Republican National Convention 
First Union Center in Philadelphia    July 31 to August 3, 2000
 
News Coverage of July 31
Main 
Monday July 31, 2000

"Opportunity With a Purpose: Leave No Child Behind."
Session I

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  • Opening montage and Call to Order;
  • Pennsylvania State Cooperative 4-H of Southeast Pennsylvania, Presentation of Colors;
  • Erik Weihenmayer, blind mountain climber from Denver, Colo., Pledge of Allegiance;
  • Gloria Echols, National Anthem;
  • Joe Watkins, Invocation;
  • Jim Nicholson, Chairman of both the Republican National Committee and the Committee on Arrangements, Welcoming remarks;
  • Pat Harrison, Republican National Committee Co-Chair, Remarks.
11:00 AM - Noon
  • U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Greeting;
  • Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Welcoming remarks;
  • Tribute to late Senators Paul Coverdell of Georgia and John Chafee of Rhode Island, Moment of Silence;

  • U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), followed by remarks from Congressional candidates.
Noon - 1:00 PM
  • U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), followed by remarks by Senate candidates.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-WI), Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, Remarks;
  • U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, (R-TN), Co-Chair of the Committee on Resolutions, Remarks;
  • U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Committee on Resolutions, Remarks;
  • Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Resolutions;
  • Nomination of Gov. George W. Bush for U.S. President;
  • Gov. Edward T. Schafer (R-ND), Chairman of the Republican Governors Association;

  • Remarks by gubernatorial candidates John Hoeven of North Dakota and John Burris of Delaware.
Session 2

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM

  • House Speaker Dennis Hastert, (R-IL). The Permanent Chairman of the convention, he will open the session from a remote location.
  • Paul C. Harris, Sr., Albemarle County, Virginia. Assemblyman for the 58th District of the Virginia House of Delegates, the seat formerly held by Thomas Jefferson. Harris will speak on Principles of Freedom.
  • Historic Pennsylvania Colonial Fife and Drum Corps. Presentation of Colors
  • Mari Griego, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, National Anthem. Only ten years old, she was named 1998 Child Artist of the Year by New Mexico Hispano Association.
  • Rabbi Victor Weissberg, Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, Illinois. Invocation. 
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Rolling Roll Call (Alabama to Iowa) tentative.
  • Ben Stein A political version of his hit show, Win Ben Stein's Money.
  • Claudia Kirkley, Durham, North Carolina. A 4th grade teacher at the Healthy Start Academy, Kirkley will discuss math and science initiatives.
  • Profile in Compassion video - "Character Counts" Education, El Paso, Texas. This video will celebrate the "Character Counts" program that Principal Jayne Adame has implemented at the Carlos Rivera Elementary School in Texas. The program promotes values that transcend socio-economic, ethnic racial and religious lines.
  • Pilar Gomez, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A parent-training coordinator with the American Education Reform Council, Gomez will speak about involvement and empowerment.
  • Conna Craig, Boston, Massachusetts. Director and president of the Institute for Children, Craig will discuss adoption and foster care.
  • Profile in Compassion Video - Cornerstone Schools, Detroit, Michigan. A celebration of opportunity, standards, accountability, and community involvement in education featured at the Cornerstone Schools of Detroit, Michigan.
  • Elaine Chao, Washington, DC, a Distinguished Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, Chao will address immigration and civil society.
  • Sharon Darling, Louisville, Kentucky. President of the National Center for Family Literacy, Darling will speak on community-based literacy programs.
  • Profile in Compassion Video - Center for a New Generation, East Palo Alto, California. This video highlights an after-school enrichment program in Palo Alto, California that keeps motivated young people from falling through the cracks.
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Michael Feinberg, Houston, Texas. Teacher at the innovative Houston charter school, KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Academy, Feinberg will discuss excellence in education.
  • Texas First Lady Laura Bush. Teacher, Librarian and Parent, Mrs. Bush will discuss the importance of literacy issues.

  • Retired General Colin Powell. Powell will address community and volunteer service.