[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12089]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of Ronald Reagan, 
40th President of the United States and one of the greatest leaders and 
statesmen of the 20th Century.
  America has long known that President Reagan was ill, but his death 
came as a shock to a country that continued to feel his presence. He 
touched millions of lives during his tenure as governor of California 
and two terms in America's highest office. Although long anticipated, 
his passing marks with finality the end of the Reagan era.
  President Reagan's commitment to freedom altered the course of modern 
history. He brought the United States through the end of the Cold War 
with strength and resolve, and he led the U.S. economy to heights once 
unimaginable through his sound domestic policies.
  He possessed a vision for America that reflected its devotion to 
individual liberty, that every person is born with the intrinsic right 
to achieve their dreams through their own labors and determination.
  He will forever be remembered as a champion of promoting peace and 
prosperity throughout the world with a strong faith at the core of his 
principles and values. He was a great man elected to take charge of a 
great country at a time when strong leadership was sorely needed.
  President Reagan's infectious optimism inspired many Americans to 
become involved in the political process, and his influence and vision 
will continue to live throughout the ages.
  My prayers and those of my family are with the family and hundreds of 
millions of friends of President Reagan, knowing that the Lord has 
preserved a very special place for him in heaven.

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