Wednesday, April 11, 2007
John R. Kasich delivers a speech Tuesday night at the Lied Center. Kasich served 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. The former Congressman is also a best-selling author and businessman. His most recent book is titled "Stand for Something: The Battle for America's Soul."
As an 18-year-old undergraduate at Ohio State University in 1970, John R. Kasich was invited to spend five minutes alone with President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office. The meeting lasted almost 20 minutes, and Kasich said he didn’t get that much time alone with a president from 1982 to 2000 during 18 years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kasich, a former Congressman and a best-selling author and businessman, talked for an hour Tuesday night at the Lied Center about the need for America to regain its values.
“Don’t ever let anybody deny you anything,” Kasich said.
The two-time best selling author of “Stand for Something: The Battle for America’s Soul,” and “Courage is Contagious” gave credit to God and to his parents.
“My mother and father gave me a value system that served me throughout my life,” he said.
He said he hoped students would embrace his same values such as honesty, integrity and personal responsibility.
He also said the greatest challenge the U.S. faces was holding onto its values and not shedding them, “if the going gets tough.”
Kasich said the country needed to focus less on outside threats like al-Qaida and worry more about internal issues.
One of the biggest internal threats, he said, was the corruption of youth through popular culture, music, sports and the actions of celebrities such as Britney Spears .
He said drugs and violence could have a trickle-down effect on children who imitate celebrities.
But he said there have been other well-known people who used their celebrity to spread positive messages, like Bono, the Rev. Billy Graham and Pat Tillman, who Kasich said believed in “standing up and doing what’s right.”
“So who do you want to hang with, Britney or Bono?” Kasich asked.
Marina Sulastri, Jember, Indonesia, senior, said her favorite part of Kasich’s lecture was when he advised young people to choose their celebrity influences wisely.
pullquote
My mother and father gave me a value system that served me throughout my life.
-John Kasich, former Congressman
“They should like a person based on their values,” Sulastri said.
Keane Crowder, Lawrence senior, said Kasich was a nice change from typical politicians and their rhetoric.
Kasich is currently a Wall Street investment banker.
Kansan staff writer Tyler Harbert can be contacted at tharbert@kansan.com.
— Edited by James Pinick
Gill talks to students about integrity
National Society of Collegiate Scholars hosts football coach for its annual Integrity ...
Civil rights leader to receive honors
This year’s Dole Leadership Prize will be awarded to Congressman John Lewis ...
Kennedy advocates environmentalism
Robert Kennedy Jr. said the environment is intertwined with everything in his ...
Family remembers KU student killed in car ...
Neil Hockenbarger, 26, died early Thursday morning. His wife said he was ...
Letter: Obama the best choice for the ...
Sen. Barack Obama demonstrates the leadership and optimism needed in the next ...
Vice president to Carter preaches mutual respect
Walter Mondale is credited for revamping and establishing the modern practice of ...
Mexican Fiesta funds support spanish language class
The 26th annual Mexican Fiesta at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, ...
Doing Without: Celebrity News
Absence makes the heart grow...?
Johnson County stigma doesn’t always stick
Students from Johnson County make up 41 percent of the University’s population. ...
Former player finds many successes despite rampant ...
Embrace the F-word
U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore speaks at Delta ...
The congressman discusses politics, the economy and the election at Delta Chi ...
Former runners help train current team members
Cross country team benefits from the help of athletes who return to ...
Holladay: Embracing advanced technology
We're better off learning from advanced technology, even if its natural to ...
Doles discuss careers at Lied Center
At annual Dole Lecture, senators talk about achievements and friendship with Sen. ...
Tom Brokaw, anchor and author, speaks on ...
Brokaw urged students to get involved in public service and criticized the ...
President Clinton visits Kansas
Former president honors troops in audience from Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth ...
Faith, Fellowship and Football
Stuckey leads no matter the path.
Three students share their coming out stories
Growing up in the conservative Midwest, some students find Lawrence a place ...
How personal is your personal information?
Documents left behind after construction could leave students' private records vulnerable.
Atheists lead a discussion to educate public
People have the chance to ask questions of a belief system they ...
Veterans’ transition not always smooth
Everything from receiving educational benefits to socializing with civilians can be a ...
Couples' lip locks kick off pride week
Queers and Allies organize public displays of affection on Wescoe Beach to ...
A strong foundation: Campus architect builds legacy
After a 63-year career, Warren Corman, University Architect, will retire on Thursday.
Anti-Obama Facebook status messages abound
Former University of Texas backup lineman Buck Burnette was among those who ...
Red and blue don't always mix
While U.S. politics are heating up headlines, politically mixed relationships are feeling ...
Congressman leaves impression on students
Students who listened to Congressman John Lewis speak at the Lied Center ...
Lester steps up as interim AD
Interim athletics director looks at big picture, while keeping short-term goals in ...
Supporters cheer after Obama is named President
Students and Lawrence residents celebrate at watch party, relishing in the historic ...
Brown officially named SMU coach
After a week of speculation, Larry Brown will coach his 13th team ...
Local barber wins businessman award
A love of haircutting throughout life and key events shaped barbershop owner’s ...
Transgendered man shares stories
After a childhood of playing sports instead of dolls, Dylan Scholinski said ...
Gill gets first 2011 verbal commitment
Darrian Miller, Missouri’s Gatorade Player of the Year, will play running back ...
General address Bush, terrorism in speech
Gen. Richard B. Myers spoke about terrorism and his relationship with President ...
Q&A with Dennis Moore
The former 3rd District Congressman answers questions about politics and current issues.
Man donates $100,000 for research
Students to soldiers
Facing possible deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan after graduation, 81 University students ...
Nearly 1,000 attend Jason Wren’s funeral
Coroner has not yet released autopsy, which will determine Wren’s cause of ...
A question of identity
The Comanche Nation informed KU that a professor who claims he's Comanche ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID