[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 648-654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1330
             RECOGNIZING THE 91ST BIRTHDAY OF RONALD REAGAN

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 82) recognizing the 91st birthday 
of Ronald Reagan.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 82

       Whereas February 6, 2002, is the 91st birthday of Ronald 
     Wilson Reagan;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan is the first former President ever to 
     attain the age of 91;
       Whereas both Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan have 
     distinguished records of public service to the United States, 
     the American people, and the international community;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan was twice elected by overwhelming 
     margins as President of the United States;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan fulfilled his pledge to help restore 
     ``the great, confident roar of American progress, growth, and 
     optimism'' and ensure renewed economic prosperity;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan's leadership was instrumental in 
     extending freedom and democracy around the globe and uniting 
     a world divided by the Cold War;

[[Page 649]]

       Whereas Ronald Reagan is loved and admired by millions of 
     Americans, and by countless others around the world;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan's eloquence united Americans in times 
     of triumph and tragedy;
       Whereas Nancy Reagan not only served as a gracious First 
     Lady but also led a national crusade against illegal drug 
     use;
       Whereas, together Ronald and Nancy Reagan dedicated their 
     lives to promoting national pride and to bettering the 
     quality of life in the United States and throughout the 
     world; and
       Whereas the thoughts and prayers of the Congress and the 
     country are with Ronald Reagan in his courageous battle with 
     Alzheimer's disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     Congress, on behalf of the American people, extends its 
     birthday greetings and best wishes to Ronald Reagan on his 
     91st birthday.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).


                             General Leave

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks on House Joint Resolution 82.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 82, 
and I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) for introducing 
it. This resolution extends birthday greetings and the best wishes of a 
grateful Nation to Ronald Reagan on his 91st birthday.
  Ronald Reagan is among the greatest of statesmen ever to serve in the 
Oval Office, or indeed to have served the American people in any 
capacity. He is loved and admired by millions of Americans and by 
countless others around the world. Twice elected by overwhelming 
margins as President of the United States, Ronald Reagan built a record 
of public service to our Nation and to the American people. He was an 
eloquent and forceful champion of all freedom-loving people, especially 
those enslaved by the former Soviet Union and its satellites.
  Ronald Reagan pledged to restore ``the great, confident roar of 
American progress, growth and optimism.'' And Ronald Reagan pledged to 
ensure economic prosperity. He kept that pledge. Ronald Reagan 
inherited a moribund economy mired in recession and wracked by rampant 
inflation. But his wisdom, his confidence in the American people, his 
sound economic policies and his courage in the face of fierce 
opposition led us out of that recession and defeated inflation. 
President Reagan's policies laid the groundwork for an unprecedented 
period of prosperity. He put us back to work and unleashed the genius 
of American entrepreneurs. He inherited a hollow military and a Nation 
unsure of itself. He rebuilt our Armed Forces into the finest fighting 
force in the world, and he lifted our spirits and strengthened our 
resolve. Ronald Reagan's leadership and courage paved the way for the 
ultimate demise of the Soviet Union and the extension of freedom and 
democracy around the globe.
  Ronald Reagan's commitment to our men and women in uniform earned him 
a high accolade last spring when the USS Ronald Reagan was christened 
in Newport News, Virginia. His devoted wife Nancy stood in his behalf 
to christen and accept this evidence of America's esteem and gratitude 
for Ronald Reagan's unstinting service to our Nation. During the 
ceremony, President Bush noted that ``when we send her off to sea, it 
is certain that the Ronald Reagan will meet with rough waters and 
smooth waters, with headwinds as well as fair, but she will sail tall 
and strong like the man we have known.''
  Mr. Speaker, we continue to benefit today from Ronald Reagan's 
foresight and courage. There can be no better or more dramatic example 
than our improving relations with the Russian Republic. Once the heart 
of our fiercest adversary, our relations with Russia are now marked far 
more by cooperation than confrontation. I do not discount for 1 minute 
the importance of the diplomatic skills and courage of President Bush 
in building that relationship, but it simply could not have happened 
had President Reagan not persevered in the face of the constant and 
often vehement criticism of the so-called experts as he confronted what 
he correctly labeled the ``Evil Empire.''
  Indeed, I had the privilege of visiting with Anatoly Sharansky when I 
was in Israel several years ago who was in jail in the Soviet Union at 
the time that Ronald Reagan gave that speech. He said those words 
labeling the Soviet Union the Evil Empire not only reverberated 
throughout the jail he was in, but throughout the entire Soviet Union, 
because the people themselves knew that Ronald Reagan's words were 
true.
  Ronald Reagan is an American hero on many fronts. He and Mrs. Reagan 
dedicated their lives to promoting national pride and to bettering the 
quality of life in the United States and throughout the world. Mrs. 
Reagan's years as a gracious First Lady were spent leading a national 
crusade against illegal drug use and the mission that became known as 
``Just Say No.''
  Mr. Speaker, the thoughts and prayers of the Congress and the country 
are with Ronald Reagan in his courageous battle with Alzheimer's 
disease. On behalf of all Americans, it is fitting that we honor this 
great American President on his 91st birthday. I urge all Members to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join in consideration of this 
resolution. A bigger-than-life screen actor and television personality, 
Ronald Reagan moved from being Governor of California in the 1960s to 
President of the United States and dominated American politics in the 
1980s. He was the first President to be reelected to a second term 
since General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  Media-made and media-presented, President Reagan got millions of 
Americans to feel proud of their Nation. America's 40-year Cold War 
with the Soviet Union cooled considerably, and perhaps actually ended, 
during the Reagan Presidency. Many Americans credit him with having 
achieved that significant outcome.
  Born the son of a shoe salesman in small-town Illinois, a great 
State, Reagan's impoverished but loving parents instilled in him a 
sense of optimism that carried him through college as an average 
student. After graduation, he worked for a few years as a sports 
broadcaster in Midwestern radio before landing a film contract with 
Warner Brothers which took him to Hollywood in 1936. Over the next 30 
years, he made scores of films, including Army films produced during 
World War II. He hosted two popular television series, and he actively 
engaged in politics as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
  In the 1950s, President Reagan changed from being a Roosevelt New 
Deal Democrat to a conservative Republican. In 1966, he became Governor 
of California. He was reelected in 1970. Using his popularity in 
California, he unsuccessfully challenged President Gerald Ford for the 
Republican nomination in 1976. He tried again and won the nomination in 
1980 and thereafter defeated the incumbent Democrat, President Jimmy 
Carter. With his 1984 reelection victory, Mr. Reagan became the most 
politically successful Republican President since President Eisenhower.
  Today, we celebrate former President of the United States Ronald 
Reagan's 91st birthday. We wish him a happy birthday and a debt of 
gratitude to him and his family for their many years of public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 4 
minutes to the author of this resolution, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Cox).

[[Page 650]]


  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) 
for yielding me this time. I also want to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) who just spoke very eloquently about an Illinois 
native son. I think you can see a lot of the same traits of Ronald 
Reagan in the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), in our Speaker, and 
in our Speaker pro tem, all sons of Illinois.
  The sons and daughters of Illinois have a great deal to be proud of 
as we recognize once again President Reagan on his birthday. He has had 
a lot of them. At 91, he is America's oldest President ever. No 
President has lived to the age of 91. The record was set by John Adams. 
As you know, John Adams died on the Fourth of July, the same day as 
Thomas Jefferson. They died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration 
of Independence. I hope that Ronald Reagan will be able someday to see 
the end of his days in as noteworthy a fashion. Already, however, he 
has left such a legacy that it is appropriate that we are here to honor 
him.
  His career, any of his careers, would be remarkable in and of 
themselves. He was a successful sports announcer. Of course, he had a 
career in pictures. He was a very successful two-term Governor of 
California and a very successful two-term President of the United 
States, winning election twice in landslides. If he were here with us 
today, President Reagan would presumably humbly acknowledge that he 
appreciated the birthday wishes on the 52nd anniversary of his 39th 
birthday. That is what it is today.
  When President Clinton was running for office, he once said that 
America needed a President for the 1990s. Hope springs eternal. Perhaps 
now we could, if we would only repeal the 27th amendment, get a 
President in his 1990s. We would welcome, I think, Ronald Reagan back 
to Washington were it possible.
  When he became President, we had endured, unhappily for all of us, an 
era of national malaise, bereft of any sense of moral direction. 
Throughout his term of office, throughout 8 of the fastest moving years 
in history, President Reagan brought us back. That Irish twinkle, that 
homespun style of his, seemed never to change, and it brought a new 
assurance to America.
  He was not only America's President, but the leader of the free 
world. With a toughness that we had not seen for a long time, he stood 
toe to toe with what he unabashedly termed ``the Evil Empire.'' And 
when he said, ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,'' he was widely 
criticized. It was thought that this was not constructive, it was not 
going to work, because realists among us knew the Soviet Union was 
going to be there forever, and we should accommodate it. He saw a 
different future, and he worked hard to bring it about. As a result, 
hundreds of millions of people not just in the Soviet Union, but 
throughout Eastern and Central Europe, were liberated.
  He was called the great communicator in part because he spent so much 
time on television explaining his policies, and he was quite good at 
it. But it was more than communication skill, it was that he had a 
message to communicate. Lady Thatcher, then Prime Minister Thatcher, 
compared him to Winston Churchill. She said, ``Like Winston Churchill, 
he made words fight like soldiers and lived the spirit of a Nation.''
  If the events of September 11 have taught us anything, it is that 
America still requires a strong national defense that acts as a 
vanguard against enemies who would destroy freedom and democracy. 
Ronald Reagan cared about these things very deeply and carried forward 
the ideals of freedom and the defense of freedom throughout the 8 years 
of his Presidency. President Reagan's foreign policy and his strength 
of character will not be forgotten.
  A recent book, ``Reagan: In His Own Hand,'' details the writings of 
the President that we are just now discovering, even late in his life, 
that we never knew when he was President. Another book, ``When 
Character Was King,'' by Peggy Noonan, includes writings from Ronald 
Reagan when he was a teenager. He was a remarkable individual, the 
first labor union president to become President of the United States.
  I say with all of us here, as he said at the end of his D-Day speech 
in Normandy, we will always remember, Mr. President, and we will always 
be proud. Happy birthday.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from California for his kind remarks as well as for the introduction of 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Hinchey).
  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with my friends and 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle in recognizing the 91st birthday 
of former President Ronald Reagan and paying tribute to him. I 
particularly want to associate myself with the remarks which were made 
a few moments ago by the gentleman from Illinois.
  This is also an opportunity for us as we recognize former President 
Reagan to reflect for a few moments on his policies and to see if we 
can find within them some instructions for us in the present context.

                              {time}  1345

  Having done so, I do find some instruction, and I think it could be 
helpful to the Members of the House as we approach some of the 
important issues which are before us today and for the rest of this 
107th Congress.
  One of the first things that President Reagan did when he came into 
office was to offer a major tax cut, the effects of which were to cut 
taxes for the most affluent people in the country, the most financially 
successful people. He also proposed at the same time a very substantial 
increase in the military budget.
  We find ourselves at this moment facing a very similar situation: a 
President having proposed and succeeded in passing a massive tax cut 
last year, the primary benefits of which went to the richest people in 
the Nation, and also proposing a massive increase in military spending.
  Now, what were the effects of the Reagan economic policies, the tax 
cut and increase in military spending? In regard to taxes, the impact 
was to pass the tax-bearing responsibility in our country from the most 
affluent people to middle-income and lower-middle-income Americans. In 
other words, middle-income and lower-middle-income working people 
assumed a larger portion of the tax burden as a result of the initial 
Reagan tax cuts, some of which were changed and rescinded later on in 
the Reagan administration.
  Also the effect was to deny States of substantial amounts of revenue. 
States then passed taxing responsibilities on to the localities and 
increases in local property taxes occurred across America, in my State, 
New York, included along with many, many, if not all other States.
  We are about to see something very, very similar here as a result of 
the economic policies of the present administration. The effect of the 
tax cut which was passed by this Congress and signed into law by 
President Bush is having the same and will have increasingly that same 
impact. It will cause the tax responsibility and increasingly larger 
burdens to be borne by middle-income and lower-middle-income people as 
the wealthiest people are relieved of having to pay taxes.
  Furthermore, the effect of the tax cuts which were passed by this 
Congress last year are going to deny States of their ability to pay for 
the things that they need to do in order to provide for the health, 
safety, and welfare of the people in those States, so we will see 
similarly responsibilities passed on to local governments and increases 
in local real property taxes.
  There is a very outstanding American philosopher named George 
Santayana, who once made the observation that those who fail to 
recognize the mistakes of the past will be doomed to repeat them. That 
admonition is particularly applicable to all of us in this Congress as 
we face these present economic conditions, a condition where we have 
gone from anticipated record budget surpluses at the Federal level to

[[Page 651]]

now anticipating substantial and increasing budget deficits.
  So as we pay tribute to President Reagan, let us also recognize the 
effect of the policies that he adopted in taxation and apply those 
lessons to our present condition today.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds just to 
say that the period during which Ronald Reagan was President during the 
1980s, the Congress engaged in a dramatic increase in social spending. 
It is not totally correct to attribute the deficits of the 1980s purely 
to the defense buildup, but indeed can equally be attributed to the 
actions of the Democratic Congress at the time which engaged in a 
dramatic increase in social spending. The Reagan defense buildup was 
essential for our winning the Gulf War, it was the right thing to do, 
and the tax cut was instrumental in lifting us out of a recession.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Dreier), the very distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I really cannot believe this. Today is Ronald Reagan's 
91st birthday. He is one of the most revered individuals to have ever 
lived. He is the person who brought down the Soviet Union, brought back 
this amazing sense of patriotism which we once again are enjoying here 
in the United States, and he focused on what was very important, and 
that was getting the economy going. And we have people who now want to 
re-debate and completely rewrite the history of what took place during 
the 1980s.
  Let us look at what happened. When President Reagan came into office, 
taking over for Jimmy Carter, this country was, according to Jimmy 
Carter, in a state of malaise; and Ronald Reagan almost single-handedly 
turned it around.
  Until 1994, when we won the Republican majority in the United States 
Congress, we had not had control of this place since 1981. You can say 
in 1981 the Democrats still controlled this institution, but the fact 
of the matter is Ronald Reagan was able to maintain working control of 
the United States Congress and put into place the Economic Recovery Tax 
Act. I am very proud to have voted for that measure, which nearly 
tripled the flow of revenues to the Federal Treasury.
  Our friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) is absolutely 
right. We saw a dramatic increase in social spending take place. And, 
yes, we did see the military buildup; and we all know how essential 
that was following the demise of our military during the Carter years.
  And what did it bring us? It brought us, again, the demise of the 
Evil Empire, and I am pleased to see George Bush using that Reaganistic 
term once again; and we were able to sustain the economic recovery for 
now literally decades. And it all started with Ronald Reagan's vision 
of reducing that tax burden on working Americans, realizing that 
marginal tax rate reduction in fact increases the flow of revenues to 
the Federal Treasury.
  Happy birthday, Mr. President. We are very, very privileged to be 
standing on your shoulders as we try to pursue the policies which you 
successfully implemented.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
  Mr. Speaker, even before Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of 
California, I think one of the other contributions that he made was to 
cause Americans to take a different look at individuals in the 
entertainment industry. I think as a result of Ronald Reagan, many 
entertainers have developed far more interest in public policy 
decision-making and are more actively engaged and more actively 
involved in those processes than before his time. So in addition to the 
service he provided as an elected official, I think we have to give him 
some credit for the movement away from certain kinds of perceptions 
relative to entertainers.
  Mr. Speaker I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to yield 
3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from coastal Georgia (Mr. Kingston).
  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time, and I thank the gentleman from the other side, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis), for supporting this resolution, in that this is 
not a bipartisan Republican birthday. It is an American birthday, which 
we all have reverence for the office of the Presidency.
  As we celebrate Ronald Reagan's 91st birthday, we ask ourselves, what 
is the essence of Reagan? Why is this man, so many years out of office, 
still so special and still so exciting to so many of us?
  Was it the fact that he lived the American dream, starting out from a 
very humble beginning, even a broken home? He started out as a radio 
announcer, an athlete, an actor, and then went on to be a businessman, 
ultimately a Governor, and President of the United States. Is that the 
essence of Ronald Reagan?
  Or was it the fact that when he became President, it was the policies 
that we conservatives have wanted for so many years: lower taxes, 
beating inflation, less government regulations, creating more jobs? Was 
that it?
  Or was it the fact that he made our men and women in uniform proud 
once more to have that American label as part of their vocation and 
existence, the pride?
  Or was it the fact that he defeated the Soviet Union, the Evil 
Empire? I have had the opportunity to travel to Bulgaria, 
Czechoslovakia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and to even go to Red Square. 
It is amazing to go to these places today and think about all their 
years of oppression under a communist regime and how they are growing 
young republics and democracies today. Is that the essence of Ronald 
Reagan?
  Or was it the fact he was a happy conservative, never scowling, but 
always talking and making illustrations with stories, like the one 
about the Russian who was going to get a part for his car, and it was 
in January, and the part was going to come June 12th. And they said, 
``That is as soon as we can get the part for your car,'' June 12, 6 
months away. He said, ``I cannot see you June 12.'' They said, ``Why 
not?'' He said, ``Because that is the day my plumber is going to be 
there.'' That kind of illustration of a story.
  Or was it that twinkle in his eye? Was it the fact that he appealed 
to people on a bipartisan basis? Was it the fact that in my area blue 
collar Democrats switched over to vote Republican, not to vote 
Republican necessarily to become Republicans, but because they believed 
in Ronald Reagan, that he put America above party?
  Or was it the grandeur that he returned to the White House, that he 
and Nancy brought back a kind of stately style and fashion when they 
came back that showed they were ready to lead the new world, or was it 
that natural style of relaxed attitude and optimism?
  I think, Mr. Speaker, on this 91st birthday of Ronald Reagan, it was 
all of the above.
  I know he was very inspirational to me as a college student. When I 
first ran for the State legislature in 1984, my wife, Libby, and I had 
the opportunity to meet him in person; and he was truly somebody who 
urged all of Americans to get off your duff and start running for 
office and participate in public policy.
  Libby and I still love him and have great affection for him. In fact, 
I told my wife, Libby, I have said this before on the floor, ``Libby, 
you like Ronald Reagan so much, you talk about him, you praise him, you 
say he is the kind of politician that I should be; in fact I am a 
little jealous, my dear wife. I think you like Ronald Reagan better 
than you like me.'' And she said, ``Yes, but I like you better than I 
like George Bush.''
  I guess that is the best I can do on this 91st birthday of Ronald 
Reagan.
  So, happy birthday, Mr. President; and God bless America.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page 652]]

  Mr. Speaker, I will simply close by suggesting that Ronald Reagan was 
indeed and has been a tremendous inspiration to millions of people, 
notwithstanding whether you agreed with all of his policies or not. As 
a matter of fact, there were many that I disagreed with. But the 
reality is that he demonstrated that one not need always look at where 
you come from, but what is really important is where you are going. So 
he went from this small town in Illinois, the land of Lincoln, to 
become President of the most powerful and greatest Nation on the face 
of the Earth. That is indeed a tribute, and I wish for him a happy 91st 
birthday.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield the 
balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I first met Ronald Reagan when I was 
still in my teens. I had been active in his first campaign for 
Governor. During the primary season we had been very active, and we 
found out that the heads of the campaign were going to eliminate Youth 
for Reagan during the general election and have us all work with the 
adult organization. I felt very disturbed about that. We had worked so 
hard; I had hundreds of kids out passing out leaflets for him. So I 
decided to go see him myself.
  I hiked up to his home at Pacific Palisades at 3 o'clock in the 
morning and camped out on his lawn in a sleeping bag. About 7 o'clock 
in the morning, Nancy stuck her head out the door and says, ``Who are 
you?'' I had a little sign that said ``Ronald Reagan, please speak to 
me.''
  Nancy says, ``You know, my husband, if he comes out to talk to you, I 
know that he is going to spend 5 or 10 minutes with you. He will be 
late for the rest of the day; he won't be able to have his breakfast. 
If you will go to the campaign headquarters, I will get you a meeting 
with the top person in the campaign. I have to protect my husband, you 
see.''
  I said, well, how can you argue with that? So I started walking down 
that long driveway in Pacific Palisades dragging that sleeping bag. 
Behind me I heard these footsteps, and there was Ronald Reagan. His 
shirt was half off, he had the shaving cream on his face. He was going, 
``Wait a minute, wait a minute. If you can spend the night on my back 
lawn, I can certainly spend a few minutes with you. Now, what is the 
problem?''
  Ronald Reagan listened to me, and I do not know if that is what saved 
the day, but the Youth for Reagan never was eliminated. We worked in 
the campaign as our Youth for Reagan unit.
  That is the kind of person Ronald Reagan was. He won my heart then. 
He was a person who was very kind to other people, but he was very 
tough when it came to policy.

                              {time}  1400

  He was a principled man. He was a principled man who cared about 
others. What were his principles that he based his decisions on that 
made him a successful person? He believed in personal responsibility, 
and he believed that people should keep more of what they earn and be 
able to decide on things that were important for their lives, and that 
they should control their own destinies. He felt that government, if we 
had to turn to government for help, it should be the government that 
was closest to the people so that it would not become isolated from the 
people and bureaucratic and autocratic.
  So that is why he believed things like education should be run at the 
local level, controlled by parents and teachers, rather than increasing 
Federal involvement, which would lead to bureaucratic control from 
Washington.
  He believed America should be a powerful force for freedom in the 
world, and he knew that for America to be a force in the world and for 
there to be peace and freedom anywhere in the world, America had to be 
strong. He did feel that defense, the military strength of the United 
States, and the defense of freedom and our country and the peace of our 
people was the number one responsibility of the Federal Government.
  He, during his time period, was castigated. Just because we are 
celebrating his 91st birthday and most people are saying good things 
about him, the fact is that he is 91 years old today and he does 
deserve that praise, but when he was President of the United States, he 
was vilified regularly by people who just did not believe in the things 
that he believed in, but they tried to make him into a warmonger and a 
person with a bad heart.
  Now, we should be able to disagree, and I never heard Ronald Reagan 
call anybody a name. The fact is we should be able to disagree on 
policy and believe in the goodness of each other. Ronald Reagan did 
have a good heart, but his policies were right. The fact is his low tax 
policy is what started the economic recovery of this country, which was 
in a shambles before Ronald Reagan became President. It ignited this 
rocket and in about January of 1993, which is exactly when the final 
phase of his tax cuts came in, and the recovery has not stopped since 
then. It faltered a little bit in 1992. So Ronald Reagan's policy 
started, ignited this, the greatest and the longest period, and we are 
enjoying it.
  This is, right now, the final phase of that Ronald Reagan prosperity. 
The only other time the economy went down even a little was in 1992, 
and then it shot right back. It was just a momentary faltering.
  What about peace in the world? Ronald Reagan was vilified as a 
warmonger. People on the other side of the aisle in this body would try 
to undermine his efforts to prevent Communist expansion in Latin 
America, undermine his efforts to try to be firm with Gorbachev and the 
Soviet leaders in bringing down the level of missiles rather than just 
freezing the high level of nuclear weapons we had, and, in the end, 
Ronald Reagan was able to end the Cold War, which permitted us to 
decrease military spending in these last 15 years. It was that 
investment he made, the good policies he had, but it was his principle 
and his strength of character that carried the day for this country.
  So God bless you, Ronald Reagan. We know that you have Alzheimer's 
disease and you probably cannot understand what we are saying, and you 
may not remember me, but we will never forget you.
  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, today is President 
Ronald Reagan's 91st birthday. Please join me in wishing Mrs. Reagan 
the very best today and expressing to her, and the President, the 
gratitude of freedom-loving peoples everywhere for his service to our 
Nation and the cause of liberty.
  On September 1, 1976, Ronald Reagan delivered a radio address 
entitled ``Shaping the World for 100 Years to Come.'' In this brief 
address the future President defined the challenges that lay before the 
American people as a choice between individual freedom or state control 
of our very lives.
  At that time in the life of our country it wasn't at all clear that 
the American people would continue to choose the path of individual 
freedom, with all its perils and responsibilities, over the comforts of 
a paternalistic government.
  It seemed that as government grew, individual liberty shrank. As 
taxes grew, personal initiative was discouraged and the entrepreneurial 
American spirit was being stifled by a government that no longer seemed 
to be of the people, by the people and for the people.
  Just as he called Americans to take charge of their individual 
destinies that day Ronald Reagan also spoke of the international 
challenges facing our country, in particular the horrible threat of 
nuclear war. He reflected on the beauty of the world he knew and 
challenged the Americans of 1976 to avoid a nuclear Armageddon, and 
still pass on to future generations a world of beauty, peace, 
prosperity, and the ultimate in personal freedom.
  In 1976 Ronald Reagan saw that America, and Americans, were faced 
with several historic choices. We could choose the hard road of 
individual liberty and personal freedom, or we could choose the easy 
road of government paternalism. We could choose the clear road of 
Mutually Assured Nuclear Destruction or we could choose the unclear 
path of fighting--and defeating--our enemies on the economic and 
cultural battlefield. In 1980 Americans made their choice, and elected 
Ronald Reagan the 40th President of the United States.
  Today, all Americans, and indeed freedom-loving people throughout the 
world, reap the

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benefits of that choice. President Reagan led the American people down 
the hard road of reducing the growth of the Federal Government and 
renewed our commitment to individual liberty and entrepreneurship. 
Through Ronald Reagan's resolve and inspiration we fought and defeated 
one of history's greatest threats to the sanctity of the individual 
human spirit not on a world-destroying nuclear battlefield, but on the 
economic and cultural battlefield.
  Today, we stand one quarter of the way into the 100-year future that 
Ronald Reagan looked into in 1976. The challenges before us are new, 
but no less daunting than they were in 1976. The sanctity of the 
individual human spirit is again under attack by people who made a 
human and cultural wasteland of one country and would do the same to 
the entire world if they acquired the means.
  As we go forward in our war on terrorism let us pause for a moment 
today and thank Ronald Reagan for ensuring that America took the hard 
path of freedom and responsibility. Let us remember that our greatest 
and most effective weapons are not always the military might that 
President Reagan so staunchly advocated, but the entrepreneurship and 
economic power of the individual that he so vigorously defended. And 
let us renew our commitment to keep America ``the shining city on a 
hill'' that provided Ronald Reagan with inspiration throughout his life 
and provides all mankind with a beacon of hope and freedom.
  May God Bless President and Mrs. Reagan and May God Bless America.
  Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to pay 
tribute to a true American patriot on his 91st birthday, President 
Ronald Reagan. As we in Congress wrestle with the Defense budget, I 
recall the words of Ronald Reagan when he submitted his Presidential 
budget. He said,

       We start by considering what must be done to maintain peace 
     and review all the possible threats against our security. 
     Then a strategy for strengthening peace and defending against 
     those threats must be agreed upon. And, finally, our defense 
     establishment must be evaluated to see what is necessary to 
     protect against any or all of the potential threats. The cost 
     of achieving these ends is totaled up, and the result is the 
     budget for national defense.

  Mr. Speaker, as we debate on the proper amount for the defense of our 
Nation, the greatest tribute we can pay to Ronald Reagan is to build on 
the strong defense foundation that he laid and provide our military the 
funding and resources to defend the Constitution and protect the values 
under which this great Nation was founded.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, today, as we commemorate President Ronald 
Reagan's 91st birthday, we remember the significant impact he had on 
our lives here in America. When our country was struggling through the 
cold war and a suffering economy, he had the ability to lead us with 
courage and hope, not fear or disappointment. When he gave his first 
inaugural speech in January 1981, he said, ``I do not believe in a fate 
that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that 
will fall on us if we do nothing.'' These words alone explain the 
perseverance that Reagan possessed throughout his presidency. These 
words also taught Americans that it is important not to give up during 
difficult times.
  The Great Communicator is a title that we all remember him by. He 
earned this name because of the way he conveyed his messages to all 
people, because he spoke from his heart with passionate words, words 
that resonate in people's hearts and minds for generations to come.
  When I think of President Reagan, I think of how important it is to 
work hard with determination. He re-ignited American patriotism, and 
what it means to be an American. He taught us that education is the 
foundation for a successful future, and that everyone has the 
opportunity to achieve his or her dreams. He made us understand why 
everyone, no matter what background, can be a hero. Reagan also helped 
us remember that the purpose of government is to serve the people, not 
the other way around, and that we should cherish our freedom because 
not every nation guarantees it.
  As a former high school teacher, I have long believed that history is 
what makes us remember our past so that we can fully understand who we 
are and why. President Reagan often stressed the importance of history 
because he also believed that by learning from our past, we could 
better appreciate our forefathers who sacrificed their lives to 
preserve the freedom that we have here in America today.
  I want to commend President Bush for his actions in making President 
Reagan's boyhood home a National Historic Site by signing the bill into 
law today. As the author of this legislation and the Congressman who 
represents the little hamlet of Dixon, IL, where Ronald Reagan grew up, 
I could not be more proud. There will now be a lasting, living legacy 
to our 40th President who won the cold war and returned America to 
greatness in the late 20th century.
  With the preservation of Reagan's boyhood home, we are protecting 
American history and paying tribute to a good man and great President 
who truly believed in American values, American principles, and most of 
all, the American spirit.
  President Reagan, congratulations on the 52nd anniversary of your 
39th birthday. Godspeed.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 82, 
a bill honoring former President Ronald Reagan on the occasion of his 
91st birthday.
  Ronald Reagan holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the 
citizens of northern Illinois. Many believe that President Reagan was a 
Californian. But his core values and bold conservatism were the product 
of a childhood in Illinois.
  Ronald Reagan continues today to serve as a model of optimism and 
hope. In his very first inaugural address, President Reagan set the 
tone for his 8 years in office when he proclaimed that, ``no arsenal or 
no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and 
moral courage of free men and women.'' During these challenging times 
for our Nation, President Reagan's words seem even more relevant today.
  President Reagan truly was the ``Great Communicator.'' One of my 
favorite lines of his was when he said that the best view of big 
government is in the rear view mirror as you're driving away from it. 
Throughout his presidency, Reagan used his trademark humor and wit to 
unite a nation, end the cold war, and restore prosperity. He championed 
the notion of individual responsibility and accountability.
  And most importantly, he made people feel good about being proud of 
our great Nation. President Reagan once said that he would like to go 
down in history as the President who made Americans believe in 
themselves again. I believe that he has.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, Happy 91st Birthday, President 
Reagan.
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man who has had a profound 
impact on the lives of us all, a positive impact that has had a 
reverberating positive effect, not just here in the United States, but 
worldwide.
  In the past I have taken time on this floor to expound at length upon 
many of President Reagan's achievements. He more than fulfilled his 
pledge to help restore ``the great, confident roar of American 
progress, growth, and optimism'' and ensure renewed economic 
prosperity.
  Today I simply want to pay tribute to the man who has left his 
permanent stamp on the course of history. We salute that gentleman who 
has turned 91 today and pay tribute to him.
  God bless you, President Reagan. We are all eternally grateful for 
that unprecedented role that you played in our national experience and 
it will never be forgotten.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today, our 40th President, Ronald Reagan, 
is celebrating his 91st birthday. I want to wish this Great American a 
peaceful birthday and to thank him for his leadership which has endured 
well beyond his years in the White House.
  Ronald Reagan rekindled our nation's patriotism and pride. Today, as 
we continue to wage a war against terrorism--a war against those 
individuals who jeopardize our freedoms and liberties--the confidence 
Ronald Reagan had in the American spirit provides every one of us with 
the strength and will to see this war to its rightful end--to victory.
  In the 106th Congress, I was proud to introduce legislation to award 
the Congressional Gold Medal to Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy. This 
legislation was signed into law and the award will stand as a fitting 
tribute to the commitment and dedication the Reagans have had to this 
nation.
  As President, Ronald Reagan was dedicated to encouraging economic 
growth, recognizing the value of hard work, and sparking hope and pride 
among Americans.
  He believed that ``everyone can rise as high and as far as their 
ability will take them.'' This principle became a guiding creed of 
Reagan's Presidency, as he successfully turned the tide of public 
cynicism and sparked a national renewal.
  President Reagan fulfilled his pledge to restore ``the great, 
confident roar of American progress, growth, and optimism.'' During his 
presidency, Americans once again believed in the American Dream.
  Today, as we face a great evil, we build upon this ``confident roar'' 
and find solace in Ronald Reagan's everlasting faith in America and her 
people.

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  Thank you Mr. President for your inspiration and leadership which 
continues to guide our nation and which will help us to protect our 
freedoms and liberties in the twenty-first century. May you have a 
peaceful and relaxing birthday and God bless.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 82.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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