The Torch of Freedom Foundation was formed by leaders working in and around public policy who became increasingly aware that the majority of our young people do not have a strong foundation or a working understanding of the principles our nation was founded upon.

We firmly concur that:

"Every member of the State ought diligently to read and to study the Constitution [the documents] of this country...[By] knowing their rights they will sooner perceive when they are violated and be the better prepared to defend and assert them." - John Jay, First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

But the majority of our nation does not have a clear understanding of these documents or their rights - as is summed up in this survey: among a sample of Texans surveyed, 35 percent could not name a single right guaranteed by the First Amendment, barely more than half could identify one right, and less than five percent could name two or more of their First Amendment rights.

Another recent survey, commissioned by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, polled 112,003 high school students, 327 principals, and 7,889 teachers from 544 public and private high schools. This survey found that more than one-third of respondents believe newspapers need government approval of their stories before they can be published. When asked if they believe the press has too much freedom, again one-third said it does, and half of respondents think the government has the ability to censor Internet content.

In the midst of widespread misinformation and ignorance, we believe we can best return to our foundations of liberty and freedom by educating the next generation about our history, and to show them the relevance of our heritage today. Our goal is to train young adults to be skilled in the public policy process and philosophy, and to equip them to be the movers and shakers of our communities, state and nation. The Torch of Freedom Foundation realizes this goal through Patriot Academy.

Patriot Academy

Patriot Academy is an annual training event where students between the ages of 16 and 25 come to the Texas State Capitol and learn the skills of elected officials, active citizens and/or policy makers from a Christian worldview; understand the founding fathers' philosophy, including limited government, individual responsibility, free market principles and traditional values; and experience the governmental process.

The first Patriot Academy was held in 2003, and since then we have had the privilege of watching young people gain the skills and understanding of how to be involved in the public policy process, how to respectfully interact with people with differing viewpoints and how to effectively organize support for their goal. We have been especially encouraged at how they have demonstrated their understanding of the practical administration of their beliefs in the realm of public service - how to take their conservative principles based on the founding documents, and apply it to actual legislation and process.

But the most inspiring reward has been to see these young people take what they learn and apply it to their lives long after the actual event! We now have have students working for officeholders on state level, federal level, interning for officeholders, actively involved in campaigning and running campaigns, not to mention others being heavily involved in local and community issues.