Kansas Rep. Ryun's a winner who is not in it for the gold

0 Comments | Insight on the News, March 31, 1997 | by Stephen Goode

The first-term Republican ran out of the cornfields three times to compete in the Olympics, and he has taken his winning attitude -- bolstered by a strong spirituality -- into the House of Representatives.

In 1965, Jim Ryun set the U.S. high-school mile-run record for boys at 3:55.3, a record that still stands. Three years later, he won a silver medal at the Mexico City Summer Olympics in the 1,500-meter run. For Ryun, however, the "defining moment" of his life was "May 18, 1972, when I became a Christian." His political philosophy, Ryun tells Insight, "is just a few things: Less government. Less taxes. Better representation. More power back to the states. Integrity. Doing what we can to protect our country's future."

Insight: How would you describe your faith?

Jim Ryun: It means a relationship with God. It means an opportunity to call on a loving God for direction.

When I made that simple commitment, I started thinking less about what it took to become a world-record holder and to maintain that status and started thinking about how I could become a better father, how I could become a better husband, how I could serve others.

I had been certain that athletics would supply all the answers to life and that winning an Olympic gold medal would provide fulfillment.

Insight: Why leave a comfortable life in Kansas for the political jungle of Washington?

JR: My answer would be why not? There are some problems that have troubled me through the years: regulations, taxation. I had considered the possibility of public office.

But I think my daughter got it right when as a family we were praying about whether I ought to run for Congress and talking about it: "Dad, don't you make the decision. Put your name on the ballot. Let the people of Kansas make that decision."

Athletics teaches you discipline, hard work. Politics takes those qualities and more -- it takes other people, too. This race for office involved my whole family. They spoke on my behalf many times when I couldn't make it because of the large size of my district. We entered the race with no money and no backing, but we were victorious with the help of lots and lots of people and by the grace of God.

Insight: Has your lack of political experience been a problem?

JR: No. In the campaign that was a strength. Part of our campaign was to go door-to-door talking to people instead of spending time in forums, television or radio. And the comment we heard most often was, "You're not a typical politician. You answer our questions. We like that."

When I was in orientation [for freshman members of Congress] I sat back and listened to a member of the opposite party speak about the role of a representative. He said it was to represent the government to the people. I made the comment then that the last time I read the Constitution, and from my perspective, the role of the representative was to represent the people.

Insight: What can the 1 05th Congress do? What can government do?

JR: I would like to see a balanced-budget amendment while there's a favorable atmosphere. I would like to see tax relief for families.

One of the best things we can do is encourage families, encourage family values. I have heard comments [when visiting people who deal daily with such problems as drug abuse, poverty, illegitimacy]: "One of the best things you can do for people with these problems is teach them about God and a respect for authority and it will help the problems of society." These aren't my words, they're what I hear. But I think they sound pretty accurate.