|
 If you think it’s boring being a Christian statesman, think again! Dick Armey—the Center’s 1999 Distinguished Christian Statesman—breaks down all the stereotypes as he charts his unique course that brings together sincere faith and excellence in public service.
It took a 30-foot utility pole, C-SPAN, and a plane flight to New York City to get Dick Armey’s life on course. But that’s okay. Dick Armey wouldn’t have it any other way.
Take, for example, that cold winter’s night when Armey, a recent high school grad, was atop a 30-foot utility pole working the graveyard shift for the local electric company. It was 3 a.m. and minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit when Armey had an epiphany of sorts: “I don’t want to be doing this when I’m 40—I better go to college.”
So the man from Cando (that’s “can do”), North Dakota, became the first in his family to go to college. He later earned a Masters from the University of North Dakota and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma, which led to a teaching career and the position of chairman of the economics department at North Texas State University.
Legend has it that it was during this time that Armey was watching congressional proceedings on C-SPAN when the thought dawned on him, “Hey, I can do that!” So in 1984, he decided to run for Congress, and won. Over the next decade, Armey earned a reputation as a solid conservative who also built bridges across party lines.
In 1992, Armey took his place in Republican leadership as Conference Chairman. But it was in 1994 when the political breakthrough came as Armey helped craft the Contract with America, which led to a Republican sweep into power. Armey’s colleagues rewarded him with the position of Majority Leader.
But the best was yet to come. About a year later while Armey was flying back to Washington, DC his staff notified him that there was a change in plans—go to New York City. On that plane to New York, Armey experienced another epiphany: “I started to think, ‘How can I trust people so much that I will change my plans and go to a place I don’t want to go, and yet not trust God to get me to the place I want to go?’” That’s when Armey’s walk of faith began in earnest.
“As it were, I got over myself,” he would later say, reflecting on his commitment to Christ. This renewed faith has significantly impacted the way Armey conducts business in Congress. “It’s not my job to make things happen,” he now says.
“I leave the results in God’s hands.” Considering how Dick Armey got here in the first place, it shows how things were in God’s hands all along.
Rep. Armey and his wife, Susan, have five children.
Back to Disginguished Christian Statesman Award Page
|
