CHICAGO – During a kickoff event earlier this week that included former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, RNC Secretary and National Committeewoman, Demetra DeMonte, the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois (ILRNHA) announced the official re-launch of the Illinois Charter.
ILRNHA Chairman, Steve Orlando, was encouraged by the turnout: “Republican values are strong in the Hispanic community, and I’m so excited to see so many new faces supporting those values. We were honored to host a great man, Mr. Alberto Gonzales, for the flagship event of the new Illinois RNHA.”
The members of the Executive Board of the newly re-chartered Illinois RNHA are:
- Chairman – Steve Orlando, Will County
- 1st Vice Chairman – Gil Ruiz, McHenry County
- 2nd Vice Chair – Rene Hernandez, Jr., Lake County
- Secretary – Yvonne Bolton, Will County
- Treasurer – Sal Barocio, Kendall County
- RNHA National Committeewoman Mairim Smith, Cook County
- RNHA National Committeeman Mark Aguilera, Cook County
Speakers for the event included ILRNHA Chairman, Steve Orlando; RNC Secretary, Demetra DeMonte; Republican Chairman of DuPage County, Darlene Ruscitti; and Former Attorney General for the Bush Administration, Alberto Gonzales.
Mr. Gonzales spoke of his time in the White House as a senior advisor and Attorney General to President George W. Bush, and he spoke of the journey he took that got him there, reflecting on the breakfast his mother made him as a child and how she felt making him that same breakfast years later: “Her son’s job was to give advice to the most powerful man in the world. And I wonder what thoughts must have gone through her mind. My story just goes to show, we truly live in a great country.”
Echoing Mr. Gonzales’ stories of the American Dream come true, Mrs. DeMonte spoke of her own experience coming from a family of immigrants.
The stories shared by these distinguished guests speakers were stories of hope and encouragement as we continue to work hard and fight for our families and our state.
“The Illinois RNHA is moving forward – reaching out to the Hispanic community in support of our local Republican candidates and the principals upheld by the Republican Party. We look forward to a productive election cycle as we continue to grow and work together for the good of our state, and our country,” said Orlando.
