Republicans held their 24th Annual Kosciusko County Republican Hall of Fame Banquet Thursday with Fourth District Congressman Mark Souder, Fort Wayne, as guest speaker.

Souder's speech focused mainly on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the effect they had on the economy.

"I strongly believe unless you have a strong economy, the rest will not work," he said.

While the tax rebate checks would have bolstered the economy, Souder said, the terrorist attacks changed the outlook.

"The economy is both big picture and small picture," he said. Small picture in that he's learning about the new area he hopes to represent if he gets elected as the Third District congressman next year and the businesses within the Third District. Big picture in that "we have to get the airline industry on its feet."

To fix the economy, Souder said, elected officials need to look at the big picture. By getting the airlines back on their feet, the people laid off from the airlines can get their jobs back and not have to worry about being on welfare.

Even though there are ways to help the economy, he said, he doesn't have all the answers to get the economy up and running. "If I knew, I would invest if I had the money," he said.

By government investing in the private sector, there is the potential the country could end up with a stronger economy.

The fundamental concern people have now after the terrorist attacks, Souder said, is what happens next.

"First off, there's been no safer time than now to ride in an airplane," he said. Airlines have more security and terrorists are being rounded up.

"I don't believe in the complete federal takeover of the airports but certainly" the federal government will have to take over some of the security at least, Souder said.

As for stopping the terrorists' next attacks, "the question is not what they did last time, but what will they do next time," he said. The terrorists, he said, have never used the same attack strategy twice so far.

While we can't fight terrorism everywhere simultaneously, he said, the country can't be paralyzed. To get to the terrorists, he said, the government may have to work with people "who aren't members of the church choir."

Souder also commented on his efforts to get to know the new Third District. He said with Kosciusko County becoming part of the Third District as of Jan. 1, it is hard for him to complain about having two of the most Republican counties in the state, the other being Elkhart. What Democrats were in Elkhart, he said, "they took out" of the Third District.

Thursday's dinner is the eighth time Souder has been in Kosciusko County since the districts were confirmed. He said he is very aggressive in getting out in the community and learning more about it.

"We are actively working and learning this district bit by bit," he said.

State Auditor Connie Nass also spoke briefly at the dinner.

Of the financial state of Indiana, she said, "I'm here to tell you we have a fiscal crisis in Indiana." She said it wasn't just fiscal, but also a management crisis. The state, she said, is losing its surplus, which it never should have had in the first place. The extra money should have been in the pockets of Hoosiers, she said.

Despite what Gov. Frank O'Bannon says, Nass said, "I will continue to announce real figures for Indiana." She said her figures are accurate and not approximate, despite what the governor says. She said she knows O'Bannon is displeased with her but she will continue to do what she's been doing and will continue to publish the actual figures.

"I am announcing to you that I am a candidate (for state auditor) next year," she concluded.

Inductions into the Republican Hall of Fame also were made Thursday.

Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and Turkey Creek Township Chief Deputy Patty Gammiere were inducted into the Republican Hall of Fame for their "outstanding contributions to good government."

Former Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine made the inductions. Of Gammiere, he said she's been around for several years in the background. She's always very helpful and holds office in the Republican Women's Club.

Receiving the award, Gammiere said, "I am more than shocked. This is quite an honor." She thanked her husband and friends.

Of Wiggins, Rovenstine said he has done many things for the community and comes from a good Republican family.

"I'd just like to thank my family, my council" and the citizens of Warsaw, said Wiggins upon receiving the award.

Finally, the Republican Women's Club donated a check for $1,000 to the Republican Central Committee. [[In-content Ad]]