500 Attend North Carolina FreedomWorks Day at the Capitol

They arose early in the morning.  They traveled from our beautiful mountains.  They traveled from our beautiful coast.  They traveled from almost every county in between.  They traveled in the name of Freedom.  They traveled to FreedomWorks Day at the Capitol.

On Tuesday, June 10, a 101-degree day, FreedomWorks activists from across North Carolina descended on Raleigh for a day of grassroots lobbying, information, fellowship, lunch, and awards.

As always, White Swan catered a delicious meal of barbeque, fried chicken, slaw, baked beans, hush puppie, banana pudding, and iced tea.  More than 500 people enjoyed lunch!

The event began with Kathy Hartkopf, Orange County FreedomWorks member and N.C. FreedomWorks Legislative Liaison welcoming the group and introducing activists Franky Lee (Martin) and Don Yelton (Buncombe) to give the invocation and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Elected officials and candidates were recognized.  Activists living in counties recently balloting tax iniatives were recognized.

The Honorable Mr. Les Merritt, N.C. State Auditor, was introduced and gave the Keynote Address.  Thank you Mr. Merrit for your interesting and informative remarks!

Issue speakers followed:

Becki Gray (John Locke Foundation)
Garry Terry (Stop the Ahoskie Bypass)
Laura Dickerson (NO-OLF Gates)
Don Swanson (Macon County Chapter)

Thank you issue speakers!

FreedomWorks Vice President of Public Policy, Max Pappas, was introduced and gave a Federal Issues Update including information on the "Mortgage Bailout" and "Gas Price Protest" campaigns.

During the afternoon ice cram social, Max and Kathy recognized this year's North Carolina FreedomWorks special award winners:

FreedomWorks Outstanding Grassrotts Victory through Perseverance Award:  NO-OLF (North Carolinians Opposed to the Outlying Landing Field)

FreedomWorks Youth Activist Award:  Kevin Beasley
FreedomWorks FreedomFighter Award:  Yadkin County Commissioner Brady Wooten
FreedomWorks Chapter of the Year Award:  Yadkin County Chapter
FreedomWorks Activists of the Year:  Charley and Mary Elizabeth Irvin

NO-OLF recognized FreedomWorks FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe, State Director Allen Page, and Legislative Liaison, Kathy Hartkopf.  With very special plaques, they thanked Matt, Allen, and Kathy for "your dedicated hard work for successfully definding the Albemarle/Pamlico Peninsula".  Thank you NO-OLF for this honor.  We have been proud to stand with you in this important property rights battle.

Thank you all those who attended this great event.  In the words of FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe, "Government goes to those who show up!"