YAF Honors Conservative Revolutionary Richard Viguerie at National Convention

Online, October 14, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Washington, DC - Richard Viguerie, father of grassroots political communication and one of the most influential conservatives of the past century, will be honored for a lifetime of conservative activism by Young Americans for Freedom. YAF will award Viguerie the Guardian of Freedom Award, YAF's highest honor, at its national convention in Irvine, CA on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

Viguerie's innovation in direct mail advertising empowered tens of millions of Americans to participate in the political process through grassroots fundraising and messaging. His company has mailed more than two billion letters over the past 40 years providing valuable information that people often could not obtain from the mainstream media. Viguerie's direct marketing techniques influenced elections from California to Virginia by helping conservatives, like Ronald Reagan, spread their message among the grassroots in America.

Viguerie became involved in national politics as Executive Secretary of Young Americans for Freedom, the nation's oldest conservative youth organization, founded by William F. Buckley, Jr. in 1960.

"Richard Viguerie is a true revolutionary in the conservative movement," said YAF Executive Director Jordan Marks. "His innovations in grassroots activism are similar to what the Internet has done for the Tea Party today."

The conservative voice, often stifled by the mainstream media, started roaring through the political scene recently thanks to grassroots activists, many of whom became involved in politics for the first time.

"Viguerie helped ordinary Americans and small organizations spread the conservative message and string together a number of electoral victories," said Marks. "YAF is honored to present this award to a true pioneer of the conservative movement."

Young Americans for Freedom is celebrating 50 years of conservative activism this year.

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