Libertas 28.2 by Young America's Foundation

Summer 2007 • Special Alumni Issue

Vol. 28 • No. 2

yaf.org rrobinson@

June 18, 2007

Ron Robinson Foundation President

We strive national ith your ideas. w s ce n ie d rprise, a strong au te ew en n g ee fr in h y b ac cuses on re are inspired ans learn and s Foundation fo ic a’ er ic m er A m g A n u g n yo u Yo bers of ual freedom. increasing num tages of individ n va if struck ad to ensure that e th d es, an l of us, which lu al va in al k n ar io it sp g ad ard erin defense, tr cluding our bo There is a flick in “ , — d te am es te gg ’s n su a’s Foundatio Reagan who Young Americ quote Ronald .” en es ft o liv e r w u o w f o o st spark. You kn light up the re e igniting that n iz ca as h e, p ag t em gh s— ri at just the student activist speakers, and f, af st s, er b observation? mem dent Reagan’s si re P f o t ar p [their] lives” ut the “rest of o ab ula. at h w , et Y ndation’s form u o F s a’ ic er m f Young A ership of citing aspects o me the elite lead ex o st ec o b m e e av th h e ly n That is o ess. They literal tounding succ as d ce n ie er p ave ex ur programs h Seattle Graduates of o ment. h school in the ig ve h o in M s e iv am at gr rv sity, pro the Conse Oxford Univer e Foundation’s at th d en ce th n d ie er an p n University ter. His . Peter first ex rge Washingto great example even better wri eo a G an is e r h is t T ze u ei b at w t st h en vi ictory, d ti Peter Sc Weinberger), V world class ac en he was a stu a h ar e p w as am im C h ec h b it ed er p (w et el area. We h vil. Peter’s ional staff. P he Next War The Face of E joined our nat eagan’s War, T In ly R , al ty lm tu fi as en ry yn ev ta D e a h en ion played m of and erica’s Foundat g Reagan docu ushes: Portrait m in B A n e g in h n T u -w e o d d Y ar u le cl aw e e ro ica’s books in He inspired th knowledges th e Young Amer l. ac th al ), es W o ifi e D n th I so f s o er A l p t o.” Peter and The Fal As I Say (No two decades ag an best-seller, Do th es re im o T m s rk o ea Y New litics and id “interest in po ope in igniting his the size and sc s, am . gr la u ro p rm r fo u thousand Foundation y attending o more than two n ents and facult o d s u u st t f n o se er re b p m by the nu udents who re re our success e number of st th y b en ev r We often measu o nce, nt. or radio audie reflect the prese ly n o tivists. We of a television ts en m re measu lives” of our ac e es e] h th [t , f et o Y st s. re se “ lives. e campu idends over th changing their iv ly d al ay ic p at ill m w ra n d le record of a’s Foundatio ave an incredib Young Americ h h e it w w d rk an o e, w r ag e awesome You impressionable heartened by th e an b at ill s w ce u n o ie Y d s. e public reach au of our program olars, and by th es h at sc u d ad an gr rs e te th ri popular w ith some of tas checks in w al leaders, most n er io ib L at f iz o an e rg su o is e n program. This ’s most effectiv ica’s Foundatio ay er d m to A f o g n y u an o Y m work of r careers at a who began thei s er ad le y Sincerely, lic o p

e: Dear Colleagu

Ron Robinson President

Young America’s Foundation Board Of Directors

C o ntents

6 9 13 16 18 20

Harold Simmons Sponsors Lecture Series

Harold Simmons sends Senator Zell Miller to campuses nationwide. By Richard Kimble, Vice President

600 Attend West Coast Leadership Conference

Elder, Reagan, Rohrabacher, and more ignite young audiences. By Roger Custer, Conference Director

High School Conference Reaches Millions

C-SPAN broadcasts multiple segments from the inaugural Reagan Ranch High School Conference. By Brad Churchman, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

Bringing Conservatism to Santa Barbara

Monthly luncheons advance conservative ideas on the West Coast. By Aubrey Bettencourt, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

The Conservative Movement vs. Boise State

Iraq war veteran and student advances freedom on campus. By Jonathan K. Sawmiller, Boise State University

Alumni Profile: Todd Buchholz

Economist, author, and Harvard professor begins career as a Foundation intern in 1982. By Jessica Koebensky, Editor

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Alumni Profile: Chuck Cunningham

1979 alumnus leads today’s fight to protect gun owners’ rights. By Flagg Youngblood, Senior Programs and Advancement Officer

Alumni Profile: Kathryn Lopez

1990s campus activist now editor of National Review Online. By Jessica Koebensky, Editor

Alumni Profile: Dr. Ivan Pongracic Jr.

Born under communist rule, professor advances free-market ideas. By Elaine McGinnis, Development Officer

Alumni Profile: Peter Schweizer

Best-selling author inspired at 1982 Foundation conference. By Roger Custer, Conference Director

Alumni Profile: Dr. J. Michael Waller

1982 alumnus observes communism in Nicaragua, passes on Reagan’s example to students. By Roger Custer, Conference Director

Alumni Profile: Ashley Reagan

President Reagan’s granddaughter strengthens conservative values through Foundation programs. By Marisa Glatzer, Reagan Ranch Center Office Manager

In Brief – Gov. Allen joins Foundation team; CPAC reaches 6,000! – Page 5 Leadership Summit – Top Activists Gather at Reagan Ranch Center – Page 8 Foundation Alumni in Print – Popular Books by Foundation Alumni – Page 34 On The Cover: For more than 38 years, Young America’s Foundation has introduced young

people to the Conservative Movement. Pictured here are Young America’s Foundation students at our programs and at the Reagan Ranch in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Several of these alumni are highlighted in this special issue of Libertas; they are among the thousands of Foundation alumni who have advanced the Conservative Movement through work in public policy, academia, the media, and many other outlets. Through your support of Young America’s Foundation, our alumni will continue to lead the movement for generations to come. Ashley Reagan photo in upper right corner courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Libertas, a publication of Young America’s Foundation, highlights the programs, events, students, staff, and supporters of the Foundation. You can contact Libertas and Young America’s Foundation by writing to: Young America’s Foundation, National Headquarters, 110 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170; calling 800-USA-1776; or visiting http://www.yaf.org.

Libertas

Summer 2007 Special Alumni Issue

Publisher: Ron Robinson; Editor: Jessica Koebensky; Publication Design: Jonathan Briggs. This document and all herein contents, images, stories, graphics, and design, fall unto Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007 Young America’s Foundation, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Any use of Libertas’ content without the written permission of Young America’s Foundation is prohibited.

Ron Robinson President Ronald Pearson Vice President Frank Donatelli Secretary and Treasurer T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr. Kate Obenshain Griffin Thomas L. Phillips James B. Taylor Dr. Wayne Thorburn Kirby Wilbur

Reagan Ranch Board Of Governors Frank Donatelli Chairman Judge William Clark Co-Chairman Edwin Meese Co-Chairman Norma Zimdahl Executive Committee Member Governor George Allen Royce & Kitte Baker John Barletta Dr. Suzanne Becker Jefts G. Beede Lisa M. Buestrin Robert Cummins Becky Norton Dunlop Robert Giuffra, Jr. Eric & Nicole Hoplin Marty Irving Harold Knapheide L.E. McClelland Al & Bette Moore Governor Bill Owens Doug & Pat Perry Thomas Phillips Dr. Robert Ruhe Fred & Ruth Sacher Lee Shannon Craig Shirley Russell Sibert Owen & Bernadette Casey Smith David E. “Gene” Waddell

National Journalism Center Board Of Governors Thomas Phillips Chairman Alex X. Mooney Executive Director Peter Barnes Kellyanne Conway Dinesh D’Souza Kevin Gentry Lawrence Kudlow Rich Lowry

“You Revere Washington & Jefferson, But Will Future Generations Revere Ronald Reagan?”

ou know that Ronald Reagan, similar to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, is one of America’s greatest presidents and most important historical figures. If you think it is important that future generations remember Ronald Reagan as a great leader, will you please help endow the Reagan Ranch with a gift in your will? Protecting the Reagan Ranch could be the most important decision you make to pass on your ideas to future generations. Just as George Washington had Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson had Monticello, Ronald Reagan had Rancho del Cielo, his Western White House and only private residence during his presidency. Thousands of Americans stepped forward to save Rancho del Cielo in 1998. Now is the time to preserve it for future generations. The organizations that protect Mount Vernon and Monticello have built multi-million dollar endowments to preserve these presidential homes. They know the size of their endowments say to future generations that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are important to our heritage.

That’s why Young America’s Foundation is asking you to help build a lasting endowment for the Reagan Ranch. Will you tell future generations that Ronald Reagan was important to you by including a gift to the Reagan Ranch in your will? It is up to us—those who knew Ronald Reagan as our president—to build an endowment for the Reagan Ranch. It is not a project we can ask future generations to start. You can show future generations that Ronald Reagan was important to you. Tell your attorney to put this language in your will: “I give, devise, and bequeath to Young America’s Foundation, tax identification number 23-7042029, 110 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170 (insert percentage, amount or nature of gift, or remainder of estate) to be used to support the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara County, California, and activities at the Reagan Ranch Center.” Please act now. Do not hesitate to call Kimberly Martin Begg at 800-USA-1776 for more information.

National Headquarters, F. M. Kirby Freedom Center, 110 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170, 800-USA-1776, www.yaf.org The Reagan Ranch, 217 State Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101, 888-USA-1776, www.reaganranch.org

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Governor Allen Joins Team; Young America’s Foundation Reaches 6,000 Attendees at 2007 CPAC

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By Jessica Koebensky, Editor

George Allen: Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar Herndon, Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen has joined the Foundation’s team as the Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar and accepted a position on the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors. George Allen served Virginia for more than 20 years: as governor, as a U.S. representative and senator, and as a delegate holding Thomas Jefferson’s seat in the Virginia General Assembly. “It’s an honor to welcome Governor George Allen as the Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar. Throughout his long and distinguished time in public service, he has sparked great interest among students in George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. We are eager for him to share Ronald Reagan’s freedom philosophy with audiences,” says George Allen addresses Foundation students in 2005. Foundation President Ron Robinson. As the Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar, the Virginia governor and U.S. senator will become a regular addition to the Foundation’s campus lecture program. He will join Margaret Thatcher, Ed Meese, William F. Buckley Jr., and Michael Reagan, all of whom have addressed Foundation audiences. In his role, he’ll deliver remarks to young audiences across the country and will also represent the Foundation during events that celebrate the life and lasting accomplishments of Ronald Reagan. “I am honored and excited by this tremendous, invigorating opportunity to advance the cause of freedom. Little did I know that in 1976, when Ronald Reagan asked me to be his leader for young Virginians, his ideals and forward thinking would inspire me to enter the realm of public life,” states Governor Allen. “I will carry forth Ronald Reagan’s inspiring, optimistic message of liberty while responsibly helping to preserve the historic and special Rancho del Cielo for generations to come.”

D’Souza Headlines Thomas Phillips Student Luncheon at CPAC Washington, D.C. More than 6,000 attendees traveled to Washington for the 34th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) sponsored by Young America’s Foundation, the American Conservative Union, the National Rifle Association, and Human Events. The 3-day conference featured speeches from leading conservatives and Foundation lecturers including Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senator Sam Brownback, author Michelle Malkin, and many others. Young America’s Foundation—through the generosity of Foundation director and National Journalism Center Chairman Tom Phillips—hosted our annual student luncheon featuring best-selling author Dinesh D’Souza who spoke about his book, The Enemy at Home.  D’Souza speaks at the Thomas Phillips Young America’s Foundation also conducted an activist training seminar and a Student Luncheon at the 2007 CPAC. private reception for top student activists. Foundation President Ron Robinson spoke on a panel discussion about the importance of campus activism, and Conference Director Roger Custer moderated a student panel featuring top young activists sharing their advice on advancing conservative ideas on campus. Another panel included Foundation speakers Lt. Col. Scott Rutter, Major John Krenson, Capt. Flagg Youngblood, and Col. John Reitzell who discussed our nation’s military and the status of our involvement in Iraq. C-SPAN, reaching 92 million homes nationwide, recorded much of the annual conference and has since broadcast more than 40 conference segments.

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S u p p o r t er P R O F I L E

Philanthropist Harold Simmons Establishes Lecture Series Featuring Senator Zell Miller –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Richard Kimble, Vice President

ne of America’s most prominent and successful In 1961, Harold Simmons purchased his first entrepreneurs, Harold Clark Simmons of Dallas, drugstore, University Pharmacy, in Dallas with Texas, stepped forward in 2006 with a grant to $5,000 equity and a $95,000 loan. Over the next Young America’s Foundation to establish the Harold 12 years, Harold expanded the drugstore operations Simmons Lecture Series. This generous investment and, in 1973, sold all 100 drugstores to Jack Eckerd by Mr. Simmons made it possible for one of the most Corporation for $50 million in stock—amazingly popular, colorful, and sought-after accomplished with the same speakers, U.S. Senator Zell Miller, $5,000 investment. to tour college campuses during Harold Simmons is a “value the 2006-2007 school year with his investor” whose style has been message in defense of America from to acquire control of publiclyforeign and domestic threats to our traded operating companies freedom. at attractive prices and focus The Harold Simmons Lecture on strategic and operating Series is the latest in a long tradition enhancements. Since the 1986 of named lecture programs to help acquisition of NL Industries—the support appearances by prominent world’s fourth largest producer of conservative speakers on college titanium dioxide—Mr. Simmons campuses. Other named lecture has primarily concentrated on series have been funded by Tom investing within his existing Phillips, Steve Wood, William businesses, production efficiencies, Flowers, Mrs. Grover Hermann, cost controls, and market position. Larry Smead, and Henry Salvatori. Over the past 30 years, Serving as the inaugural Harold Mr. Simmons has acquired Simmons Lecturer, Senator Miller and profitably disposed of inspired and enlightened thousands significant equity positions in a of students at Furman University number of companies including Harold Simmons, founder and chairman of Contran Corporation, sponsors U.S. (Greenville, South Carolina), GAF Corporation, Sea-Land, Senator Zell Miller on college campuses. University of the Cumberlands Southwest Airlines, Muse Air, (Williamsburg, Kentucky), and PSA, McDermott Intl., Georgia Denison University (Granville, Ohio). Students were Gulf Corporation, Kerr Glass, Amalgamated Sugar Co., thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and hear from Medford Corp., Sybra, Inc., Valhi, Inc., and Lockheed one of the most enduring public policy figures in America Corporation. today—all thanks to Harold Simmons. Mr. Simmons also controls five public companies Mr. Simmons was born and raised in rural Golden, traded on the New York Stock Exchange: Texas, in 1931. Both of his parents were schoolteachers NL Industries; Titanium Metals Corporation, the world’s and stressed the importance of a good education. His largest producer of titanium; Valhi, Inc., a multinational father was a school superintendent, and his mother was company with operations in the chemicals, component an English teacher. Harold attended the University of products, waste management, and titanium metals Texas, Austin, receiving his B.A. in economics in 1951 industries; CompX, International, manufacturer of and his M.A. in economics in 1952. ergonomic products, drawer slides, and locks; and Simmons worked three years as an investigator with Kronos Worldwide, a leading producer and marketer of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, one year as a bank titanium dioxide. examiner for the F.D.I.C., and four years with Republic Harold Simmons and his wife, Annette, are major National Bank in Dallas. philanthropists. Many of their largest gifts have been

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

S u p p o r t er P R O F I L E

Dear Mr. Sim mons,

On behalf o f all Furman University s I wanted to tudents, thank you fo r your involv in bringing Z ement ell Miller to the Young A Foundation s m erica’s peaking circu it.  Senator Miller’s spee ch was enligh tening and dr an enormous ew , enthusiasti c crowd of supporters; over 700 stu dents! When donors like you cont ribute to Yo America’s F ung oundation, th e conservati message per ve meates colleg e campuses throughout the nation. Yo ur giving has allowed one of the forem ost conserva politicians o tive f our time to speak to stu and we are ve dents ry grateful. Thank you ag ain and God Bless. Sincerely,

Senator Zell Miller addresses a packed hall at the University of the Cumberlands as part of the Harold Simmons Lecture Series.

Taylor Hall Furman Unive

rsity

to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, including a $50 million pledge in 2005 for cancer research and care. Other gifts to the UT Southwestern Medical Center have included support for arthritis and kidney disease research. Mr. Simmons’ More than 1,700 students and community members turn out to hear Zell Miller speak at total lifetime charitable the University of the Cumberlands. contributions are in excess of $300 million, and he has been a member of the “Forbes 400 Richest Taylor Hall of Furman University shares his Americans” for each of the past 24 years. appreciation of Mr. Simmons’ generosity: “Senator Young America’s Foundation is honored to have Miller’s speech was enlightening and drew an Harold Simmons’ good name associated with our enormous, enthusiastic crowd of supporters; over organization. Such support offers students the chance to 700 students! When donors like you contribute host prominent leaders of the Conservative Movement to Young America’s Foundation, the conservative on their campuses. We appreciate this generous gift to message permeates college campuses throughout the sponsor the Harold Simmons Lecture Series, bringing nation. Your giving has allowed one of the foremost Senator Zell Miller and conservative ideas to thousands conservative politicians of our time to speak to students, of students nationwide. and we are very grateful.” Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Charting a Conservative Course: Top Student Activists Gather for Leadership Summit at the Reagan Ranch Center

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By Patrick X. Coyle, Vice President

ake the top conservative activists from campuses across the country, bring them to the Reagan Ranch Center for a strategy session, and you’ll end up with young leaders who are ready to energize America’s college campuses for conservative ideas like never before.

undoubtedly keeps conservative ideas on the forefront of the campus debate, 2007-2008 Campus Conservative and Young America’s Foundation Battleplan Advisory Board asked these eleven young leaders Jonathan Bruno to help shape the initiatives in the Oberlin College forthcoming issue. Tom Barrett Each participant was appointed Western Michigan University to the advisory board for the 2007Adam Brickley 2008 Battleplan, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and their input from Lauren Daigle the weekend will be University of New Hampshire fully adopted into Taylor Hall Furman University the next edition.  Ruth Malhotra Topics discussed Georgia Tech included creating Alex Marlow an “American University of California – Berkeley Pride Week” to Sara Mikolajczak be held across the University of Wisconsin – Madison country in October, Jonathan Sawmiller a celebration of the Boise State University birth of America’s Paul Troisi Syracuse University military on The country’s top campus activists meet at the Reagan Nate Walton September 29, and Bates College Ranch Center to strategize new activism initiatives to many more campus advance conservative ideas throughout the 2007-2008 initiatives. school year. The pinnacle of ———————————————— For more information about the Battleplan That’s exactly what happened the weekend for the students came and other campus activism resources, visit when eleven top campus activists when they walked in the footsteps of www.yaf.org or contact Young America’s offered their insights to strengthen their hero, Ronald Reagan, during Foundation at 800-USA-1776. campus activism during a weekend an inspirational visit to Rancho strategy session in the Roy and del Cielo. In addition, President Dorothy Billings Conservative Vision Reagan’s close friend and Secret for America Suite at the Reagan Service agent, John Barletta, Ranch Center this spring. addressed the group during The students brainstormed new the exciting weekend in Santa activism ideas and helped shape one Barbara. of the most utilized conservative Young America’s Foundation activism guides, the Foundation’s salutes these top student activists Campus Conservative Battleplan. for leading the charge to advance Young America’s Foundation the Conservative Movement on revises the Battleplan each year and their campuses and nationwide. Taylor Hall, Jonathan Sawmiller, Alex Marlow, distributes it nationwide to provide We look forward to sharing and Sara Mikolajczak gather in the Jefts Beede students specific activism ideas for their breakthrough ideas with Conference Room at the Reagan Ranch Center each month of the school year. The you in the 2007-2008 Campus to brainstorm new ideas for the 2007-2008 Campus Conservative Battleplan Conservative Battleplan. Campus Conservative Battleplan.

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By Roger Custer, Conference Direc tor

National Journalism Center Executive Director Alex Mooney emcees the conference’s annual NJC luncheon.

Student activist Nick Hahn meets Michael Reagan.

ven after the 16 hour drive to get here, I felt so welcome and free to share my values with fellow conservatives without the threat of feeling persecuted for my beliefs.  This conference rejuvenated me and reinstilled hope for the future,” wrote Danielle McKenzie of Western Oregon University after attending Young America’s Foundation’s 2006 West Coast Leadership Conference.  Danielle joined more than 600 participants from 25 states and 130 colleges who traveled to Santa Barbara to attend the Foundation’s annual fall conference at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort and the Reagan Ranch Center. The event kicked off with a dinner banquet featuring Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California who focused on the key challenges our country faces today. Congressman Rohrabacher stressed the importance of the young Conservative Movement stepping up to face these challenges head on. Illegal immigration, disrespect of Christianity, and waning support for our mission in Iraq were major points of his speech. The conference’s main sessions began with author and talk show host Michael Reagan. Ronald Reagan’s son discussed his father’s conservative ideas in the context of the November 2006 results

Talk radio host Larry Elder speaks on the importance of limited government and increased freedom.

Madeleine Hulstrom is among 600 young leaders attending the 2006 conference.

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Hundreds listen as Young America’s Foundation President Ron Robinson discusses left-wing media bias at the 2006 conference.

Reagan administration official Frank Donatelli highlights the current state of the Conservative Movement.

Ken Tomlinson, chairman of the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors, encourages the advancement of conservatism through the media.

and the implications for the Conservative Movement. “[Conservatives] were held accountable for walking away from the ideals and values that got them elected—the ideals of my father,” commented Reagan. “It is up to you to bring them back.” Foundation President Ron Robinson alerted students to the bias present in mainstream media and encouraged activism on campus. Using a slide presentation, he showed how magazine covers from TIME and Newsweek are almost always favorable to the Left and unfavorable to conservatives. Constitutional principles, often misrepresented on college campuses, were highlighted by Foundation Board of Governors member and Heritage Foundation Vice President Becky Norton Dunlop. Citing Heritage’s Guide to the Constitution, Dunlop discussed the importance of returning to America’s Founders’ commitment to small, limited government and freedom-based ideas.

“The conference was an amazing opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of the Conservative Movement.” — Randolph Shelton, Trinity University

Dr. Kiron Skinner, author of Reagan: In His Own Hand, shares insights based on her research of Ronald Reagan’s writings.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher meets with members of the UC – Santa Barbara ROTC following his opening banquet speech.

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Reagan Ranch Board of Governors Chairman and Reagan administration official Frank Donatelli joined California GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim to discuss the November 7th results. “The time has come for us to rededicate ourselves and to force some differences between liberals and conservatives,” noted Donatelli. Ronald Reagan’s ideas were touched on and explained by most speakers during the weekend, including Dr. Kiron Skinner, Reagan historian and professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Skinner discussed her extensive research on Reagan’s writings and focused on Reagan’s principled stance on foreign policy. “Reagan believed that we could win the Cold War without entering into nuclear war, and he went on to prove that he was right,” explained Skinner. Talk radio host and author Larry Elder spoke at the National Journalism Center luncheon about our nation’s need to move toward limited government and increased freedom. Elder addressed myths propagated by the liberal media and the war against the Second Amendment. One of the most popular speakers at the conference, Elder stayed hours after his speech to sign books and personally greet many of the attendees.

San Diego’s KOGO talk radio host, Mark Larson, emceed the opening dinner banquet with Congressman Rohrabacher and also spoke to a general session on Saturday. Larson’s humor and enthusiasm energized the crowd and encouraged everyone to stay the course with their own conservative campus activism. Colonel John Reitzell, a decorated war hero, spoke on the topic of national security. While in the Joint Special Operations Command, Col. Reitzell was deployed on more than 35 operations in support of the nation’s counter-terrorism program, including the invasion of Grenada, the hijack of TWA 847, and the seizing of the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro. During this period, Col. Reitzell was detailed to serve as the Reagan administration’s Department of Defense lead for worldwide crisis response. Highlighting appeasement policies and costly mistakes made by the Carter administration, Reitzell told the young audience, “We give our enemies the message that if you bloody our nose, we will go away. Appeasement is not the policy to make radical Islam roll over...” Students enjoyed the frank assessment of our foreign policy needs and were encouraged by Col. Reitzell’s conclusion: “You are the greatest generation because you are going to save this country.” The conference’s final speaker was Ken Tomlinson, chairman of the United States Broadcasting Board of Governors. Tomlinson urged attendees to get involved in broadly advocating conservative ideas through all types of media. He recommended communicating principled conservative ideas with a clear and concise message. Also during the weekend, top activists visited the Reagan Ranch as an incentive for their participation in Club 100, Young America’s Foundation’s activism reward program. “Visiting the Reagan Ranch was so inspiring and touching—a memory I will cherish forever. Thanks for giving me such an incredible experience,” noted Jennifer Steadman of Texas A & M University. The 2006 West Coast Leadership Conference truly inspired all in attendance, and students returned to their campuses energized by conservative ideas and principles. As Melissa Cassara of Glendale Community College commented, “It is so great to meet with other young conservatives and listen to the empowering speakers. This event is so important—thank you for encouraging the next generation of conservatives!” Young America’s Foundation thanks Bill and Berniece Grewcock for their generous sponsorship of the 2006 West Coast Leadership Conference. Their gift provided hundreds of young leaders with the motivation and resources they need to advance their ideas on campuses and in communities nationwide.

Young leaders from 25 states attend the Foundation’s annual West Coast Leadership Conference.

Col. John Reitzell, decorated war hero and counter-terrorism expert, speaks with student activists.

Students gather with like-minded friends from across the country.

Student Christine Zoldos is motivated by the conference’s leading conservative speakers.

Foundation supporter Joseph Glab meets the young leaders he inspires through his gifts to Young America’s Foundation.

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Top student activists visit the Reagan Ranch during the 2006 West Coast Leadership Conference.

President’s Club Supporters Visit Rancho del Cielo More than 100 supporters and guests participated in Young America’s Foundation’s 2006 President’s Club Weekend at the Reagan Ranch held in conjunction with the West Coast Leadership Conference, November 9-11. In addition to joining the students for the conference sessions, supporters had the opportunity to spend time at the Reagan Ranch, meet other supporters and Foundation team members, and attend the third annual Torch of Freedom Banquet. This year’s recipient of the Torch of Freedom Award was Ken Tomlinson, chairman of the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors and past editor-in-chief of Reader’s Digest.

Student Kylie Graham visits Freedom Wall during an afternoon at Rancho del Cielo.

While visiting Rancho del Cielo, supporters heard from President Reagan’s Secret Service agent and close friend, John Barletta. President’s Club attendees also had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated Reagan Ranch Center and see the breakthrough facility their support makes possible.

Young people from around the country experience President Reagan’s beloved ranch home during the West Coast Leadership Conference.

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By Brad Churchman, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

Activist Ward Connerly addresses the need for individual rights rather than racial preferences.

Iraq War veteran Lt. Col. Scott Rutter speaks on his experiences in the war against radical Islam. Talk radio host Melanie Morgan (center) meets students Brooke Wendorff and Kristy Pyke following her speech to the young audience.

was inspired by the life and service of President Ronald Reagan. I was encouraged to live a life with high values and morals. I was able to learn things that will [help me] combat the extreme liberalism I face in school and share my viewpoint with others without being ashamed of it,” writes high school student Jeff Churchman.  Churchman was one of 70 students who traveled from 19 states to attend Young America’s Foundation’s inaugural Reagan Ranch High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch Center, February 8-10, 2007. Students traveled to Santa Barbara, California, to receive a healthy dose of conservative ideas and visit Ronald Reagan’s Western White House, Rancho del Cielo. The opening banquet speaker, civil rights activist Ward Connerly, set the tone for the weekend.  Mr. Connerly spoke passionately to those gathered in the Dorothy Donnelley Moller Outreach Center at the Reagan Ranch Center about America’s need for individual rights rather than racial preferences and his own experiences with racial prejudice.

President Reagan’s close friend and Secret Service agent, John Barletta, meets student participants and signs copies of his book, Riding with Reagan.

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Friday began with a tour of Rancho del Cielo where the students visited President Reagan’s beloved ranch home.  They marveled at the dock he built, the fences he constructed, and the distinguished guests he hosted in such a rugged setting. The young audience learned more about President Reagan through visiting the Ranch than ever possible in their classrooms. On Friday afternoon, students were privileged to hear from Ronald Reagan’s Secret Service agent and

Anthony Vann travels from Witchita, Kansas, to hear and be inspired by your conservative ideas.

Talk radio host Lars Larson speaks at the inaugural Reagan Ranch High School Conference.

C-SPAN, reaching 92 million homes nationwide, is on hand for much of the conference, broadcasting three segments multiple times in the weeks following the breakthrough program.

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riding partner, John Barletta. Mr. Barletta shared insights into the true character of Ronald Reagan, and all in attendance received a copy of John Barletta’s book, Riding with Reagan.  Students also heard from talk radio host Melanie Morgan, director of TeenPact Tim Echols, Westmont business professor Dr. David Newton, Venoco Oil’s Mike Edwards, Iraq War veteran Lt. Col. Scott Rutter, and World Magazine Editor Marvin Olasky.  That night, Seattle area talk radio host and Foundation Director Kirby Wilbur led a lively bull session where the students discussed a variety of topics and shared activism ideas with one another. Syndicated talk radio host Lars Larson, heard by more than one million listeners from Oregon to Washington, D.C., broadcasted his show live during the Reagan Ranch High School Conference. Larson devoted seven hours of air time to the Foundation—highlighting our conferences, our website, the Reagan Ranch, and much more! C-SPAN was on hand for the high school conference as well, covering

Elizabeth Johnson from Stratford, Iowa, visits Rancho del Cielo during the weekend-long conference.

speeches by author and actor Joseph Phillips, Marvin Olasky, and Young America’s Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle. All three lectures have since aired multiple times, reaching 92 million homes nationwide. The young leaders left the conference motivated and inspired to advance their ideas at their high schools. As Hannah Riley of Washington notes, “I feel so blessed to have had the rare opportunity of seeing the Ranch that Ronald Reagan loved so dearly. Through his ‘piece of heaven’ we are able to [gain] inspiration to learn more about this great man and what he stood for.” Young America’s Foundation thanks Mrs. Peggy Brandon for her generosity in sponsoring this breakthrough program which introduced so many young leaders to the conservative values President Reagan so cherished. Janie Abel from Amherst, New York, introduces herself to her peers at the Reagan Ranch High School Conference.

Author and actor Joseph Phillips signs a copy of his book for Emily Tolda from Carson City, Nevada.

More than 70 students from 19 states travel to the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California, for Young America’s Foundation’s inaugural Reagan Ranch High School Conference.

Students from Camden, New Jersey, visit President Reagan’s beloved ranch home.

Young America’s Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle speaks on how to make an impact on campus.

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O’Sullivan, Newton, D’Souza, and Goeglein Headline Reagan Ranch Roundtables ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––————––––––––––––——

By Aubrey Bettencourt, Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar

Westmont College business professor Dr. David Newton addresses the threat of radical Islam during the January Roundtable.

John O’Sullivan, former assistant to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and National Review’s editor-at-large, signs copies of his book—The President, the Pope, and the Prime Minister—for Foundation supporter Dr. James Barbabella.

chool is in session at the newly restored Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California, Author and frequent Foundation lecturer Dinesh D’Souza speaks at the February Reagan Ranch Roundtable about his latest book, The where every month, the Center Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. hosts a champion of conservatism to speak on issues facing today’s advisor to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Conservative Movement or to discuss past events brought to life the epic history of President Reagan’s and people who shaped our country. The Reagan fight for freedom during the Cold War. Expanding Ranch Roundtable luncheons are open to community on his book, The President, the Pope, and the Prime members as well as students from neighboring Minister, he painted a vivid picture of the relationship University of California - Santa Barbara, Westmont between the three great 20th century leaders—President College, and Santa Barbara City College. Beginning Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and Prime Minister only last December, these monthly gatherings have Thatcher—and the great efforts they made to bring become highly anticipated events in the Santa Barbara down communism and extend freedom. community. Dr. David Newton, chair of the economics and National Review at-large editor and author business department at nearby Westmont College, was John O’Sullivan was the inaugural Reagan Ranch the January Roundtable speaker. A long-time friend of Roundtable speaker. O’Sullivan, who served as an

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Tim Goeglein, White House deputy director of public liaison and special assistant to the president, shares insights about the Left and its exploitation of specific issues including multiculturalism and moral relativism.

Young America’s Foundation, Dr. Newton delivered his informative speech, “A Five-Year Review of America’s War on Terror.” Dr. Newton’s presentation covered the lengthy history of Islamo-fascist terrorism against the United States and drew attention to the United States’ wide but rarely publicized accomplishments and success in Iraq. February’s Roundtable drew a crowd of more than 140 community members and local students to hear charismatic conservative author and frequent Foundation lecturer Dinesh D’Souza discuss his latest book, The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11. D’Souza presented a highly informative and captivating lecture on what has historically and ideologically driven radical Islam. Questions arose for D’Souza as he signed books and engaged in conversation with audience members. In March, the Foundation welcomed Roundtable speaker Tim Goeglein, special assistant to Young leaders from the surrounding schools are invited to the monthly the president and Reagan Ranch Roundtables to deputy director of hear from some of today’s leading the White House conservatives.

Students from the Santa Barbara community receive copies of Dinesh D’Souza’s book during the Reagan Ranch Roundtable in February.

Office of Public Liaison. Goeglein outlined three major issues exploited by the liberal establishment: multiculturalism, trans-nationalism, and moral relativism. He also provided specific examples of how American progress and culture have been damaged by those who put foreign interests above our own. Additionally, Goeglein pointed out the dangers of believing there are no universal, moral truths—a philosophy aggressively pushed on college and university campuses. After his lecture, he took questions from the audience of nearly 100 students and supporters; his answers encompassed a wide variety of topics ranging from immigration policy to the Left’s stronghold in higher education. The Reagan Ranch Roundtable luncheons are a great opportunity for the citizens and students of President Reagan’s beloved Santa Barbara to meet and hear from the great guardians of the Conservative Movement today. Most importantly, the luncheons are an opportunity to further the principles President Reagan championed—individual freedom, strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values. Visit www.yaf.org for more information about upcoming Roundtables and other Foundation events. Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

STUDENT PROFILE

The Battle of Ideas at Boise State:

A Student’s Fight for the Conservative Cause

By Jonathan K. Sawmiller, Boise State University

he dull thud of my combat boots echoed along the airport corridor as I passed through the glass doors that were the final barrier to my family. After serving four long months in the Iraqi desert with the U.S. Air Force, I was home. I expected to see my mom and my little brothers clutching American flags. I didn’t expect to see the news crew from Channel 7 focusing its camera on me and waving a microphone in my face. “How do you feel about BSU [Boise State University] firing you from the student senate because you went to Iraq?” I sighed. It was September 2006, and the leftists at Boise State

Boise State University student activist Jonathan Sawmiller is greeted by his family and Boise-area media upon his return home from his service in Iraq.

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University were up to their usual dirty tricks. I’ve been a student activist for several years, and in the spring of 2006, I wrote a weekly opinion column for BSU’s student newspaper, the Arbiter. It took only a few articles presenting conservative viewpoints before BSU’s leftist groups declared war. University administrators spearheaded an unsuccessful attempt to recall me from our student senate, claiming that conservative opinions were “hate-mongering.” The Left started playing dirty when their recall failed. They claimed that I wasn’t qualified to serve in student senate because I was serving in Iraq and

S TU D E N T P R O F I L E

not carrying a full credit protest to garner attention. load the first few weeks of Dozens of students gathered school. I filed an appeal to in the quad, carrying signs the student judiciary, and and handing out literature. conservative students took We attracted much media the story to the local media. which spread the word The administration relented around the Northwest amid public pressure, and my that conservative students senate seat was restored after at BSU were fighting the nearly a month of conflict. blatant bias in speaker Shortly afterwards, funding. Young America’s Foundation Public outcry brought sent me and fellow BSU our concerns to members of student activist Dayna the state’s Senate Education Halverson to a speaker Committee. Under pressure training seminar at the from the state government, Reagan Ranch Center in BSU President Dr. Kustra Santa Barbara, California. It admitted that the speakers was a great experience. Not chosen by the University only did we have the chance “tilt to the left,” noted to network with other young that he was going to conservatives and tour the invite several moderate Reagan Ranch, we learned and conservative speakers valuable lessons about next year, and scheduled a fighting for conservative meeting with conservative ideals on college campuses. students to get their input Jonathan Sawmiller serves his country as a member of I put those lessons to on speaker selection. the U.S. Air Force in Iraq. Upon his return to Boise State use the very next month, Freedom Week and University, the campus Left attempted to revoke his posiNovember 2006, by leading our fight to bring more tion on the Boise State Student Senate. the fight to have Freedom balance to BSU’s speakers Week recognized by the BSU student honoring Ronald Reagan around are great victories for our cause, but government. With the help of Young campus, constructed and tore down a conservative students aren’t sitting America’s Foundation and campus replica Berlin Wall, and helped bring back and relaxing. Young America’s conservatives, I crafted legislation that in a speaker from the Idaho National Foundation helped us bring author officially recognized and celebrated Guard on Veterans Day. and terrorism expert Robert World Freedom Day, Veterans Day, Our Freedom Week activities Spencer to speak about the fight and Freedom Week at Boise State. ignited our passion to continue against radical Islam. We’re also After fierce conflict in committee, the advancing our conservative ideas taking part in student government, student senate unanimously passed while exposing the school’s liberal reaching out to new recruits, making the Freedom Week legislation—in bias. Research showed that, in the waves in the media, and exposing spite of heated protests by multiple past five years, BSU paid for 15 liberal indoctrination by faculty leftist student groups. liberal speakers—including Jesse and administration. In the fight to Unfortunately, not long thereafter, Jackson, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, and advance our ideas and with Young the student government president Danny Glover—yet did not pay for America’s Foundation’s support, became caught up in the stampede to a single conservative speaker. We Boise State conservatives are on the ban anything conservative and vetoed submitted an open records request, offensive! the Freedom Week legislation. forcing the University to disclose their ——————–———————— Nonetheless, our conservative speaker spending records. The record Jonathan Sawmiller is a senior student organizations at BSU showed that $325,000 was spent for majoring in English at Boise State celebrated Freedom Week without liberal speakers while no money was University in Boise, Idaho. He is official recognition from the student allocated for conservatives. also a member of Young America’s government. We placed Young We were determined to rectify Foundation’s Campus Conservative America’s Foundation posters this gross injustice and organized a Battleplan Advisory Board. Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Todd Buchholz Advances Free Market Ideas in the White House, at Harvard, and Beyond ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Jessica Koebensky, Editor

n 1980, Todd Buchholz came across an ad in National Review for Young America’s Foundation’s 2nd annual National Conservative Student Conference. The then-Bucknell University sophomore found he could not pass by the chance to visit our nation’s capital and hear from leading conservatives. “I found the retreat to be a neat antidote to the typical left-wing blather that dominated campuses,” reflects Buchholz. “I must say, being a budding economist, I was also attracted by the fabulously low price for a visit to D.C.!” During that conference, Buchholz and his 67 peers from around the country were introduced to conservative ideas and instructed on international relations and economics from leading professors including military expert Dr. Alan Ned Sabrosky and economist Dr. James Gwartney. A few years later, Todd Buchholz returned to our nation’s capital to intern at Young America’s Foundation’s National Headquarters—an opportunity that enabled him to meet President Reagan and attend a Rose Garden reception with the President and Egypt’s Anwar Sadat. “I remember laying out the format for Libertas,” Buchholz notes of his Foundation internship in 1983. “That was back in ancient times before Apple Computer revolutionized typesetting! I also recall reporting on those ‘troublesome’ upstart undergrads at Dartmouth, Dinesh D’Souza and Laura Ingraham.”

Todd Buchholz, leading economist and author, strengthened his understanding of conservative ideas while interning for Young America’s Foundation in 1983.

Buchholz’s internship was only the beginning of his work in Washington; less than a decade later, he returned to serve in President George H.W. Bush’s administration as director of economic policy. Buchholz credits his father’s civic involvement and family discussions “around the dining room table” for igniting his interest in public policy. “But after the Vietnam War, when I was in junior high and high school, I realized that you could not intelligently discuss politics without understanding economics, too,” says Buchholz. “Reagan, at that time, was known as

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a conservative cold warrior but soon captured our imaginations for his economic policies as well.” Buchholz’s eagerness to advance President Reagan’s conservative beliefs and further his own understanding of economics brought him to Harvard and Cambridge Universities where he earned advanced degrees. He eventually joined the Harvard faculty before serving in the Bush administration from 1989-1992. “I can thank Reagan chief economic adviser Martin Feldstein and future [Federal Reserve] Governor Larry Lindsey for introducing me to Bush,” says Buchholz. “I had taught economics at Harvard under Marty, and he wrote the foreword to my first book. During the 1988 campaign against Mike Dukakis, Marty and Larry were looking to recruit smart economists. Somehow, my name showed up on a list. Of course, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it might have been a small piece of paper!” Buchholz says his best day at the White House was the day that Saddam Hussein and his troops rushed in retreat out of Kuwait. “Though Reagan had captured my heart, I remember being thankful for [President] Bush’s impressive diplomatic skills as he assembled a global coalition against Saddam Hussein…I remember thinking it was a wonderful thing to help liberate a people.” Today, with the younger Bush in the Oval Office, Buchholz highlights the differences between George H. W. Bush’s policies and those of his son. “When George W. [Bush] won election, many people assumed he would be the anti-Clinton. I told them that was wrong. He would be the anti-G.H.W. Bush. He would cut taxes, instead of raising them. Speak loudly, not diplomatically, about the overwhelming benefits of democratic capitalism. The differences were greater than that, though. Some for the good; some for the worse. [George H.

W. Bush’s administration] caved to tax hikes. George W. Bush has, of course, cut taxes but also refused to battle Congress on spending, especially in the first term. Now, the deficit is looking better, but Congress got away with far too much pork-barreling in the past six years.” In addition to his work at the White House and Harvard University, Buchholz has served as managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund and authored numerous books that are used in universities nationwide. His works include Market Shock: 9 Economic and Social Upheavals that Will Shake Our Financial Future, New Ideas from Dead Economists, and From Here To Economy. His newest books, New Ideas From Dead CEOs and The Castro Gene—a novel exploring the underside of global investing—were released in May 2007. In addition to writing, Buchholz is a sought-after lecturer and frequent commentator on ABC News, PBS, and CBS. When asked which economists influenced him the most, the answer comes easily: Milton Friedman. “People should understand that not only was

Milton brilliant and brave, but he was kind to students,” says Buchholz who recalls receiving personal letters from Friedman in reply to questions he sent him as an undergraduate. “When, as a graduate student, I was writing New Ideas from Dead Economists, he read chapters, made extensive comments, and then introduced me to Nobel Laureate Ronald Coase for further insights. Finally, Milton gave me a great blurb for the back of the book, all the while telling me that I was too kind to him!” So, it’s no surprise that an accomplished graduate of Young America’s Foundation’s programs would have advice for those who may follow in his footsteps. He advises today’s young activists to read Friedrich Hayek—“even if they don’t like economics.” He also suggests reading Allan Bloom’s The Closing of the American Mind and Marx’s Communist Manifesto, “so you know what we may be up against!” Buchholz shares his well-honed financial advice with his fellow Foundation alumni: “The nice thing

Todd Buchholz (pictured front row, third from left) attends Young America’s Foundation’s 1980 National Conservative Student Conference.

Todd Buchholz’s most recent books include New Ideas from Dead CEOs and The Castro Gene—a novel about the underside of global investing.

about studying economics is that the more you learn, the less it makes sense to worry about which stock to buy! By and large, efficient markets give signals that coordinate risk and expected return. Generally, I’m bullish on the U.S. and the markets in the long term, so long as we do not slide back to 1970s style regulations. Adam Smith got it right. People are motivated by a desire to better their lives and the lives of their families. As long as most Americans get up in the morning and try to do this, investing in America will make sense.” Todd Buchholz has greatly invested his own time and service in our country and the Conservative Movement since his days as a Bucknell undergrad and Foundation intern. In an essay the future economist and author wrote for Young America’s Foundation in the early 1980s, his words foretold a desire to do the great work he has since accomplished. He wrote, “Since elementary school, three strains have run through my thinking…They are a profound interest in government, a pride in my country, [and] an ability and desire to communicate the first two in spoken and written words… Through my writing I have sought to persuade others that, despite what my professors might say, to believe in and work for America is to support noble principles.” Through his writing and much more, Todd Buchholz has done just that.

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Alumnus Leads Fight to Protect Second Amendment Rights ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Flagg Youngblood, Senior Programs and Advancement Officer

agreed with him. And, I wanted to learn more and see how I could help. Creating an opportunity for people to get involved and to get the knowledge and experience is what’s key.” Cunningham saw opportunities to become more involved when he attended Young America’s Foundation’s first National Conservative Student Conference in 1979—a conference he credits for educating him on public policy issues, increasing his knowledge and consistency of conservative philosophy, and providing the confidence and knowledge to advance his conservative ideas on campus. Following college, he remained active in the Conservative Movement, working for the Christian Coalition and the National Right to Work Committee in addition to the National Rifle Association. From 1984 until 1994, Cunningham was directly responsible for the right to keep and

I said, ‘Sure, I’ll do that.’” eet Chuck Cunningham— he’s unassuming, well-read, Fortunately, Cunningham stayed and totally committed to his much longer than the requested half family and all causes conservative. He hour, and he’s done far more than and his wife, Maria, are the parents just fill a seat over the years. Today, of ten children; his oldest son, Billy, an autographed photo of Dick is soon heading Obenshain, off to the U.S. the speaker Naval Academy, that night having received nearly three two nominations decades ago, hangs in his to attend. Chuck has been office where an unflagging Chuck activist since his college days, and his many successes in the Conservative Movement and personally can all be traced back to a simple question an acquaintance asked in college in 1978. “I can Alumnus Chuck Cunningham, director of federal affairs for the National Rifle remember Association, was introduced to conservative this like ideas at a campus lecture in the late 1970s featuring Dick Obenshain. yesterday,” says Cunningham. “Jeff Bolander, my best friend now, serves as the director was YAF chapter chairman at James of federal affairs for Madison University. He said, ‘Do the National Rifle Association (NRA). you want to go to a meeting tonight?’ And I said nope. Then he said, “I stayed [to hear ‘Well, listen, I’ve got this out-of-town Obenshain] because I speaker coming in. I’m responsible for didn’t know a whole Chuck Cunningham was first introduced to Young America’s Foundation in 1979 and has done much to the event’s turnout, and if you could lot about the issues. advance the Conservative Movement since then. Today, go for a half an hour and fill a seat, I’d But, I liked what he and his wife, Maria, are the proud parents of ten appreciate it as a personal favor.’ And he had to say, and I children, all pictured above.

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matter of educating me and getting the experience to be able to go farther and take a leadership role.” Indeed, the Conservative Movement has benefited greatly since Chuck Cunningham attended his first conservative campus lecture and the Foundation’s National Conservative Student Conference. He has dedicated his life to defending our freedoms, and we are blessed to have him—and the ten Cunninghams to follow—on our side!

In his National Rifle Association office on Capitol Hill, Chuck Cunningham reflects on his days as a student activist at James Madison University.

bear arms amendments in states including Delaware, Maine, and West Virginia. In this position, Cunningham focused on firearms preemption laws that eliminated local gun control ordinances. In Michigan, this battle took five years before a breakthrough finally happened. “Things have improved a great deal since the mid1980s when we created a national legislative agenda for the states,” notes Cunningham. Today, as director of federal affairs for the National Rifle Association, Cunningham manages the group’s Washington, D.C., office and coordinates the NRA’s lobbying on Capitol Hill and other federal activities. When asked about his concerns for today, Cunningham is quick to point out that we all need to do more to fight big government. “The forgotten question in policy debates today is ‘Is it the role of the Federal government to…?’ you fill in the blank, whatever it is. The question is not even asked anymore; it’s just sort of assumed that the government can and should do anything

and everything about [whatever issue]. Just because something is a national issue doesn’t mean there’s a federal solution to it. D.C. is a microcosm, a laboratory experiment of liberalism’s failure. We need to return to the fundamental tenets of the Conservative Movement—limited government, low taxes, strong national defense, traditional values, and free enterprise.” Cunningham offers specific advice for student activists: have regular, monthly meetings, pick issues to advocate, bring in speakers to discuss those issues, paper the campus with provocative posters and meeting notices, and, most importantly, personally invite people to attend. “Be visible and active,” he urges today’s young leaders. “Pass out literature and socialize with friends, but also draw in people based on issues. Build some energy and get them in the front door so that they have an interest and hopefully go farther.” “It took me getting into the door. Then, once going through the door, I became interested, and it was a

Below are a few of the many Foundation alumni advancing the Conservative Movement through their leadership in government and various organizations: • David Bossie (1992) is president of Citizens United in Washington, D.C. • Nathan Cooper (1999) is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. • Lisa DePasquale (2000) serves as director of the Conservative Political Action Conference. • Jeff Frederick (1997) is a delegate in the Virginia State House. • Chris Gillott (1998) serves as legislative director for Congressman Bobby Jindal. • Jonathan Miller (2005) is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. • Brian Montieth (1984) is a Scottish Conservative and member of the Unionist Party of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife. • Marc Short (1991) serves as chief of staff for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

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National Review Online’s Editor Advances Conservatism Through New Media ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––——

in various ways. But suffice it to say: I learned early to have your notes straight, to be articulate and quick, and that adults don’t always play fair. I also figured out what I never would really learn in a classroom: you never sign any papers agreeing to become a ‘public figure,’ it just sometimes happens when By Jessica Koebensky, Editor you open your mouth (or start typing, as it were).” Kathryn’s conservative values were strengthened throughout her childhood and college career. She credits National athryn Lopez’s initial exposure to cynicism around me, I was driven by a bit of a sense of civic duty.” Review founder William F. Buckley the National Review readership Lopez carried her sense of civic with defining many of her conservative did not come through her work duty and the knowledge gained at that beliefs. “In a lot of ways, Bill Buckley and writings as editor of National has always been conservatism to me,” Review Online (NRO). Instead, Lopez’s Foundation conference with her during her undergraduate days as a campus Lopez notes. “I’m honored beyond name and a quote first appeared in the activist at the Catholic University of my ability to express to be at National popular conservative publication via a America in Washington, D.C. Eager Review and everyday have a humble Young America’s Foundation National to attend the well-known academic sense of responsibility to a legacy and Conservative Student Conference ad. Fortunately, Kathryn’s first National institution, she was initially taken aback history.” by the left-leaning administrators and She also received a good dose of Review quote did not go unnoticed. faculty. values and advice from her family. Her As she notes, “The first time I visited “I naively went there thinking, father’s recommendation? “You don’t National Review World Headquarters, hey, I’m at the Catholic University of need those Princeton Review SAT prep one of the editors said to me, ‘Are you books…just read more Bill Buckley.” the same Kathryn Lopez from the Young America, and there were certain things about this school that would distinguish Kathryn passes on similar advice America’s Foundation ads?’” it from other schools,” says Lopez. to today’s young conservatives: “Read Ironically, it was a Foundation ad in “…Early on in my sophomore year I Buckley, read back issues of National an earlier issue of National Review which realized the president of the university Review, read the Federalist Papers, read initially attracted the future NRO editor didn’t even seem to think CUA should the books Young America’s Foundation to Young America’s Foundation’s student have to live up to its name, [so] I had to and ISI recommend—Russell Kirk and programs. In 1994, Lopez—then a high George Nash and all the rest. But also school student—attended the Foundation’s push back a bit…It’s a long story and of read the New York Times and know National Conservative Student Conference the kind that others have encountered what The New Republic where she heard from is saying and why you prominent conservatives don’t agree, if you don’t. including Speaker Newt Read a lot of history. Gingrich, Attorney General Know where we came Ed Meese, Senator Phil from and what you’re a Gramm, Ralph Reed, and part of as an American.” others. Kathryn Lopez “I had an abnormally has been with National early interest in [public Review since college, policy] and hoped I’d during which, as she either wind up doing recalls, she “filled a something political or series of slots including impressing upon others coffeemaker in the D.C. the importance of what and New York offices… goes on in Washington,” until the NRO editor notes Lopez. “I knew slot came up.” Today, I’d have to do something she writes frequently constructive with that Kathryn Lopez (front row, second from left) listens as Hillsdale on bioethics, religion, knowledge; in high school, Professor Dr. Burt Folsom addresses the Foundation’s 1994 feminism, education, in college, seeing the National Conservative Student Conference.

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Foundation should admit George Soros’ Campus Progress representatives disguised as reporters to blog at the 2006 National Conservative Student Conference. Kathryn eventually intervened in this debate on behalf of Young America’s Foundation, which opposed admitting the student bloggers. “That would be an example of how an editor often has to play the role of referee,” says Lopez. “One of many debates happening just on our humble site that week, I’m sure. I generally just call it like I see it.” Throughout her time with the conservative publication, much has happened in Washington and worldwide. “Some of the most memorable days have been hard ones,” recalls Lopez. Lopez (middle) moderates a panel on the “State of Conservatism” at the National Review Institute’s Conservative Summit this past January. Panelists “We’ve had a writer murdered in Iraq; included Kate O’Beirne, Mona Charen, Michelle Malkin, and Laura Ingraham. 9/11, working from one phone line in a smoke-filled office. [These are] days that and Congress among other topics. As motivate you to highlight heroism and “When the next histories of editor of National Review Online, fight the enemy in the ways that you’re conservatism are written,” says Lopez, Lopez oversees the web magazine’s best able…As we’ve seen with this new “Rich Lowry needs to be credited for editorial content and operations. Lopez Congress especially, those soldiers on the having the vision to want to gamble on also writes for National Review, and frontlines do need folks looking out for the Internet. This coming January will you can read her nearly hourly at them at home. We all have roles in this mark ten years since his first issue of NRO’s weblog, “The Corner,” where war. For as long as there are people who National Review she is better known as “K-Lo.” want us dead.” as editor, and in Kathryn’s daily work puts her in Closer to home, those ten years touch with some of today’s top authors Kathryn counts National NRO has really and columnists. National Review Review’s coverage of the made a mark as a boasts an impressive line up of young, three latest Supreme Court trailblazer…But fresh writers—a promising signal for nominations among the only a decade or our Movement, according to Lopez. magazine’s most recent so ago, you might “So many young faces at NR has got successes: “We weren’t small have had to wait to be an encouraging sign for the future players…I do think a week to have of conservatism. When you look at so that our reporting and any idea what many who write for us—Rich Lowry, analysis of the judiciary National Review Jonah Goldberg, Kate O’Beirne, Ramesh thought of has had an impact— Ponnuru, the list goes on—you’ve got one the Founders something. Now, people who are both well-rooted in would appreciate. on a 24/7 basis movement conservatism and who each, Undoubtedly, our you can watch in their own unique way, bring a fresh Founders would also both individual and perspective to it all. I think you see these corporate reactions Lopez’s name first appears appreciate the great in National Review via this encouraging signs everyday on National work accomplished by in real-time. There Young America’s Foundation Review Online. It’s a lively, colorful, Kathryn Lopez during are new opportunities ad promoting our 1996 creative Conservative Movement.” her college years as a for debates [and] for National Conservative Still youthful in its own right, campus activist and Student Conference. personalities to shine National Review Online celebrated its throughout her time through. It’s pretty 10th anniversary last year, and Kathryn at National Review. The Conservative exciting and nerve-wracking.” credits National Review Editor Rich Movement is blessed to have this talented Last summer, just such debate Lowry for taking a chance with an writer, editor, and Young America’s occurred at National Review Online online publication a decade earlier. Foundation alumna on our side. on whether or not Young America’s

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Hillsdale Professor Spreads Liberty Through Economics ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Elaine McGinnis, Development Officer Nonetheless, the Young America’s Foundation alumnus enlivens economics with his ability to connect its principles to everyday life. “I approach economics in a down-toearth way, and I try to remember the challenges I had when learning economics,” Pongracic explains. He says that excitement to learn begins to grow once his students start to understand that economics is more than just numbers but is rather about people and how we can explore order in our societies. It seems as if Pongracic was destined to teach the next generation the value of free market economics. Born in Croatia, formerly Dr. Ivan Pongracic visits the Reagan Ranch with part of communist students attending the 2007 Road to Freedom: Yugoslavia, his father, Milton Friedman seminar. also an economist, moved then fourteen-year-old Ivan alking through the halls of and his family to the United States Hillsdale College, it would to study with the great American be a fortunate person conservative Dr. Russell Kirk. For the who stumbled upon an economics next two years, Ivan lived next door class taught by Dr. Ivan Pongracic. Dr. to Dr. Kirk, soaking up his father’s Pongracic, one of the most popular professors at Hillsdale, has an uncanny and Kirk’s discussions of free-market ideas and conservative ideas. ability to connect with his students on As he listened, Pongracic’s a topic that even he admits most are not initially excited about—economics. own interest in economics and

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Dr. Ivan Pongracic passes on Dr. Friedman’s free-market ideas to future leaders at the Reagan Ranch Center.

public policy began to take shape, and at the urging of Dr. Kirk, he attended his first Young America’s Foundation conference in 1987. There, Pongracic met and heard from a wide variety of conservative luminaries, but he says he was particularly influenced by the ideas of Dr. Richard Ebeling, now president of the Foundation for Economic Education and recent Ludwig von Mises Professor of Economics at Hillsdale College. Pongracic spent the next few years expanding his involvement in the Conservative Movement. He attended a second National Conservative Student Conference, and then in the summer of 1990— between his sophomore and junior years at Purdue University where he received his undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering— Ivan joined the Young America’s Foundation team as an intern. Ivan Pongracic’s commitment to the Conservative Movement grew throughout his college career; he formed his own campus

conservative group and became a dedicated student activist. With the Foundation’s help, Pongracic also organized a lecture featuring bestselling author Dinesh D’Souza. Pongracic’s deep-rooted desire to spread conservative ideas fueled his decision to change his career path from aerospace engineering to economics. Following his time at Purdue, he went on to receive his M.A. and Ph. D. in economics from George Mason University. Ivan Pongracic has spent the last seven years striving to reach students with conservative ideas as the Wallace and Marion Reemelin chair in Austrian economics at Hillsdale College. In addition to teaching at Hillsdale College, Pongracic offers his expertise in economics as a speaker at Young America’s Foundation events, including our Road to Freedom: Milton Friedman seminar which

Foundation alumnus and Hillsdale professor Dr. Ivan Pongracic instructs future leaders on the values of free-market economics and the lasting accomplishments of Dr. Milton Friedman.

celebrates the life and works of Milton Friedman. “I didn’t go into academia to insulate myself in some ivory tower; instead, my primary Ivan Pongracic desire was to teach the principles is not just an of liberty, and I believe that economics professor; economics naturally does that. I he is also a have found teaching to be what musician with I’m supposed to do,” notes a passion for playing the Pongracic. guitar. He is When asked what is vital currently a for all conservatives to unmember of derstand about economics, The Madeira, an instrumenPongracic says that economics tal surf music is extremely good at teachband. Previous to this, Ivan’s musical ing us how to take all of the ambitions included fulfilling a life-long dream of playing alongside his father, consequences of an action into Ivan Sr., in a Shadows tribute band account. “This is extremely known as the Troubadours. important in public policy,” he Below are several of the CDs Ivan and his states. “[Public policy officials] bands have produced over the years. often emphasize one consequence, but either willfully or ignorantly ignore all other consequences. It is necessary to fully understand consequences of actions to be engaged in Washington, D.C., but, really, it is key in all areas of life.”

Dr. Pongracic’s advice for young conservatives today? “Educate yourself to the fullest extent possible because no one ever knows everything. And remember to be humble in your knowledge.”

Below are a few of the many Foundation alumni pursuing careers in education: • Phil Alfano (1986) is principal of Downey High School in Modesto, California. • Shale Horowitz (1982) is an associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. • Michael New (1996) is a political science professor at the University of Alabama. • Andy Volpert (1996) teaches high school in Springfield, Illinois.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Peter Schweizer Brings Reagan’s Ideas to Millions Through Books and Film ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Roger Custer, Conference Director

ost best-selling authors are content with writing, but Young America’s Foundation alumnus Peter Schweizer goes a step further by sharing Reagan’s ideas with millions through the world of film. Peter Schweizer is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution with several best-selling books, including Do As I Say, Not As I Do: Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy and Reagan’s War: The Epic Story of His FortyYear Struggle and Final Triumph Over Communism. He was inspired to become a writer after attending Young America’s Foundation’s 1982 National Conservative Student Conference as a high school student. “[At the conference] we were given a stack of books by Milton Friedman…Bill Buckley, etc.  I had read National Review, but the conference was my first exposure to conservative books. I discovered then and there that, unlike articles or lectures, books can really influence a person over the long term. That’s why I turned to writing books after college,” recalls Schweizer. After working for Young America’s Foundation as a staff member, Schweizer continued writing about Ronald Reagan. In 1993, he joined the Hoover Institution as a media fellow, and in 1999, he was hired permanently as a research fellow. “I was thrilled and remain so to this day,” says Schweizer. “It is,

administration and a Reagan Ranch Board of Governors member. In 2004, Schweizer received a phone call from Hollywood producer and Reagan fan Stephen K. Bannon who wanted to use Reagan’s War for a documentary. Soon after, Schweizer helped produce In the Face of Evil, a film based on Schweizer’s book which chronicles Reagan’s long war and victory against Communism. “I want to impact the culture,” states Schweizer in reference to his involvement with the film industry. “In America today, public policy attitudes are definitely more conservative. But I think some cultural attitudes are moving in the wrong direction. Perhaps I can help

for me, the ultimate job: I have the resources and freedom that allow me to research and write about subjects in depth.” One subject he writes about in depth is President Reagan’s Cold War victory. Millions read Schweizer’s writings about Reagan through his bestselling books. Schweizer’s favorite book he has written so far is Reagan’s War. “I admire what Reagan did, and I’m proud of the fact that I was able to unearth so much from the Soviet archives that proved how Reagan won the Cold War,” notes Schweizer. He has edited a few additional volumes about Reagan’s presidency, and in 2005 he released a novel that was co-written by Caspar Weinberger, the late secretary Foundation alumnus and best-selling author Peter Schweizer advances President Reagan’s ideas through film and books, of defense for including the award-winning documentary, In the Face of Evil, the Reagan based on Schweizer’s book, Reagan’s War.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Below are a few of the many Foundation alumni advancing the Movement through their books: Ann Coulter (1985) • Godless • Slander • How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must) Dan Flynn (1996) • Why the Left Hates America • Intellectual Morons Malcolm Gladwell (1982) • Tipping Point • Blink See page 35 for more books written by our alumni.

Peter Schweizer signs copies of his latest book, Do As I Say, Not As I Do: Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy, at the 2006 National Conservative Student Conference.

to change that…I’ve got a couple of projects brewing.” The avid writer and scholar foresees himself sharing Reagan’s ideas with millions through books and film for many years to come. Schweizer also enjoys spending time with his family at their home in Florida which he says “helps me focus on my writing as opposed to facing all of the distractions in Washington, D.C.” His two children, 9-year-old Jack and 6year-old Hannah, keep him and his wife Rochelle—who attended the Foundation’s National Journalism Center in the 1980s—busy. Schweizer says, “[We are] training them well and expect them both to be solid conservatives. Jack will be attending a Young America’s Foundation student conference in 2015.”

Schweizer, a member of the Foundation’s staff for several years, is now a frequent and popular speaker at Young America’s Foundation’s events.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Professor Uses Reagan’s Example to Advance Freedom ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Roger Custer, Conference Director

The Foundation soon helped sponsor Waller and his colleagues’ travel to Central America. “Living with a CIA-backed anti-communist guerrilla force in Nicaragua and helping out the Salvadoran army in its fight caused me to understand that the communist enemy fought its wars mainly through political means, while our side emphasized the military side.” Waller continues, “[E]ven though we ultimately won both conflicts, the communists employed a very effective politics-to-military ratio...that enabled them to build a large support base that we could overcome only with superior firepower. It took some tough experiences to see people bleed and die to realize that we could fight and win wars more effectively if we emphasized political and psychological warfare.” Following his experiences in Central America which included the death of his roommate, Dr. Waller went on to study and write about alternative methods of warfare and in doing so “stumbled into a more disciplined and academic approach to problem-solving.” Waller’s writings caught the attention of Boston University where he was offered a Master’s degree scholarship and ultimately a Ph.D. fellowship that led to his dissertation on the KGB. Since then, Dr. Waller has published several books including

Washington University: “It was r. J. Michael Waller teaches 1982…The Cold War was at its his students to win wars thickest. Ronald Reagan was… but not through military turning tables on the seemingly strength. Instead, Waller teaches invincible Soviet Union. The local the lessons of President Ronald Young Americans for Freedom Reagan’s victory over communism. [YAF] chapter sponsored the visit “[Reagan’s] strategy is a fantastic of a journalist who inspiration for those had just returned from fighting Islamist Afghanistan where he extremism today, but covered the anti-Soviet so far our national resistance fighters. At leaders haven’t caught that meeting I joined on,” notes Dr. Waller. YAF and ended up Waller, a Young running the GWU America’s Foundation chapter. A YAF alumnus, is the veteran and mentor Walter and Leonore said I should call Ron Annenberg Professor Robinson at Young of International Dr. J. Michael Waller America’s Foundation, Communication at the and we did. Ron invited me out to his Institute of World Politics (IWP) in office, told me all the great stuff we Washington, D.C. IWP is a unique could be doing, and sent me off with graduate school located blocks from a boxload of books.” the White House that offers Master’s One of those books was John degree programs in Statecraft & Barron’s KGB: The Secret Work World Politics and Statecraft & of Soviet Secret Agents which National Security Affairs. Founded Waller credits for inspiring him to in 1990 by members of Ronald “go beyond Reagan’s Security Council, Waller domestic says “IWP is teaching the intellectual [policy] and legacy of Reagan’s security policy.” join Reagan’s During his college years, Dr. fight against Waller describes himself as “a hardthe Soviets.” core activist who had no intention He adds, of going to graduate school.” His “Looking back, involvement with Young America’s I think it was Foundation spurred his interest in reading that studying the Soviets and directed KGB book him toward a career of educating for that led me freedom. young Mike Waller (center) meets columnist George Will toward a career A Dr. Waller reflects on his during a Young America’s Foundation campus lecture at Georgetown University on April 25, 1983. in education.” undergraduate days at The George

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Foundation alumnus Dr. Michael Waller instructs his students at the Institute of World Politics on the methods President Reagan used to take down the Soviet Union without firing a shot.

the prizewinning Secret Empire: The KGB in Russia Today (1994); Dismantling Tyranny: Transitioning Beyond Totalitarian Regimes (2006); and Strategic Influence: Public Diplomacy, Counterpropaganda and Political Warfare (2006). Dr. Waller’s determination to protect and advance freedom is reflected not only in his writings but also in his classroom. On a recent Thursday night in downtown Washington, D.C., 12 students assembled at IWP for Waller’s course, “Public Diplomacy and Political Warfare.” Professor Waller’s students are engaged and inspired by his teaching methods. In this particular course, students study the declassified documents detailing President Reagan’s wellplanned strategy to take down the Soviet Union. The documents show how Ronald Reagan and his

closest advisors combined their “imagination, optimism, and courage to fight against the odds and win.” Dr. Waller is also advancing freedom through use of the new media. “I’ve been experimenting with blogging…and it’s simply amazing what an individual can do to influence events in other countries. We are doing some promising work against Islamist extremists and their allies, using a combination of psychological warfare techniques and blogging tools to take down terrorists in the eyes of their own supporters,” reports Waller. In 2005, Dr. Waller and a fellow Polish professor blogged names of communists in the Polish government. Dr. Waller says they wanted “to help root out the thousands of communist collaborators still populating Poland’s government.” He notes, “With a simple blog we started exposing

them…and in short order we [brought down] the ambassador-designate to the United States, his successor, Prime Minister Belka, and others.” Some members of the Polish parliament accused Waller of staging a coup d’état in Warsaw. Fortunately, Poland has since elected a conservative government which is purging communists from the diplomatic and intelligence services. Dr. Waller is a tremendous asset to our Conservative Movement. As a professor, he introduces young audiences to President Reagan’s lasting accomplishments and inspires these future leaders to apply Ronald Reagan’s values and principles to their own lives and careers. Today’s young people and the future of our nation will greatly benefit from more teachers dedicated to advancing freedom as Professor Waller does each day in and out of the classroom.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

President Reagan’s Granddaughter Enjoys Her Place in the Conservative Movement ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— By Marisa Glatzer, Reagan Ranch Center Office Manager

efore the age of 10, Ashley a young age, enabling her to stand up Reagan never thought of her for her beliefs in the face of opposition. family as being different than any “He [President Reagan] impacted my other family. To her, Ronald Reagan was life in many ways; as a leader and as my simply the man she called “grandpa”— grandpa. As a leader, I learned to stand the loving grandfather who doted on up for what I believed in regardless of Ashley Reagan and her father, Michael, her and her older brother, Cameron. “I who disagreed with me, and I also learned visit Rancho del Cielo often. would visit him often at his office in to work hard for what I wanted.” come as no surprise, therefore, that Century City and go to his house on the Young America’s Foundation has Ashley—a recent graduate of California weekends for lunch enjoyed a Lutheran University—has followed in or to swim,” recalls longstanding her grandfather’s and now her father’s Ashley. relationship footsteps, becoming more involved with Ashley grew up with Michael Young America’s Foundation and the in a close family that Reagan and his cherished their times family. Michael Conservative Movement. Ashley attended several of the with Ronald Reagan. is a frequent Foundation’s West Coast Leadership Michael Reagan, speaker at Conferences with her father and, in Ashley’s father, is Foundation 2002, traveled to Washington, D.C., to a conservative talk student be a part of our National Conservative radio host whose programs and Student Conference. show is syndicated always ranks Ashley, Michael, and Colleen Reagan “It is especially nice to be around across the nation. highly among participate in Young America’s Foundaindividuals who share your same Ashley’s mother, our students. tion’s 2006 West Coast Leadership ideals, especially since conservatism is Colleen, was a stay- Conference. It should not the norm on most college at-home mom and campuses,” says Ashley. “I is a part-time travel agent. definitely have learned to Growing up with President Reagan embrace my conservative as her grandfather had its benefits, but it ideals through Young also came with some challenges. While America’s Foundation, and some people are thrilled to meet Ronald the Foundation has provided Reagan’s kin, others lash out. “It is me with so many resources to a challenge when you are faced with challenge the Left and support people that disagree with his policies or my beliefs.” the way he shaped the nation during his Ashley truly values saving presidency,” says Ashley. “People can be her grandfather’s ranch home mean, and it can be difficult when you and helping to educate young are young to understand that. To you people about Ronald Reagan. he is just your grandpa, but at the same “Preserving the Ranch is time, all of these people have formed Ashley Reagan joins the 2004 Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholars for an afternoon at the Reagan important to my grandpa, my their own opinions about him.” Ranch to celebrate the anniversary of President family, and history. [The Ranch] Ashley, however, was not deterred Reagan’s 1981 tax cut—legislation signed into best shows what Ronald Reagan by those who might disagree with her law at Rancho del Cielo. Pictured from left to stood for and illustrates his grandfather’s policies and ideals. Her right: Amy Malley, Heather Millican, Ashley humility to people. The Ranch conservative principles were instilled at Reagan, and Whitney Hauser.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Young Ashley Reagan with her family at Rancho del Cielo in 1985. Pictured from left to right: Michael Reagan, President Reagan, Cameron Reagan, Colleen Reagan, Ashley Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Ron Reagan, Doria Reagan, Paul Grilley, and Patti Davis. (Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.)

Ashley and her brother, Cameron, join their grandparents on the dock at the Western White House. (Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.)

is Ronald Reagan,” she comments. “Young conservatives who visit the Ranch can be inspired to hold on to their conservatism and know that Ronald Reagan is behind them…” Undoubtedly, President Reagan would be proud of the young leader his granddaughter has become. Today, Ashley is in a teaching credential graduate program at Pepperdine University. She hopes to inspire future generations with conservative ideas and remain active with Young America’s Foundation, because, as the President’s granddaughter notes, “It is too important not to.”

Ashley and her brother, Cameron, sit near Lake Lucky at Rancho del Cielo during a birthday celebration for Mrs. Reagan. (Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.)

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

B o o ks B y A l u mni

Todd Buchholz (1983)

Ann Coulter (1985)

• • • • • •

• • • • •

New Ideas from Dead CEOs New Ideas from Dead Economists From Here to Economy Market Shock Bringing the Jobs Home The Castro Gene

High Crimes and Misdemeanors How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must) Treason Slander Godless

Young America’s Foundation’s alumni have authored more than 100 books, many of which have become New York Times best-sellers. The following is a selection of books written by some of Young America’s Foundation’s most prominent graduates. (The date indicates the last year during which the individual was active in Foundation programs as a student.)

Dan Flynn (1996) • Intellectual Morons • Why the Left Hates America

Malcolm Gladwell (1982) • The Tipping Point • Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Dr. J. Michael Waller (1982) • •

Steven F. Hayward (1981) • The Age of Reagan • Churchill on Leadership • Greatness

Secret Empire: The KGB in Russia Today Dismantling Tyranny

Candice E. Jackson (1999) •

Their Lives: The Women Targeted by the Clinton Machine

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

Peter Schweizer (1982) • • • •

Do As I Say (Not As I Do) Reagan’s War The Bushes: Portrait of a Dynasty Landmark Speeches of the American Conservative Movement (edited with Wynton C. Hall)

The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

Join Young America’s Foundation’s leadership team, Polish President Lech Walesa, 75th U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese III, Reagan’s War author Peter Schweizer, and others for an unforgettable, 11-night Baltic cruise on board the Regent Seven Seas Voyager.

The cruise will include group cocktail receptions, dinners, excursions, and seminar sessions. It will also involve a day trip to Berlin, Germany, to visit historic sites such as the Brandenburg Gate.

The Itinerary

———————————————————— Date Port Arrive Depart

————————————————————————————————

7/15/2008 7/16/2008 7/17/2008 7/18/2008 7/19/2008 7/20/2008 7/21/2008 7/22/2008 7/23/2008 7/24/2008 7/25/2008 7/26/2008

Stockholm, Sweden Tallinn, Estonia 9:00 am St. Petersburg, Russia 8:00 am St. Petersburg, Russia Helsinki, Finland 8:00 am Riga, Latvia 12:00 pm Klaipeda, Lithuania 12:00 pm Gdansk, Poland 8:00 am Szczecin, Poland 8:00 am Copenhagen, Denmark 8:00 am Kalmar, Sweden 8:00 am Stockholm, Sweden 8:00 am

5:00 pm 5:00 pm Overnight 7:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 4:00 pm 9:00 pm 6:00 pm 3:00 pm

Lech Walesa, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Former President of Poland

Edwin Meese III, 75th U.S. Attorney General

Peter Schweizer, Hoover Institution Research Fellow

Ron Robinson, President of Young America’s Foundation

————————————————————————————————

The Speakers Lech Walesa was the leader of the Solidarity union in Poland who helped achieve Polish independence from the Soviet Union, became president of Poland, and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Attorney General Edwin Meese III spent most of his adult life working with Ronald Reagan both when he was governor of California and U.S. president. He served as the 75th U.S. attorney general and as Reagan’s chief policy adviser. Peter Schweizer is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Reagan’s War: The Epic Story of His Forty-Year Struggle and Final Triumph over Communism, Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy, and other books.

The Ship Twice chosen as the World’s Best Small Cruise Line by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has earned a leadership role in the 6-star cruise industry. The new, 700-guest Seven Seas Voyager is an all-suite, all-balcony ship. Known for its unsurpassed service, attention to detail, and elegant, relaxing surroundings, Seven Seas Voyager also features some of the highest space and service ratios at sea. Rates for this luxury, 11-night European cruise start at $8,546/person. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

For more information on the Young America’s Foundation cruise, contact Nicole Hoplin (651-334-1537 or nhoplin@yaf.org) or The Cruise Authority (800-707-1634 or groups@the-cruise-authority.com).

St. Petersburg, Russia

ore than 70 students from 19 states traveled to Santa Barbara to take part in Young America’s Foundation’s inaugural Reagan Ranch High School Conference featuring talk radio hosts Lars Larson and Melanie Morgan, President Reagan’s close friend and Secret Service agent John Barletta, author and actor Joseph Phillips, WORLD Magazine Editor Marvin Olasky, and others! Much of the conference was covered by C-SPAN with multiple conference segments airing in the weeks and months following this breakthrough program on the West Coast.

Young America’s Foundation Libertas magazine www.yaf.org

Vol. 28 • No. 2 Summer 2007 • Special Alumni Issue National Headquarters F.M. Kirby Freedom Center 110 Elden Street Herndon, Virginia 20170 800-USA-1776

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Libertas 28.2

Published on Jul 2, 2008

Libertas is the official publication of Young America's Foundation. This is our special "alumni issue" printed in mid-2007.

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