Ria
Release Dog

RIA attended the Republican National Convention in August 2000 with her CCI Puppy Raisers: Rory & Susan

A message from the GOP (Grand Ol’ Puppy)…

Reporter:  We’re live here with Ria, the wonder-puppy!  Ria has been involved in the planning and implementation of the Republican National Convention, just held in Philadelphia, PA.  And now, from the Convention headquarters….

RIA:  It has been a blast representing CCI during this national event.  I have been involved with Philadelphia 2000, the non-partisan organization charged with carrying out every non-political facet of the convention since I arrived in the area on December 18, 1999.  I was a mere 11 weeks old when I first walked into my office at convention headquarters.

Reporter: What have been your duties?

RIA:  I was responsible for office morale, primarily.  I started out just by being cute and adorable and some one that everyone wanted to hug and pet.  But I quickly took on increasingly greater levels of responsibility, rising to my current position of Director of Hospitality and Ambassador of Goodwill for Philadelphia 2000.  In that role, I greeted visitors to the office; escorted them into the conference room, where I often stayed to add a semblance of order and respect to the meetings.  I also visited daily with my colleagues in the office, often bringing them notes from other employees or helping to gather materials that had fallen to the floor during the course of a busy workday. 

Reporter: What exciting experiences have you had during your tenure?

RIA: I attended several exciting parties and meetings.  Chief among them was PoliticalFest, where I was photographed behind the desk of the Oval Office and coming out of Air Force One.  It was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia.  It was just a short walk from my office in Center City.   I commuted to my office daily on the regional rail line.  Each day I would greet my friends and tried very hard to be a good ambassador for CCI.  I am responsible for a number of people getting literature on both puppy raising and on obtaining a CCI dog as a partner.

Reporter:  Did you make it to the convention floor?

RIA: I was at the First Union Center during the buildout of the convention site.  I had my picture taken there with an elephant, or really someone dressed up like an elephant.  It was a good picture.  I didn’t actually attend the convention because I didn’t have a credential.  I did attend a number of parties preceding the convention, however, and enjoyed each one. 

Reporter: Now that the convention is over, what will you do?

RIA: I have lots of clean-up work to do so I’ll continue to go into the office every day.  However, now that I’ll have some free time that I didn’t have prior to the convention, I hope to get out to the golf course at least once a week for the remainder of the season.

Reporter: Do you have any personal political ambitions?

RIA:  I believe that the highest calling I can attain will be to become a partner for someone through CCI.   I am working very hard to learn my commands and to be well socialized so that I’ll make it into CCI University.  I expect to enter University in February 2001.  After I graduate from there, the sky will be the limit for my new partner and me.  I look forward to serving.  I serve because I care.  There are many ways to serve beside seeking political office.

Reporter: Any parting words to your audience? 

RIA: Don’t forget to vote.  And don’t forget to support CCI in whatever way possible; through puppy raising, financial contributions; being an ambassador for the program.  If you want to find out more about CCI, call the phone number listed in this brochure, or email the local chapter.

Reporter: Good advice.  Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule, Ria.

RIA: You’re welcome.

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