FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:             Dean Henderson                                            September 8, 2001
                          Secretary   729-5000, avgop.com

From:  Antelope Valley Republican Assembly

Subject:  AVRA Endorsing Forum scheduled for September 10, 2001

(PALMDALE) Another election season is already upon us and it’s time to begin the process of candidate forums and endorsements. 

This year, The Antelope Valley Republican Assembly (AVRA), has a new and improved format for their official forums and endorsing procedures. 

As prescribed in AVRA’s official state charter, AVRA will only be allowed to consider candidates that are registered Republicans for both participation in forums and consideration for AVRA’s official endorsements.  As a practical matter, including non-Republicans in a Republican endorsing exercise would be futile.

While AVRA strongly encourages all Republicans to join AVRA, membership is not required in order to obtain AVRA’s official endorsement.  Conversely, members of AVRA are not guaranteed to receive the AVRA endorsement. 

All Palmdale citizens are invited to attend the AVRA forum.  Questions from Palmdale citizens will be accepted by AVRA and considered for use in the forum. 

Unlike the Democrat Club of the High Desert, which conducted their endorsing interviews in private without inviting the general public, AVRA feels that their endorsement exercises should be held in a public forum with members of all political parties invited to attend and observe the process.

The forum will be held on Monday, September 10, 2001 at 6:30pm.  The location will be the Palmdale Senior Center located at 1002 East Avenue Q12, Palmdale.  (At the corner of Avenue Q12 & 10^th Street East)

The forum format will include a two-minute opening statement and a two-minute closing statement.  In between those statements there will be a panel of approximately four Palmdale Republicans to ask the candidates questions regarding their positions on various issues.

Currently, the confirmed forum questioners shall include: Melea Bork, Roy Ramirez, Sr. and Dean Henderson. 

Candidates will be evaluated according to strict Republican principals.  These principals include advocating smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, stronger families, greater personal freedom and the ability to accept personal responsibility for one's own actions.  AVRA looks for candidates who tell the truth, hold themselves to high personal standards, and know right from wrong.

The official AVRA endorsements will be voted on at the September 24^th, 2001 AVRA membership meeting.  The results will be announced immediately thereafter. 

Participation will be greatly appreciated.  If you should have any questions regarding this forum please feel free to call the office at 729-5000 or visit the website at www.avgop.com.