Hugh Downs, the former 20/20 co-host whose warm smile, intelligence, and affable demeanor made him one of America's most beloved television personalities, has been confirmed as a speaker at the Advocates for Self-Government's 20th Anniversary Celebration.

It's the first time that Downs, who won a place in libertarians' hearts when he famously praised them in 1997 for having "all the good ideas," will speak at a libertarian event, Advocates' President Sharon Harris said.

"We're tremendously excited to welcome Hugh Downs to his first libertarian event," she said. "This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Mr. Downs and find out why he was willing to break ranks with so many of his media counterparts and endorse pro-liberty ideas."

The Advocates' 20th Anniversary Celebration, entitled "Fastforwarding Our Libertarian Future," will be held over the weekend of October 14-16, 2005 at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the event, Downs will give a speech explaining why he finds libertarian ideas so appealing. He will also answer audience questions.

Downs is the highest-profile media figure to ever publicly praise libertarian ideas and political organizations. Over the years, Downs has said:

* "This country is a one-party country. Half of that party is called Republican and half is called Democrat. It doesn't make any difference. All the really good ideas belong to the Libertarians." (Politically Incorrect, March 31, 1997.)

* "The Libertarian Party is, by far, the very largest political party after the Republicans and Democrats. Elected Libertarians serve in various offices all over the country. Every year, Libertarians gain more registered voters -- defections from the two big parties. They also offer an alternative to what many people see as the tired twosome." (Perspective radio commentary, July 7, 1996.)

* "From a historical perspective, all Americans are libertarians, even those who are not registered as such. Libertarianism was a prominent political development that distinguished free Americans from those subjected to the British Crown." (Perspective radio commentary, September 19, 1998.)

Downs has also expressed broadly libertarian sentiments on several political issues.

In a May 20, 1995 radio commentary, he said: "I sympathize with people who want to ban guns, but I can't agree with them. We have to be careful that in our zeal to abolish guns we don't wind up pushing counterproductive legislation that will leave armed only those people most likely to do harm with the weapons."

And in an April 14, 1994 radio commentary, he said about marijuana: "Here is a weed, growing wild, that millions use whether there is a law against it or not. It kills no one. It has been in continuous use for about 5,000 years that we know of, and it has recognized medical applications. And yet the government is waging a deadly and expensive war against it."

However, Downs does not describe himself as a libertarian, and has publicly supported government regulation of both drugs and guns.

Downs has had a career almost as long as that of the television industry itself. He was the announcer on Sid Caesar's Hour (1956-1957); was Jack Paar's sidekick on The Tonight Show (1957-1962); hosted the game show Concentration (1958-1968); and hosted The Today Show (1962-1972).

From 1978-1999, he was the co-host of ABC's popular news magazine 20/20, sharing the stage with libertarian commentator John Stossel. Downs ended each show with a smile and his catch phrase, "We'll be in touch, so you stay in touch."

In 1985, Downs made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for having logged more hours on television than any other person in U.S. history. By May 1994, he had spent 10,347 hours on the small screen.

He won an Emmy Award in 1988; was named Broadcaster of the Year by the International Radio and Television Society in 1990; and was honored by the Museum of Broadcast Communications in 1995. In 1999, he retired from network television.

Downs has written 10 books, including an autobiography, Yours Truly, Hugh Downs (1960); a positive look at aging,Fifty to Forever (1994); a collection of radio essays, Perspectives (1995); a look at his TV career, On Camera: My 10,000 Hours on Television (1986); and a collection of science articles, Rings Around Tomorrow (1970). In 2002, he edited My America: What My Country Means to Me.

Downs has served as a chairman for UNICEF, as a member of the National Academy of Science, and as a member of NASA's Advisory Council. He is also an avid boatsman; in 1965, he sailed a 65-foot ketch across the Pacific Ocean.

Downs will join almost two dozen speakers, including:

* Robert Ringer, author of the classic libertarian book, Restoring the American Dream.

* U.S. Congressman Ron Paul, arguably the most libertarian politician in Washington, DC, and author of Freedom Under Siege.

* Harry Browne, two-time Libertarian presidential candidate and author of Liberty A-Z.

* Marshall Fritz, founder of the Advocates and current president of the Alliance for the Separation of School and State.

* Tom Palmer, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and an expert on the benefits of globalization.

* Rev. Robert A. Sirico, co-founder of the Acton Institute.

Also speaking will be David Bergland, the Libertarian Party's 1984 presidential candidate; Michael Cloud, author of Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion; and Mary Ruwart, author of Healing Our World In An Age of Aggression.

The 20th Anniversary event will celebrate two decades of work by the Advocates to advance libertarian ideas and to promote the World's Smallest Political Quiz's more inclusive map of politics. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization was founded by Marshall Fritz in 1985.

Over the long weekend, speakers will focus on positive ways to "fastforward" the growth of the libertarian movement, Harris said.

"The emphasis will be on honest optimism and how you can help make the liberty movement flourish," she said. "You'll leave this event excited, inspired, and with a renewed passion for freedom!"

 

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