[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 20, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DRAFT GOLDWATER RALLY SUCCESS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this summer marks the 60th 
anniversary of the historic National Draft Goldwater for President 
Rally in Washington.
  According to The New York Times, supporters of U.S. Senator Barry 
Goldwater of Arizona assembled on July 4, 1963, with ``more than 6,000 
Goldwater backers from across the country filled the National Guard 
Armory here for a rally of the National Draft Goldwater Committee. They 
were predominantly a young crowd.''
  As a Teen Age Republican at the High School of Charleston, I was 
grateful to participate with 30 activists by bus from Columbia, South 
Carolina, led by Republican State Chairman Drake Edens, with former 
Democrat State Representative Floyd Spence.
  Senator Goldwater's visionary call for ``Why Not Victory'' to promote 
democracy to defeat communism has been achieved with the liberation of 
dozens of countries across the world. Actor Ronald Reagan delivered the 
Goldwater campaign challenge of ``A Time for Choosing,'' ultimately 
leading to his Presidency.
  Mr. Speaker, this summer marks the 60th anniversary of the historic 
`National Draft of Goldwater for President Rally' in Washington.
  According to The New York Times, supporters of U.S. Senator Barry 
Goldwater of Arizona assembled on July 4, 1963, with ``more than 6,000 
Goldwater backers from across the country filled the National Guard 
Armory here for a rally of the National Draft Goldwater Committee. They 
were predominantly a young crowd.'' ``The principal addresses were 
given by Republican Senators John G. Tower of Texas and Carl T. Curtis 
of Nebraska.''
  As a Teen Age Republican at the High School of Charleston, I was 
grateful to participate with 30 activists by bus from Columbia, South 
Carolina led by Republican State Chairman Drake Edens with former 
Democrat State Representative Floyd Spence, who was the first Democrat 
to switch parties and ultimately elected Chairman of the House Armed 
Services Committee.
  Another Teen Age Republican was Rusty DePass of Rock Hill who helped 
an all-Democrat York County become virtually all Republican today.
  On that day there were no Republican elected officials in South 
Carolina, but the Goldwater victory in South Carolina in 1964 began a 
political revolution. Now, Republicans have a super majority in the 
legislature, including all statewide officials such as Governor Henry 
McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan 
Wilson, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver, State Treasurer 
Curtis Loftis, and Secretary of State Mark Hammond, and six of seven 
members of Congress, along with very credible candidates for President, 
Ambassador Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott. His philosophy of limited 
government, expanded freedom, individual responsibility, and Peace 
Through Strength, has triumphed.
  Senator Goldwater's visionary call for ``Why Not Victory'' to promote 
democracy to defeat communism has been achieved with the liberation of 
dozens of countries across the world. Actor Ronald Reagan delivered the 
Goldwater campaign challenge of a ``Time for Choosing'' ultimately 
leading to his presidency.
  In conclusion, God Bless our troops who successfully protected 
America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving 
from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open Biden borders.

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