MARION - Citing his personal ethics and the recent storm of controversy surrounding his career, nationally syndicated columnist and talk show commentator Armstrong Williams spoke at the Mullins Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Monday.

Williams, who is well known for his conservative social and political views, has been criticized by national news media for taking $240,000 to promote the Bush Administration’s No Child Left Behind Act through paid television ads on his show “The Right Side.”

The controversy prompted Tribune Media Services, a business unit of the Chicago Tribune, to drop his column from its syndication services, and America’s Black Forum, a television program, also terminated his contract.

Williams has since been trying to “self syndicate” his column by sending it directly to newspapers throughout the country, and he has hired a communications director for his public relations firm to review future contracts.

Williams told the crowd of more than 200 people that he made a bad error in judgment as a columnist but not as a television commentator and businessman, referring to the public relations firm, Graham Williams Group, which he co-owns.

“Where I did cross the line, where I deserve to have been punished was with my column because in writing my column, I did write about No Child Left Behind ... and never disclosed it to my syndicate that they (Department of Education) were a paid advertiser on our show and that clearly crossed ethical lines and that is why I apologize,” Williams said, adding that many of his friends and colleagues have advised him not to issue an apology.

“I’ve got to apologize because there is a lapse in ethical judgment here so I did apologize and the rest is history ... I don’t take it personally for Tribune Media (or) America’s Black Forum (to) terminate my contract. They have a right to do that, they have a right to protect their institution, protect their image and protect their reputation. I have no ill feelings toward Media Tribune, none at all, I have no ill feelings toward America’s Black Forum.”

Williams continued by saying he was also adamant about repairing the damage the controversy has caused him. “When you build it by your hand, by the sweat of your brow ... you can build it again and you can build it better than before because no one gave me the Graham Williams Group, no one gave me The Right Side Productions, I built it. And, I will tell you I will build it better than it has ever been built before. Because I know how to build it,” he said.

Williams ended his speech by saying that if someone wants to come after you and find something, they will find it. “I don’t care who you think you are or what you think your moral compass is or your ethics are, they will find it,” he said.

Williams received a standing ovation from the audience.

Mullins Mayor Kenneth McDonald presented Williams with a key to the city.

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