Posted on Tue, May. 06, 2008

PASCAGOULA -- U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised the efforts of the Jackson County Republican Women during the group's annual Founders' Day celebration Monday.

More than 80 members of the group attended the luncheon at the LaFont Inn along with local and state officials, including Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, several Jackson County supervisors, and others.

Wicker pointed to the efforts of the Jackson County Republican Women over the years to successfully campaign for other Republican candidates, including native son Trent Lott.

In the early 1970s, Wicker said, it was rare to see a Republican elected at all, until groups such as the Republican Women got involved and campaigned for their candidates.

"In that day, the word was you have to run as a Democrat if you want to win," Wicker said. "We've changed that in Mississippi. And the Democrats have not won a Senate seat since 1982 in Mississippi, and we are going to do our best to keep the record alive."

Wicker said over the years the Republican Party has grown in strength and is now known as a party of principle, leadership and excellence as demonstrated through the actions of many party members, including Gov. Haley Barbour and Lott, a former U.S. senator.

After Hurricane Katrina, Wicker said people asked him if they could borrow Barbour because he was doing so much to help Mississippians in the storm's aftermath.

In addition to Barbour's recognition, Wicker pointed to Lott as earning the distinction of being the first whip to ever serve in the Senate and the House.

"The American people had their eyes on Mississippi and Louisiana after Katrina," Wicker said. "They think it's over (now). The strong message that (Sen.) Thad (Cochran) and I have is that Katrina is not over."

As Wicker continues his campaign to be voted in to Lott's seat, he wanted the crowd to know he has supported and continues to support President Bush and the efforts of men and women of the armed forces, who continue their battle overseas today.

"These young men (and women) now are enlisting," he said. "They are not being drafted. We can look to maintain our democracy. I'm confident with the people here today that we will continue to do so."