Yesterday, the House adopted my resolution, HR463, honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, a proud son of Arlington Heights and a fearless advocate for free speech and civic engagement.
Charlie’s voice echoed across campuses and communities, challenging norms and sparking thoughtful debate. He was a man of deep faith and conviction who believed in the power of ideas to shape culture and inspire change.
Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Charlie’s impact on a generation and his dedication to liberty have now been recognized at the highest level. I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this resolution.
As President Reagan said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” Charlie embodied that kind of peace.
And as President Kennedy reminded us, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
Honoring Charlie means recommitting ourselves to respectful, non-partisan dialogue. Let’s carry that spirit forward!