"Onward": Current and Former RSC Chairmen Release Tribute Video Honoring Conservative Movement Architect Ed Feulner
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Republican Study Committee released a tribute video honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, the visionary who founded the Republican Study Committee, Congress's most influential conservative caucus, and built the Heritage Foundation into America's premier think tank. Featuring a lineup of current and former RSC Chairmen serving in Congress—including Chairman August Pfluger, Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House GOP Policy Chairman Kevin Hern, and Senator Jim Banks—the video highlights Dr. Feulner's direct impact on conservative governance over five decades.
The tribute video comes as Chairman Pfluger and nine House colleagues introduced H. Res. 614, a resolution honoring Dr. Feulner's life and legacy while commending his lifelong commitment to the conservative movement. The resolution details Dr. Feulner's extraordinary contributions, from founding both the Republican Study Committee and the Heritage Foundation in 1973 to revolutionizing how conservatives develop and execute public policy. The resolution respectfully requests President Trump to award Dr. Feulner the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to conservative governance.
FULL VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
RSC Chairman August Pfluger: "It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Ed Feulner—somebody who not only has left a legacy, but was a mentor and a source of inspiration for many of us."
Senator Jim Banks: "Ed Feulner didn't just found the Heritage Foundation. He also started the Republican Study Committee—the largest caucus on Capitol Hill."
Majority Leader Steve Scalise: "He was one of the founders of RSC, and he still loved and cared about what RSC represented—as conservatives in Congress trying to move a conservative agenda."
Speaker Mike Johnson: "You could make the argument that Ed did more for the advancement of conservative thought than any person in this arena. We stand on his shoulders today."
House GOP Policy Chairman Kevin Hern: "Ed Feulner remains one of the greatest heroes of the conservative movement. His dedication has strengthened and inspired the conservative movement for more than 50 years."
Speaker Mike Johnson: "As a former RSC Chairman, I'm particularly grateful that Ed acknowledged the need, those many years ago, for an intellectual arsenal of conservative thought in Congress. He helped found the committee. And it is still going strong today."
RSC Chairman August Pfluger: "For 50 years the values haven't changed. Conservatism has not changed."
Senator Jim Banks: "When I was elected, I sat down for breakfast with Ed and met with him many times throughout my chairmanship. And I learned about the history of the conservative movement, the history of the Republican Study Committee. And I gained so much from his wisdom, the history lessons that he taught me."
RSC Chairman August Pfluger: "And every time he showed up to an RSC meeting, people listened—because he was passionate about these conservative ideals that we now are continuing to champion."
Speaker Mike Johnson: "He lived out the ideals that he impressed upon everybody around him. He lived it. He showed us the way."
Majority Leader Steve Scalise: "Ed Feulner's involvement and fingerprints are all over the conservative movement in the United States—and so many of the great victories we've had."
House GOP Policy Chairman Kevin Hern: "Congress and my own career in the House would not be the same without him."
Senator Jim Banks: "And to his family and friends may he rest in peace. But as Ed would sign every email—with "Onward"—I'm reminded about how important we are to learn from the past, learn from Ed and respect his memory but move onward and do great things for this great country, the greatest country in the history of the world."
House GOP Policy Chairman Kevin Hern: "Onward."
Speaker Mike Johnson: "Onward our faithful friend."