In Memoriam
"Had there been no Paul Weyrich, there would be no conservative movement as we know it."
— Dr. James Dobson
"Paul was one of the giants of the conservative movement — a man committed to family, faith and preserving and expanding freedom both here in America and around the world."
— Rep. John Boehner, U.S. House Republican leader
"The idea that we are without Paul, without his substantial mind, without his strategic sense, is a great loss to the social conservative movement."
— Tom Minnery, senior vice president, Focus on the Family Action
"He fathered the religious conservative movement in American politics."
— Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council
"We’re all in his debt. He was essential to what we’ve accomplished."
— Phyllis Schlafly, founder of the Eagle Forum
"I believe America has lost a patriot, and I know I’ve lost a friend."
— Gary Bauer, president of American Values
Paul M. Weyrich, chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation and first president of The Heritage Foundation, died this morning. He was 66.
Weyrich won Heritage’s prestigious Clare Boothe Luce Award in 2005. And even in ill health, he continued to write. Weyrich's last column carries today's date.
"American families have lost one of their staunchest and most effective advocates," said Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family. "Paul Weyrich fought tirelessly for three decades to protect the preborn, preserve traditional marriage and ensure that people of faith had a voice in shaping the public policy that affected their lives.
"Had there been no Paul Weyrich, there would be no conservative movement as we know it. It was my privilege to call Paul Weyrich a friend, confidante and ally.
"Shirley and I offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to his wife, Joyce, and their family in this time of loss."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Friends and family gathered last fall for a special "Salute to Paul Weyrich." View photos from the event, as well as a video greeting from Dr. James Dobson.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
