[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PRAISE FOR THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RONALD REAGAN TRIBUTE

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise the City of Simi Valley, 
California, for its role in paying tribute last week to the 40th 
President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
  Many county, State and Federal agencies, Nancy Reagan and the Ronald 
Reagan Presidential Library joined in planning and implementing the 
tribute to and national mourning for President Reagan.
  But as the host city, the burden of limiting the impact on the 
surrounding community, accommodating mourners from throughout the 
Nation, and ensuring a respectful good-bye to one of America's greatest 
presidents largely fell on the City of Simi Valley. As a resident of 
the city for more than 35 years, its former mayor, and a neighbor of 
the presidential library, I applaud the city for a job well done.
  I arrived at the presidential library within 2 hours of the 
announcement of President Reagan's death. Simi Valley police and 
Ventura County Sheriff's deputies were already on hand to provide crowd 
control. A place for people to leave flowers and tributes was already 
established. At the library, 50 to 60 people were already working in 
crews to ready the place for the arrival of President Reagan's casket 
and the more than 100,000 mourners who would file past it in the coming 
days.
  Simi Valley dedicated nearly half its police force specifically to 
duties associated with the viewing and internment. Volunteers were 
brought in to answer telephones. Other volunteers were dispatched to 
the Wood Ranch development with fliers to inform residents on what they 
could expect and why.
  The top-notch planning and execution ensured that the tribute to 
President Reagan was dignified, secure and smooth from beginning to 
end. Visitors from across the country and television viewers throughout 
the world marveled at the peaceful and orderly scenes.
  Working closely with Duke Blackwood, director of the Ronald Reagan 
Presidential Library, Mayor Bill Davis and the entire City Council, 
City Manager Mike Sedell and Police Chief Mark Layhew displayed to the 
world the heart and spirit of Reagan country.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in expressing to Simi 
Valley's officials that they have the thanks of a grateful Nation.

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