Joel Hefley: “I rise today, as so many others have, to pay tribute to one of our Nation's finest sons and political leaders. Former…”

“I rise today, as so many others have, to pay tribute to one of our Nation's finest sons and political leaders. Former President Ronald Reagan is worthy of respect and admiration both as a man and world leader, and his passing this weekend leaves each of us with a sense of loss and sadness. His lasting mark on American politics is unquestionable. At a time when it was fashionable to declare one's political moderation, Reagan fearlessly changed the face of American politics by standing up and boldly declaring himself to be a conservative. He fought for principles and causes that, before his Presidency, were considered heresy. Balanced budgets, tax cuts, smaller government, and a robust national defense were the hallmarks of his ideology, and he never shied away from articulating and fighting for those views. He proudly became the father of political conservatism and made it possible for people like me to become a Member of Congress. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, those who espoused conservative political views had few outlets from which to share their philosophies, but Reagan ushered in an era of conservatism whose tide has yet to wane. The makeup of today's political world is due, in large part, to the legacy of Ronald Reagan.”