“Spiritual freedom is the root of political liberty...As the union between spiritual freedom and political liberty seems nearly inseparable, it is our duty to defend both.”

~Thomas Paine

Liberty Counsel, founded and chaired by CNP Board of Governors Member Mat Staver, recently won a landmark victory against government overreach in California, which he addressed in his Member Report at CNP May meeting in Naples, Florida.

Mr. Staver said in a press release, "Governor Gavin Newsom’s COVID restrictions intentionally discriminated against churches while providing preferential treatment to many secular businesses and gatherings. The Supreme Court intervened multiple times to provide relief. California may never again place discriminatory restrictions on churches and places of worship. Gov. Gavin Newsom has now been permanently quarantined and may not violate the First Amendment rights of churches and places of worship again."

To read the full press release, click here.

CNP Past President and Member for more than three decades Foster Friess has passed away. Donating more than $500 million across his lifetime, Foster and his wife Lynn have cemented their role as true supporters of civic engagement and conservatism.

Fellow CNP Past President Ed Meese honored Mr. Friess with a statement: "Foster Friess was a good friend and a great patriot. He was a leader in every phase of his life, from his school days on through his legendary career as a businessman and investor. He contributed his acumen and high principles to many civic and conservative projects, including his service as President of the Council for National Policy. He was well known for his concern for those in need and his extensive philanthropy. Foster was admired around the world and across the political spectrum. His friends at CNP extend their condolences to his wife Lynn and his extensive family."

Jerry Boykin

Executive Vice President

Family Research Council

CNP Executive Committee Member and Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council General Jerry Boykin has led the way to rally retired generals and admirals to defend freedom in an open letter published by Flag Officers 4 America.

To read the open letter, click here.

Former Attorney General Bill Barr gave his first speech since leaving office during the Alliance Defending Freedom's brunch at CNP's May meeting in Naples, Florida. He made headlines as he decried the state of public education and its increasing incompatibility with Christianity. At the meeting, CNP Executive Committee Member Mike Farris (pictured left) presented Attorney General Barr with the Edwin Meese III Award for Originalism and Religious Liberty on behalf of the Alliance Defending Freedom where he serves as President and CEO.

Past CNP President Ed Meese said in a statement, "Because of this distinguished record, and all that Bill has meant to us here, I am proud to join you today to honor Bill Barr, an outstanding lawyer and great American patriot."

Whether it was meeting Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, dancing at the 40th Anniversary Gala, getting a signed copy of Senator Josh Hawley's new book or listening to Host of Sirius XM Patriot David Webb, everyone loved the gathering in Naples.

If you'd like to relive the fun or see what you missed but didn't get our recap email, don't worry! You can view it here.

You can also view your photos at the event online by clicking this link. Take some time to find yourself or see your fellow CNP members. We look forward to seeing you all in September at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs!

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley converses with Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert

Sirius XM Patriot Host David Webb speaks about the battles ahead for conservatives

Josh Hawley speaks on Big Tech censorship

David Webb takes questions

Newt Gingrich paints vision for 2022

CNP Member and Vice President for External and Government Relations of Focus on the Family Tim Goeglein recently premiered Ronald Reagan: Man of Faith, a new documentary film.

The film features many well-known, influential conservative figures including Past CNP President Ed Meese and CNP Board of Governors Member Scott Walker.

Lori Roman

President

American Constitutional

Rights Union

Lori Roman, CNP Board of Governors Member and President of the American Constitutional Rights Union, has written an op-ed for Townhall titled "Freedom or Future?"

"As the American Constitutional Rights Union has worked with students across the nation, such as the University of Nebraska and Rutgers, we have noticed that many students have done their homework and have made a personal medical decision to pass on the vaccine. It remains to be seen whether their parents and university bureaucrats will respect their freedom of choice...Freedom or future? These young people should not be forced to choose. "

To read the full op-ed, click here.

Classical Conversations Inc., founded by CNP Member Leigh Bortins, puts on the National Memory Master Competition each year to challenge kids to memorize important facts about foundational principles.

Mrs. Bortins said in an email, "The National Memory Master competition comes with a prize of $10,000 for the annual champion. Students under 12 enrolled in Classical Conversations who meet certain local qualifications send in a video in order to qualify for the national competition. In 2021, 16 US finalists were chosen to attend the national competition in NC based on a patriotic story written and delivered by the students that integrated 24 facts. They did an amazing job, and we thought it would provide CNP members with much hope that America's future is great and many of our children are still taught to love our country."

Robert Alt, CNP Member and President and CEO of The Buckeye Institute, has written an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal titled "Washington Has No Authority to Dictate State Taxes."

"Congressional Democrats last month quietly attempted one of the most sweeping takeovers of state policy making in American history...In exchange for the federal aid, states are prohibited from directly or indirectly using the funds to offset a reduction in net tax revenue. In other words: No tax cuts, no tax credits, no tax rebates, no policy changes that reduce tax revenue or forestall future tax increases. It’s as though Congress now presides over every statehouse in the country and has announced: “Read our lips. No new tax cuts.”

To read the full op-ed, click here.

Robert Alt

President and CEO

The Buckeye Institute

CNP Gold Circle Member and Chairman and CEO of Promise Keepers Ken Harrison recently appeared on fellow CNP Member and President of Family Research Council Tony Perkins's show Washington Watch to talk about a USA Today columnist calling on the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T to cancel a Promise Keepers rally in their stadium over biblical views of human sexuality.

"We stand for biblical marriage. We stand for the definition of male and female according to the Bible. We don't want to exclude anybody. That's the source of the attack, that people aren't going to be welcome. We're saying bring everybody; everybody wants to hear the Gospel."

Rick Manning

President

Americans for Limited Government

Rick Manning, CNP Member and President of Americans for Limited Government, penned an op-ed for Townhall's The Daily Torch titled "Biden’s America Resembles the Bad Old Days of 1973."

"While President Joe Biden may look fondly back on the year 1973, the year he began serving in the United States Senate, did he really have to bring the entire country back with him to that fateful year...For those who remember 1973, the idea of America traveling back to experience the travails of that era after experiencing four years of hopeful pursuit of peace and prosperity in our nation is a little bit depressing. Particularly when we realize that the one thing President Joe can’t bring back is the music of the early 70s."

To read the full op-ed, click here.

CNP Member and Executive Director of CURE America Action, Inc. Marc Little recently wrote an op-ed for Townhall titled "The Black Sisyphus / The Folly of Critical Race Theory."

"In America, the CRT rejects our founding principles. We believe that “all men are created equal” under the Declaration of Independence and have certain inalienable rights endowed by the Creator-life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are choices. Beyond that which intends to provide equal opportunity for all, CRT begs for the impossible. It demands equality in outcomes or worse, it demands to invert economic realities."

To read the full article, click here.

Marc Little

Executive Director

CURE America Action, Inc.

CNP Board of Governors Member and President and CEO of Enough is Enough Donna Rice Hughes appeared in several recent broadcast interviews discussing important ways for parents to keep kids safe on the internet given its ever-evolving dangers. That includes meeting with Leslee Unruh, who co-founded VirTru with her husband and CNP Member Allen Unruh (pictured left), to talk about the latest research, trends and tips for parents navigating technology alongside their children. To view Mrs. Hughes and Unruh's discussion, click here.

Enough Is Enough also joins 44 State Attorneys General urging Facebook not to create an Instagram platform for young children. To sign the petition, click here.

CNP Member and Founder, President and General Counsel of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates Thomas Glessner has written an article titled "Why the Supreme Court Should Deliver a Death Blow to Roe v. Wade" that appeared in the Washington Examiner.

"If the Supreme Court upholds the constitutional validity of this law, then states will be free to ban pre-viability abortions. However, the arbitrary limit of 15 weeks set by Mississippi will also become meaningless. A limit of 15 weeks to protect the unborn is just as subjective as the standard of viability. In short, the upholding of this law will free states to ban abortion from conception."

To read the full op-ed, click here.

Thomas Glessner

Founder, President and General Counsel

National Institute of Family and Life Advocates

1 - Kay Coles James, Jerry Johnson

2 - Mike Hill

7 - Ken Campbell, Mike Pence, Heather Rice-Minus,

and Richard Scurry

8 - Jeremy Cerone, David McIntosh

11 - Troy Newman

14 - Trent England

15 - Sandy Froman, Jake Hoffman

16 - Allen Unruh

21 - Bill Creedon

22 - Catherine Glenn Foster

23 - Robert Sirico

24 - Ralph Reed and Bridgett Wagner

25 - Jim Miller and Brendan O’Morchoe

26 - Herman Pirchner

27 - Gene Meyer

30 - Joyce Weyrich