[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         USS ``RONALD REAGAN''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, next year, an important 
event takes place for the U.S. Navy. It is the commissioning of the 
aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan.
  Since leaving office, President Reagan has been honored in many ways 
for his remarkable legacy as our Nation's 40th President. Across the 
Potomac River is Ronald Reagan National Airport and down Pennsylvania 
Avenue stands the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade 
Center. Throughout the Nation there are a number of other buildings and 
structures honoring the man credited with bringing down the Berlin 
Wall. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to world 
peace, contributions that will manifest themselves for many years to 
come.
  But, Mr. Speaker, I can only assume that few honors means as much to 
President Reagan as the naming of a naval vessel as mighty as this one 
that will navigate the oceans protecting the ideals and values that he 
embraced and cherished.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope to attend the commissioning next year, the final 
ceremonial exercise before the ship begins her long and, what will 
certainly be, illustrious voyage. As much as I look forward to this 
event, I am equally disappointed that I cannot attend a special 
ceremony today in Newport News, VA, aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.
  A close friend and former constituent of mine, Chas Fagan, will 
present to the ship a bust of President Reagan. A highly talented 
artist and native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Fagan was commissioned to create 
the artwork of the former President, which will be placed in the ship's 
museum room located in the quarterdeck. The likeness is strikingly 
clear, capturing the President's confident expression that came to 
epitomize America's renaissance as the defender of the free world.
  The bust, itself, is a profile of the President affixed to a piece of 
the Berlin Wall. The juxtaposition of the bust and Berlin Wall 
symbolize President Reagan's greatest legacy: the collapse of the Iron 
Curtain and reunification of Europe. It is a legacy matched by few 
individuals throughout the course of human history.
  Mr. Speaker, the work of Chas Fagan covers many mediums and genres. 
As you know, each year in Washington, 2,000 national fire and emergency 
services leaders assemble together in Washington for the annual 
National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Mr. Fagan has often been 
commissioned to do a painting of the fire service, capturing the 
essence of heroism in this country. His work is without equal, 
receiving accolades for its realism and emotional energy. His latest 
title, ``Protecting Our Nation,'' was recently featured on the front 
cover of Firehouse Magazine, the largest fire service publication in 
the world.
  Art plays such a vital role in recording human history, and Mr. 
Speaker, I would like to commend Chas Fagan for doing his part in 
perpetuating the legacy of a truly great American icon, President 
Ronald Reagan. And to the sailors serving abroad the USS Ronald Reagan, 
I bid them good luck and God speed.

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