Howard J. Phillips
February 3, 1941 ~ April 20, 2013
Howard Phillips, a founder of the New Right and the Religious Right, died on Saturday, April 20th. A visionary leader dedicated to the prinsiples of constitutional limited government, individual liberities, family values and a staunch defense of the life of the unborn. He forged a career launching many conservative nonprofit organizations and a new political party dedicated to providing conservatives greater opportunities in American polotics. Phillips, whose Christian faith was a guiding influence throughout his life, was known to his constituentsand colleagues as a man of uncompromising principle and integrity and to his family and friends as a man of charm, wit and loyalty.
Born on February 3, 1941, Howard Phillips was raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended Boston Latin School and late Harvard College. Phillps' entry into the political arena began early, often getting him in hot water during his two outspoken years as President of the Harvard Student Council (1960-62), a position to which he was twice elected. He was a leading participant in the 1960 conference in Sharon, Connecticut which created Young Americans for Freedom (YAF). During the 1960's and 1970's, YAF served as a training ground for many conservative activists and leaders.
In 1964 , Phillips was elected Chairman of the Boston Republican Committee. His focus on strong precinct organization was a foreshadowing of his later emphasis on national grass roots organizing.
Richard Schweiker hired Phillips to manage his successful 1968 campaign against Pennsylvania Senator Joe Clark. Phillips was then chosen by the Nixon administration to hold a series of positions, culminating in his appointment as acting director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. His effort to shut down OEO and end its subsidies to leftist advocacy groups was thwarted by a Democratic Congress, and Phillips resigned when Nixon reneged on a promise to veto funding for the agency.
Subsequently, Phillips sought a non-governmental mandate to oppose the high jacking of Federal tax dollars through Great Society programs. Phillips formed The Conservative Caucus (TCC) in 1974 to provide conservatives with a nationwide grass roots voice. He made "defunding the left" a priority cause for The Conervative Caucus (and The Conservative Caucus Foundation, founded in 1976), and by 1980 it had become a common battle cry of the conservative movement.
During the next few years, he held meetings in all 435 congressional districts, promoting in each the establishment of a local caucus of conservatives. TCC quickly beccame a leading organization in the fight for prayer in the schools and against the treaties to turn over the Panama Canal Zone and the U.S.-built Ccanal to Panama Although the treaties narrowly passed in the face of public hostility, Phillips pointed to the political price paid by its supporters, many of whom were defeated in 1978 and 1980. He went on to lead a similar and successful compaign against President Carter's SALT II treaty, visiting all 50 states to turn public opinion against the treaty.
He played a key role in what became known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Phillips promoted the necessity of developing a defense against nuclear missiles, and helped set in motion the events which led President Reagan to announce the beginning of SDI in March, 1983. Phillips then stepped up his campaign for the abrogation of the ABM Treaty, so that a missile-defense system could be legally deployed. That effort bore fruit when George W. Bush abrogated the treaty and began deployment of the system which is now being used to protect the western United States against a possible attack from North Korea.
TCC's "Victory Over Communism" project included strong attempts to provide U.S. assistance to anti-Communist freedom fighters, especially in Afghanistan, Angola and Nicaragua. A key victory was the repeal of the Clark Amendment, which had prohibited U.S. aid to the anti-Communist forces in Angola.
The Conservative Caucus was a key part of what became known as the New Right, along with Paul Weyrich's Committee for a Free Congress, Terry Dolan's National Conservative Political Action Committee, and the direct mail marketing of Richard Viguerie.
His determination to stand on principle was best shown by his willingness to oppose even popular Republican presidents when they chose to appease liberals. Phillips strongly opposed Reagan's nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court, and later was the only conservative to testify against the nomination of David Souter by George H. W. Bush. (Phillips correctly predicted that the long public record of support for legal abortion by both O'Connor and Souter would make that sold pro-abortion votes on the court.) In 1987, Phillips led the opposition to reagan's Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
By 1990, Phillips became convinced that neither major party would ever enact truly conservative policies in Washington, and that a new political party was the necessary approach. He led in the formation and became the first presidential candidate of the U.S. Taxpayers Party(later renamed the Constitution Party) in 1992, and was nominated again in 1996 and 2000.
Phillips retired as Chairman of The Conservative Caucus in 2011 as his health deteriorated, but continued to pay close attention to political developments.
Phillips did not spend all his time on politics. He was a theater buff and passed his love of Broadway on to his children with frequent trips to New York. He was a lifetime fan of the Boston Braves, continuing to follow the team even when they moved to Milwaukee and later to Atlanta. He once attended a Braves game in Atlanta in seats provided by home run king Hank Aaron.
His love for his family was well-demonstrated, despite the demands of his jobs and political campaigns. He played an active role in educating his children, and participated in home-schooling not only his yougest son, Samuel, but also some of his grandchildren. Dinner time in the Phillips household was characterized by education as part of the dining process with challenges when the children were young(spelling bees and state capital competitions) to readings from great books as the matured.
Phillips is survived by his wife of 49 years, Margaret, and his six children, Douglas, Amanda Lants, Bradford, Alexandra, Jennifer and Samuel, as well as 18 grandchildren and his sister, Susan Phillips Bari. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Howard Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund, Make checks payable to Liberty University Scholarship Department, Howard Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Born on February 3, 1941, Howard Phillips was raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended Boston Latin School and late Harvard College. Phillps' entry into the political arena began early, often getting him in hot water during his two outspoken years as President of the Harvard Student Council (1960-62), a position to which he was twice elected. He was a leading participant in the 1960 conference in Sharon, Connecticut which created Young Americans for Freedom (YAF). During the 1960's and 1970's, YAF served as a training ground for many conservative activists and leaders.
In 1964 , Phillips was elected Chairman of the Boston Republican Committee. His focus on strong precinct organization was a foreshadowing of his later emphasis on national grass roots organizing.
Richard Schweiker hired Phillips to manage his successful 1968 campaign against Pennsylvania Senator Joe Clark. Phillips was then chosen by the Nixon administration to hold a series of positions, culminating in his appointment as acting director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. His effort to shut down OEO and end its subsidies to leftist advocacy groups was thwarted by a Democratic Congress, and Phillips resigned when Nixon reneged on a promise to veto funding for the agency.
Subsequently, Phillips sought a non-governmental mandate to oppose the high jacking of Federal tax dollars through Great Society programs. Phillips formed The Conservative Caucus (TCC) in 1974 to provide conservatives with a nationwide grass roots voice. He made "defunding the left" a priority cause for The Conervative Caucus (and The Conservative Caucus Foundation, founded in 1976), and by 1980 it had become a common battle cry of the conservative movement.
During the next few years, he held meetings in all 435 congressional districts, promoting in each the establishment of a local caucus of conservatives. TCC quickly beccame a leading organization in the fight for prayer in the schools and against the treaties to turn over the Panama Canal Zone and the U.S.-built Ccanal to Panama Although the treaties narrowly passed in the face of public hostility, Phillips pointed to the political price paid by its supporters, many of whom were defeated in 1978 and 1980. He went on to lead a similar and successful compaign against President Carter's SALT II treaty, visiting all 50 states to turn public opinion against the treaty.
He played a key role in what became known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Phillips promoted the necessity of developing a defense against nuclear missiles, and helped set in motion the events which led President Reagan to announce the beginning of SDI in March, 1983. Phillips then stepped up his campaign for the abrogation of the ABM Treaty, so that a missile-defense system could be legally deployed. That effort bore fruit when George W. Bush abrogated the treaty and began deployment of the system which is now being used to protect the western United States against a possible attack from North Korea.
TCC's "Victory Over Communism" project included strong attempts to provide U.S. assistance to anti-Communist freedom fighters, especially in Afghanistan, Angola and Nicaragua. A key victory was the repeal of the Clark Amendment, which had prohibited U.S. aid to the anti-Communist forces in Angola.
The Conservative Caucus was a key part of what became known as the New Right, along with Paul Weyrich's Committee for a Free Congress, Terry Dolan's National Conservative Political Action Committee, and the direct mail marketing of Richard Viguerie.
His determination to stand on principle was best shown by his willingness to oppose even popular Republican presidents when they chose to appease liberals. Phillips strongly opposed Reagan's nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court, and later was the only conservative to testify against the nomination of David Souter by George H. W. Bush. (Phillips correctly predicted that the long public record of support for legal abortion by both O'Connor and Souter would make that sold pro-abortion votes on the court.) In 1987, Phillips led the opposition to reagan's Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
By 1990, Phillips became convinced that neither major party would ever enact truly conservative policies in Washington, and that a new political party was the necessary approach. He led in the formation and became the first presidential candidate of the U.S. Taxpayers Party(later renamed the Constitution Party) in 1992, and was nominated again in 1996 and 2000.
Phillips retired as Chairman of The Conservative Caucus in 2011 as his health deteriorated, but continued to pay close attention to political developments.
Phillips did not spend all his time on politics. He was a theater buff and passed his love of Broadway on to his children with frequent trips to New York. He was a lifetime fan of the Boston Braves, continuing to follow the team even when they moved to Milwaukee and later to Atlanta. He once attended a Braves game in Atlanta in seats provided by home run king Hank Aaron.
His love for his family was well-demonstrated, despite the demands of his jobs and political campaigns. He played an active role in educating his children, and participated in home-schooling not only his yougest son, Samuel, but also some of his grandchildren. Dinner time in the Phillips household was characterized by education as part of the dining process with challenges when the children were young(spelling bees and state capital competitions) to readings from great books as the matured.
Phillips is survived by his wife of 49 years, Margaret, and his six children, Douglas, Amanda Lants, Bradford, Alexandra, Jennifer and Samuel, as well as 18 grandchildren and his sister, Susan Phillips Bari. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Howard Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund, Make checks payable to Liberty University Scholarship Department, Howard Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Howard Phillips was one of the few statesmen of our time who stood on principle without wavering and who also stood for the right principles. He was a great friend and inspiration to me in the midst of such great compromise and corruption which we have today. May his example cause others to follow in his footsteps.
I have been very much influenced by Howard over the years. Had great opportunity to have met him twice. I was also honored to have been an elector for him from SD in the 1996 presidential election. His influence will live on far after his time here on earth. God bless you all and we are praying for you!
Sincere condolences to Susan, whom I knew and who graciously furthered my career and helped me to serve the Reagan Administration when she was in the Office of Presidential Personnel, and also to the others members of the family of Howard Phillips, whom I did not really know except by reputation. I am so grateful for the many articles that have been written about Howard on his passing that help me and others gain an ampler vision of him. While he was a monumental player on the world stage, I was impressed by the little things, such as his dedicated home schooling of his children and grandchildren. He clearly loved his country and his family. Respectfully, Jeanne J. Smoot
Words that come to mind when I think about Mr. Phillips: Brave, bold, uncompromising! He loved God and took on the devils of liberalism and phony conservatism with the confidence of a lion. He made a difference!
Howard Phillips was a man who always stood for principle and also for the right principles. He stood against expediency in an age of corruption and compromise. May others follow in his example and in his footsteps.
Howard Phillips was a man of his word. It was a great honor to work with him over the years on Independent Green Party politics in Virginia. Howard, and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. We will truly miss Howard Phillips. We will remember Howard Phillips for his courage, smarts, and wise advice. May God bless you, and comfort you. with respect and appreciation. Carey Campbell North Springfield, Virginia
We thank the Lord for the opportunity to meet, spend time with and talk to Mr. Phillips. Our prayers are for the God of all comfort to give you joy and peace in this sorrowful time.
Our deepest condolences to you all through what is certainly a tough time. Remember all the great things that Howard did and keep his legacy alive in sharing with your children all that he shared with you. Sending you the best, John, Manal, Yasmine and Oliver Bari
Dear Mrs. Phillips and Family: I am very grateful for the opportunity of having been with Mr. Phillips on several occasions. The quality I saw in his life was a great willingness to sow into other people’s lives. In his busy schedule , he took the time to send my son books. Also I’ve heard many times he would send Doug packages to read and study. I consider him one of the great men of our time. He had a profound impact on our entire family and we are very grateful to have met him.
I was honored to help a gentleman giant in his run for president in 1992. He is probably the only presidential candidate to ever run commercials on broadcast stations, which showed the remains of aborted children. He did so without regret and without apology. More importantly than a politician, he was a Christian. His biggest legacy is his testimony for Jesus Christ.