Several members of Quinnipiac University’s College Republicans were part of a select group of individuals invited to attend a special breakfast with Ken Mehlman, Chairman of the National Republican Committee.

The breakfast on Oct. 11 was held at a hotel in Waterbury, Conn., and included the Waterbury branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and College Republican students from Sacred Heart University, the University of New Haven and Quinnipiac. Connecticut Congresswoman, Nancy Johnson, was also in attendance and very eager to speak with students.

“We need two strong political parties to have a strong democracy and it is important to speak up,” Johnson said. “Ken Mehlman is not afraid to talk about the issues and to move forward with a political party that embraces diversity in Americans.”

Mehlman emphasized the importance of spending more time listening than talking and asked for a chance to give minorities a choice in regards to education, health care, the death tax, Social Security, and other important issues facing Americans today. Mehlman also told attendees that President George W. Bush appointed more minorities to top positions than other leaders in the past.

“I will continue to talk, learn and listen to earn your confidence and support and not take it for granted,” Mehlman said. “It is time to recommit ourselves to a new and effective way of handling disasters like [Hurricane] Katrina.”

Jimmy Griffin, head of the Waterbury chapter of the NAACP, invited Mehlman to come and speak to members in order to reach out across party lines and expose issues that affect all Americans.

“Mehlman’s speech was important and insightful,” junior Brittany Sanders said. “I am glad the head of NAACP invited him to Connecticut.”

Sanders, a political science and history major, is running for Hamden Town Council.

Any students who are interested in becoming a part of the campus College Republicans’ should e-mail Daniel Black at Daniel.Black @quinnipiac.edu.

Be on the lookout for an open forum between the Quinnipiac Republicans and Quinnipiac Democrats later this month.