Commentary: The Grant County Democratic Party’s entry in the Silver City Fourth of July parade will generate extra excitement this year -- United States Senator Martin Heinrich will be leading the way. State Senator Howie Morales, Representative Rudy Martinez, and other distinguished Democrats will also accompany the GCDP’s float.
This will be Senator Heinrich’s first time to join in the Silver City parade. Elected to the Senate in 2012, he has received national attention and high marks for his participation in the recent Senate Intelligence Committee hearings.
In keeping with this year’s parade theme, the Democratic dignitaries will be celebrating free public education with a float titled "Teachers! Heroes of Today -- Training Heroes of Tomorrow." The float will feature a miniature schoolhouse, with genuine teachers and real kids. “Teachers’ enormous contributions to our society are often forgotten in the battles over education funding, philosophy, testing, and grading school performance,” said Frances Vasquez, Grant County Democratic Party chair. “But day after day, teachers are truly heroes, and we want to honor them on the Fourth. All educators and supporters are welcome to walk in the parade alongside our float, and all you thirsty folks should keep an eye out for Democrats distributing bottles of cold water along the way.”
Following the parade, the celebration will continue at Gough Park where the Grant County Democratic Party booth will feature a popular beanbag toss game for youngsters. This year the prizes will be much needed school supplies (along with a little candy). “We are launching a school supply collection drive on Independence Day,” stated Chairwoman Vasquez. “School supplies can be dropped off at the park booth on July 4 and will continue to be collected untilAugust 1. With the continuing deep cuts to our school budgets, those heroic teachers and eager students will be short of critical resources. So please help us deliver supplies to area schools before classes begin in August.”
Voter registration, political literature, and friendly conversation will also be available at the Democratic booth, and maybe a chance to rub elbows with a political celebrity or two. Everyone is invited to drop by. For more information or to donate, please phone (575) 654-6060, or emailgrantcountydemocrats@gmail.com