[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LARRY REED

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to one of 
America's leading advocates for liberty, my friend Larry Reed, who 
celebrates his 50th birthday on September 29th. In 1993 Larry founded 
the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan. Under his 
leadership, Mackinac has emerged as one of the largest, most prolific, 
and effective think tanks in America. Mackinac focuses on issues 
affecting Michigan; however, much of their work is useful to 
policymakers at the State and national level.
  Prior to founding Mackinac, Larry served as Chair of the Department 
of Economics at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. While at 
Northwood, Larry developed the university dual major in Economic and 
Business management and founded the University's ``Freedom Seminar.'' 
Larry has also been a candidate for Congress.
  In addition to running Mackinac, Larry is a prolific author. He has 
written over 800 newspaper columns and articles, 200 radio 
commentaries, dozens of articles in magazines and journals in the 
United States and abroad. Larry is also the author of five books 
including Lessons From the Past: The Silver Panic of 1893 and Private 
Cures for Public Ills: The Promise of Privatization. All of Larry's 
writings reflect his unswerving commitment to limited government and 
the free market as the best way to promote human happiness.
  Larry has also found time to deliver more than 700 speeches, 
traveling to 40 states and 10 foreign countries to spread the freedom 
philosophy. Larry also promotes liberty as a member and past chairman 
of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Economic Education 
(FEE), the nation's oldest free-market educational institution.
  In 1993, Larry was appointed by then-Governor John Engler to head the 
Headlee Amendment Blue Ribbon Commission. Governor Engler also 
appointed Larry to the task force of the Secchia Commission on Total 
Quality Government, where Larry helped develop policies aimed at 
streamlining Michigan's state government. I am sure the taxpayers of 
Michigan are grateful to Larry for his efforts to reduce unnecessary 
spending.
  Mr. Speaker, the great economist Ludwig Von Mises once said that 
``everyone. . . . must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual 
battle. None can stand aside with unconcern; the interests of everyone 
hang on the result. Whether he chooses or not, every man is drawn into 
the great historic struggle, the decisive battle into which our epoch 
has plunged.'' Few have so vigorously thrust themselves into the 
intellectual and policy battle on the side of freedom as Larry Reed. It 
is therefore my privilege to pay tribute to this champion of liberty on 
his 50th birthday.

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