[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E19]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING MICHAEL REAGAN
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HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 9, 2026
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, visionary radio talk show
host Michael Reagan was appropriately recognized in The Washington
Times on January 8, 2026, with a deserved tribute by former Wisconsin
Governor Scott Walker:
A great man was born into eternal life this week. Michael
Reagan passed away Sunday surrounded by his family. Many
people knew him as the eldest son of former President Ronald
Reagan.
He was certainly proud of that distinction, but we at Young
America's Foundation knew him as so much more. He was a
wonderful inspiration. That was particularly true when it
came to the students who heard him at YAF's programs at the
Reagan Ranch.
Michael did so much more than share stories about his
father. He challenged the next generation to share the values
he stood for throughout his public life. He called on them to
be happy warriors in the battle to uphold the founding
principles of our republic.
I first got to know Michael Reagan years ago by listening
to his radio show while driving to and from the state Capitol
in Madison, Wisconsin. I enjoyed his insights on the news of
the day.
Years later, I got to know him personally after becoming
president of YAF. He was a fixture at our student programs in
California. Michael and his family frequently returned to
Rancho del Cielo for public and private events. He and his
daughter, Ashley, also headlined the very first program YAF
hosted in Dixon, Illinois, after our acquisition of the
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home.
Unfortunately for all of us, the Good Lord decided to call
Michael home sooner. He and I discussed his faith and
devotion to Jesus. That should give us all comfort during
this difficult time, as Michael is with the Lord.
One of my colleagues, Andrew Coffin, knew Michael even
better, as he began working at the Reagan Ranch in October
1998. Today, Mr. Coffin is the director of the ranch and a
YAF vice president. Here is part of his moving tribute to
Michael: `With Ronald Reagan, what you saw was what you got.
There was no facade. You perhaps get the most profound sense
of that authenticity when you visit Rancho del Cielo,
President Reagan's beloved Santa Barbara ranch home. His
faith, humility, patriotism and work ethic--all are on
display in very personal and poignant ways at the ranch.
No perspective on Ronald Reagan, though, has been more
important than that of his son Michael. Since the earliest
days of this project, Michael worked alongside Young
America's Foundation to share his father's legacy and ideas
with new generations.
Among many other YAF activities, Michael was typically the
opening speaker at each of our high school conferences at the
Reagan Ranch. He did a remarkable job setting the stage for
the entire week--especially in laying the groundwork for the
experience young people have when they walk in Ronald
Reagan's footsteps at Rancho del Cielo. Michael helped these
future leaders better understand how Ronald Reagan's life at
the ranch connects to his character and values.
We were at the ranch one day several years ago for a film
project when Michael looked around the simple, 19th-century
adobe his father called home and said, ``Without this place,
the Berlin Wall still stands.'
Michael understood well the way the ranch gave his father a
respite from the pressures of his office and the courage to
face the challenges ahead. Staying grounded at the ranch is
part of what made Ronald Reagan a transformational leader.
That simple turn of phrase is a reminder that Michael, as
well as his father, was a uniquely gifted communicator. He
never spoke with notes, explaining that the few times he
tried to work from a script, the speeches were failures.
Instead, Michael was a storyteller. He would often explain
that his father spoke in parables, and Michael did the same.
Vignettes from Michael's childhood helped illuminate his
father's character, his faith, his love for his country--even
his tax policy. (Michael once asked for a raise to his
allowance, something his father promised to do . . . once a
president was in office who would cut his taxes.)
Students who heard Michael speak gravitated to that same
sense of authenticity that made his father such a successful
leader. Few who had the privilege of listening to his stories
will soon forget Michael's describing Ronald Reagan's long-
held desire to say, ``Nyet'' to a Soviet leader, something he
was finally able to do with General Secretary Mikhail
Gorbachev in Reykjavik.
There were few dry eyes in the room as Michael described
his elderly, Alzheimer's ridden father standing in the
doorway, waiting with arms outstretched, because Michael had
forgotten to give him a hug goodbye.
What a wonderful tribute to a great man.
When I told a friend that Michael had passed, she noted
that when her granddaughter came back from a high school
conference at the Reagan Ranch years ago, she said that
Michael Reagan had been her favorite speaker. That, along
with his family--wife Colleen, son Cameron, daughter Ashley
and grandchildren--will be Michael Reagan's greatest legacy.
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