Former Rep. Allen West issued a rallying call Tuesday to conservative millennials amid socialism’s rise in popularity in the United States.

“I know that this generation is going to step up. Why? Because every generation in the United States of America has stepped up and met the challenge of their time, and the challenge of our time is to make sure that this constitutional republic is maintained, sustained and preserves for future generations” the former Florida congressman said while addressing the 40th National Conservative Student Conference in Washington, D.C., put on each year by Young America’s Foundation.