Jack French Kemp 1935-2009

'Kemp' means warrior, and he was the most joyous warrior of our generation. He was generous, happy, ebullient — I never saw a mean note in his heart. He was a great, enthusiastic teacher. He was the one who first showed me the openness and joy in economics — in seizing opportunity, in building a better life for one's family and community. Every time he joined Ronald Reagan on the campaign trail in 1980, you could see the Gipper's face light up. They were magic, those two.