Title: Team NJ at the COS Summit
Original CoS Document (slug): team-nj-at-the-cos-summit
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Created: 2022-10-31 22:27:27
Updated: 2022-11-09 03:00:01
Published: 2022-11-02 00:00:00
Converted: 2025-04-14T21:20:25.397128310
The Convention of States Reclaiming Liberty Leadership Summit was held in Orlando, FL from October 6 through 9, 2022. Hundreds of patriots from all 50 states gathered to be educated and inspired by an electrifying panel of speakers, and our proud New Jersey contingent was right in the mix. The fun started with a lively ice cream social and continued from there throughout the entire summit.
On Thursday evening, COS Co-Founder Mark Meckler gave a powerful welcome and prayer, exhorting the assembly to understand the reality of our task. It is a huge and daunting one in the current cultural environment, but not at all impossible. Mark encouraged us to be steadfast and to remember America’s founding, which is based on Judeo-Christian values.
Following Mark’s welcome, James O’Keefe, Founder of Project Veritas, spoke to the assembly about courage in the fight. Throughout his journalism career, James has faced numerous verbal and physical assaults from those who wish to suppress truth from the American people.
Friday’s lineup of speakers offered many unique and valuable perspectives for summit attendees to consider. Rick Santorum, Senior Advisor to COS, spoke of the blessings bestowed on his family through their faithfulness and trust in God Almighty. He stressed the importance of getting to know our legislators and educating them on the benefits that a Convention of States will bring to the state level.
The assembly was treated to a surprise visit from Colonel George Mason, who provided a historical perspective of the Founding Fathers and a warning for the present. He cautioned us, “Politicians do not need the title of King to grasp for kingly power.”
Lieutenant Colonel Allen West discussed the gradual progression from liberty to tyranny in America. He spoke of leadership in battle and “the five C’s” – Courage, Competence, Commitment, Conviction and Character. Lt. Colonel West issued a Call to Service to all COS warriors in attendance, who proudly swore an oath to defend our Constitution.
Steve Deace, Blaze TV Host, was brutally honest on the urgency of the moment in America’s battle for good against evil in our time, calling it our “Hail Mary moment.” He said there is a “uniparty” in Washington, DC and that we cannot be complacent in our fight for radical change in our political arena.
Summit attendees returned from lunch to an encouraging talk by Rick Green, Founder of Patriot Academy, who urged us to practice American patriotism based on who we are and what we have in this great country. Rick gave a history lesson on the Revolutionary War including the sacrifice of Nathan Hale and the patriotic writings of Thomas Paine. He reminded attendees of the American heritage of courage in defending liberty for the next generation.
Matt and Mercedes Schlapp from the American Conservative Union warned of targeting by the far-left and the elites now that the COS movement is gaining ground. They stated that we are in good company in the worldwide fight against tyranny and said that we must advocate for the policies we want and keep politics secondary.
The Friday evening session started with a talk by David Barton, America’s Historian and Founder of Wallbuilders, who stressed the importance of including the Bible in educating our children. He provided a sobering lesson on the gradual progression from a biblical to a secular worldview in our country and said that America is on the wrong track, advising that local battles won are the key to national victory in restoring our country. The importance of representation on school boards and county commissions cannot be understated.
Next up to speak was Michael Farris, President of Alliance Defending Freedom and Co-Founder of Convention of States with Mark Meckler. Mike discussed the importance of Article V as our solution to curb the runaway federal bureaucracy and administrative law overreach. He listed possible amendments that could come out of the convention:
1. Return the General Welfare Clause to its original meaning
2. Fix the Commerce Clause so the states have the power the Founders intended
3. Stop the administrative state and endless regulations from the top down
4. Place checks and balances on the Judiciary
5. Require ratification by 2/3 of the Senate for treaties
Mike advised Summit attendees to stress the benefits of these changes to their state legislators by letting them know that more money will be kept locally and the schools will be run better, in addition to other gains on the local level. He said that calling a Convention of States is not impossible; it is hard work, but the rewards will be well worth it.
Following Mike Farris’ address, he and Mark Meckler sat down for a chat on the importance of obedience to God, the history and growth of the COS movement, and maintaining hope and courage in going forward. The wonderful news was shared that Mike will be returning to Convention of States on a part-time basis.
Friday evening closed out with the introduction of the COS Emerging Leaders. It is refreshing to see so many young people involved in the movement, as it is a telling indicator of hope for our nation’s future.
Mark Meckler welcomed attendees back on Saturday morning with a speech entitled “The Great Decoupling,” a fascinating political and cultural history of the United States. Division in America has always existed and history repeats itself. Past subjects of strong political disagreement were the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War. Mark stated that COS is a unifying solution for all citizens who are concerned about the increasing reach of the federal government into areas clearly under state and local jurisdiction.
Blaze TV host Dave Rubin joined the assembly via Skype and spoke about how he has come to see the world as it truly is despite the propaganda. More people lately are beginning to see the dehumanization of the individual in today’s society and culture, which leads them to Convention of States, federalism, and the right to live as we please.
The Keynote speaker at Saturday’s dinner assembly was Mark Levin, author of The Liberty Amendments, who shared his inspirational view on the progress of the COS movement over the past 11 years. He said that COS volunteers are standing up to the infiltrators who wish to destroy our great Constitution from within. This is a battle against the establishment in our Republic. Opposition to a Convention of States is growing as we reach more people and convince more states to pass our Resolution. Mark encouraged attendees to remember that God is behind our movement, and we are the patriots needed at this time in history.
Interspersed between the amazing presentations in the general assembly, summit attendees had the daily choice of a wide variety of breakout sessions that provided invaluable information in specific areas of our fight.
Watch the proceedings and you too will be energized to work against federal overreach and for self-governance.