[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S721-S722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNITION OF RONALD REAGAN'S 85TH BIRTHDAY

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I understand a resolution I am about to 
offer has been cleared on each side. I send it to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 220) in recognition of Ronald 
     Reagan's 85th birthday.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, 16 years ago, America was flat on her back. 
Our economy was a disaster. The only things up were inflation, interest 
rates, and unemployment--all in or near double digits. Abroad, our 
resolve was questioned by our allies and doubted by our adversaries.
  Many so-called experts--including some in the Government--surveyed 
the situation, wrung their hands, shook their heads, and pronounced 
that the United States was in decline: That our best days were far 
behind us.
  But one man knew better. And that man was Ronald Reagan.
  Ronald Reagan knew that power belonged with the people, not with the 
Government. He knew that the best solutions to our problems came not 
from bureaucrats on the Potomac, but from men and women on the 
Mississippi, the Colorado, and the Columbia.
  Ronald Reagan knew that economic recovery could be achieved not 
through regulations and redtape, but by allowing the magic of the 
marketplace to work its wonders.
  Ronald Reagan knew that America was right far more often than she was 
wrong.
  Ronald Reagan knew that military strength was not the means to war, 
but the key to peace.
  Ronald Reagan knew that world respect came not from appeasement, but 
from standing by your friends, by speaking up for freedom, and by 
drawing the line against dictators.
  Ronald Reagan knew that America was still a shining city on a hill, 
and that our Nation's best days were truly yet to come.
  It was this vision that Ronald Reagan presented in 1980 and 1984.
  It was this vision that the voters approved in overwhelming margins.
  It was this vision that brought hope and opportunity to millions.
  It was this vision that revitalized America, and changed the world.
  Mr. President, next Tuesday is Ronald Reagan's 85th birthday. And the 
resolution we pass today will extend to President Reagan the greetings 
and best wishes of the U.S. Senate.
  And I know I speak for all Members of the Senate, when I say that our 
thoughts and prayers are with the President and Nancy.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise tonight to wish Ronald Reagan, one 
of this country's, indeed, one of the world's, great leaders, a happy 
85th birthday. The ``Gipper'' and his family--and friends joining 
across the 

[[Page S722]]
world--will celebrate his birthday on Saturday.
  As a Senator in my first term, when President Reagan came to 
Washington, I found his vision, forthrightness and high principles, to 
be measures by which all elected officials can aspire. Ronald Reagan's 
faith in God and his tremendous belief in the common sense of the 
American people, were sources of great strength and wisdom. His courage 
and willingness to stand up for what he believed in were admired by 
friend and foe alike.
  I am proud to say that I consider Ronald Reagan not just a friend, 
but a teacher and mentor to me and many other Senators back in our 
early Senate career.
  I fondly recall our times together, especially while we were riding 
horses over my Atoka farm. Our conversations varied from personal 
stories to serious discussions about the threat of the former Soviet 
Empire and America's place in the world as a protector of freedom and 
Democracy. His humor paralleled that of Will Rogers.
  Mr. President, I am very proud of the fact that next year, in my home 
State, the Newport News Shipyard will lay the keel of the Navy's newest 
aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. I wish to join with my good 
friend from Idaho, Senator Kempthorne, for together we sponsored the 
legislation that designated the ship with President Reagan's name. It 
is a rightful designation for his contribution to the demise of the 
Soviet Union.
  I am also pleased that the Reagan Presidency will be honored just a 
few blocks from the Capitol. The Federal Triangle project under 
construction at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, will be 
designated as the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade 
Center, thanks to legislation introduced by Majority Leader Robert 
Dole. I am proud to have been a co-sponsor of this legislation, which 
has been passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President.
  I would like to close my remarks, Mr. President, by paying tribute to 
Nancy Reagan, a truly magnificent First Lady. In the White House and 
since President Reagan left office, Nancy Reagan has been a strong 
voice on significant public issues. Americans everywhere owe her a debt 
of gratitude for the outstanding work she has done and continues to do 
to educate the children and youth of this Nation, particularly about 
the tragedy of drug abuse.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the resolution.
  The resolution (S. Res. 220) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution and its preamble are as follows:

                              S. Res. 220

       Whereas, February 6, 1996 is the 85th Birthday of Ronald 
     Wilson Reagan;
       And Whereas, Ronald Reagan was twice elected by 
     overwhelming margins as President of the United States;
       And Whereas, Ronald Reagan is loved and admired by millions 
     of Americans, and by countless others around the world;
       And Whereas, Ronald Reagan, with the leadership of his 
     wife, Nancy, led a national crusade against illegal drugs;
       And Whereas, Ronald Reagan's eloquence united Americans in 
     times of triumph and tragedy;
       And Whereas, the thoughts and prayers of the Senate and the 
     country are with Ronald Reagan in his courageous battle with 
     Alzheimer's Disease; Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the United States extends its 
     birthday greetings and best wishes to Ronald Reagan.
       Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a 
     copy of this resolution to Ronald Reagan.

  Mr. DASCHLE. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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