Heritage Foundation founder Edwin J. Feulner dies at 83

Edwin J Feulner a prominent figure in the American conservative movement and co-founder and former president of the Heritage Foundation died on Friday at the age of Feulner served as the organization's president from to and again from to He was well known for transforming the once-obscure think tank into one of the the bulk influential protocol powerhouses in Washington D C He was its longest-serving president after helping to create the Washington D C -based think tank in Ed Feulner was more than a leader he was a visionary a builder and a patriot of the highest order Heritage President Kevin Roberts and Board of Trustees Chairman Barb Van Andel-Gaby stated in a joint declaration His unwavering love of country and his determination to safeguard the principles that made America the freest preponderance prosperous nation in human history shaped every fiber of the conservative movement and still do DAVID GERGEN TRUSTED WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR TO US PRESIDENTS ACROSS DECADES DIES AT The group had organized Project a controversial initiative that offered right-wing initiative recommendations for the second Trump administration Feulner co-wrote the initiative's afterward and he and Roberts met with President Donald Trump ahead of last year's voting process Feulner was also on Trump's transition organization ahead of his first term Under his leadership Heritage instituted a new model of conservative approach advocacy This helped shape Reagan-era reforms and pushed market-based ideas into political mainstream Feulner has remained functioning through Project and a transition plan for a second Trump term which is drawing praise and criticism for its hardline agenda proposals An author of nine books and a former congressional aide he was also involved in various other conservative organizations Whether he was bringing together the various corners of the conservative movement at meetings of the Philadelphia Society or launching what is now the Heritage Strategy Forum Ed championed a bold 'big-tent conservatism ' Roberts and Andel-Gaby wrote He inferred in addition not subtraction Unity not uniformity One of his favorite mantras was 'You win through multiplication and addition not through division and subtraction ' His legacy is not just the institution he built but the movement he helped grow a movement rooted in faith family freedom and the founding His 'Feulnerisms' still resonate in the halls of Heritage where they will consistently be remembered People are approach ' for instance the heartbeat of his mission to equip encourage and elevate a new generation of conservative leaders not just in Washington but across this great country the announcement continued And we still remember his adjuration to never be complacent or discouraged 'In Washington there are no permanent victories and no permanent defeats ' 'DUCK DYNASTY' STAR MISS KAY MAKES 'UNBELIEVABLE' PHYSICAL CONDITION TURNAROUND AFTER BELOVED HUSBAND'S DEATHCLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPRoberts and Andel-Gaby vowed to honor Feulner's life by carrying his mission forward with courage integrity and determination Thank you for showing us what one faithful fearless man can do when he refuses to cede ground in the fight for self-governance the leaders disclosed of Feulner Heritage did not disclose Feulner's cause of death Feulner is survived by his wife Lina as well as their children and grandchildren