DeVos Speaks at SSI Banquet

These remarks were given by Dick DeVos during the Student Statesmanship Institute's Annual Banquet. This was a surprise visit to—as he put it—"pick up my wife Betsy," who participated in the evening's program. Although not scheduled to speak, Dick graciously agreed to offer a greeting, to the delight of the 450 people in attendance.

Mr. DeVos had this to say:

"Thank you so much. I'm just here to pick up Betsy. [laughter] I picked her up 27 years ago, and I haven't let her down since. Betsy is very, very special. I think you know that, and I am so grateful to have her by my side, as we go through the challenges and the opportunities that have come before us.

"So many of you have been kind to offer us prayer support. I just want to say on behalf of Betsy and I we're so thankful for that support, too. We clearly feel that hedge of protection and a peace that we clearly feel as we go through the storms that are inevitable in the course of a political debate and political discussion. So I just want to thank those of you that have been remembering us and our family. I thank you for that.

"I'd ask especially for those of you that are the prayer warriors in the crowd, to remember our children, because while the slings and arrows fly, our kids often feel the impact. They're hearing things said about their dad that they don't like very much, and it hurts them. So I just hope you'll remember that. We have four children, specifically Rick, Elissa, Andrea and Ryan. So if you would, please keep them in your prayers during these next few weeks.

"I'm not here to give a campaign speech, just to tell you where we come from. Many of you ask, ‘Why are you doing this?’ The answer to me is pretty simple really; it's all about obedience. It became clear with my spirit, and I checked it with many people and sought the counsel of wise individuals. Betsy and I prayed about it, we discussed it together, we did the things that we're instructed to do to reach a decision. It became clear to me that this was the thing that I was supposed to do.

"And at the time it wasn't very clear that this race was even winnable or where it might lead us, but I think we've finally found it's very winnable and it might lead us to Lansing. But for me that's not what it was about. It was, first and fundamentally, for me about being obedient to that which I'm called to do. And I want to assure you that we will finish well, we will finish strong, and if it leads to Lansing, and I believe there is a very good possibility that it will, that I want to serve with distinction and honor, that will bring not just praise to me, but that will bring the kind of perception from others about what someone can do, what a Christian can do, when given the opportunity to stand and to lead. So, we're just going to go out there and do it.

"For many of you, who have been there with us, thank you so much. Thanks for the opportunity to say hello, James, and for what you're doing with this work, thank you for that as well. We hope you have a great, great evening."