[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H651-H652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RONALD REAGAN RESPONSIBLE FOR A NEW FREEDOM IN THE SOVIET UNION AND 
                             EASTERN EUROPE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of weeks 
there has been a great deal of discussion in this body as to the legacy 
of our great former president, Ronald Reagan. I would like to add a 
short story which will serve only to enhance this well-deserved legacy.
  Recently, one of my staffers was watching a television program with 
his 10-year-old son, David. The program's subject matter dealt with the 
role of the news media in various wars our Nation has been involved in 
down through the generations.
  At one point in the program, David, who I know to always be an 
inquisitive lad, asked his dad what the Vietnam War was all about. And 
certainly that is a question that we all ask ourselves from time to 
time, I might add, but try explaining it to a 10-year-old.
  While explaining our Nation's involvement in Vietnam to his son, my 
staffer referred to our country's efforts to stem the spread of 
Communism during that era. At the mention of the word Communism, David 
posed a simple yet profound question. ``What's Communism, dad?''
  Now, think about that, Mr. Speaker. Our generation is able to raise 
its children and grandchildren without the real and present fear of 
Communism and nuclear war with which we grew up.
  My staffer appropriately responded to his son's question with a truth 
that he could thank Ronald Reagan for the fact that Communism is now 
such a failed relic of the past. And I agree with my staffer's 
assessment. Great strides have been made when a 10-year-old is able to 
live without the fear that haunted my childhood and yours.

[[Page H652]]

  No one among us should dispute the fact that under President Ronald 
Reagan's principled and unwavering leadership on the international 
stage, Communism crumbled. A new freedom has dawned in the former 
Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and we live without the fear of days 
past.
  At the beginning of this month, on February 6 to be exact, those of 
us who love and respect this great president joined his family and his 
admirers around the world in celebrating his 87th birthday. On behalf 
of our children and their children, thank you, President Reagan, and 
belated happy birthday.

                          ____________________