Some 150 people came to the Sully District Governmental Center Saturday afternoon for the Western Fairfax Republican Women's annual membership tea.
But they weren't there for just the camaraderie and refreshments. They were also there to hear former U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma J.C. Watts Jr. speak. And when he did, everyone was riveted.
"I GREW up in a poor, black neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks in rural Oklahoma," he said. "And in 1990, I beat a nine-year incumbent. No one expected me to win but, about three weeks into the campaign, the Oklahoma Republican Women sent me a check for $500. So now, whenever the Republican women ask me to do something, I do."
Among those listening to Fairfax resident Watts on Saturday were Del. Gary Reese (R-67th), Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully), Sully District Planning Commissioner Ron Koch and representatives from the offices of former Virginia Governor George Allen and Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-10th).
Also attending were members of the Western Fairfax Republican Women's executive committee: Virginia Olander, president; Anne Thompson, first vice president; Lois Koch, second vice president; Heidi Salkeld, recording secretary; Donna Gustave, corresponding secretary; Joan Schmidt, treasurer; and Anna Pilato, immediate past president.
First elected to Congress in 1994, Watts was re-elected in 1996, 1998 and 2000, served 10 years altogether before stepping down to concentrate more on his family. During his tenure, he chaired the House Republican Conference in 1995 and was a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Special Oversight Committee on Terrorism.
"The WWII generation gave to us the most prosperous, freest, safest, most wonderful nation in the world," he said. "And we as Americans must get up every day — as a party, as a nation — to preserve what they left us." Regarding Social Security and health care, Watts said, "If we continue to use the old, outdated models of the past, we destroy the future of our kids and grandkids."
HE SAID everything he's accomplished in his 47 years is because of his faith and his education. "Shame on us if we don't continue to challenge educational systems to improve and to perform. And I have no problem with poor people having a choice of where to send their kids to school."
Somewhere between 2027-2030, said Watts, Social Security will be bankrupt. He said the only ways to fix it are to raise taxes, cut benefits, raise the retirement age or get more out of the current income pool.
"The president says we're not gonna kick this can down the street and leave it for someone else to solve," he said. "We need to encourage people to save money and create a non-hostile environment for investment capital. Profit is not a bad word. If I create a profit, there'll be a job. That's just how the system works."
As for the Democrats vs. Republicans, said Watts, "We're in a fight for the economic and spiritual soul of the greatest nation in the world." And he thanked the Republican Women for "all the volunteerism you do, throughout the year — not just to assist our candidates — but to strengthen our communities, as well."