Reverend Clyde Bowen, chairman of the Arizona American African Republican Committee, will address the Fountain Hills Republican Club at its Saturday, Dec. 21, meeting.

Bowen, chairman of the group since 2005 and vice-chairman of the group for 10 years prior to that, will address the history of the organization and its outreach efforts.

He will also provide details for the club’s second annual Emancipation Proclamation Observance Day celebration on Jan. 1, 2014.

The event will again be held at East Lake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson, Phoenix. More details will be available as to the times and place of the 2014 celebration.

Bowen, a Boston native, graduated from Boston Latin, a school established in 1635 and the same school attended by five of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

He also attended Arizona State University where he studied journalism, English, political science and the Foreign Service program.

During his 10-year military career with the United States Air Force, he served with the Military Police and was stationed at the U.S. Embassy for four years in Oslo, Norway.

He is a certified, accomplished Toastmaster and past president of Western Sages, a public speaking organization.

Members are encouraged to participate in the tradition of the past two years and bring a special dish to share with others.

Also, as in previous years, the Marine Reserves will be present to accept gifts for the Toys for Tots program. Members are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy. The Christmas party/meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Community Center. The meeting is open to all at no charge. Winter visitors are also invited to attend.

The next meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 18, and the January meet-up date will be Tuesday, Jan. 28, at a location to be determined. More information is available at www.fhrepublicanclub.org.