Paul M. Weyrich has passed away. It is indeed a very sad day for freedom-lovers. Paul was an icon of the conservative movement and, more importantly, a man we could all trust and respect.

When I came to Washington in 1991, he not only befriended me and the term limits cause, he also provided sage advice and counsel. For instance, he was the first to argue that congressional supporters of term limits should limit themselves voluntarily — as otherwise their support would too likely be phony.

Paul was one of those few Washingtonians who stands on principle. He advocated for what he thought was right, rather than what was politically expedient. If more Republicans in recent years had shared his integrity and commitment, the GOP would not be wandering around in the wilderness today.

Paul will be remembered as the chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation, where he served as President from 1977 to 2002, as a founder and past director of the American Legislative Exchange Council, the founding president of the Heritage Foundation and the current National Chairman of Coalitions for America.

From 1989 to 1996, he served as President of the Kreible Institute of the Free Congress Foundation, responsible for training democracy activists and providing assistance to freedom movements in the states comprising the former Soviet Empire. In 1993, Paul asked me to travel to Russia on behalf of the Kreible Institute during the successful campaign for Boris Yeltsin’s referendums. It was an incredible opportunity to witness history – the high-water mark of freedom and democracy in Russia – for which I will always be grateful.

Paul was also a huge proponent of the voter initiative process, recognizing the critical need for citizens to be able to check the excesses of their elected officials. He was one of the first conservatives to put emphasis on using the power of citizen initiatives. He was also very supportive of my work with Citizens in Charge, the only national group fighting to protect and expand the initiative process.

Whether one agreed with him or not, Paul Weyrich could always be counted on to do what he believed was right. He was a friend and fellow patriot. I will miss him. America misses him.