College Republicans Host First Lincoln Legacy Dinner
By Ella Prieto, Assistant News Editor
Students listen as U.S. Representative John Joyce speaks at first Lincoln Legacy dinner on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 (Photo Will Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
On Monday, the Gettysburg College Republicans held the first annual Lincoln Legacy Dinner in the Atrium. The event was organized to honor Abraham Lincoln on his 214th birthday. Special guests for the event included U.S. Rep. John Joyce and Pennsylvania State Rep. Dan Moul.
The dinner was attended by College Republicans, other Gettysburg College students, and community members.
Recruitment and Outreach Chair of College Republicans Christine Lombardino ’23 explained how College Republicans Vice President Carl DeMarco ’25 initiated the planning of the event several months ago.
“We wanted to focus on having events that get all different types of people to come in and focus on topics that bring people together, like Lincoln’s Birthday,” said Lombardino. “The whole message of this [event] is that Republicans are carrying out the unfinished work of Abraham Lincoln.”
Lombardino also added that the College Republicans hope that the Lincoln Legacy Dinner becomes a longstanding tradition at Gettysburg College.
U.S. Representative John Joyce speaks at first Lincoln Legacy dinner on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 (Photo Will Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Following the dinner portion of the evening, DeMarco introduced Joyce, who gave a speech following the introduction.
Joyce began by thanking the College Republicans for inviting him to the college. “It’s great to celebrate who I truly believe is one of the greatest presidents of the United States, Abraham Lincoln,” remarked Joyce.
He then transitioned into discussing the November election results, which brought more Republicans into the House of Representatives, and added that he was happy to see the American people valuing ideal similar to Lincoln’s.
Joyce discussed the importance of the United States’ sovereignty as well, particularly in protecting the borders against fentanyl. He described his work on the Health and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees working on this issue, specifically to stop the spread of fentanyl traveling from China through Mexico to the United States.
“We have to recognize that protecting our borders protects our community, protects our neighbors, protects our friends,” said Joyce.
Joyce called for fentanyl to be a Schedule 1 drug and to be an issue that unifies Republicans and Democrats. He then discussed his background as a doctor, stating that he ran for Congress to address health issues and continues to work on those issues today.
Next Joyce discussed national security issues, saying we need “peace through strength.” This could look like having an active military force that is not always engaged but still exists for protection. He also touched on worries about Chinese influence on the United States and other countries through the Belt and Road Initiative and their production of medicines sold to the U.S.
Joyce stated that the United States should focus on producing things within our nation. He specifically discussed how this applied to Pennsylvania through acid mine runoff that can be used to manufacture rare earth elements. The speech ended with a promise by Joyce.
“My promise is when I finish in Washington that I will leave this great United States a better place for each and every one of you to grow, to learn, and to work,” said Joyce. “That’s my wish for you. That’s my wish for your American dream.”
Joyce then took a picture with Gettysburg College President Bob Iuliano before leaving the campus in order to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border for work on the fentanyl issue.
U.S. Representative John Joyce speaks to students at first Lincoln Legacy dinner on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 (Photo Will Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
College Republicans’ Sergeant at Arms Tyler Seeman ’26 shared his thoughts on the event.
“I thought the dinner was excellent, I really enjoyed the speech. He spoke about some really important topics that I studied here personally at Gettysburg. And I felt that it was just fantastic to speak with him [Representative Joyce] personally,” Seeman said. “[We] talked a little bit about national security, talked a little bit about the military. That’s what I plan to do in the future. And I thought he said some really great thoughts about all that. And quite frankly, I am honored that he chose to come to Gettysburg College.”
Chris Miller ’25 echoed these sentiments.
“The event went very well. I enjoyed the dinner and the speaker made some good points. Some I agree with and some I don’t, but overall I really liked the event,” said Miller.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Dan Moul, who was not originally a speaker for the event, gave an impromptu speech. He discussed his more than a decade worth of experience in his position. Moul also argued that the recent flip in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was due to redistricting, and Democrats only vote for who they are told to. He also mentioned that he calls Democrats “lemmings.”
Moul explained that to win more elected seats, Republicans need to engage in “street fighting” rather than overwhelming expressions that show they care.
“We need to change the direction of the Republican party, as to how we run our elections and it’s not by ‘we care.’ It’s by ‘you need to care,’” said Moul.
Liam Nelson ‘25, who attended the event and sat at a table with Moul during the dinner, explained his interactions with Moul.
“Upon learning that I am a Democrat, [Moul] demanded an explanation as to why, and then went on a vitriolic rant about nursing home COVID deaths when I simply said that I support [Governor] Murphy of N.J. He expected me to personally answer for what he saw as a failure of leadership,” said Nelson. “I am a 20 year old undergraduate, not a Democratic politician, and I don’t understand why Moul thought it appropriate to speak to anyone like this, let alone a student at an event he was invited to.”
Following Moul’s remarks, DeMarco ended the dinner with a short speech of his own.
“The Republican Party is Lincoln’s party… It is the party of every man and woman who has fought for liberty and for freedom for America,” said DeMarco.
He mentioned the recent troubles of the Republican party, as to the future direction of the party and the nation as a whole. However, DeMarco asserted that the party will stay strong by sticking to Republican ideals and being open to others’ ideals.
“Remember that through kindness and happiness, whether through peace or through strength, you can affect greater change in the world and spread the ideas of this wonderful party,” DeMarco concluded.
Managing Editor Alli Dayton contributed to this article.
A previous version of this article misstated that Moul called Democrats “lemons” instead of “lemmings.” (-K. Oglesby)
