[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 867. A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 710 Wick Lane in Billings, Montana, as the ``Ronald 
Reagan Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Governmental 
Affairs.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I would like to introduce a bill which 
names one of our post offices in Billings, Montana, after one of this 
Nation's greatest leaders and true patriot: former President Ronald 
Reagan. His legacy extends far beyond his Presidency. I think it's only 
fitting that I introduce this legislation today, since President Reagan 
worked tirelessly to end the Cold War and liberate millions of people, 
and we see the same dedication today to free the people of Iraq. 
President Reagan spoke about the threat of Saddam Hussein, and asked, 
``will we be ready to respond?'' He went on to answer this question by 
saying, ``In the end, it all comes down to leadership. This is what 
this country is looking for now. It was leadership here at home that 
gave us strong American influence abroad and the collapse of imperial 
communism. Great nations have responsibilities to lead and we should 
always be cautious of those who would lower our profile because they 
might just wind up lowering our flag.'' He made these comments not two 
weeks ago, and not even two months ago. President Reagan, already 
sensitive to the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, asked this rhetorical 
question in 1994. This foresight was evident during President Reagan's 
tenure in the White House. President Reagan played a significant role 
in framing the modern political landscape, and I am proud to do what I 
can to commemorate his contribution to America and the world. I can 
clearly remember President Reagan's visit to Big Sky Country in 1982 
for the Centennial celebration for Billings and Yellowstone County. He 
arrived in the Billings Metra Arena, one of the largest venues in the 
State, riding in a stagecoach. He embraced the ideals that Montana 
stood for, and said he was trying to bring a little of it to 
Washington. I feel much the same way as President Reagan did when he 
said, ``What we're trying to do in Washington is reawaken the 
government to the very values that you here in Billings represent--
determination, responsibility, confidence, and common sense--the kind 
of common sense that says if it ain't broke, don't fix it. We are 
reintroducing the idea that progress is still an American word and that 
optimism is still an American trait. I believe if we cling to our hopes 
and dreams, I believe the future will flower just as it did for the 
founders of Billings, Montana.'' Now more than ever, we need to 
remember that ``progress'' and ``optimism'' are part of the American 
vocabulary. The wisdom of President Reagan helped guide us in the right 
direction, and I am pleased and honored to introduce this legislation 
today so that we may dedicate a piece of Montana to a great visionary 
and statesman.
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