[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to join my colleagues in 
support of H. Res. 664, honoring the late Honorable Ronald Wilson 
Reagan, 40th President of the United States. As is the case for so many 
speaking in this chamber today, Ronald Reagan was one of my personal 
heroes.
  Although we are all deeply saddened by the passing of President 
Reagan, Americans today are still touched by his legacy and his 
steadfast belief in the promise of this great Nation. By using his 
famous wit, he knew how to make us believe in ourselves again. Each of 
us has our favorite examples of the Reagan wit. My favorite quote is, 
``Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short 
phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if 
it stops moving, subsidize it.''
  To Ronald Reagan, ``America is a shining city upon a hill for all to 
see and to follow and reach to, something toward which mankind should 
strive.'' Reagan brought convictions and determination as well as a 
genuine, hopeful and optimistic outlook to the office of President. 
Ronald Reagan never doubted his convictions. He never lost faith in 
America. His reassuring tones were comforting even in difficult times. 
With Reagan as president, it was indeed morning again in America.
  Just prior to Ronald Reagan assuming the presidency, many people 
wondered whether this country's best days were behind us. Reagan 
insisted: ``America's best days lie ahead.'' By the time he left 
office, the United States was enjoying the longest peacetime economic 
expansion in our history. President Reagan's most long-lasting legacy 
is his role in winning the Cold War. While the common doctrine of the 
time called for containing Communism, Reagan boldly predicted it would 
soon be ``left on the ash-heap of history.''
  During the journey that was the Reagan revolution, he restored 
prosperity, confidence, optimism, faith and pride in America. While we 
will miss Ronald Reagan, his contributions to the world will be felt 
for generations to come. He came to Washington to change the country 
and ended up changing the world. As he said in his farewell address to 
the Nation from the Oval Office, ``A final word to the men and women of 
the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for eight 
years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We 
weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made. the city 
stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in 
all, not bad, not bad at all.''
  Summing up an American icon, a giant, like Ronald Reagan is an 
enormous task. I am grateful for the vision Ronald Reagan taught me and 
the lessons about the power of convictions, the value of principled 
leadership, and the goodness and the decency of the human spirit. We'll 
miss the twinkle in his eyes and affable smile which have left this 
earth. However, the contributions he made to his country and to mankind 
remain with us, as vast as the great continent that the United States 
spans, and God willing, will outlast us all.
  As an American, I want to join in offering my support of H. Res. 664, 
honoring the late Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the 
United States.

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