Amway Co-founder, the late Jay Van Andel was remembered last night at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota.
Early in the night, before speeches by President Bush, Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman, convention go-ers and leaders remembered Republican Leaders who have passed away during the last four years, including Van Andel, a large presence on the Republican political scene. Those remembered were honored for their generous contributions and life-long service to the Republican Party.
Van Andel, who passed away in December of 04 from Parkinson’s, was a close friend of former President Ford, who was also honored, and a large contributor to the Republican Party. In 2004 alone, Van Andel contributed $2 million to the re-election campaign of President Bush and over $400,0000 to the Michigan State Republican Party. Van Andel, in addition to contributing money, was active in politics as well, even serving as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In other Amway/Republican convention News, the son of the other Amway C0-Former and former Amway Corp President, Dick DeVos, commented on John McCain’s choice of VP running mate Sarah Palin saying, “I think the American people are going to find a very straightforward woman who has lived in real life.”
As a side note, DeVos ran Governor of Michigan as the Republican nominee two years ago, running the most expensive gubernatorial campaign of all time- $41 million- only to lose to democratic nominee, Jennifer Granholm.
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