[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 10 (Monday, February 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Santorum):
  S. 2043. A bill to designate a Federal building in Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania, as the ``Ronald Reagan Federal Building''; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to introduce 
legislation, along with Senator Santorum, to honor former President 
Ronald Reagan by naming the Federal Building and Courthouse in 
Harrisburg, PA, in his name.
  President Ronald Reagan was a watershed force in 20th Century 
history. He was a master diplomat and statesman, largely responsible 
for winning the Cold War. His summits with former Soviet leader Mikhail 
Gorbachev were tours de force of negotiation and stagecraft. He was 
called ``the great communicator'' for good reason. He conveyed his 
message with power and precision, often convincing even his staunchest 
opponents to see things his way. His talents and his touch helped rally 
a Democrat-controlled Congress to support much of his legislative 
agenda, including bold fiscal reforms--defying conventional wisdom that 
predicted more partisan stalemate. He ran for President on the slogan 
``Morning in America''--and delivered.
  President Reagan also took bold steps on the social front. By 
transferring power from Washington to the States and cities, he showed 
that local governments can be laboratories for a wide range of public-
policy experiments--with greater flexibility and sensitivity. The 
approach was in line with his general push from big government toward 
individual liberty.
  To some, Ronald Reagan's greatest legacy was strengthening our 
national defense. The Berlin Wall toppled, it seemed, directly from his 
call, ``Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!'' The invasion of Grenada 
rescued American students and resulted in the overthrow of a Marxist 
government. His vision for a national missile defense system is leading 
to greater security for all of us.
  President Reagan showed courage and charisma, even in crisis. As he 
was about to undergo surgery to remove a bullet that lay an inch from 
his heart, he told his wife, ``Honey, I forgot to duck.'' The next 
morning, the President met with aides in his hospital room and signed a 
bill into law.
  For these reasons and many more, I urge my colleagues to join us in 
bestowing this honor upon this great American.
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