[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. JAMES DOBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF CRANK

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2025

  Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courageous, 
convictional, and influential leadership of Dr. James Dobson, who 
passed into eternity on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. ``The 
greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is 
not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but 
rather a legacy of character and faith,'' wrote Dr. Billy Graham. Mr. 
Speaker, Dr. Graham's friend and Focus on the Family founder, Dr. James 
Dobson, did just that.
  As a trusted advocate for faith, family, and biblical values, Dr. 
Dobson's legacy is unmatched, and his life's work continues to shape 
our nation. We were honored that he chose Colorado Springs, Colorado as 
his home and base of operations for Focus on the Family.
  Dr. James Dobson founded Focus on the Family in 1977 with the 
conviction that America's failing families needed to return to Biblical 
principles. A licensed marriage, family and child counselor in both 
California and Colorado, Dr. Dobson authored more than 30 books, 
including the popular best-sellers Dare to Discipline, Love Must Be 
Tough, and Bringing Up Boys. Although he eventually became associate 
clinical professor of pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine, Dr. 
Dobson's attention ultimately turned to addressing the breakdown of the 
traditional family unit. His concern led him to leave USC and in 1977 
open a small, two-room office he called Focus on the Family. That small 
ministry grew to become a global multimedia nonprofit that reaches 
about 18 million people in more than 98 countries, thanks in part to 
its Radio Hall of Fame-winning flagship program, thirteen international 
offices and many radio, video, digital and print resources.
  His wide reach through his numerous books and daily radio broadcast 
became the national voice of conservative, moral, and Biblical values 
in the public square. Dr. Dobson was a once-in-a-generation leader 
whose courage to speak truth shaped the course of American family life. 
He inspired and truly created a grass-roots movement to defend life, 
Biblical marriage, and religious freedom throughout America and around 
the world. Dr. Dobson not only built organizations like Focus on the 
Family and the Family Policy Alliance, but he also built-up people of 
faith to stand boldly for biblical values in a culture that 
increasingly opposes and demeans them.
  With unwavering conviction, he championed the sanctity of marriage, 
the dignity of life, and the importance of parental rights, principles 
woven into the DNA of our movement. My friend and current Focus on the 
Family President Jim Daly may have summarized it best in saying, 
``Millions of marriages were saved and strengthened, millions of 
parents were able to raise happier, healthier children, and millions of 
men and women were equipped and encouraged to stand boldly for their 
faith in the public square because Dr. Dobson answered God's call to 
create Focus on the Family.''
  I am grateful for his decades of courage and leadership to the Pikes 
Peak region, the country and the world. His belief in the power of 
civic engagement and cultural renewal still inspires many. Dr. Dobson 
emphasized the responsibility of believers to be ``salt and light'' in 
society, and we must take that charge seriously. I know I speak on 
behalf of many of my colleagues in this chamber that Dr. Dobson 
continues to inspire us to and his legacy has entrusted us to: 
advancing biblical values through civic engagement, calling on 
believers to pray, vote, and engage for a nation where God is honored, 
religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Dobson's family, especially his 
college sweetheart and lifelong partner Shirley; his two adult 
children, Danae and Ryan; and his two grandchildren during this time of 
loss and the celebration of his life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in thanking the Lord for his life and impact in our country 
and the world.

                          ____________________