Richard G. Capen - Finish Strong: Living the Values That Take You the Distance

Living the Values That
Take You the Distance

Finish
Strong

Richard G. Capen, Jr.

I have tried to uphold the values that American has always stood forthat every individual has worth and is entitled to respect and justice and fundamental freedoms, and to seek to fulfill their potential.

SENATOR SAM NUNN
Georgia

All values are important, everyone who has ever touched my life in some way was a mentor for good or bad.

GENERAL COLIN POWELL
Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

I would want to be remembered first for being a good family man and for raising five children in an environment that emphasized family values.

DON SHULA
The Miami Dolphins

I have underlying respect for the broad-shouldered family man and woman who care more about their kids than themselves, and they are willing to make sacifices so that their children can succeed.

FRANK BORMAN
Former Astronaut

The good that you do will come back to you and it really doesnt cost very much.

DAVID PACKARD
Founder, Hewlett-Packard

Without values, nations, societies and individuals can pitch straight to hell.

JAMES MICHENER
Author

My father taught me to be results-oriented and never to give up. My mother taught me compassion, love and patience.

J. W. MARRIOTT, JR.
Marriott Corporation

Id like to be remembered for my integrity, generosity, and for courage in the face of adversity.

ANN LANDERS Syndicated
Columnist

Ambassador Capen was especially prepared to be a great envoy because he has a thoroughgoing knowledge of Hispanic roots of the great American nation.

MANUEL FRAGA IRIBARNE
President of Galicia
Father of Modern Spain

I strive for uncommon excellence in all that I do, although it remains a distant goal.

TOM JOHNSON
President, CNN

In Richard Capen are combined with magnificent results, the facets of diplomacy and journalism which he has brilliantly exercised throughout his life. He continued being a consummate connoisseur of Spanish reality.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL SABINO FERNANDEZ CAMPO
Former Chief of Staff
His Majesty the King of Spain

I learned from my father the value of absolute integrity and the steady insistence on racial tolerance decades before this was an acceptable attitude in a small southern community.

TERRY SANFORD
Former Governor of North Carolina

The real rewards are not rank but, instead, the people who help you have better lives than they would have had if you had not been there for them.

ADMIRAL JEREMY BOORDA
Former Chief of Naval Operations

My personal philosophy is quite simple. I am responsible for me and must oversee with great sensitivity the impact of what I say and/or do on others.

BARBARA JORDAN
Former Congresswoman

Some men and women make the world better just by being the kind of people they are.

JOHN GARDNER
Founder of Common Cause

I want to be remembered for providing a sense of perspectivean awareness that many of the things that society tends to get wrought up about are in fact trivial or silly.

DAVE BARRY
Newspaper Columnist

One of my most important accomplishments, one I am still working on, is to be a huge success in the grandfather business.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH

I would like to be remembered for being an honest person who tried to do his best and enjoyed life to the fullest.

SENATOR BARRY GOLDWATER
Arizona

Nothing in life prepares you for the challenge or the reward of raising two fine children in a difficult world. Compared to them Regis is a cinch.

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD
LiveRegis & Kathie Lee

George Bush taught me that if you try your hardest, are decent and honest, you can do anything you want.

BARBARA BUSH

We must honor and preserve the most important institution in Americathe very foundation of our societythe family.

GOVERNOR PETE WILSON
California

Freedom is a process in which we are all involvednonstop.

MARVIN KALB
Harvard professor and former newscaster

To Joan, who has filled my life with unconditional love, a strong Christian faith, and untiring compassion for family and friends. For thirty-four years she has been my caring partner and wise counselor, especially during those times when I have needed encouragement or strong doses of humility.

In dedicating this book to her, I include our children, who, after years of learning from us, have become our role models and best friends. We love them for all that they have done to enrich everything important in our lives:

To Chris, our book-publishing son, who has exemplified the virtues of hard work and persistence in pursuing with enthusiasm the creation of his own business.

To Kelly, our attorney-daughter, who throughout her life has shown determination and commitment, and exceptionally good judgment in marrying J. D. Douglas, a wonderful addition to our family.

To Carrie, the talented and creative genius of our clan, who has reminded us to appreciate our many blessings and to know that the most important things in life are not found on the bottom line but in the love we share.

When I worked in Florida I met a true-life American hero. Richard Capen was publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Miami Herald. As such he found himself forced to serve as referee between warring factions of that city. The immigrant Cuban population declared a special war against Capen and his paper, and talk radio incited the Hispanics even further. On two occasions mobs marched on the newspaper headquarters to burn it down. On two other occasions African Americans were inflamed against Cubans, and citywide riots ensued.

Capen stood his ground. He took private lessons to learn Spanish and became a champion of Cuban interests. He performed wonders in alleviating African American animosities. And he maintained the integrity and profitability of his newspaper. This man fought the battles without losing his temper or taking prejudiced sides, displaying responsible citizenship at a noble level.

I was delighted when President Bush appointed him ambassador to Spain, where he covered himself with glory and the dust of sixty-five different Spanish cities that he visited to show the American flag and his deep interest in things Spanish.

This book ably summarizes his attitudes and beliefs. It will prove a good read.

James A. Michener
Austin, Texas

Ruth and I will never forget the first time we met Dick Capen. At the time he was deputy assistant secretary of defense, and he invited us to meet with the American prisoners of war returning from Vietnam. It was a deeply moving experience to talk with these courageous men, many of whom told us how their faith in God had sustained them during their darkest days.

As I watched Dick warmly welcome them back to America, I began to realize that he was one of the most gifted and yet compassionate men I had ever met. Since that time I have watched him become one of Americas most distinguished newspaper publishers and public servants. More than that, I have come to esteem him as a valued personal friend and adviser.

This book summarizes the principles that have guided Dicks life. As he rightly stresses, inner character must always be the wellspring and foundation for our outward actions. Without that commitment to a strong inner character, our lives will inevitably fall short. No one can help but profit from Dick Capens insights.