Congress finds the following:
(1)
Charles “Charlie” James Kirk was an American political and cultural activist who inspired a generation of young Americans to value and practice the core freedoms enshrined under the First Amendment, namely freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
(2)
Born on October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Kirk rose to prominence as a notable public figure, author, and champion of the open exchange of ideas.
(3)
Founding Turning Point USA in 2012, Kirk grew the organization into a nationwide grassroots organization focused on involving young people in the political process.
(4)
Today, there are over 3,500 Turning Point USA chapters at schools and universities across the United States, engaging a new generation of Americans in the country’s civic life.
(5)
Since Kirk's tragic death on September 10, 2025, Turning Point USA has received over 62,000 requests from students to start new chapters or expand existing ones.
(6)
Charlie Kirk was a passionate defender of the First Amendment, honoring the tradition of the Nation’s Founding Fathers and imparting upon Americans of all generations the importance of regularly practicing and safeguarding the crucial freedoms the United States was founded upon.
(7)
Through campus tours and widely attended events, Kirk championed the idea of open debate and respectful disagreement, turning college university campuses into public town squares at a time in the Nation’s history when freedom of speech was imperiled.
(8)
Charlie Kirk and his wife Erika Kirk inspired countless young Americans to value the institution of the family through their activism and the example they set themselves.
(9)
A loving father, Charlie raised his daughter and son alongside Erika, recognizing and sharing the importance of forming a family.
(10)
A stalwart believer in American exceptionalism, Charlie loved his country and had great faith in its potential, encouraging his fellow citizens to honor their civic duty and participate fully in upholding their responsibilities as citizens.