David Koch Donates $35 Million to Smithsonian's Natural History

The other day David Koch gave $35 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in order to build a dinosaur hall. This is not Mr. Koch’s first donation to the museum. In 2006 he gave $20 million to create the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing and then in 2009 he gave $15 million for the Hall or Human Origins (which now bears his name). No doubt that this money is for a good cause. As I mentioned in this post David Koch is an American hero not only for running a successful company but also for his very generous charitable giving. Nearly every article I have read in some way shape or form mentions how Koch has been a long time donor to the Republican Party. I would be willing to bet that his charitable donations have far surpassed his donations to any political party.

Koch credits his father for taking him and his twin brother Bill at any early age to visit the museum.  It is great that Koch is giving back. Although, you could argue he really doesn’t need to give back considering how many jobs he has created, how much food he has put on the table for Koch employees, and how many retirees are benefiting from working for a company that exploded in value under both David and Charles Koch.  As Walter E. Williams would say the only people that owe anything to society are criminals since they are really the only people who took from society. Koch has not only created wealth for himself and Koch employees but is now using that wealth to give back to charities whom will do far more good than the government. In fact, maybe someone should nominate David Koch for the Nobel Peace Prize by creating thousands of jobs, increasing the standard of living of many more, and giving back to charity. It is really sad when the media vilifies the Koch brothers considering how much they both have benefitted society.