HYRUM, UT—U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) joined Fox News’ Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy to discuss his 250-mile walk across Utah commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. During the interview, Curtis reflected on the patriotism, service, and strong sense of community he has encountered while walking nearly 30 miles each day through communities across the state. Curtis also spoke about Utah’s pioneer heritage and the enduring responsibility each generation has to preserve the freedoms secured by America’s Founders.
The full transcript of the interview is below, and video can be found here.
Trey Gowdy: Welcome back to Sunday Night, America. Americans are honoring the 250th anniversary of our independence. I’ll probably celebrate indoors because it’s 90 degrees in South Carolina, watching sports, but not Utah Senator John Curtis. He’s walking 250 miles across his beautiful state, a mile to celebrate each year, 30 miles a day, as he travels through communities across the Beehive State, and he wants you to join him on his journey. We caught up with Senator Curtis earlier today during his walk. Welcome, Senator. I got to be honest, I’m not sure my senior senator has walked 30 miles in his life, and you’re walking 30 miles a day. What are you seeing and hearing in your beautiful state?
Senator Curtis: Well, first of all, Trey, you mentioned it’s too hot there this morning. I woke up to 44 degrees, and so heat is not a problem here, but I’ll tell you, I am seeing the most patriotic, hard-working, family-loving, faith-filled people. And it’s just been so inspiring for me to be on the road and to meet these people.
Gowdy: You know, Senator, if I’m right, you were born in Utah, and you’ve been there your whole life, aside from your mission in Taiwan. Are you learning new things about your state and your country that maybe even you didn’t know as a long-time resident of Utah?
Curtis: Well, you know what, you’re right, and that’s why I wish more of my colleagues could do this, because you really get to know people. And I’ll tell you what, I’ve met some of the best people, a lot of the walk thus far has been in really rural Utah, part of the country where my mother grew up, and these are hardworking people, and they’re good people. They’re people that care about their families, they care about the country. I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t love this country.
Gowdy: You know, Senator, so much I think of what our viewers see just on a daily basis is negativity. They’re negative stories, it’s crime. I am thinking and hoping and expecting that you are seeing the real side of America on this walk, that it’s really 95 percent really, really good people. They just don’t make the news.
Curtis: You are so right. Yes, I wish your crews could come with me on the whole journey, because the country would see people who are good at heart, who actually like each other, who care about each other, who serve each other. That’s one of our biggest values here in Utah, is taking care of each other and making sure that we’re taking care of our brother, and I’ll tell you, I see that everywhere I turn.
And really, the whole purpose for this hike was to highlight these values, because, like you said, too much for our time, we are talking about things that get us off track and kind of make us have animosity in our hearts.
Gowdy: Senator, my home state was one of the original 13. Your home state joined the union a little bit later, is there a story about our founding or a story about Utah joining the United States that especially inspires you?
Curtis: Oh, I love that question. Yes, the answer is, you know, George Washington and our founders, they fought, they sacrificed, and they won our freedom. Seventy years later, my ancestors came out to Utah in pursuit of that freedom, and the reason I think that story is important is every generation has to sacrifice and has to be willing to sacrifice for freedom and liberty, and that now falls on our shoulder, and I think we have to have that same willingness to sacrifice and contribute to that freedom, because it doesn’t come just naturally by itself.
And our founders of our state here came here and pursued a religious freedom and fought and sacrificed to make sure that they had it for generations to come.
Gowdy: Well, Senator, I’m glad you came on, because, as I’ve told you off air, you are one of the kindest, most decent people that I have ever met in politics. I wish more people got to see you. I mean, you’re not loud, you’re not boisterous, but there you are, walking 250 miles across your beautiful state, highlighting our Declaration of Independence. I can’t thank you enough for taking a second out of your walk and joining us.
Curtis: Thanks for telling my story. People can follow on my social media, follow me on the journey, and celebrate this amazing 250-year accomplishment that is just so fantastic.
Gowdy: I’m going to send you a blanket. If it’s 44 almost, that’s kind of nippy for South Carolina. You take care of yourself.
Curtis: I could have used it last night. Thanks, Trey.
Gowdy: All right, you stay warm. Take care, Senator.