[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO DR. RUSSELL KIRK

                                 ______


                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives
                        Thusday, January 5, 1995
  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this historic day to honor a man 
whose life was devoted to educating and promoting excellence in others. 
For over 40 years, Dr. Russell Kirk of Mecosta, MI, one of the leading 
conservative thinkers, was a beacon of light in a confused and muddled 
world. The sadness of his passing is tempered only by his tremendous 
contributions to academics and philosophy. His writings and lectures 
enlightened, educated, and entertained the many people who read his 
essays or attended his speeches. His ideas and the influence they 
generated will be felt for generations.
  Dr. Kirk received his Bachelor's degree from Michigan State 
University and his Master's degree from Duke University. He had a 
distinguished career as a scholar, philosopher, and educator during 
which 12 universities conferred upon his honorary doctorates. Dedicated 
to the truth and a firm believer in its power and boundaries, Russell 
sought to promote verity through his many writings as well as debate 
and discussion.
  Dr. Kirk was a great scholar and a strong advocate of education. He 
authored over 30 books and hundreds of political essays which helped 
define the conservative movement. As founder and editor of the 
``University Bookman,'' Dr. Kirk provided a forum for ideas and debate 
and served to educate readers while constantly seeking the truth.
  Dr. Kirk's books and essays received high critical acclaim throughout 
the world and have sold over 1 million copies. Personally lecturing at 
nearly 500 colleges and universities, he sought to challenge students 
in order to open their minds to new ideas. His landmark publication, 
``The Conservative Mind,'' published in 1953, stands as a benchmark for 
conservative ideas and sparked the conservative movement which 
continues to influence leaders today.
  During his career, Dr. Kirk received various honors such as the 
Presidential Citizens Medal, which was conferred upon him by President 
Ronald Reagan in 1989, as well as the Ann Radcliffe Award of the Count 
Dracula Society for his Gothic Fiction. He was also honored as the only 
American to earn the highest arts degree of the senior Scottish 
University and served as the President of the Wilbur Foundation, the 
Educational Reviewer, Inc., and as editor of the Library of 
Conservative Thought for Transaction Books. In addition, he was a 
Guggenheim fellow and a distinguished scholar of the Heritage 
Foundation.
  Russell was a strong, quiet man who was committed to his family and 
friends. He and his wife, Annette, worked side by side as editors of 
the ``University Bookman'' while raising four daughters who continue in 
his excellent tradition. His dedication to education and commitment to 
family are the cornerstones of our Nation.
  Over the years, Dr. Kirk enjoyed success professionally as an 
academic and as a published scholar in pursuit of knowledge and wisdom 
and privately as a husband and father. He served his fellow academics 
well and many of them have moved on but continue the pursuit of truth, 
justice, order, and freedom. His family continues to grow and pursue 
his love of education and debate.
  It is work such as Dr. Kirk's that inspires us all to achieve the 
best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I 
know you will join my colleagues and I in honoring the work of Dr. 
Russell Kirk and the legacy of ideas and discussion he has left for us 
all.


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