The Daily Signal - Son Honors Father's Legacy and Reminds Us to Prioritize These 3 Quintessential Values

Episode Date: July 12, 2021

Faith, family, and freedom. The late Sen. William L. Armstrong cherished these values throughout his life as a successful businessman, political leader, and university president. Today, Armstrong's son Wil is honoring his father's legacy with the William L. Armstrong Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a difference in America’s culture through business, politics, or education. This year's recipient, Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James, received the honor from the Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s (CCU) public policy think tank, in partnership with The Armstrong Project. Wil Armstrong joined me for an interview to discuss his father's love for America and how he and his wife Kristy are making sure they recognize people who embody the values he held dear. Also on today show, we read your letters to the editor and share a good news story about two little girls who raised nearly $2,000 at their lemonade stand to help the family of a fallen police officer. Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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This is the Daily Signal podcast for Monday, July 12th. I'm Doug Blair. And I'm Virginia Allen. On today's show, we feature Rob's interview with entrepreneur and small businessman Will Armstrong. He also serves as chairman and CEO of Three Tree Capital. He and Rob discuss the power of film to promote American values. We also read your letters to the editor and share a good news story about two little girls who raise nearly $2,000 at their lemonade stand to help the family of a fallen police officer. Before we get to today's show, Daly and I want to tell you about an easy and entertaining way to keep up with the news you care about.

The Daily Signal and Heritage Foundation YouTube channels offer interviews with policy experts on the most critical. issues and debates America is facing today, as well as short explainer videos that break down complex issues and documentaries that dive deep into the way's policy actually impacts people. So go ahead and subscribe to both The Daily Signal and Heritage Foundation YouTube channels today. You can search for either one on your YouTube app or visit YouTube.com slash heritage foundation or YouTube.com slash Daily Signal. Now stay tuned for today's show. Coming up next. We are joined on the Daily Signal podcast today.

by Will Armstrong. He's an entrepreneur and small businessman who serves as the chairman and CEO of Three Tree Capital, a trustee at Colorado Christian University, and chairman of the Armstrong Family Foundation. Will, thanks so much for joining us today. Hi, Rob. Thanks. Nice to join you. It is a real pleasure to talk to you. You're also the son of the great Senator William Armstrong, who not only worked closely with the team here at the Heritage Foundation, but also knew our president, Kay K. K. K. K. K. James. So we're thankful for all of your father's contributions to the Heritage Foundation and also his service in government, academia, and the private sector. I want to begin by just having you tell our listeners a little bit more about him and the inspiring role he played not only in your

life, but so many others. Well, my dad really was a remarkable person, flawed as we all are. But my dad really had a heart for people, a heart for service. He got fascinated at an early age in the new technology of his time, radio. This was in the early 1940s, late 1940s, got interested in the radio business, joke that he did the first ever leveraged buyout when he bought a radio station with no money down. in 1959 in Denver, Colorado. He was all of 22 years old. And really, business was an important part of most of his life.

I mean, he was a businessman and an entrepreneur, really all his life. But he got interested in politics because he really felt that there was an overreach of what was going on in government, not too dissimilar than what's going on today. Rob, but in the early 1960s as an entrepreneur and small businessman, newly married, he got interested in politics. He ended up serving in the state legislature in 1972, about the same time that Heritage was founding. In fact, you mentioned the folks at Heritage. Heritage has this strong Colorado connection starting about the same time, and with my father, starting about the same time in 1973 that my dad went to Washington. Ed Fulner and Paul Wyrick both worked for Senator Gordon Allott here

in Colorado. Joe Coors, who if memory serves, was a initial trustee, all from Colorado. And so, and my dad served in the House for three terms until 1978 and was elected twice as the U.S. senator from Colorado in 1978 and then again in 1984. And at the ripe old age of 53, he felt that his time as a citizen legislator in Washington, D.C. was over. And so he retired to come home to business. He's the last Republican to win Denver and Boulder County in the same election in 1984. So things that have changed a little here in Colorado politically. But my had got back involved in business and ultimately ended up as president of Colorado Christian University, which he really said was his great life's work, that people remember him in business

and people certainly remember him politically. But Rob, his great work was actually investing in the lives of future generations and students at Colorado Christian University. That's great. Thanks so much for sharing that story. And we'll get to more of the awards that is named in his honor and the tremendous video and documentary storytelling that you've done to help others and future generations understand his contributions. But Will, so much of the work that you're doing now is focused on the American citizens' responsibility to use their talents in time to help build a more perfect union in our country. I believe that's one of the reasons that you honor an individual with the William L. Armstrong

award each year. Can you tell us more about the award, why it's so important to recognize these characteristics? particularly? Well, just the background on the award is that it's presented in partnership with Colorado Christian University and the Centennial Institute. I'm a trustee at CCU. I've got kids that are graduates there and obviously my father's role there. But Christy and I, my wife and I, on behalf of our family, we present the award each year to a leader who embodies the principles that my father held dear, faith, family, and freedom. And so, you know, what we don't want to do is we don't want to just give it to a worthy recipient.

Instead, we really want to honor a successful role model to inspire another generation of future leaders. I mean, to think about people's own role in promoting faith and family and freedom. And we think that with film and story and, you know, other ways we might do this, digital means, etc., even traditional means, But this idea of film and telling stories has inspired us to tell those stories. And as Mrs. James makes the point, we want to tell stories about America and about Americans that make America exceptional, the stories of great examples of that. And so each year, we're excited that we get to highlight two great role models, my dad and the recipient of this award.

And this year, obviously, with it being Mrs. James, we couldn't be more thrilled about it. Well, well, on that note, in conjunction with the award, the Armstrong Project has just done an amazing job of using the power of film to document some of these important leaders in America. You recently honored Heritage's president, Kay Coles James, at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver. The 30-minute video that you produced was an amazing story not only of her life, but also your father, Senator Armstrong. Why are stories like this so important for Americans to hear? Yeah. Well, I think that to start in these challenging times that you reference that we live in, where there's divisiveness, it seems like there's everybody's on the extreme.

One of the principles that my father lived by was the idea that you could disagree without being disagreeable. And obviously, we know the power of story. And so I'm sort of a natural optimist. So just trying to contextualize our vision for this, what we wanted to do was leverage the legacy of my dad to begin to tell some of those stories. And so clearly we need to create a more perfect union in our country today. I mean, we're never going to get there. We know America isn't perfect and it never will be.

But we're all expected to strive and, in my view, rise above that and to grow. create a more civil society and to build a more perfect union. And so the opportunity to highlight someone like Kay James who, you know, went from Portsmouth to the president's office, I mean, wow, what a great role model to otherwise be able to honor because of the meaningful difference that she's made. I mean, her life story of living in faith and defending the cause of life and liberty, you know, making things happen for herself and her family, really for our country, serving for presidents, passing it along to others via Heritage and the Gloucester Institute. It's really, really, it's inspirational. It's a, it's a remarkable story. She's a dynamic example of what,

you know, makes America exceptional. And I just had felt that her life is worth honoring and her story was worth telling. You had the chance to visit her at Holly Knoll, the historic home that's located in Gloucester, Virginia. It played such an important role in our civil rights movement in this country. The interview that you did was just so moving. I mean, emotionally moving if you watch the video, and we will make sure that our listeners have an opportunity to see that on your website. What stands out in that conversation to you about her and your own father's influence on her life?

Well, I think in many ways it really is the journey that Mrs. James covered in her life. We talk a little bit about this in the film, but literally from poverty in the segregated South, growing up in Richmond, to as I said, serving four presidents. She's made an enormous contribution, and her life just tells the kind of a story that I believe, is not only encouraging and important to hear for anybody of any age to hear that kind of a story, it really is a blueprint about a life well lived, a life lived by faith, by principles, that you can rise in America, that you can succeed, that you can make an enormous difference for the poor, the least of these, rich and poor alike. you know, that is the story of Mrs. James, and it's just so encouraging to me to be around somebody

who has her energy, her passion, her grace, her love for country, and really her love of neighbor. Her faith, I know, plays a important role in her life. And she just in my book is sort of the epitome of someone who loves God and loves her neighbor well by her vocational work. You've been giving this award out since 2016. Share with our listeners some of the previous recipients who you've had the chance to honor. Well, it really has been a privilege to be able to do this in partnership with CCU and the Centennial Institute. The award has been given to Dennis Prager, to Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and Family Talk.

It has been given to Attorney General, former Attorney General and counselor to President Reagan, Ed Meese. It's been given to Robbie George, the professor extraordinaire from Princeton. Last year, we gave the award and produced our first film. It was really because of the pandemic that we endeavored to go down this path. And so we produced a film on Steve Green. Steve, as you know, is the president of Hobby Lobby. and he's also the chairman and the founder of the Museum of the Bible. And just, again, wanted to tell some great stories and highlight people who've made a meaningful

difference and who cared about and contributed to America, but cared about the principles of faith, family, and freedom in business, politics, education, the media, et cetera. Those are some amazing leaders and people that I look up to, and I know many others do as well. Will, as the son of a former senator and someone who has served yourself in many leadership roles, what are the attributes that make good leaders today? Well, what an important question. And in fact, I probably would reference back to what Mrs. James said in our award film this year, for starters, that people won't want to follow you. I'm paraphrasing. People won't want to listen to you until they know you care. And so a lot of people, I think, get sort of worked up in strategy. And I see this, you see this politically, too, that people think, oh, it's all about, it's all about strategy. I'm sort of a a culture eats strategy for lunch person. I think it's the people that are involved. And I think

really what I've been learning is, is that great leaders, yes, they're smart, yes, they're strategic. But fundamentally, I think Mrs. James got it about perfect. And that is that, that Again, people won't follow you, people won't listen to you, people won't be persuaded by you until they know you care. That is so true. That is definitely true. Well, you've been involved in many different areas from business to academia yourself, even politics. Why is it so important that Americans today engage in some of these arenas and not sit on the sidelines but become active participants? Well, I'm reminded, I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said that if you're a taxpayer, you're involved in politics. I just think that that's, it's just true. Today, I just, one of my favorite quotes is actually from former president, George H.W. Bush, and he said something along the lines that any definition of success in life must include service to others. And so, you know, I'm an entrepreneur. I'm an entrepreneur. I'm a businessman, but I'm involved and have wanted to be involved throughout my life to make a difference. And I've chosen to do that through my church and through philanthropy and in politics.

And I really think that that's the call of all citizens. It's really, I think, part of the vision that our founders had, it's part of what has made America exceptional is that people, you know, chart their own courses, but that part of the American success, part of the American success, part of the American experiment, the American dream even, has been this idea that we, you know, we care for our neighbor and that we, that we serve others. And so that has just been something that has been important to me along the way. And, you know, some people serve in very public fashions like Mrs. James and my father. I'm not particularly a public figure, but I think it's important. One of my heroes, I went to India when I was in college in the late 1980s, and one of my heroes was Mother Teresa.

And, you know, Mother Teresa was famous for making the point that she wasn't trying to change the world. She was trying to change the world for one. And I think that that's really the call that all of us should have as citizens of this great country that God has blessed us with, that we should endeavor to serve others and try to change. the lives of one and do that over and over and over again as best we can. That's great advice. Well, and it is encouraging to see so many people taking a step, a first step in some cases, showing up at school board meetings, speaking out on some issues.

We featured some of those voices right here on the Daily Signal podcast. What advice would you give for individuals who might be listening and maybe a little bit fearful about taking that first step and getting involved, using their talents or time to build a more perfect union, as you said? Well, I think just to start, just to take a step, that you're right. And I commend heritage and your work in particular, just as it relates to telling those kinds of stories, but encouraging people to do that. And I think just starting out small. I mean, my father was a United States senator, but when I first got involved in politics, I started walking my neighborhood and getting to know my neighbors and talking political issues. And then I ended up becoming a precinct captain politically. And so, you know, I think it's just beginning small. You mentioned things like school boards or involvement in your local county. I think there's lots of things to do. But given these challenging times, this is really a defining moment of time in our history.

my encouragement would be to just start wherever it is to volunteer at your church, to be involved in your local civic societies, to engage in your political party, to run as a delegate to a county or state convention. But just to get involved, that everybody has a first day of engagement like that. And so just take one step and get after it because I think it can really make all the difference in the world. Small groups of people have been changing the world since time immemorial. And so my senses is that getting people engaged and involved is important. And the first step is to just take that first step. Well, could you share with our listeners what your future goals are for the Armstrong Project and the award and all the other great things that you're doing. doing there? Well, we're endeavoring at the Armstrong Project to really provide actionable resources.

We want to encourage and energize more thoughtful discussions and to advance vital principles that we think are important in business politics or education and philanthropy. We want to do this by leveraging my dad's life and legacy, his historical papers. But really what we want to do is we want to focus on the issues that he cared about in making America to the larger point we're talking about today, a more perfect union. And so we're doing that by incubating new initiatives and iterating ideas, all with the hope in my view of trying to tell stories that advance faith, family, and freedom. I mean, Mrs. James was the perfect example. And the more people that understand and and know her story and her life and the important work that she's doing, the better.

And so part of my encouragement would also be to stay tuned. We are working on a number of different things. We're going to keep updating at the Armstrongproject.org, the things that we're working on. But whether they're readings or books or more films, we love the idea of telling more stories, we're excited about it because there really is a lot of great reasons to, think about America as this exceptional place that God has blessed us with. And so we want to tell more of those stories. And well, how can our listeners or daily signal readers learn more about and support your work? Well, I hope that people would come to the Armstrongproject.org

and just sign up and register to stay informed. We're not raising money. And so it's really just my hope would be that we would be able to connect and that they'd be able to stay in tune and that we would be an encouragement to them in their journey to figure out how to make a difference and to ultimately be of service to others. And that website, the Armstrongproject.org, is where our listeners can watch the video of Heritage President, K. Coles James and also Steve Green, the production that you did last year. Thank you so much, Will, for everything that you're doing. We really do truly support the mission that you're advancing here,

in our great country and are thankful for it. Great. Thank you so much, Rob. Really appreciate it. Virginia Allen here, I want to tell you all about one of my favorite podcasts. Heritage Explains is a weekly podcast that breaks down all the policy issues we hear about in the news at a 101 level. Hosts Michelle Cordero and Tim Desher mix in news clips and music to tell a story, but also bring in heritage experts to help break down complex issues.

Heritage Explains offers quick 10 to 50 minute explainers that bring you up to speed in an entertaining way. You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcast. We even put the full episode on YouTube. Thanks for sending us your letters to the editor. Each Monday, we feature our favorites on the show. Virginia, who's up first? In response to the Daily Signal's commentary piece, I am a mother to a son with gender dysphoria. here is my message to elected officials.

Eugene Westling of Omaha, Nebraska, writes, Blessings to Crystal, she shows true Christian compassion. As this evil of physical change grows, we experience our government forcing medical personnel to violate their common sense values, medical values, and Christian values, to do these sex change surgeries and treatments. And in response to Rob's recent podcast interview

with James E. Ward Jr., on Overcoming Vee, victim mentality. Carol McHugh writes, I must say I have never read a more encouraging article than the Pastor Ward's article regarding zero victim. I have had the same feelings about what is going on in our country, but could not come up with the eloquent words that Pastor Ward stated. I pray his message reaches many, many people because I believe he has the answer to many of the problems we face. Thank you for sharing that discussion and putting forth the truth. Your letter can be featured on next week's show, so go ahead and send us an email at Letters at DailySignal.com.

The Heritage Foundation has a new website to combat critical race theory. CRT, as it's known, makes race the centerpiece of all aspects of American life. It categorizes individuals into groups of oppressors and victims. The idea is infiltrating everything from our politics and education to the workplace and even our military. Heritage has pulled together the resources that you need to identify CRT in your community and the ways to fight it. We also have a legislation tracker so you can see. see what's happening in your state. Visit heritage.org slash CRT to learn more. Virginia, you have a good news story to kick off this Monday. Over to you. Thanks so much, Doug.

Colorado native nine-year-old Scarlet Roost has just raised nearly $2,000 at her summer lemonade stand. But the money is not for her. She has donated it to the family of fallen Colorado police officer Gordon Beasley. Officer Beasley served with the Arvada Police Department, just outside of Denver for 19 years. On June 21st, he was shot and killed by a suspect who reportedly has vocalized hatred for police. Officer Beasley leaves behind a wife and two children. When young Scarlett learned that the police officer in her community had been killed in this way, she was both saddened and confused. Her mother, Ashley Kahn, told Fox News that her daughter and her friends know police as their heroes and their protectors.

for one of them to pass like that is really just kind of confusing. The mother says Scarlett immediately asked her, what if that had been my dad? Scarlett wanted to do something to help the Beasley family as they grieve the loss of their father and husband. So Scarlett and her best friend Addison Elliott opened a lemonade stand to raise money for the family. Over just three days, the girls raised more than $1,800. Scarlett's mom said that so many people gave generously, including one teenager who emptied her wallet explaining that her father is also a police officer. The girls gave the money they raised to the Colorado Fallen Heroes Foundation, which in turn donated it to the Beasley family. The girls hand delivered the money to the Arvada police chief

in a touching moment. Our hearts and prayers are certainly with the Beasley family and the Arvada community as they continue to grieve, but it is so awesome and just beautiful to see two young people take on this initiative and really ask practically how they can help and then take action to do so. Agreed. No, it's a wonderful thing to hear that even though this tragedy happened, that the community came together and supported our men and women in blue. Thank you so much for sharing that story, Virginia. It was really great. Absolutely. We are going to leave it here for today, but you can find the Daily Signal podcast on the Rickashay Audio Network, and all of our shows can be found at daily signal.com slash podcast. You can also subscribe on Apple,

podcast, Google Play, or your favorite podcast app. And be sure to listen every weekday by adding the Daily Signal podcast as part of your Alexa Flash briefing. If you like what you hear, please leave us a review and a five-star rating. It means a lot to us, and it really helps spread the word to other listeners. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Daily Signal and Facebook.com slash the Daily Signal News. Thanks again for listening and have a great week. The Daily Signal podcast is brought to you by more than half a million members of the Heritage Foundation. It is executive produced by Rob Blewey and Virginia Allen. Sound design by Lauren Evans, Mark Geiney, and John Pop. For more information, visit DailySignal.com.