By Hayden Cunningham
Secretary of State Marco Rubio honored Charlie Kirk’s life and influence during his memorial service on Sunday, highlighting Kirk’s wisdom, boldness, and impact on young Americans.
Rubio recalled first hearing about Kirk a decade or more ago, when a friend described an “impressive young man” planning to visit college campuses to persuade students that America is the greatest country and that Marxism is harmful. Rubio joked about his initial doubts, saying such an effort would be more likely to succeed in “communist Cuba,” but admitted his skepticism was proven wrong.
He noted that at a time when young people are often taught to reject traditional values like marriage, family, and pride in America, Kirk launched a movement to affirm those principles. Rubio praised Kirk’s leadership, calling it informed by “incredible knowledge” and maturity.
“He just didn’t have knowledge, he had wisdom,” Rubio said. “An uncanny amount of wisdom for a man as young as he was.”
Describing Kirk as “bold,” Rubio acknowledged the temptation to be surrounded only with like-minded people. He noted how Kirk took the opposite approach, seeking peaceful and respectful engagement with those who disagreed with him.
“He did this on campuses, he did this on podcasts, he did this on radio shows, he did this on television shows,” Rubio explained. “Time and again, he sought to engage those he disagreed with because he understood that we were not created to isolate ourselves from one another but to engage.”
Rubio observed that Kirk’s willingness to debate ideas openly is something the nation desperately needs, calling it ironic how Kirk did this more than anyone alive today.
He continued by calling Kirk “impactful,” pointing out the large memorial attendance and people worldwide offering condolences following Kirk’s death. Rubio offered an answer to how conservatives can best remember Kirk by highlighting his impact on young men specifically. As Kirk often urged them to marry, start families, and love their country.
“The movement Charlie Kirk led and started, and gave fuel to, was about politics, but not only about politics. It was deeper, it was broader,” Rubio said. “One of the things he wants us to take away from this is the following: his deep belief that we were all created… by the hands of the God of the universe.” Rubio closed by emphasizing salvation through Jesus Christ and urged everyone to put their faith in God.
