With so many Republican politicians in attendance, the Graham/Greenlee County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner looked more like a state convention than a local event.

The dinner was held at the Eastern Arizona College’s Gerald Hoopes Activity Center on Thursday, and the topic on the minds of many of the political conglomeration was about getting the State Legislature to allow EAC to offer four-year bachelor degrees.

Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford, emceed the event and is also the legislator who introduced the EAC bill.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne gives a speech at the Lincoln Day Dinner. He said he is a passionate supporter of EAC’s becoming a four-year college. Photo by Jon Johnson

He urged those in attendance to contact legislators and let them know why the bill is important to them. He said people could visit the State Legislature’s Web site at www.azleg.gov and e-mail Higher Education Committee members. When you arrive at the Web site, there is a link on the left side that says “Standing Committee Members.” Click on the link and a display of committees from the House of Representatives and Senate appears. Once the Higher Education Committee link is selected, the names of the legislators appear highlighted in blue.

“(This) is about the ability of citizens in rural Arizona to obtain a baccalaureate degree,” Konopnicki said.

Attendees were bombarded with stickers and petitions in favor of the legislation.

Tom Horne, Arizona superintendent of public instruction, gave a speech and immediately let the crowd know his thoughts on the subject.

“My name is Tom Horne, and I am a passionate supporter of EAC being a four-year college,” he said.

He said he and the Board of Regents realize that research universities cannot meet the demand necessary for bachelor degrees.

A study by the Arizona Board of Regents shows the three state universities do not have the capacity for the number of Arizona students that will desire higher education. The study showed that by the year 2020, the gap between capacity and need will exceed 20,000 students.

Other speakers at the event included Arizona House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Bob Robson and Graham County Republican Chairman Duane Rhodes.

Both echoed their desire to have higher voter turnout.

The candidacy of Safford Police Detective P.J. Allred for sheriff of Graham County was announced as well.

Rhodes said the party was pleased it could finally support a Republican candidate for Sheriff.