[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RONALD REAGAN FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 2043) to designate a Federal building in Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania, as the ``Ronald Reagan Federal Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 2043

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. RONALD REAGAN FEDERAL BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The Federal building located at 228 
     Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Ronald Reagan Federal Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     building referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the Ronald Reagan Federal Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2043, introduced by Senator Specter of Pennsylvania, 
is similar to House bill H.R. 3923, which was introduced by the 
gentleman from the Ninth Congressional District of Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster).
  This bill designates the Federal building located at 228 Walnut 
Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the Ronald Reagan Federal 
Building.
  Many times I have come to the floor to honor Americans, politicians, 
judges and other great leaders. Perhaps no other American, however, has 
been as honored or as deserving of an honor as the 40th President of 
the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan.
  Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, in 1911. His early years 
are a model that we can all be proud of. The son of working-class 
parents, he attended the public schools in Dixon, Illinois, and then 
worked his way through Eureka College where he was on the football team 
and an actor.
  One story that I think does not get told enough about Ronald Reagan 
is before President Reagan had an impact on the lives of billions, he 
had a more direct impact on the lives of people in his community of 
Dixon, Illinois. While growing up, Ronald Reagan earned extra money 
working as a lifeguard at Rock River. Over the course of 6 years, then-
lifeguard Reagan pulled 77 swimmers out of the water who were 
struggling in the notorious swift current and were in need of 
assistance.
  During his time in public life, Ronald Reagan always worked to 
improve the lives of everyday Americans, from his Economic Recovery 
Act, which he worked to pass even after an assassination attempt, to 
the 1986 tax bill which reduced the burdens of taxation on all 
Americans.
  In foreign policy, he pursued a policy of ``peace through strength,'' 
a policy that brought about the end of the Soviet empire, bringing 
freedoms to millions in Europe and Asia.
  This legislation bestows an appropriate honor to one who has given so 
much to his country.
  I support the legislation, and I urge our colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill designates the Federal building located at 228 
Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the Ronald Reagan Federal 
Building. The bill was introduced by Senator Specter for himself and 
Senator Santorum. The House companion bill, H.R. 3923, was introduced 
by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster.)
  Former President Reagan was our country's 40th President. He was a 
magnetic leader whose greatest legacy was perhaps his call to Mr. 
Gorbachev to ``tear down this wall.''
  His talents and his personal touch enabled him to rally support for 
his programs, often convincing even his greatest critics to see things 
his way. His charisma along with his sense of humor have earned him a 
special place in our Nation's history.
  I urge passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill, S. 2043.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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