October 23, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ashley MacLeay
Senior Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
ashley@nrinstitute.org
410-490-5939
NEW YORK, NY, October 19, 2023 — On Thursday October 19, National Review Institute held the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner in our hometown of New York City, honoring Amity Shlaes with the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Political Thought and Paul E. Singer with the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Supporting Liberty. The gala, which included a crowd of 420 conservative leaders and supporters from across the country, raised over $1.5 million for the Institute’s programs.
In its tenth year, the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner is a marquee gathering in celebration of the founder of the modern-day conservative movement. This year’s sold-out event took place at Cipriani 25 Broadway in the historic Cunard Building in NYC’s financial district. Also known as the Standard and Poors Building, the venue is an impressive example of Neo-Renaissance architecture and, as anyone who has seen its interior can attest, a striking monument significant to New York City’s past as a center for Trans-Atlantic travel in an earlier era. From the welcome reception to the after-dinner dancing, guests were treated to the local talent of Juilliard performers.
We were honored and, under the current circumstances, extremely grateful for the opportunity to welcome Rabbi Meir Soloveichik to lead the invocation. In her welcoming remarks to start the program, NRI president Lindsay Craig emphasized the unwavering support of the entire National Review enterprise for Israel and the Jewish people. “Our founder, William. F. Buckley Jr., was an ardent and steadfast friend of Israel,” she said. “He wrote consistently over the decades about the special relationship between the United States and Israel, a kinship based on a shared dedication to the God-given rights of the free individual.” She also shared fond reminisces about her last meeting with WFB’s “sainted older brother,” James L. Buckley, before he passed away in August at the age of 100. Asking pointedly about NRI’s commitment to defend and advance the timeless conservative principles for which he worked throughout his storied career, JLB took comfort in hearing from Lindsay that the Institute is stronger than ever.
National Review editor in chief Rich Lowry proudly held up a copy of the new, expanded monthly edition of National Review magazine, which is replacing the old biweekly format. In addition to describing how the change is part of a strategic investment in the NR enterprise, Rich quipped that he was glad to no longer need to explain the meaning of the word ‘fortnightly.’
Before entrees were served, guests were treated to a video highlighting NRI’s commitment to free enterprise through our National Review Capital Matters initiative. Appearing in footage from our events hosted over the past year were notable free-market champions Larry Kudlow, Kevin Hassett, Amity Shlaes, David Bahnsen, Linda McMahon, Anne Bradley, Jason Trennert, and more. Capital Matters features commentary and analysis on business, finance, and economics, and is focused, above all, on explaining, defending, and celebrating free markets.
Following a delicious dinner, we moved into the main part of the program: The awarding of the two Buckley Prizes. Lauded best-selling economic historian and new NRI fellow Amity Shlaes, who chairs the board of trustees of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, was honored with the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Political Thought. She was introduced by longtime friend of NR Steve Forbes, chairman and editor in chief of Forbes Media. In her speech, Shlaes recounted the undergraduate experience of a young WFB, who exposed the collectivist, anti-capitalistic sentiment infusing academia in his first book, God and Man at Yale. She urged guests to emulate Buckley in the media, in their writing, and in the classroom, to dumb nothing down, and to speak clearly. To finish her speech, Shlaes raised a glass to “Buckley’s original mission: unapologetic support for free markets.”
After dessert, legendary investor Paul E. Singer received the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Supporting Liberty for his foundation’s support of innovative organizations and initiatives that have strengthened American democracy. In his introduction of Singer, Senator Tom Cotton highlighted Singer’s philanthropic emphasis on supporting the free enterprise economic policies that are a key foundational principle of WFB’s legacy. Singer is the founder of The Paul E. Singer Foundation, which, among other areas, has focused on supporting scholars of free-market economics, the rule of law, and transparency. In his remarks, he took aim at the enemies of free enterprise today and warned about where the ideology of stakeholder capitalism could lead. He called to mind “O’Sullivan’s Law,” named for NR’s second editor in chief John O’Sullivan, who maintained that “Any organization which is not expressly right-wing will over time become left-wing.” Singer proposed a new corollary which he calls “Singer’s Law”: “Any corporation that does not explicitly put shareholders’ interests first, will eventually put shareholders’ interests last.” Singer closed his remarks with a call to remember the “unforgettable man who started it all,” Bill Buckley.
Concluding the program, NRI chairman Peter J. Travers thanked our generous sponsors and guests for joining us from across the country for a celebratory evening, and for helping NRI have another successful and well-attended Buckley Prize Dinner.
In addition to the honorees and those introducing them, notable attendees included former Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, past honorees Ed Feulner, Virginia James, and Gene Meyer, and movement leaders from the Hoover Institution, Manhattan Institute, Heritage Foundation, Acton Institute, Pacific Legal Foundation, Stand Together, Mercatus Center, Buckeye Institute, Coolidge Foundation, Foundation for Economic Education, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Claremont Institute, Pacific Research Foundation, Alliance Defending Freedom, Becket Law, and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
September 29, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
SIMI VALLEY, CA, September 29, 2022 — National Review Institute honored conservative movement and longtime friends of the National Review enterprise—Larry Kudlow and Young America’s Foundation at the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California on September 29, 2022. The dinner, which included conservative leaders and supporters from across the country, raised close to $1.4 million for the Institute’s programs.
In its ninth year, the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner is a marquee gathering and celebration for the conservative movement. NRI rotates the dinner between major cities around the country and was pleased to return to California this fall.
David L. Bahnsen and Richard F. Spencer served as dinner co-chairs.
John Heubusch, the executive director, of the Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, opened the event. Richard Spencer delivered the invocation and then David Bahnsen took the stage to welcome everyone. NRI President Lindsay Craig followed, speaking of the Institute’s marked success over the past two years—the launch of National Review Capital Matters and NRI’s William F. Buckley Jr. Communicators Program, the introduction of virtual programs including NRI’s book club, and strategic hires that will enable the Institute to continue its programmatic and fundraising growth ahead of WFB’s centennial in 2025.
A video was then played about the important relationship between William F. Buckley Jr. and Ronald Reagan. Given the venue, NRI felt that it was important to highlight this impactful friendship. This video is the first in a series of videos about Bill Buckley that the Institute is creating before his centennial in 2025.
Young America’s Foundation was presented with the Prize for Leadership in Supporting Liberty by Katie Pavlich. Ron Robinson and Governor Scott Walker accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
The William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Political Thought was presented by Rich Lowry to Larry Kudlow in recognition of his staunch support of free-market economics over the course of his career, as well as his work highlighting important financial trends. Currently a host at FOX Business Network, Kudlow served as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council under President Trump. He has also been a senior contributor on CNBC, where he hosted a post-market analysis show, The Kudlow Report. Previously, he served as chief economist and senior managing director of Bear Stearns. From 1981 to 1985, during the Reagan administration, Kudlow was an associate director for economics and planning at the Office of Management and Budget.
The program concluded with remarks from NRI Chairman Peter J. Travers, who thanked guests for joining us from across the country for a wonderful, celebratory evening. Guests then made their way to our festive after-party for drinks and dancing.
For his entire life, Bill Buckley sought to preserve and buttress the foundations of our free society. To honor his achievement and inspire others, NRI’s Board of Trustees annually awards the William F. Buckley Jr. Prizes for Leadership in Supporting Liberty and Leadership in Political Thought. These prestigious awards honor their namesake and those who champion the principles Buckley advanced during his lifetime.
NRI first brought the annual Prize Dinner to San Francisco, California in 2016 and over the past nine years has hosted events and worked closely with state think tanks and regional policy organizations in California. We aim to energize the local conservative base and introduce our friends and supporters around the country to state-based and regional organizations doing vital work for the broader movement. This year’s Buckley Prize Dinner in Simi Valley is indicative of National Review Institute’s commitment to maintaining a consistent presence in California and our goal of making real the “National” in the National Review mission. The encouragement NRI has received from friends and supporters in California and across the county has been tremendous. Over the past nine years, NRI has grown its programming, bringing National Review’s best talent to various cities outside of our home in New York. NRI plans to continue to expand its core programming, which complements the mission and work of National Review.
Views and opinions expressed by National Review Institute are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation.
May 10, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
The Case for American Power: Why we must lead the free world
Conservatives gathered in Washington, D.C. to recommit to peace through strength
Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2022) — On May 9th Conservatives gathered to recommit to peace through strength at The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Now more than ever, conservatives need to support a policy of peace through strength. This is the time-tested American posture, running from George Washington through Ronald Reagan, that has helped make us the most powerful nation on earth and the undisputed leader of the Western world. With Russia attempting to dismember a neighboring country and China pursuing its hegemonic ambitions in East Asia, this is no time to retreat or to give in to national self-doubt. Yesterday’s forum, hosted by National Review Institute, convened conservative leaders who believe we must have a strong national defense and an engaged foreign policy under the theme “The Case for American Power: Why we must lead the free world.”
Speakers included Senator Tom Cotton, Congressman Mike Gallagher, Elliott Abrams, Victoria Coates, John Hillen, Henry J. Hendrix, Rich Lowry, Jay Nordlinger, Peter J. Travers
Senator Tom Cotton delivered a keynote address and then joined Rich Lowry in conversation. “The use of American power and all of its many tools and instruments does not lead to war, it leads to success,” said Cotton. As a real-world example of what principled prudentialism would look like, Cotton said the Biden administration could be doing more to aid Ukraine. “When you see this kind of war of aggression, waged by a brutal dictator, in which women and children are slaughtered, the American people, but especially conservatives, feel very strongly,” said Cotton.
“President Biden’s foreign policy failures have made the world a more dangerous place,” said Rep. Gallagher. “Now more than ever, conservatives must come together to outline our vision to restore peace through strength, defend our interests at home and abroad, and ensure freedom thrives in the 21st century. The National Review Institute’s Forum on Foreign Policy was a great venue to articulate this vision and I was honored to be a part of it.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been an important reminder that history never ended, that there is no substitute for American leadership—and that the isolationism of the left and the right are wrong-headed and dangerous. While some on the right have adopted the premises of the New Left and assume the worst of U.S. power and make excuses for our enemies, the vast majority of conservatives still understand the importance of strength and know that this is a great and good nation upon which the future of the Western world depends. Our conference spoke for them,” Rich Lowry, editor in chief of National Review, said.
Prompted by the aggression against Ukraine, NRI’s chairman, Peter J. Travers, drafted a statement reaffirming National Review’s historical and current position standing against tyranny in all its forms. “National Review was conceived by William F. Buckley, Jr. in 1955 in no small part to insist upon a policy of implacable opposition to totalitarianism. Neo-isolationist calls for America’s withdrawal from the world are no more credible today than they were when McGovern made them a core principle of the Left in 1972. American military power and our alliances with free nations are essential to peace and to America’s national interests. Russian revanchism in Ukraine, and the aggression of totalitarian regimes around the world, remind us that — as Whittaker Chambers wrote to Bill long ago ‘the wild beasts are real,’” Travers said.
This event was covered live by C-SPAN and can be viewed here: https://www.c-span.org/organization/?28250/National-Review-Institute.
December 1, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health prepared remarks for Dec. 1, 2021 Supreme Court Rally by Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow, National Review Institute
Do you know about the Sisters of Life? They are Catholic women religious – “nuns” – who lay down their lives to serve women and babies and children and families. They take the usual vows nuns take, but they also take a unique one: to protect and defend the sanctity of human life. They embrace women who are pregnant and feeling like all the pressures in their lives are insisting on abortion. They love them. They do not tell them not to have an abortion. Rather, they reflect back to them the beautiful gifts they are and the tremendous love they are capable of.
The Sisters of Life meet women and girls who are scared. These women and girls often feel like they have to have an abortion so as not to disappoint their families and just about everyone else in their lives. Meeting the Sisters frequently changes things for them, giving them room to breathe.
Roe v. Wade hurt these women who feel pressured to abort their unborn babies. It created a right out of nowhere to abort an unborn baby during all three trimesters of pregnancy. Roe v. Wade has immiserated women. It has set an expectation for abortion. Roe v. Wade has encouraged a culture where abortion is preferred. Abortion is not empowerment. Abortion is not good. Abortion severs the most intimate relationship there is – between a mother and a child. Abortion is violence. Roe itself is not just bad law. Roe is not just bad science. Roe is cruel to women and children and men and all of culture. It is good for men to be good to women. It is good for women to be able to rely on men. We have different gifts and complement one another. But the regime of Roe v. Wade that was recklessly imposed by this Court on the women and men of the United States a near half century ago created a culture that seems to prefer abortion, the most intimate violence there is.
The Court today is given an opportunity to right a wrong it imposed. The Court today is given the opportunity to reclaim some of its credibility. The Court today has a unique and historic opportunity to unite this country around vulnerable human life, when it gravely and unconstitutionally divided it a near half century ago.
This case today, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, is about human rights. This case today is about the dignity of women. This case today is about saving lives. This case today is about declaring that women deserve better than the misery and brutality of abortion. It is only euphemisms that keep us from realizing the grave evil that is Roe v. Wade. We pray today that the Court comes to its senses and does the right thing and put an end to Roe v. Wade, which is the real war on women – moms – and their children and families.
And know we stand today as a movement who stand with the Sisters of Life, as a pro-love movement, with over 2,700 women’s care centers and so much more who embrace women for life.
October 26, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
Conservative Leaders and Philanthropists Gather to Honor
William F. Buckley Jr.’s Legacy; Recognize Leonard Leo, Eugene Meyer and Adam Meyerson’s Contributions to the Conservative Movement
DALLAS, TX, October 21, 2021 — On Thursday, October 21, National Review Institute honored three giants of the conservative movement and longtime friends of the National Review enterprise—Leonard, Leo, Eugene Meyer, and Adam Meyerson at the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner at The Fairmont in Dallas, Texas. The dinner, which included conservative leaders and supporters from across the country, raised $1.2 million for the Institute’s programs.
In its eighth year, the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner is a marquee gathering and celebration for the conservative movement. NRI rotates the dinner between major cities around the country, and was pleased to return to Dallas this fall. John P. Buser, Harlan Crow, and Peter J. Travers were dinner co-chairs. In total, the crowd was comprised of nearly 350 leaders of the business, political, philanthropic, and academic communities from across the country.
“Convening the NR Nation is a central component of NRI’s work,” NRI president Lindsay Craig said. “This has been a difficult task throughout COVID-19. While we’ve had great success with our robust virtual programs, we were thrilled to be able to gather in person once again to celebrate our esteemed honorees, the NR mission, and the legacy of William F. Buckley Jr.”
The program began with a moving invocation from NRI’s Dallas-based trustee, John Buser. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz then took to the stage to welcome guests to the great state of Texas. NRI President Lindsay Craig followed, speaking of the Institute’s marked success over the past two years—the launch of National Review Capital Matters and NRI’s William F. Buckley Jr. Communicators Program, the introduction of virtual programs including NRI’s book club, and strategic hires that will enable the Institute to continue its programmatic and fundraising growth ahead of WFB’s centennial in 2025.
A video was then played that highlighted William F. Buckley Jr.’s legacy of civilized debate and NRI’s work to honor this tradition. NRI hosts two debates per year in Dallas at The Debate Chamber on the Old Parkland campus. His vision for the campus is to “be a place where there are conversations, there’s sharing of ideas, and there are thought leaders.” Recent debate topics have included “The Protection of Individual Liberties” with The Honorable Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz, “The Second Amendment” with Charles C.W. Cooke and The Honorable Julian Castro, and our most recent debate on “Stakeholder Capitalism” with Kevin Hassett and Mark Zandi.
Adam Meyerson was presented with the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Supporting Liberty by DonorsTrust President and CEO Lawson Bader. The award was presented in recognition of his longtime leadership of The Philanthropy Roundtable, a nonprofit membership organization designed to build a vibrant philanthropic movement that strengthens our free society. During his nearly two-decade-long tenure, Adam built the Roundtable into a world class leader in effective and purposeful philanthropy by growing a strong community of conservative philanthropists, working to protect donor intent and fighting for philanthropic freedom on the state and federal levels. His work has enabled numerous Americans to advance the principles of a free society through charitable giving. In addition to his work at the Roundtable, Adam has spent the last 45 years as a successful leader of major journalistic, policy, and philanthropic institutions, including The American Spectator, the Wall Street Journal, and the Heritage Foundation. Further, his leadership on the boards of National Review Institute, State Policy Network, and Donors Capital Fund are indicative of his commitment to our broader movement.
In accepting the award Meyerson said, “NRI and National Review magazine stand athwart the ideas, movements, and institutions that are endangering our free society. National Review and NRI are also indispensable leaders in the rebuilding of conservatism as a politically powerful movement and set of principles. In the tradition of Bill Buckley, one of NR and NRI’s most important contributions is to forge a coalition between different strains of conservatism while welcoming former left-wing refugees escaping the tyranny of woke ideology.”
Before the second prize was presented, NR editor in chief Rich Lowry took to the stage to raise a glass to the past editor and future editor of National Review magazine—John O’Sullivan and Ramesh Ponnuru, respectively. With Rich continuing to serve as editor in chief of National Review, overseeing NR’s overall editorial policy and official editorial positions, Ramesh will begin as editor of the print magazine in January. Phil Klein, who was also in attendance, is the new editor of NationalReview.com.
NRI fellow Andrew C. McCarthy presented Leonard Leo and Eugene Meyer with the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Political Thought for their consequential leadership of The Federalist Society. Over the past four decades, The Federalist Society has reshaped jurisprudence toward a responsible adherence to our Constitutional framework. The support and cultivation of lawyers committed to the principles of a free society and a limited constitutional government has been crucial to protecting American liberty under law. Further, in a political environment hostile to civil discourse, The Federalist Society fosters open debate and discussion of important legal topics for students and professionals across the country. Under the leadership of Eugene Meyer and Leonard Leo, the Society has expanded into a nationally prominent institution representing more than 60,000 law students, attorneys, academics, public policy practitioners, and jurists.
In his remarks Meyer said, “We need more good people committed to the Constitutional structure that the founders established and to their belief in freedom of conscience and thought. It has been part of the Federalist Society’s goals to think hard about these issues and discuss them energetically and to strongly encourage and incentivize more good and capable people to be seriously involved in public policy; just as it has been National Review’s and Bill Buckley’s goals to foster such discussion. That shared goal makes me and the Federalist Society especially honored to receive this award.”
During his remarks Leo spoke out against activist judges, “The conservative legal movement has one goal … We seek a society that upholds human dignity and individual freedom …Some well-meaning conservatives are attempting to justify a much more expansive role for judges, under the guise of a “better” originalism. . . . Many of the things they want are worthy ends. Yet their suggested means run counter to the central premise of our movement,” he said.
The program concluded with remarks from NRI Chairman Peter J. Travers, who thanked guests for joining us from across the country for a wonderful, celebratory evening. Guests then made their way to our festive after party, with musical entertainment provided by the Hunter Sullivan band. NRI’s next William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Diner will be held in California, September 2022.
Prominent attendees included notable National Review writers such as Rich Lowry, Andrew C. McCarthy, Kevin D. Williamson, John O’Sullivan, Kevin Hassett, Andrew Stuttaford, Kathryn Jean Lopez, Jay Nordlinger, John McCormack, Ramesh Ponnuru, and Kyle Smith. Along with Senator Ted Cruz, Lindsay Craig, Peter Travers, David Bahnsen, Garrett Bewkes, Lisa Nelson, The Hon. Ken Starr, and Father Robert Sirico.
For his entire life, Bill Buckley sought to preserve and buttress the foundations of our free society. To honor his achievement and inspire others, NRI’s Board of Trustees annually award the William F. Buckley Jr. Prizes for Leadership in Supporting Liberty and Leadership in Political Thought. These prestigious awards honor their namesake and those who champion the principles Buckley advanced during his lifetime.
NRI first brought the annual Prize Dinner to Dallas to Dallas in 2015 and over the past eight years has hosted events and worked closely with state think-tanks and regional policy organizations in Texas. We aim to energize the local conservative base and introduce our friends and supporters around the country to state-based and regional organizations doing vital work for the broader movement. This year’s Buckley Prize Dinner in Dallas is indicative of National Review Institute’s commitment to maintaining a consistent presence in Texas and our goal of making real the “National” in the National Review mission. The encouragement NRI has received from friends and supporters in Texas and across the county has been tremendous. Over the past eight years, NRI has grown its programming, bringing National Review’s best talent to various cities outside of our home in New York. NRI plans to continue to expand its core programming, which complements the mission and work of National Review.
August 2, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
Carl Helstrom joins National Review Institute Board of Trustees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK August 2, 2021 — On Tuesday, June 22, 2021 the National Review Institute Board of Trustees voted to add Carl Helstrom to the organization’s governing body. The board is now comprised of 14 trustees.
“National Review has been one of the most meaningful brands for three generations of thoughtful Americans who value conservative perspectives on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am honored to join National Review Institute’s efforts to perpetuate and strengthen William F. Buckley, Jr.’s intellectual enterprise for the next generation,” Helstrom said.
Carl Helstrom serves as Vice President for Programs at The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation. The Bradley Foundation has had a longstanding relationship with National Review and National Review Institute since Harry Bradley invested in National Review in the early 1950s. This relationship was further strengthened during the tenure of Thomas L. “Dusty” Rhodes as both President of National Review and Chairman of the Bradley Foundation.
“Carl Helstrom’s successful leadership over decades at conservative foundations is impressive,” said Peter J. Travers, NRI Chairman. “His strong relationships across the community of libertarian and conservative institutions illustrate the high regard in which he is held. Carl also knows, understands, loves, and is committed to the mission of National Review Institute. He is a wise man of outstanding character, and a good friend. I am honored and delighted to have him as part of the NRI Board of Trustees as our organization continues its rapid growth, and as we prepare for the centennial of William F. Buckley Jr.’s birth and the 70th anniversary of National Review magazine in 2025.”
Previously, Carl was Executive Director of the JM and Milbank Foundations, and is currently Chairman of State Policy Network, an advisor to The Roe Foundation, and a Trustee of the A.P. Kirby, Jr. Foundation. Helstrom will serve alongside current NRI Board of Trustees members Peter J. Travers, Chairman; Robert F. Agostinelli, Rhône Group LLC; David L. Bahnsen, The Bahnsen Group; John Buser, Texas; Lindsay Craig, President, National Review Institute; Dick DeVos, The Windquest Group; Richard Lowry, Editor in Chief, National Review; Daniel J. Mahoney, Assumption University; Adam Meyerson, Washington, DC; Brian Murdock, Strategic Investment Group; Valerie Schooley, California; Richard Spencer, California; and L. Stanton Towne, New York.
“National Review Institute has been in existence for longer than many of today’s conservative or right-of- center organizations, so receiving counsel from someone who is not only familiar with the historical landscape of our movement but fluent with today’s changing tides is extremely important. Carl Helstrom’s long career on both the philanthropic and nonprofit-management side of keystone organizations gives him a valuable perspective. While we have turned to Carl for advice and guidance for many years, we now officially welcome him to our board of trustees,” said NRI President Lindsay Craig.
January 28, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
National Review launches new economic liberty podcast, Capital Record, on Jan. 28
Podcast featuring discussions on economics and finance is hosted by financier and National Review Institute trustee David L. Bahnsen
NEW YORK — On January 28, 2021, National Review (NR) launched a new weekly podcast, Capital Record, as part of NR Capital Matters. The podcast is hosted by financier and NRI trustee David L. Bahnsen and features interviews with the nation’s top business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment professionals and financial and economic commentators.
Bahnsen and his guests will tackle issues such as developments in the capital markets, the dangers of socialism, building a pro-business climate, and the role of federal-government intervention in a free-market economy.
“Capital Record is not going to be a generic business podcast, or a run-of-the-mill markets and news podcast,” said Bahnsen, who founded and serves as managing partner of The Bahnsen Group, a private-wealth-management firm. “We want to interview the top thought leaders in finance, economics, business, and more with a specific agenda of defending free enterprise, affirming the need for robust capital markets, and resisting the undermining of the American dream.”
Bahnsen is known for his frequent guest appearances on Fox Business and CNBC and is annually recognized as one of the top advisors in the country by Barron’s, Forbes, and The Financial Times.
Capital Record is sponsored by National Review Institute as part of the Capital Matters initiative, which launched in July 2020 and has the mission of promoting and defending the market economy. It includes a new section on NationalReview.com. Capital Matters features daily commentary and analysis on business, finance, and economics with a distinctly NR sensibility and complementary NRI-sponsored events, webinars, forums, and conference calls.
“Capital Record is designed to expand what we are doing into a new medium, and, more specifically, to take advantage of the interview format to deepen the discussion we are trying to promote,” explained Capital Matters editor Andrew Stuttaford.
The first episode of Capital Record features a conversation with Kevin Hassett, senior adviser to National Review Capital Matters and Former Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. They discuss the state of the economy, and how understanding what wealth is will alter your economic thinking.
Capital Record episodes are available on the NRCM website, NationalReview.com/podcasts, and all major podcast directories.
October 5, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
Conservatives Around The Country Gather Virtually To Honor William F. Buckley Jr.’s Legacy
Largest crowd ever participates in event to recognize James L. Buckley and Virginia James for their contributions to the conservative movement National Review Institute hosts its Seventh Annual William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner as a “Gala at Home,” recognizing the Honorable James L. Buckley for Leadership in Political Thought and Virginia James for Leadership in Supporting Liberty.
PRINCETON, NJ, October 5, 2020 — National Review Institute recognized the Honorable James L. Buckley and Virginia James for their contributions to the conservative movement at the William F. Buckley Jr. “Gala at Home” Prize Dinner.
A small gathering was hosted at the home of NRI Board Chairman Peter J. Travers in Princeton, New Jersey. The event was partially live-streamed, along with pre-recorded and creative videos, to NRI friends and supporters across the country. Some participants hosted private dinner parties serving specialty cocktails and champagne and dressed for the occasion in their black-tie best.
In its seventh year, the William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner has become a marquee celebration for the conservative movement. Held in a different city each year, the 2020 gala was planned to take place in New York City. When it became apparent that a large in-person event was not an option, the organization embraced an interactive virtual format that included “fan cams” with greetings from supporters and fans across the country and world.
Serving as dinner co-chairs were Edwin J. Feulner, founder and past president of The Heritage Foundation; Leonard A. Leo, co-chairman and former executive vice president of the Federalist Society; and NRI Board of Trustees Chairman Travers. In total, over 600 friends and supporters tuned in for the live event.
The William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Supporting Liberty, which recognizes conservative philanthropy, was awarded to Virginia James in recognition of her longtime and generous support of NRI and NR magazine, in addition to her many philanthropic contributions to other worthy organizations that are part of the broader conservative movement. An investor from Lambertville, NJ, Virginia is a notable philanthropist and serves as president of the Hickory Foundation, which supports dozens of organizations dedicated to economic freedom, education, and the arts. She is a strong advocate for limited government and is co-founder and chairman of the Club for Growth, a leading free-enterprise advocacy group. Her philanthropy has enabled numerous organizations to succeed and grow, energizing and uplifting the movement that Bill Buckley did so much to lead.
The William F. Buckley Jr. Prize for Leadership in Political Thought was awarded to The Honorable James L. Buckley. Fifty years ago this fall, Jim cast off a successful career as president of an oil exploration company to run for the U. S. Senate from New York. In a historic conservative victory, Jim became, as his brother anointed him, “the sainted junior senator from New York.” His victory is seen by many conservatives as a bridge from the Goldwater campaign of 1964 and Bill’s mayoral race in 1965 to the Reagan landslide of 1980. After his term in the Senate, Jim served as Under Secretary of State and as President of Radio Free Europe. In 1985, President Reagan nominated Jim to the U. S. Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit, on which his distinguished service made him one of the few people in American history to have served in all three branches of the federal government. Through all of this, Jim was unable to make any enemies. As Bill famously wrote of his older brother, Jim was “a benign presence before whose phlegmatic charm razors are blunt and arrows detumesce.”
James Buckley’s acceptance remarks included a somber warning about the state of our nation: “We have become a nation of constitutional illiterates,” Senator Buckley warned. “Few Americans have any understanding of the degree to which the Constitution’s safeguards are being whittled away. So we need to remind them of their existence and hammer home the urgent need to bring the administrative state under effective constitutional control. That will be anything but easy, but it has to be done.”
Senator Buckley concluded that he could think of no organization better able to meet this challenge than National Review Institute. “I urge you to focus all your considerable resources on reminding Americans of the constitutional sources of their blessings and of the utter seriousness of the present threat,” he said. “You have your marching orders. God bless you all.”
In addition to the honorees’ remarks and videos highlighting their impressive careers, the audience was treated to a performance by pianist Larry Perelman. Larry entertained at William F. Buckley Jr.’s dinner parties in New York City, and gave a special performance on Bill’s piano at Chairman Travers’ home.
National Review editor in chief Rich Lowry also moderated a panel with NR writers Andrew C. McCarthy, Kevin D. Williamson, Ramesh Ponnuru, and Charles C. W. Cooke. The writers discussed the important issues that our honorees have championed including limited government, federalism, and economic freedom.
Prominent virtual and in-person attendees included other notable National Review writers such John O’Sullivan, Kathryn Jean Lopez, Jay Nordlinger, Richard Brookhiser, John McCormack, and Kyle Smith.
Concluding the dinner, NRI Board Chairman Travers thanked guests for attending and for helping to raise over one million dollars in funds for the Institute. Guests continued the celebration via virtual “After-Party” reception rooms.
For his entire life, Bill Buckley sought to preserve and buttress the foundations of our free society. To honor his achievement and inspire others, NRI’s Board of Trustees annually award the William F. Buckley Jr. Prizes for Leadership in Supporting Liberty and Leadership in Political Thought. These awards honor their namesake and those who champion the principles Buckley advanced during his lifetime.
In addition to adapting to a virtual format to host this gala, NRI has been hosting successful virtual events since March 2020.
July 29, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
NationalReview.com Launches New Section to Cover Business, Finance, and Economics from a National Review sensibility
National Review Institute launches collaborative initiative to amplify the message of those who defend economic liberty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK July 29, 2020 — Yesterday, National Review (NR) and National Review Institute (NRI) launched a new initiative: Capital Matters (NRCM), including a new section on NATIONALREVIEW.COM featuring daily commentary and analysis on business, finance, and economics with a distinctly NR sensibility, and complementary NRI-sponsored events, webinars, forums, and conference calls.
“National Review has been engaged in the fight for free markets for decades, but given the renewed intensity of the assault against them, we are calling in reinforcements in the form of Capital Matters, which will be energetic, vigilant, and fearless,” said Rich Lowry, National Review Editor in Chief.
Through charts, infographics, and timely commentary from well-known financiers, economists, entrepreneurs, business people, and other specialists, the objective of this initiative is to change the terms of debate over our country’s economic future for the better.
“Despite the uncertain economic times, we are keeping our strategic growth goals for this project because of its relevance and importance. In the same spirit that led William F. Buckley Jr. to found National Review, National Review Institute is proud to collaborate on this new project to explain, defend, and celebrate capitalism. With so much misinformation and misunderstanding of capitalism, National Review Capital Matters will serve to elevate the voices and amplify the message of those who defend economic liberty.” Lindsay Craig, President of National Review Institute.
“In the past 30 years, more people have been lifted out of extreme poverty than in all prior human history,” said Peter J. Travers, NRI Board of Trustees Chairman. “This accomplishment is the direct consequence of capitalist policies that support personal capital formation, international trade, and market allocation of capital. These reforms, under perennial assault—now even by some ‘conservatives’—will be elucidated and celebrated by National Review Capital Matters.”
At the helm of this initiative is NRI’s newest fellow and National Review Capital Matters Editor, Andrew Stuttaford, who had a long career in finance and has also been writing for National Review for decades, and Kevin Hassett, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, who will serve as NRCM senior adviser.
“The battle of ideas is not won by default,” Stuttaford said. “At a time when free markets are under attack not only by the left, but by some on the right, there are too few spaces remaining for those who dissent. The National Review Capital Matters initiative intends to push back against the creation of an intellectual, corporate, and political regime where free markets are either the enemy or an afterthought, by becoming a platform for writers, economists, business people and others to explore, explain, and make the case for an idea of individual enterprise that is, in turn, inextricably linked to the principle of individual freedom.”
This new section comes on the heels of a wide range of enhancements at National Review, from adding a newsroom and podcasts to new all-digital content on NRPlus, said National Review Publisher Garrett Bewkes.
“Since early 2017, our team has been working tirelessly to expand the defense of our nation’s principles through increasing our digital footprint and delivering our audiences the highest quality news and conservative political opinion journalism steeped in facts, not just what’s popular,” Bewkes said. “Now, sensing that we are very much repeating US 1950’s & 1960’s history, the launch of Capital Matters in this moment serves as the next great addition to our quickly growing subject coverage and increased daily content production, while providing a timely and much needed response to the campaigns of disinformation and revisionist history coming from our mass media regarding socialism. Capital Matters allows us to continue to expand our reach by tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of new monthly readers as we broaden our offering to the wider tent of conservatism in areas of fiscal policy.”
June 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miranda Melvin
Director of External Affairs, National Review Institute
miranda@nrinstitute.org
571-302-0353
Adam Meyerson joins National Review Institute Board of Trustees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK July 14, 2020 — On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 the National Review Institute Board of Trustees voted to add Adam Meyerson to the organization’s governing body. The board is now comprised of 14 trustees.
“As a devoted reader of National Review for 45 years, and as a fervent admirer of Lindsay Craig’s, Rich Lowry’s, and Peter Travers’ outstanding leadership, I am honored to join the board of National Review Institute as we stand athwart the ideas and movements that are endangering our free society,” Meyerson said.
Meyerson served as president of The Philanthropy Roundtable for nearly two decades, building that institution into a world-class leader in effective and purposeful philanthropy. Meyerson joined the Roundtable as president in 2001 and he grew its annual budget from $1.8 million to $9 million.
“Adam Meyerson has been an exceptional leader in the conservative movement,” said Peter Travers, NRI Board of Trustees Chairman. “His very long list of friends and admirers includes all of us at National Review Institute and National Review. Adam’s institution-building success at The Philanthropy Roundtable and The Heritage Foundation is renowned. I am honored and delighted to have him as part of the NRI Board of Trustees as we tackle our ambitious goals leading up to 2025, which will be the centennial of William F. Buckley Jr.’s birth and the 70th anniversary of National Review magazine.”
He currently serves on the boards of the State Policy Network and Donors Capital Fund. From 1993 to 2001, he was vice president for educational affairs at The Heritage Foundation. Prior to that, he was an editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal and editor of its “Manager’s Journal” and “Asia” columns and from 1974 to 1977 was managing editor of the American Spectator. He and his wife, Nina, live with their three sons in Washington, D.C.
Meyerson will serve alongside current NRI Board of Trustees members Peter J. Travers, Chairman; Robert F. Agostinelli, Rhône Group LLC; David L. Bahnsen, The Bahnsen Group; John Buser, Texas; Lindsay Craig, President, National Review Institute; Dick DeVos, The Windquest Group; Richard Lowry, Editor-in-Chief, National Review; Daniel Mahoney, Assumption College; Brian Murdock, Strategic Investment Group; Valerie Schooley, California; Richard Spencer, California; L. Stanton Towne, New York; and Karen Buchwald Wright, Ariel Corporation.
“Adam has been a very helpful mentor to me at NRI over the last (almost) seven years,” said President Lindsay Craig. “We are very fortunate to have earned Adam’s confidence. He is a notable leader in our movement and so by joining our board, he has granted us a tremendous honor.”