U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner told Moore County Republicans Saturday night that House Republicans will reveal their own health-care plan within a month.

Boehner, keynote speaker at the Red, White and Blue Gala IV fundraiser, made the announcement in response to a question from a member of the audience who asked what Republicans can do to prevent a nationalized health-care plan.

"We're developing a plan of our own," Boehner replied.

He gave no details other than to describe it as a plan calling for "high-quality care" to be unveiled within a month.

"I am hopeful that we won't throw the baby out with the bath water," he said.

Boehner addressed the Republican gathering in the Cardinal Ballroom at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst. He was introduced by 6th District Congressman Howard Coble, who called him "old Buckeye himself of the House."

The Ohio congressman spent almost as much time praising Coble for his work in the House as he did in his address, which was delivered prior to the serving of dinner because of scheduling conflicts. He called Coble "a stand-up guy" and "a great American."

Boehner said he and Coble voted against the president's stimulus bill and also against his budget because both call for too much deficit spending.

"It (the stimulus package) was supposed to be about jobs, jobs and jobs," he said. "It turned out to be about spending, spending and more spending. We're broke. We're out of money."

Boehner said he wants to leave the country in better shape for our children and grandchildren but it would be difficult to achieve that goal under present conditions.

"Only in America can you grow up to be anything you want to be," he said. "It's up to us to make sure that opportunity remains."

Boehner admitted that he grew up as a Democrat and said it's not easy being a Republican in Washington these days, in an era when the Democrats control the White House and both legislative chambers. He said he continues to be impressed by the workings of Congress, a place served "by some of the smartest people and some of the dumbest people" to be found anywhere.

"We have a big challenge," he said.

Nevertheless, he assured his audience that congressional Republicans are not giving up and are working hard to address the nation's needs.

"Howard and I are up there fighting for our people," Boehner said. "We will never, never give up on you."

This was not Boehner's first visit to Moore County and Pinehurst, but he insisted that his visits in the past have not always been golf-related. However, apparently he was also enjoying golf during this visit to Pinehurst.

After his address, Boehner remained several minutes to accept questions from the audience. Party Vice chairman Bill Thurman fielded the questions.

Boehner is serving his 10th term in the U.S. House. A graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati with a degree in business, he was instrumental in crafting the Contract with America in 1994. A cornerstone of that movement was passage of the Congressional Accountability Act, which required Congress to abide by the same rules and regulations that apply to the rest of the nation.

More recently he has taken a leadership role in clamping down on earmarks, the term describing special interest projects inserted into spending bills.

Almost 130 party faithful attended the gala and gave the House minority leader a standing ovation when he was welcomed by Joan Thurman, who chaired the fundraiser planning committee.

After the invocation by Mary Wittpenn, Dr. Rob Malsby, a physician stationed at Fort Bragg, led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Bob Levy, chairman of the Moore County Republican Party, introduced the elected officials present for the event and also introduced Congressman Coble.

"The Moore County Republican Party is doing very well," Levy said, crediting his predecessor, John Owen, for that success.

Levy then presented a gift to Owen on behalf of the party.

The Golf Capital Chorus entertained while everyone enjoyed dinner, which costs $100 per person. Gifts were encouraged with sponsors recognized as platinum donors of $1,000 and gold donors of $500.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.