Governing the governor’s speeches
SCU alumn helps craft Schwarzenegger’s messages
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| Tim Anaya ’98 says he has been interested in politics for as long as he can remember. In the fifth grade, he created his own newspaper and distributed it to friends. At 13, during the 1988 presidential election, he hung a picture of George H.W. Bush in his school locker. At SCU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, he co-founded the College Republicans Chapter and ultimately went on to serve as vice president of the California organization. |
His fervor for politics launched a career when he was selected to participate in the prestigious Assembly Fellowship Program after graduation. Like most students who go through the program, Anaya was hired on by his boss, Assemblyman Tony Strickland, to work on Strickland’s 2000 re-election campaign and in his district office. Following the successful campaign, Anaya returned to Sacramento to run the assemblyman’s Capitol office and oversee his legislative program. He later went on to work for Assembly Republican Leaders Dave Cox and Kevin McCarthy, running the writing unit for the Republican Caucus.
But in July of this year, Anaya’s political dreams came true when he was invited to join Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration as the deputy speechwriter.“When the governor’s office calls and asks if you’ll serve, the answer is yes. You don’t have to think very hard.” Although he won’t take responsibility for references like “True Lies,” “economic girlie men,” or “I’ll be back” in the governor’s remarks at the Republican National Convention, Anaya admits to watching more Schwarzenegger movies lately.
“Schwarzenegger is really a people’s governor,” he says,“We like to use movie references because when you use words people recognize, it makes it easier for them to connect to the ideas you’re trying to get across.”
Anaya, who will complete his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California this spring, credits SCU for honing his critical thinking skills.“Before college, I was more dogmatic, and after four years my beliefs didn’t change,” he says. “I was just more able to appreciate both sides of an issue and understand the importance of getting to your positions on your own.”
— Kim Kooyers is a freelance writer in San Jose.
Honored to serve
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| Capt. Kyle Lewis receives a Purple Heart from Brigadier General Williams at Camp Pendleton, Calif. |
Kyle Lewis ’94, J.D. ’98 worked for a high-powered law firm after earning a law degree from Sa nta Clara. But he was eager for “something more,” so he left the firm and joined the United States Marine Corps in 2000. He is now a decorated soldier.
After being deployed to Iraq in early 2004, Lewis became the second Marine Corps Judge Advocate injured in combat since the Vietnam War. On April 14, 2004, insurgents attacked Lewis’ convoy. After finding the enemy and firing back to protect his fellow Marines and to defend himself, Lewis came under heavy fire.
One bullet entered Lewis’ left triceps and lodged in his biceps. He now has a half-inch wide scar from his biceps to his wrist. He also has two scars on his left leg from bullet wounds.
Thirty-eight staples in his arm, eight stitches in his leg, and five medical procedures later, Lewis continues his recovery while working as a lawyer at Camp Pendleton near San Diego.
For his service and bravery, Lewis has won a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terror Expedition Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Medal.
When asked about the current situation in Iraq, Lewis expresses optimism.
“It’s going to take some time and it’s definitely going to be a better place,” he says.
—McCall Cameron ’95