Sen. Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Others Address Frontiers of Freedom Reagan-Norquist Gala

11/6/2003

From: Jason Wright of Frontiers of Freedom, 703-246-0110 or jason@ff.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, and other Members of Congress and the Administration gathered last night to honor President Reagan and Grover Norquist, the inaugural recipient of Frontiers of Freedom's Ronald Reagan Award. Senator Malcolm Wallop (R-WY, ret.), Chairman and Founder of Frontiers of Freedom, presented the award among nearly 300 guests at last night's black tie gala at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"To this day, my friend Ronald Reagan defines conservatism," said Senator Wallop. "I was proud to serve in the Senate during his presidency -- to be a part of the movement that forever changed the face of American government. I was proud to know him -- to work by his side to defeat the former Soviet Union and put an end to the cold war that threatened our nation and the world."

"Tonight," Senator Wallop continued, "I am proud to host all of you at a celebration in his honor. This year, we have announced our inaugural presentation of an award in Ronald Reagan's name to honor the achievements of a leader who exemplifies the principles that defined Ronald Reagan's presidency."

"I am proud to honor Mr. Norquist, one of the foremost stalwarts in preserving and defending the Reagan legacy, with our inaugural award," he said. "It's time that his ongoing work fighting taxes, protecting families, and battling the government status quo is acknowledged and honored."

Norquist has served as President of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a coalition of taxpayer groups, individuals and businesses committed to lessening the tax burden on all Americans, since he founded the organization in 1985. Every year, ATR asks state and federal office holders and candidates to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases by signing its Taxpayer Protection Pledge. This year, George W. Bush, eight governors, 1,212 state legislators, 217 House members, and 42 Senators have taken the pledge.

To Washington Insiders, many of whom attended last night's gala, Norquist is best known for the weekly Center-Right Coalition Meeting he hosts every Wednesday. The meeting, which is known around town as "the Wednesday Meeting," has operated since 1993 as "the movement's meeting." It is the only opportunity for conservatives and republicans of all stripes to come together to agree or disagree on matters of public policy and politics. The Wednesday Meeting gives conservatives an opportunity to mobilize effectively on important issues by providing a weekly strategy session for: Members of the Administration; think tank leaders; business representatives; political figures; and federal and state activists, candidates, and office holders.

In addition to his work as President of ATR and host of the Center-Right Coalition Wednesday Meeting, Norquist serves on several non-profit boards and is head of The Ronald Reagan Legacy Project (RRLP). The RRLP helps to preserve President Reagan's legacy by seeking to name at least one monument to President Reagan in each of America's counties and in nations that were once communist. He has been responsible for 52 dedications - 48 in the United States and four in other countries. In 1998, he was instrumental in the renaming of the Washington National Airport to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Last June, in honor of Norquist's work as head of the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, Grover was invited by Polish dignitaries to attend the dedication of Ronald Reagan Circle -- Rondo Ronalda Reagana -- in the southern city of Tarnow in Poland. Last February, Norquist was responsible for having 16 Governors Declare President Reagan's Birthday - February 6 -- to be Ronald Reagan Day.

"For a conservative there is no higher honor than to receive an award bearing the name of President Ronald Reagan," said Norquist. "I am honored that Senator Wallop and the team at Frontiers of Freedom asked me to accept this inaugural award and participate in a gala to remember the legacy of Ronald Reagan."

"There is a saying that you can judge a nation by the heroes it honors," remarked Frontiers of Freedom President, George C. Landrith, who emceed last night's event. "No nation has been more blessed than America with such great and worthy heroes. Our founding alone provides George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, just to name a few. In modern times, none stands taller than Ronald Reagan. I, for one, am proud for America to be judged by numbering Ronald Reagan as one of its chief heroes."

Guests of last evening's gala heard from a number of distinguished guests, including Senator Hagel, Secretary Chao, Congresswoman Barbara Cubin, Senator Wallop, Landrith, and Norquist. They also heard from former Vice President Dan Quayle and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) on video. The video messages were a part of a compilation feature of some of Reagan's most memorable and touching moments, including his hallmark "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" remark urging the former Soviet leader to liberate his people, and his legendary message advocating the need for missile defense. "Some say the research will take a long time," Reagan said to the nation. "Well, the answer to that is: 'Let's get started.'"

In honor of President Reagan's renowned sense of humor, guests also enjoyed a musical comedy performance by "lawyer comedian" David Werner.

"The evening was truly a time to reminisce, pay tribute, and laugh as we remember an American icon," commented Landrith. "We did our best to honor his legacy, but we're keen enough to know that Ronald Reagan is a man to whom no written or spoken legacy could ever do justice. He is, in truth, without an equal."

"Ronald Reagan gave us back America's future," said Norquist from the podium at evening's end, "He gave us back a sense of forward movement and liberty, and it's our job to maintain that. We stand on Reagan's shoulders, George W. Bush stands on Reagan's shoulders and has built on his accomplishments. But it's not just our job to do this, it's every generations job to do this. Because the United States, unlike any other country, has to reinvent itself, or restore itself, every generation."

"The United States is not a race, we're not a religion, we're not even a region," concluded Norquist. "We're a people committed to an idea of liberty as outlined in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. And we could if we lose any generation. Only if we keep it alive in the next generations will we be a free Republic. Ronald Reagan explained that to us, he gave us that freedom and that future, and it is our job to make sure that we maintain it now and for generations to come."

(Founded in 1995 by Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming (ret.), Frontiers of Freedom is a cutting-edge, forward-looking policy group advancing center-right principles in today's fast-paced news and information age. Frontiers works with grassroots activists throughout the country to protect private property rights, secure our national security, and promote sensible public policies critical to our country's liberty.)