Santorum speech focuses on values

Cherry pie, Abe Lincoln and the American family.

After dessert and a reading of the Gettysburg Address, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, R-Pa., the keynote speaker at the Centre County Republican sponsored Lincoln Day Dinner, addressed a crowd of about 400 last night at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave.

Santorum's speech focused on suggestions for restoring America -- a culture he feels is declining.

"The young people today are looking for structure, they are looking for meaning," he said. "They're looking for order, discipline and spirit that's somehow missing in our culture."

The first solution Santorum suggested was reform in Washington, D.C. Politicians should not just do what's right when the cameras are rolling, he said, but should set examples for the country.

Santorum also challenged the audience, asking them to contribute to the community and help those in need of guidance.

"Can we sit here in Centre County and say (the downturn of society) doesn't affect us, it's not our problem?" he asked.

The country, Santorum said, needs a civic renewal.

Government can work to create incentives for people who make charitable donations and channel money to nonprofit, faith-based organizations, Santorum said. But the government can only plant the seeds -- the American people need to water and care for the seeds, he said.

"We have a great economy today," he said. "Do you think everybody's fine? I don't think everybody's fine."

One key for solving social problems is the institution of the family, Santorum said.

"We've created this huge net that's made families disposable and neighbors unseen," he said.

The audience applauded heartily for Santorum, but not all audience members were Republicans.

Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau, a democrat, said he also enjoyed Santorum's speech. He said he has attended a few of these Lincoln Day Dinners before.

"There's a couple, if not too many, Democrats who come and sit with Republican friends," Nau said.

Other speakers at the event were State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre-Pa., and candidates for the 34th district state Senate seat, Jake Corman, Connie Lucas and Vicki Wedler.