Speech to Honor Charlie Kirk 9/24/2025
Opening
“The most important institution in America is not Congress, it’s not the White House, it’s not even the Supreme Court—it’s the classroom.”
These were Charlie Kirk’s words. He knew the true battleground for America’s future was not in the halls of Washington, but in our schools—in the classroom, where the next generation is shaped.
And as his wife Erika so movingly said after his death, “My husband wanted to save people like the man who shot him.” That is the measure of his character. That is the depth of his mission—to save families, to defend freedom, and to reach even those most lost and vulnerable.
Why We Honor Charlie
I stand here today deeply heartbroken over the void Charlie Kirk has left behind. Yet I am equally grateful for the legacy he built. Back in April, our club had the privilege of hosting Turning Point representatives, who shared firsthand the challenges and resistance they face on the ground in America’s schools.
Some people—even on my own Facebook page—asked, “Why should we honor Charlie Kirk?” A few even posted offensive remarks and expletives, which I removed because they did not reflect who Charlie was—or how he himself would have responded. I did not agree with every one of Charlie’s convictions. But I admired his persistence, his personality, and above all, his devotion to America’s families.
Charlie’s Mission & Republican Values
What made Charlie unique is that his mission reflected the same Republican values that guide us here today:
- Faith in God as the foundation of moral clarity.
- Family as the cornerstone of society.
- Freedom—of speech, of thought, of opportunity—as non-negotiable rights.
- Personal responsibility and accountability as the foundation for resilience and strong communities.
Charlie understood what too many ignored: since the 1970s, our education system has waged a cultural war on family, faith, and the American way of life. He confronted this threat not only from the top down, but from the bottom up. He spoke directly to students, to the vulnerable, to the lost. He invited them not into indoctrination but into dialogue—through debate, through truth, through critical thinking, and through courage.
How We Got Here – A Timeline of Capture
To understand why Charlie fought so hard, we must look back at how the system was taken from parents and families.
The combination of union laws like the Rodda Act, Carter’s creation of the Department of Education, funding streams tied to progressive agendas, the ideological capture of teacher training, and decades of conservative neglect allowed Democrats to build a near-monopoly in education. The result is today’s 90% Democrat-leaning, woke culture in schools.
- 1975 – The Rodda Act (California): Granted teachers collective bargaining rights, fueling the rise of powerful unions. While meant to strengthen educators, it entrenched protections that made it harder to discipline or remove failing or abusive teachers.
- 1976–1980 – Carter & Union Alliance: In 1976, the NEA endorsed Jimmy Carter—the first presidential endorsement in its history. In return, Carter created the U.S. Department of Education (1979), centralizing control in Washington and cementing the Democratic–union alliance.
- 1980s – Campaign Financing & Union Power: Campaign finance law changes enabled unions like the NEA and AFT to pour millions into Democratic campaigns. They became one of the most powerful political machines in America, shaping education policy and outcomes.
- 1990s–2010s – Qualified Immunity & Cover-Ups: School officials operated with near “qualified immunity” from accountability—whether in the school-to-prison pipeline, sexual misconduct cases, or other abuses of power. Cover-ups became normalized. Administrators shielded themselves from prosecution, often protected by union contracts and insurance payouts, while families were left without truth or justice.
- 2010s–2020s – DEI Bureaucracy & Ideological Capture: Federal grants and mandates embedded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices across schools and universities. Teacher colleges adopted critical theory and identity politics as standard training. Nearly 90% of faculty now identify as Democrats, leaving little space for intellectual diversity.
This is the system Charlie challenged. He recognized that our classrooms are where America’s future is being lost—or won.
The Broader Crisis
We cannot ignore the reality we face today. Mental health struggles among young people are at alarming levels. Part of the reason is a culture of victimhood, where responsibility is replaced by blame and vulnerabilities are exploited. School officials cover up misconduct, obscure justice, and propagate falsehoods.
Billions are poured into educational institutions, yet outcomes worsen—more suicides, more school shootings, more misconduct swept under the rug. School officials hide behind “qualified immunity,” escaping accountability while families suffer.
This is why Republican values matter: restoring accountability, demanding responsibility, and protecting freedom and family as America’s first priorities.
Charlie saw this clearly. He named it. And he fought for it.
Closing Call
So let us honor Charlie Kirk today not only with our words, but with our actions. To say “I am Charlie Kirk” is to embrace his courage, his clarity, and his conviction. It is to carry forward the mission of faith, family, freedom, and fortitude—anchored in personal responsibility.
As Charlie reminded us: “History is written by those who take responsibility for their time.” May we rise to that call.
May his memory be a blessing. And may we, as Republican women and leaders in our community, carry his torch with strength, grace, and resolve—for our families, for our children, and for America’s future.
Thank you, and God bless America.