[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18829-18830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING PAUL M. WEYRICH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2009

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and 
express my gratitude for the life of Paul M. Weyrich, a stalwart leader 
in the conservative movement. More importantly, Paul Weyrich was a man 
of true character and one who is well-respected both in Washington and 
throughout the country.
  Born in the Belle City of Racine, Wisconsin to Ignatius and Virginia 
Weyrich, Paul first became interested in politics during high school--
eventually joining the Racine County Young Republicans and taking an 
interest in Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign.
  Mr. Weyrich moved to Washington in 1966, taking a job as press 
secretary to Senator Gordon L. Allot of Colorado and later Carl T. 
Curtis, of Nebraska.
  Dedicated to the promotion of conservative public policies based on 
the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual 
freedom, and a strong national defense, Paul became frustrated by the 
lack of strong statistical research available to combat the growing 
anti-business tax and regulate liberals in Washington. To combat them, 
he sought to establish an effective and reasoned conservative voice in 
American public policy. Today, the Heritage Foundation is one of the 
largest--and certainly the most prominent--conservative think tanks in 
the world.
  Not content, however, with only protecting the family wallet and 
local business from the sticky fingers of liberal politicians, Paul 
also wanted to defend traditional family values and religious freedom. 
His vision led to the creation of the Free Congress Research and 
Education Foundation, Christian Voice and the Moral Majority to rally 
the American public to the defense of traditional Judeo-Christian 
values.
  A true visionary in outreach efforts and utilizing technology, Paul 
launched National Empowerment Television, a cable network designed to 
mobilize the religious right. Mr. Weyrich was truly one of the first 
conservatives to put emphasis on using the power of citizen 
initiatives. The efforts of his vision were felt worldwide.
  From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Weyrich served as President of the Kreible 
Institute of the Free Congress Foundation, which was founded to train 
and support democracy movements in the states comprising the Former 
Soviet Empire. Today, millions experience the taste of freedom due in 
large part to his efforts.
  Ronald Reagan said, ``There are no constraints on the human mind, no 
walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those 
we ourselves erect.'' Paul Weyrich did not believe in constraints or 
barriers. He was a man of the possible, a man of great passion and 
vision, who truly made a difference in the lives of the individual--
fighting tirelessly for what he believed.
  His tenacity, perseverance, and ideas have inspired many to become 
involved in the political process, here at home and abroad. The legacy 
he leaves is the belief that all have a stake and the ability to change 
things. . . that the true dynamic of political participation stems from 
citizen coalitions, not the rulings of elites. And that our principles 
can be successfully defended by those who live them regardless of the 
machinations of the left. For that he is owed much gratitude. Virginia 
and Ignatius can be proud; their son made the most of the talents 
entrusted him.
  I wish to express my sincere gratitude to a fellow patriot, Paul 
Weyrich, for his significant contributions to the conservative movement 
and for promoting traditional values and a democratic vision for the 
world. I also wish to express my profound sorrow of his passing, and my 
condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

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