[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            RONALD W. REAGAN

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor as my colleagues have 
before me saddened by the death of one of our Nation's greatest leaders 
and humbled by the far-reaching impact his life has had on millions of 
people throughout the world. He was a great man and a gentle spirit. 
Optimistic, cheerful in service and buoyed by the confidence that comes 
with unwavering conviction, President Reagan reignited the feeling of 
promise for this country.
  Ronald Reagan is the reason I became a Republican. And for many 
Democrats, he was the pathway to the Republican Party. He reminded us 
all that government cannot replace individual empowerment and told us 
in 1995 that every dollar the Federal Government does not take from us, 
every decision it does not make for us will make our economy stronger, 
our lives more abundant, and our future more free.
  We join together with people across the globe in mourning the loss of 
Ronald Reagan. His decisive leadership during the twilight years of the 
Cold War indeed made him a beacon of hope for freedom-loving people 
throughout the world.
  Our thoughts and prayers and our love go out to Mrs. Reagan and the 
entire family. Because of Ronald Reagan our Nation is stronger and our 
future is more free. Here we honor him and are continually working 
toward the dreamed-of-day he spoke of when no one wields a sword and no 
one drags a chain.

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