Conservative Event Honoring Kemp Attracts Big Turnout

The Erie County Conservative Party's Tribute to Jack Kemp drew more than 150 guests last Saturday (March 14) at Salvatore's Italian Gardens and "was just fantastic," according to Conservative Chairman Ralph Lorigo.

"Salvatore's had to set up three extra tables to accommodate everyone," said Lorigo, "and they came from as far away as Binghamton, Ithaca, and Rochester, and all the speakers were just great."

Speakers included Jeff Kemp, the son of the late congressman and former Bills quarterback, and Fox News contributor Dr. Charles Krauthammer. Other speakers included state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs, and political operative Roger Stone.

The list of high-profile guests in attendance at the tribute dinner is far too long to include here, but some of the dignitaries on hand were Buffalo School Board member Carl Paladino, Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III, Erie County Legislators Peter Savage, Kevin Hardwick and Tom Loughran, and numerous state, county, and local officials including Hamburg Supervisor Steven Walters.

Also on hand was former State Sen. George Maziarz, a longtime Niagara County political leader and nine term state lawmaker. Many leaders from the business community also came to the fundraiser, including Dave Cappretto from Cappretto Homes.

Lorigo's goal was to top last year's successful tribute dinner, and by the size of this year's turnout and the great reception the speakers received, he accomplished his goal.

Jack Kemp and Ronald Reagan. Kemp was a fierce advocate for the power of ideas, and especially for what he called "The American Idea."