and i want to welcome mazzie, francine and jo lynn and pat mahoney, who are members of the american civics campaign finance committee. so thank you all. i also want to thank all of our presidents club members, associates club members for their support, which makes this evening and all of our distinguished speakers series events possible. and if you're not a member, i would encourage you check out membership and check out our membership options by going to nixon foundation dot org this evening. i have the pleasure of introducing a true american hero. sam brown is a purple heart recipient and a small businessman who was the 2024 republican candidate for the united states senate representing nevada. sam graduated from west point and was commissioned as an infantry officer in assigned to the third brigade, first infantry division at fort. in 2008. sam was deployed kandahar, afghanistan, only four months into his deployment. sam, on a mission when he received word that another nearby platoon had been ambushed. so he led his team into battle to provide support for his fellow. upon the engagement