Laurenzo participated in Republican politics . She was a personal friend of President George H.W. Bush . In 1984 , Bush , then Vice President , appointed her as one of the five goodwill ambassadors to welcome Pope John Paul II in Puerto Rico . Laurenzo 's children said that this was the proudest moment in her life . In 1988 , while in New Orleans , Louisiana , she delivered a speech that seconded Bush 's nomination for president in the that year 's election . She led the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening session of the 1992 Republican National Convention on August 17 , 1992
1992 Republican National Convention
1992 Republican National Convention
Ninfa Laurenzo