[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 21 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING PRESIDENT RONALD WILSON REAGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ronald 
Reagan, the man who served our country as the 40th President of the 
United States, and who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this 
past Sunday.
  As a Californian, I have vivid memories of Governor Reagan serving in 
Sacramento, my district and the capital of our great state. Much has 
changed in the 30 years since he left the Governor's Mansion, but the 
mark he left on our state, like the mark he left on our country, is 
immeasurable.
  I am particularly reminded of his boundless optimism, and his belief 
that California--and America--can do anything it sets its mind to. In 
his State of the State Address in 1974, then Governor Reagan said, ``No 
crisis is beyond the capacity of our people to solve; no challenge too 
great.''
  Even as we struggle to overcome a challenging global economic 
downturn, Reagan's words still offer hope. ``In the long sweep of 
history, all human progress has been based on a willingness to face the 
next great challenge, to seek and achieve what was seen as 
unattainable,'' he continued. ``Our people have done that in California 
and America, on a scale unmatched anywhere on this globe.''
  Here, in our nation's Capital, we are reminded of Ronald Reagan's 
legacy by visiting the Capitol Rotunda, where he is represented as one 
of California's two statues, as chosen by the state legislature. The 
thousands of Californians who visit the nation's Capital are thereby 
reminded of his service not only to our country, but also to our state.
  As we pay tribute to President Reagan, and his love for this country, 
we also honor Mrs. Reagan, who served our nation as First Lady with 
dignity and grace. Mrs. Reagan has been a passionate advocate for stem 
cell research, and her powerful words have helped bridge a partisan 
divide. Her advocacy has also helped lead to increased research 
funding; breathing new life into one of the most promising 
breakthroughs in medical research in decades--and has given hope to 
millions that our future IS brighter.
  On what would be the celebration of Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday, I 
think it is most appropriate that this body acknowledges the many 
positive things that are synonymous with his years of service. From 
nominating the first woman to the Supreme Court--to helping to bring 
down the Berlin Wall, Ronald Reagan helped people around the world 
realize that tomorrow can be better than today, and that a free society 
is a better society. For that, we honor him, and send our best wishes 
to the entire Reagan family.

                          ____________________