I’m talking, of course, about our guest of honor, Senator Rick Santorum.We all know Senator Santorum for his bold conservative leadership in the United States Senate and for his recent presidential campaign that renewed our nation’s spirit and commitment to everyday issues such as growing America’s manufacturing base and getting our economy moving again.

Rick and I share a similar American heritage. Our families worked the coal mines and steel mills of Western Pennsylvania, building a better life and a stronger nation with their own hands. So when Rick Santorum talks about freedom, he does so from the perspective of a man that knows the value of hard work, determination and abounding faith in the greatness of America.

He believes as our founding fathers did – that rights come from our Creator not from government. And that freedom is the most essential ingredient in our nation’s success.

The values he learned from his grandfather are the same values that guide him today: that faith and family are the fabric of America, that you can’t spend more than you earn, and that life must be cherished and protected because it is a precious gift from God.

I first took notice of Rick Santorum in 1990 when he began his first race for Congress. I paid particularly close attention not only because I was a leader in the College Republicans in Texas at the time but because he would be representing my very own grandmother in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania.

That year he caught the nation’s attention with his vision for a greater America, one where strong families would generate a strong economy and where it wasn’t enough to just be a nation of innovators but also a nation of producers.

In Washington, he was a critical voice for faith and family, fiscal restraint and a strong national defense complimented by his incredible knowledge of foreign policy. And he proved, without a doubt, that Republican leaders can get things done without compromising our principles or apologizing for what we believe in.

Rick Santorum has shown us throughout his entire career, from his first race for Congress through his bid for President, what it takes to inspire a nation is a strong work ethic, a willingness to roll up our sleeves and to take our message door to door and win over America one hardworking family at a time. In so doing, he has reawakened millions of conservatives throughout this country.

As I’ve had the honor and privilege of getting to know Rick personally in life, I have been even more impressed with his character. He’s the same man in private as he is in public. He doesn’t just espouse conservative values. He lives them.

A year ago last spring, I was to meet Rick in the dining room of an upscale Dallas restaurant. But being the man that he is, Rick asked me if we could instead get together over a hotdog while taking in America’s favorite pastime. So just down the road from here, at the Ballpark at Arlington, I really came to further appreciate Rick, not just for his many accomplishments and his beliefs, but for his deep appreciation for being an American.

I can also tell you first hand that no one cares more passionately about this nation and her future. Rick Santorum understands the challenges working men and women face across America, because of who he is. He understands that our growing debt puts the dreams of millions of Americans in grave danger. And he understands that restoring this great nation requires new leadership, a new vision and a spirit of unity as a Party so that we will elect a new President this November!

Please give a warm Texas welcome to my dear friend, and one of America’s greatest conservative leaders, Senator Rick Santorum.

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