Announcement Speech

Announcement Speech

Thank you. I stand here today because of many people. Before I begin I would like to say thank you. I want to introduce you to the love of my life - my friend and partner- my wife of almost 15 years now, Lisa. Lisa, you are the best friend and partner anyone could ever have. I love you.

Also joining us today are our children, Joel and Jessica. They are, without a doubt, the greatest gifts God has given to Lisa and me. As some of you may know, Joel was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes last November. He has been an inspiration to us- always looking at the bright side and understanding that diabetes is just another of life's challenges. Joel has become my hero in life and, when this campaign gets tough, I will think of Joel and his determination - it will sustain me.

Now little Jessica, she's another story. She stole Daddy's heart the day she was born and she's never given it back. Joel and Jessica, I love you with all my heart. I would not be here today but for the grace of God. Throughout my life,
God's guiding hand has nudged me along the way. Whatever glory may come in my life belongs to him. He is the reason we stand here today.

I also want to thank my family - my brother and sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and others who are here with me today. I was 14 years old when my mother was called home and, the family on this stage today raised me from that point forward. Thank you for your love and caring. Sorry for any bumps along the way. To mom and dad, I know we will be together again someday - thank you for the love and life that you provided to me for the brief time that we were together on this earth.

I also want to thank all of you. I am continually amazed at the outpouring of
support for our campaign. We have had so many people come forward and
offer support. You will continue to be a source of strength for us during this
campaign. Just the other day, I had to laugh - I went into our headquarters and one of the phone bank volunteers had put a sign on the door that said, "Quiet, Crank Calls in Progress." So we are going to have a little fun with this campaign.

In 1966 Ronald Reagan announced his intention to run for Governor of California with these timeless words:

"To begin with - I am not a politician. I am an ordinary citizen with a deepseated belief that much of what troubles us has been brought about by
politicians; and it's high time that more ordinary citizens brought the fresh air of common sense thinking to bear on these problems. We've had enough of the wheeling and dealing, and enough of the schemers and the schemes."

Those words ring as true today as they did in 1966 and I couldn't agree more. Therefore, I am here today to formally announce my intention to be the Republican nominee for Congress from the 5th Congressional District.

You know, back in 1996 I helped author, on behalf of Congressman Hefley, the Military Family Housing Privatization Initiative. That law took the old way of doing business with military housing and revolutionized it. It took one of the best of our Republican ideals- free markets - and applied them to military family housing - providing better housing to our military families while reducing federal spending and leveraging private capital to help with the housing crunch.

About a year ago, I met with the Undersecretary of the Army who recognized that I had helped write the law. He said, "Do you know what that law has done?" He turned to grab a briefing book and pointed out that the law has put 110,000 military families in brand new homes. Ladies and Gentlemen, that is making an impact in the lives of people and that is why I want to be your next United States Congressman.

You know, back in 1994, I stood outside the U.S. Capitol while members of
my party signed the Contract with America. At that moment Republicans
promised to cut taxes, reduce the size of government, respect life and restore
power to the owners of this Republic- the American people. We were a party of ideas. We spoke of tearing the IRS out by its roots and balanced budgets and line-item vetoes. And with the power of that day, those ideas and that contract- we ended a 40 year rule of tyranny in the House of Representatives. That moment was one of our party's greatest political achievements and one of our countries's shining moments.

Somehow, we have lost our way. Our party seems more interested in staying in power than in making real, positive change that impacts the lives of the American people. We will either be the party of reform or we will be the party of the minority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This campaign is about ideas. We have to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and we must cut taxes and leave more money where it belongs - in the pockets of those who earn it. We must protect the lives of those who cannot protect themselves - whether at the beginning of life or at the end of it.

We must put a stop to judicial tyranny. What some on the left have not been
able to do through elections they have turned to activist, liberal judges to do.
Congress has ceded its authority in this area. Courts must be reigned in and
judges must be forced to respect the wishes of the elected branch of government.

We need to create a culture of life, and respect for life in America. If a young girl finds herself pregnant and alone and fearful, we need to lift her up. We need to create a culture where we love that unborn child and the woman who finds herself in a terrifying situation.

I want to tell you a true story. A story about a young woman, 16 years old who was pregnant going through a checkout line at a grocery store in California. The lady working the cash register engaged the young pregnant woman and found that she was unsure about whether or not she would have the baby. The clerk quickly talked to her about putting the baby up for adoption. She told her that she knew of a great family in another state that would make great parents to that little baby. She told her that she could find the family through Bethany Adoption Services. She decided to give that baby up for adoption. She chose life.

How do I know this story, because that little baby was a gift from that young mother to my sister, Kim. The baby who could have so easily been discarded and thrown away, is my niece, Lindsay. She has a name. She has a family and she has a life. Life is precious and we must protect it. Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided. I am reminded of another time in America's history that made us question our moral compass - the civil war. There was a time when Americans believed that slavery was legal, yet today, there is no decent person who would defend slavery. So too, one day, will be the thought of the barbarism that is abortion.

Activist judges are now trying to redefine marriage. Marriage is, plain and
simple, common-sense, a covenant between a man and a woman. I support a
federal marriage amendment to prevent the further erosion of the institution of marriage by social engineers and activist federal judges.

These same activists are trying to re-write the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd
Amendment provides that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall
not be infringed. I have been a hunter all of my life and owned many firearms. But the 2nd Amendment is not about hunting - the Second Amendment is about a woman, scared of the man whom she had to get a restraining order against. That woman has a right to defend herself. The Constitution provides that right and no judge or legislature should be allowed to take it away.

As I began, I spoke about reform. In no area of government is reform more in need than with regards to ethics in government. We can all be proud of our great Congressman Joel Hefley - who stood like a giant oak tree against powerful forces in Washington. He didn't do what was easy- he did what was right. I knew he would stand tall because I've had the opportunity to watch him, work with him and know him. When I worked for Congressman Hefley, we made ethics a priority- requiring staff to get approval from the Ethics committee before taking action. We need to reform a system which rewards those that raise money. We must put lobbying restrictions on former members of Congress and end the practice of them using the floor of the House to advocate their position. We must end the process of earmarks - special language hidden in reports that nobody sees until the bill has passed Congress. Advocating a position is a right in America. Doing it honorably and with integrity is a responsibility. Again, we can either be the party of reform or we will be the party of the minority.

One of the greatest dangers America faces besides the war on terror, is our
growing budget deficit. This Congress, and my party, has failed to address this issue. This Congress is leaving a crushing anvil of national debt on the backs of our children. We have, in many ways, become what we fought so hard against in the contract with America. As your Congressman I will push for enactment of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution as well as a line-item veto. I will fight against pork-barrel spending and will, just as I did with Congressman Hefley, continue to go to the floor and fight other members of Congress when they try to spend your money in an inappropriate way.

I will introduce legislation which would require all spending increases that are greater than the rate of inflation to require a super-majority vote rather than a simple majority. In addition, we should pass legislation which requires members of Congress to produce the government's budget on time. When they don't - they should see a cut in their salary. We also need to make difficult decisions on spending. Much spending and some federal agencies must be eliminated.
And when it comes to taxes and deficits, let me make my position very clear.
I will never vote to raise your taxes. Period. Last week, I became the first
candidate in this race to sign a pledge stating that I will never vote to raise your taxes.

I mentioned the IRS. Congress needs to enact legislation which will tear the IRS out by its roots. Americans should never fear going to jail over an accounting error. The IRS code is out of control and must be eliminated. We need to replace our complicated tax code with either a flat-tax or a consumption tax. Bold leadership will be required to end the IRS as we know it and I intend to help lead that charge.

The greatest threat our country faces today is the continued war on terror. As Americans we can never forget the attacks of September 11th. Who would have believed then that we would go four years without another attack on our soil? It has happened because of the solid leadership of our great President, George W. Bush. While there have been some who are putting politics above national security, this President went to Congress and asked for Congressional approval. At the time, President Bush said that it would be a "long, hard struggle." Nothing has changed. America is at War and her struggle has become more difficult because of the statements of some politicians who put politics above country. I will stand side-by-side this President as we fight this war. He will grow to count on me as an experienced leader in the House on defense and military issues.

I am the son of a World War II Navy veteran. My wife is an Army Brat - and I emphasize the word, Army. My generation stood on the shoulders of the generation that came before them. Because of them, my world growing up was at peace. Of all the opportunities God has given me, I am most proud of the things I have been able to do for the military and their families.

Through the family housing privatization and other quality of life projects that Congressman Hefley and I worked to fund, I have always tried to make
soldiers lives a little easier. I have worked on protecting Fort Carson from base closure and have helped provide health care benefits to military retirees over age 65. At the state level, I have worked to provide in-state tuition to dependents of military stationed in Colorado. I have worked for 15 years to improve the lives of the military and their families. I will continue to be their advocate when I represent them in Washington.

On immigration, America is unique. We are not like the Soviet Union. We have to build a wall to keep people out rather than keep them from escaping. We must remain a land of opportunity and a land of legal immigration. Border security is a matter of national security. America has a right and an obligation to protect its borders on the north, south, east and west.

America is a nation of laws and we cannot reward illegal behavior with
citizenship. We cannot grant amnesty to those who broke our laws. We also
cannot expect businesses to solve the problem without the government creating a verifiable database to show whether or not workers are here legally.

We must leverage technology to control our borders and, quite frankly, we must gain the political will to protect our borders. We must stop allowing
communities to reward citizens who break U.S. law. I will introduce legislation to end federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities. When a U.S. city decides to protect law-breakers, they do not deserve your tax dollars.

As you can see, there is a tremendous amount of work to do. We must roll up our sleeves and get to work. I ask that you join me in helping to make our country about ideas. I can't do it without your help. I ask each of you to attend your caucus on March 21st. Become a delegate to the 5th Congressional Assembly. I ask that you get involved in this campaign and, together, we can change America.

Thank you for coming. God bless you and God bless America.

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