Cushing Orator

Newt Gingrich, PhD

Newt Gingrich, PhD, is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in 40 years. As Speaker from 1995 to 1999, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people. Under his leadership, Congress passed welfare reform, the first balanced budget in a generation, and the first tax cut in 16 years. Widely recognized for his commitment to a better health system for all Americans, his leadership helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill, and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness.

Mr. Gingrich was first elected to Congress in 1978 where he served the Sixth District of Georgia for 20 years. His experiences as the son of a career soldier convinced him at an early age to dedicate his life to his country and to the protection of freedom. Realizing the importance of understanding the past in order to protect the future, he immersed himself in the study of history, receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Emory University and Master’s and Doctorate in Modern European History from Tulane University. Before his election to Congress, he taught History and Environmental Studies at West Georgia College for eight years.

Mr. Gingrich is prolific on the media front, having published 18 fiction and non-fiction books, including several New York Times best-sellers. Mr. Gingrich and his wife, Callista, host and produce documentaries. Recent films include Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, We Have the Power and Rediscovering God in America. A fourth documentary, Nine Days That Changed The World, is currently in production. He serves as a news and political analyst for the Fox News Channel.

Mr. Gingrich is a leading advocate of increased Federal funding for basic science research. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Science Coalition's first Science Pioneer award, given to him for his outstanding contributions to educating the public about science and its benefits to society.