Rep. Gary Palmer Speaks to Capacity Crowd at North Shelby Republican Women’s Meeting
UA sophomore Caleb Johnson was honored with the group’s annual scholarship award
A capacity crowd filled the Inverness Country Club on Tuesday, August 12, for the monthly meeting of the Republican Women of North Shelby County (RWNSC).
Club President Diane Caldwell called the meeting to order at noon, and reminded the audience of the upcoming Alabama Federation of Republican Women’s Convention on October 23-25. The AFRW Convention will be in Birmingham this year, and the membership was encouraged to register early for this event.
Caldwell also noted the August 16 Jefferson County Republican Fundraiser honoring Alabama State Senator Jabo Waggoner, the RWNSC New Member Coffee on September 17, the National Federation of Republican Women Convention in Orlando September 25-27, and that the next monthly meeting would be on September 9.
The planned speakers at the September 9 meeting are U.S. Senate candidate Jared Hudson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries candidate Christina McInnis and State Auditor candidate Josh Pendergrass.
A highlight of the luncheon was the awarding of the RWNSC annual scholarship to University of Alabama sophomore Caleb Johnson. The award was presented by Dr. Jo Anne Coggins, head of the RWNSC Scholarship Committee. Also in attendance were Caleb’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Williams (Tamisha). Mr. Williams is a Student Resource Officer with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and Mrs. Williams is the Assistant Principal at Tarrant High School. Additionally, two of Caleb’s professors from the Crossing Points Tier 3 program—Dr. Jeremy Reid, the External Relations Coordinator and Faculty Advisor and Dr. Amy Williamson, the Program Director—were present.
Caleb spoke briefly about how the Crossing Points program is “teaching me more about responsibilities and how to be independent.” Caleb has been working at Alabama Splash Adventure Water Park in Bessemer this summer, and is a member of the Afro-American Gospel Choir at the University.
Crossing Points is a partnership between The University of Alabama’s Department of Special Education & Multiple Abilities in the College of Education and the Tuscaloosa City and County School Systems. The purpose of Crossing Points is to provide transition services for students with disabilities ages 18-21, and it is one of three such programs in Alabama (the others being at Auburn and the University of South Alabama).
The featured speaker at the luncheon was Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL4). Representative Palmer told ALPolitics.com that, “this is the most remarkable seven months of any Presidential administration, I believe, in the history of the country. President Trump is doing things that will be written about for years to come.”
Rep. Palmer discussed a number of successes and achievements the Trump administration has already accomplished, which is especially remarkable considering how slim the majority is for Republicans in both House and Senate. He described Speaker Mike Johnson, who he has known for years, going back before both were in Congress, as “the real deal,” and praised the Speaker’s work.
Palmer discussed how his appointment to Chair the Environmental Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over critical minerals and rare earth elements, is allowing him to work directly with President Trump to secure our nation's supply of critical minerals. Palmer pointed out that there are only nine refineries for these strategic elements in the world, none of which are in this hemisphere. Of the nine, one is in Malaysia and the other in China. Palmer told the audience how he is working to bring refineries for these minerals to America, using his plan to convert old coal-fired power plants to refineries using small, modular nuclear reactors as power sources. Palmer also discussed the critical need for the United States to expand its power generation capacity, to support the growing demand caused by AI and data center growth.
Palmer expressed his satisfaction at the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), but has been frustrated at the misperceptions about the bill—specifically the No Tax on Tips provision—by the general public. He stated that Republicans need to do a better job with messaging about just what the OBBB will do for ordinary people.
Palmer stated that “the economy is growing at a faster rate than anticipated,“ and that “we are on the right path. This is the first time in years I felt that.” he also stated that “this freshman class is the best I’ve ever seen,“ and “I’m really encouraged by that.“
The meeting adjourned, and Rep. Palmer was gracious enough to stay and take questions from the attendees.
A number of local leaders and candidates were present at the luncheon, including State Representatives Susan DuBose and Arnold Mooney, AL-3 congressional candidate Terri LaPoint, and Hoover City Council candidates Robin Schultz, Clint Bircheat and Ashley Lovell.
For more information on the RWNSC, including upcoming events, the group can be contacted on their Facebook page, by email at republicanwomennsc@gmail.com or on the web at rwnsc.com.
