Oliver North to Speak in Effingham

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North will be the guest speaker at a fundraising event in Effingham later this month.

North is the incoming president of the National Rifle Association. He will be speaking on Thursday, July 19 from 7-9pm at the Thelma Keller Convention Center.

North is a 22-year Marine veteran. He was part of the National Security Council staff during the Reagan administration in the 1980s. He was convicted for a role in the Iran-Contra affair, arranging the secret sale of weapons to Iran and the diversion of the proceeds to Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Those convictions were later overturned.

The event is hosted by Republican state representative candidates Chris Miller, Darren Bailey and Blaine Wilhour.

Tickets for the event are available from Eventbrite.com or from Susan Petty at 217-821-6546.