortion doctor.

The Governor is monitoring a federal education standards program.

Governor Palin sent thank-you letters to many of her other supporters, of whom this author is one and who is the proud recipient of one such letter.

Complete stories at:

http://sarahs-accomplishments.blogspot.com/

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RNCC Snubs Sarah Palin...Again

It is a know fact that the left feels so threatened by Sarah Palin and what she stands for that they are doing everything in their power to destroy her chances to run for President. But are those with political aspirations in her own party afraid of her too? It certainly looks like it. Otherwise, why would a fundraising committee snub the one Republican political figure who has the star power they need for their fundraising efforts? Why would they risk the ire of the huge base of supporters that see a Sarah Palin presidency as the answer to the expansion of Big Government in Washington?

Did they not notice when 20,000 people came with almost no advance notice to see Sarah Palin in a small New York town? Or do they not remember the crowd of 60,000 she drew in the Villages in Florida in 2008? So what is going on here? Obviously, there was a power grab when Newt Gingrich replaced Sarah as the speaker for the RNCC dinner. And there was yet another power grab when she was disinvited again as a speaker for this convention.

Solid character that he is, Newt Gingrich has about as much chance against Obama as John McCain did before he chose Sarah Palin. One is a war hero, and the other is a reformer, but they simply do not have the charisma, communications skills, and star power that Sarah Palin has. Not to mention her other outstanding qualifications, such as her ability to be tough and gracious at the same time, her record as a reformer and a fiscal conservative, her expertise on energy, her proven executive abilities, and - even though her opponents would have you believe otherwise - her intelligence. Her photographic memory was noted by one of the journalists who accompanied her on the campaign trail. And you don't leave the political landscape littered with the bodies of defeated opponents unless you are some smart cookie.

So why would the RNCC snub this remarkable woman whom so many are urging to run for President? The only answer that comes to mind is that those with their own political aspirations see her as competition. And competition she is. Her supporters keep the Internet ablaze on Twitter, Facebook, and numerous websites. And they flock to see her everywhere she goes. So why doesn’t the RNCC wise up and accept the fact that Sarah Palin isn’t going away – she’s here to stay. And, God willing, she will be our next President!



Sarah Palin in, then out, back in -and now again out of fundraising dinner

POLITICO

By JONATHAN MARTIN 6/7/09 9:47 PM EDT

Sarah Palin’s on-again, off-again appearance at Monday night’s gala GOP fundraising dinner is off — again.

After being invited — for a second time — to speak to the annual joint fundraiser for the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Palin was told abruptly Saturday night that she would not be allowed to address the thousands of Republicans there after all.

The Alaska governor may now skip the dinner altogether, and her allies are miffed at what they see as a slight from the congressional wing of the Republican Party.

The reason given for the snub, said a Palin aide, was that NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions was concerned about not wanting to upstage former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the fundraising gala’s keynote speaker.

“A great deal of effort has been put into this fundraising event, and Speaker Gingrich has gone above and beyond the call of duty,” said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. “It is our hope that Gov. Palin will attend the dinner and be recognized, but we understand if her busy schedule doesn’t permit her to do so.”

The disinvitation from speaking, said a campaign committee official, was done “out of respect” for Gingrich.

“You dance with the one who brung ya,” said the official, who stressed that event organizers were still happy to have Palin appear and be introduced.

Ironically, Palin was originally supposed to be the headliner for the dinner. NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions of Texas wanted the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee to speak. And officials with the two party committees thought earlier this spring that she had committed, even going so far as to issue a press release announcing her appearance.

But after public uncertainty as to whether she had actually accepted and would attend, the NRSC and NRCC decided to invite Gingrich instead.

Palin aides in Alaska say the governor never accepted that first invitation and attributed the mix-up to Washington-based advisers.

But then last week — in part due to the urging of Republican überfundraiser and Palin friend Fred Malek — the NRSC extended a new invitation for Palin to speak. The plan, Republican sources say, was to make her appearance something of a surprise for GOP donors in attendance.

Palin was in New York this weekend on a mix of state and personal business — she celebrated the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood Saturday at a large celebration in Auburn, N.Y., the hometown of William Seward of “Seward’s Folly” fame — and the idea was that she’d swing down to the capital on Monday for the dinner before flying on to Texas for energy-related events.

Palin’s staff had even been sent an agenda with the governor’s speaking slot included.

But then a finance official with the NRSC called Palin aide Meg Stapleton Saturday night to say that Sessions didn’t want Palin to speak.

Recounting the conversation Sunday, Stapleton said she told the NRSC staffer: “Why, at a time when we’re trying to build the party, would you pull a move like that on somebody who earlier in the day just attracted 20,000 people?”

Palin was to sit the table of NRSC Chairman John Cornyn of Texas, and Senate campaign committee officials were still trying Sunday to persuade the Alaska governor to attend.

“Although the governor was unable to commit far enough in advance to be confirmed as the keynote, Sen. Cornyn has a great deal of respect and admiration for Gov. Palin, which is why he invited her to be his guest at the dinner,” said NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh. “He hopes she will be able to attend but recognizes she also has a lot of competing demands on her schedule, so he also understands if she is not able to make it. Regardless, she is an important leader in our party and is someone who Sen. Cornyn thinks very highly of.”

Malek, for decades a major behind-the-scenes player in the GOP, made note of his disappointment that Palin was not coming.

“Sarah Palin is one of the most popular and magnetic figures in the Republican Party, and it would have been great to see her at the House-Senate dinner,” Malek said. “But I guess it’s just hard in the final days to adjust a program that has been carefully developed weeks in advance.”

Niceties aside, this latest snafu involving Palin and the national party apparatus has left both sides deeply irritated.

Tired of being derided as the gang that couldn’t shoot straight, Palin officials want it known that they were not responsible for this latest mix-up. They say the governor was happy to appear and fire up party loyalists, but that, yet again, GOP operatives and officials in Washington would just as soon try to marginalize her.

But the dinner’s planners are equally exasperated with Palin. The NRCC, especially, is still irked about how she handled the original invitation in March, leaving the two committees scrambling to find a fill-in for what is their chief money-raising event of the year.

“It was Pete who had invited her to the dinner early on,” carped one campaign committee official about the initial process. “And she accepted, then unaccepted.”

It was Cornyn’s decision to move on and invite Gingrich, say House Republican officials, and his attempts to still bring her to the dinner are being seen by some as an effort to make amends with conservative activists who are miffed at him now in part because of his intervention on behalf of the more moderate candidate in the Florida GOP Senate primary.

But beyond one scheduling issue, this latest dust-up speaks to the ongoing turmoil within a beleaguered GOP. Palin is still a major draw — hence her original invitation — and many in the grass roots of the party think she’s got incomparable charisma and just-folks appeal. As Palin appeared in Auburn and elsewhere in Central New York this weekend, locals and even some who’d traveled long distances to see her encouraged her to mount a White House bid.

But many in the party establishment, mindful of her polarizing persona and the devastating caricatures that emerged last fall, would prefer she remain in Alaska and leave the party rebuilding to others who may appeal to the broad middle of the country.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23454.html