Posted on 07/12/2004 11:09:11 AM PDT by calif_reaganite
By ANGELA PANG
Born in the Soviet Union, UCD alumnus Igor Birman immigrated to the United States as a refugee with his family when he was 11 years old. His passion and enthusiasm for American politics sprouted from a life-altering experience.
"Life in the Soviet Union with its dictatorship, in contrast with the liberty of United States, has really opened my eyes to what a free country is all about," Birman said. "I want to do my utmost to make sure that the liberties that we enjoy [in the U.S.] are preserved, and, the best way to do that is to be involved in politics."
Birman will be one of the 343 delegates representing California at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
This year, President George W. Bush is the uncontested Republican candidate, and the convention will mainly be a celebration of his achievements during his presidency.
"It is a high privilege and honor to represent the California Republican Party," said Birman, a current member of the California Republican Party State Central Committee.
A committee of California Republican leaders, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, selected the delegates from all over the state.
Representing the ninth Congressional District, 22-year-old Birman is one of the youngest members of the delegation.
As a delegate, Birman said he has two major tasks - to show how supportive the people of California are of President Bush, and to show that the Republican Party is prepared to do its utmost to ensure that the state's electoral votes go to the current president.
Birman said he decided to apply to be a member of the delegation because he is firmly committed the Republican Party values.
Joseph Fitzmorris, a member of the Davis College Republicans, said he is thrilled for Birman, whom he has known for three years. Fitzmorris said he considers Birman to be an "intelligent" and "very principled guy."
Fitzmorris said Birman's selection doesn't come as a surprise to him because Birman has been very active in politics. Birman has worked for state Sen. Tom McClintock and was also a member of the DCR as a student at UCD.
Birman, once a Democrat, said the decision to be in that party affiliation was the "wrong choice made at a wrong time." He said he realized three years ago that the Republican Party was more "conducive" to his political beliefs, and has been a Republican ever since.
"I'm anti-tax, pro-life, pro-second-amendment, so I consider the [Republican] platform to be much more reflective of my beliefs," said Birman, who classifies himself as a social conservative.
Recently, Birman co-authored a resolution along with several prominent Republicans, including Sen. McClintock, to honor the life and accomplishments of former President Ronald Reagan. The resolution will be presented at the California Republican Party Convention in the fall.
Birman said he is honored to be a part of the resolution because he considers Reagan an inspiration. He credits Reagan's commitment to end the Cold War as the motivation and encouragement his family needed to leave the Soviet Union.
Birman graduated from UCD in 2003 with a degree in Political Science and Pi Sigma Alpha distinction. He is currently pursuing a Juris Doctorate at the Emory University Law School.
No, quite surprising.
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