[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING HOWARD PHILLIPS
(Mr. STOCKMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. STOCKMAN. When I first started out in politics, a dear friend of
mine, Howard Phillips, was a conservative leader and a great father and
patriot. On April 20, Howard Phillips passed away.
He grew up in Boston, where he became an avid baseball fan. He knew
all the teams, all the players, and remained a passionate fan
throughout his life. He fought hard to get into the Boston Latin
School. From there, he invaded the liberal bastion that is Harvard,
where he upheld conservative principles and even served as the chairman
of the student council.
Howard made national news during the Nixon administration, when he
fought to abolish the Office of Economic Opportunity. A leader, a
champion, and a great father, he founded in 1974 the TCC, or The
Conservative Caucus. It rapidly became one of the major nationwide
conservative organizations. He made headlines for opposing the Panama
Canal treaty and supporting Ronald Reagan's efforts to rebuild our
defense and to cut taxes and spending.
The conservative movement will not be the same without Howard. In
fact, the conservative movement would not be what it is today without
his leadership. In 1960, he helped found Young Americans for Freedom,
which became the model for conservative political action groups.
Howard, Paul Weyrich, Richard Viguerie, Jerry Falwell, and other key
leaders became the founders of what we know as the modern conservative
movement.
Over the years, Howard stood firm to conservative principles when it
was often easier to compromise with the establishment and others. When
Howard saw the GOP tilting too far to the left, he found the U.S.
Taxpayers' Party--now the Constitution Party--which nominated him as
their Presidential candidate in 1992, 1996, and 2000. It was a distinct
pleasure for Howard to see the new generation of conservative leaders.
As a precursor to the Tea Party, Howard was always there.
Howard's work lives on through his family and through his children,
through The Conservative Caucus, and through the work of his large
family, including his son, Brad, who found the Persecution Project,
which is very active in saving embattled Christians in Sudan; and his
son Douglas' Vision Forum, which is a major home-schooling ministry;
and through the many Americans inspired by his leadership and vision.
Howard is survived by his wife, Peggy, six children, and 18
grandchildren.
On April 29 a funeral will be held at McLean Bible Church.
God bless you, Howie. We love you.
____________________