Richard K. Armey: “I established the Freedom Works Award to celebrate freedom by recognizing individuals and groups who promote personal…”

“I established the Freedom Works Award to celebrate freedom by recognizing individuals and groups who promote personal responsibility instead of a reliance on government. The Omega Boys Club was founded by Joe Marshall and Jack Jackwa in 1987 with a mission to rescue inner city youth from the influence of gangs, drugs, and violence. Since its founding, the club has taken more than 600 children off gang warfare and drug dealing and has pushed them, tutored them, and even raised enough money to send them, 140 of them, to colleges around the country. The club has enjoyed these positive results without receiving a single penny of Federal assistance. Instead they have relied on the personal initiative taken by Joe Marshall, Jack Jackwa, Margaret Norris, Coach Wilbur Jiggetts, and other Omega members. The success of the Omega Boys Club is based on these four principles: There is nothing more important than an individual's life; A friend will never lead you to danger; Change begins with you; Respect comes from within. Mr. Speaker, government alone cannot solve our Nation's problems.”