"An Evening with President George W. Bush" is planned for Oct. 25 at the National Building Museum in Washington for members of the RGA's Governors' Club. A payment of at least $2,500 toward the $5,000 club membership is required to attend.

"As a chance to rally around our President and prepare for the political challenges that lie ahead in 2002, this gathering will bring together the President, our Republican Governors, Administration representatives, and a host of top Republican VIPs," the invitation letter signed by Connecticut Gov. John Rowland says.

"This relaxing and informative event will provide you with direct interaction with our GOP Governors to build and strengthen personal friendships and enable you to attend our business sessions where we exchange ideas, discuss policy, and lay the groundwork to build on our accomplishments," says the letter, dated Oct. 1.

Those who wish to attend must clear a Secret Service security check, the invitation says.

The fund-raiser is Bush's first since before last month's terrorist attacks. He raised money in August for Gov. Bill Owens and Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado and New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici.

The Republican National Committee and its Democratic counterpart had asked party members to hold off on fund-raising for almost a month after the Sept. 11 attacks. The RNC and the Democratic National Committee resumed fund-raising the first week in October.

The RGA uses donations to help candidates and the GOP, its invitation for the president's event says.

Governors' Club memberships can be paid through personal, corporate or political action committee contributions, the invitation says.

Those who cannot attend or join the Governors' Club can get their names listed in the event program by donating $250 or more.

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Republican Governors Association: http://rga.policy.net/