[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 85 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCING THE RONALD REAGAN RECOGNITION ACT OF 2000

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                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2000

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Ronald Reagan Recognition Act of 2000.
  Recent news reports indicate that the Interior Department is moving 
toward a complete moratorium on future memorials in the area known as 
the Mall in Washington, DC.
  Mr. Speaker, we can argue the merits of that proposal, but one thing 
is clear: Under Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, Congress, not the 
Interior Department, has the authority to dispose of federal lands. A 
decision this important, about how, whether, and where American heros 
are memorialized on federal lands, should be made by, and in 
consultation with, Congress.
  One other thing is very clear: One such American hero, who is 
deserving of recognition among our great American statesmen, is Ronald 
Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States.
  Although President Reagan is, thankfully, still very much alive, he 
is not well. The scourges of Alzheimer's disease have greatly 
diminished his once tremendous mind. I am sure all my colleagues join 
me in wishing President and Mrs. Reagan long lives and good health. But 
tomorrow is promised to no one.
  We must not stand idly by and wait while the Interior Department 
eliminates the possibility of a future memorial to President Reagan, 
robbing future generations of Americans of the opportunity to recognize 
the tremendous contributions of this great American, and to do so in 
the midst of the other great Presidents and heros memorialized on the 
Mall.
  We must not stand by and deprive this generation of Americans of the 
opportunity to honor President Reagan themselves, in this small way.
  Mr. Speaker, the Washington Mall is the family album of the American 
people. It is where their heros are remembered, and where great 
accomplishments are celebrated. President Reagan is deserving of both 
honors.
  Ronald Reagan is an American hero deserving of recognition by this 
and future generations of Americans and visitors to the Mall from 
around the world.
  Future visitors to a Ronald Reagan Memorial on the Mall should be 
reminded that as President, Ronald Reagan initiated policies that won 
the cold war, protected and restored freedom and Democracy around the 
globe, lowered taxes on American citizens, tamed the economic threats 
of inflation and economic stagnation, and ushered in an unprecedented 
era of peace and prosperity across the nation, and his contributions 
merit permanent memorialization.
  Future visitors to a Ronald Reagan Memorial on the Mall should be 
reminded that the legacies of President Reagan include restoring faith 
in our system of Democracy and capitalism, returning pride in being an 
American, and renewing the honor and decency of the American 
Presidency, and are deserving of national recognition.
  Future visitors to a Ronald Reagan Memorial on the Mall should be 
reminded that the contributions of former President Reagan, and his 
status as a pre-eminent twentieth-century American statesman and one of 
the greatest American Presidents, merit and require a permanent 
memorialization alongside the other great American leaders memorialized 
on the Mall in Washington, DC.
  To accomplish these goals, this bill requires the Secretary of the 
Interior to identify appropriate lands within the area designated as 
section 1 of the Mall in Washington, DC, as the location of a future 
memorial to former President Reagan, requires identification of a 
suitable location, and selection of a suitable design, authorizes 
raising private-sector donations for such a memorial, and creates a 
commission to assist in these activities.
  Money spent on the memorial would be raised from private sector 
donors. A commission would be created to oversee the process. And a 
suitable site on the Mall would be selected, and marked as the ``Future 
Site of the Ronald Reagan Memorial.''
  By statute, the memorial to President Reagan on the Mall will still 
not occur until 25 years after his death--hopefully long, long in the 
future. But we must begin the process now, while it is still possible.
  Remembering that the policies of President Reagan are responsible for 
the peace and prosperity we now enjoy is especially fitting now, while 
some national political figures are running around the country trying 
to take credit for the results. I find it a little like the rooster 
taking credit for the sunrise.
  The many benefits of Ronald Reagan's policies of limited government, 
lower taxes, and a strong national defense are still very evident 
today. Those policies are why this nation is in the good shape we're in 
today.
  The fact that some people seem to have forgotten this is the 
strongest argument yet to begin the steps toward creating this 
memorial.
  I can think of no greater tribute, and no more fitting tribute, to a 
man who has done so much for his nation.
  Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, it is the least we can do.

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