[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great 
leader, a great man, and a great American. When President Ronald Wilson 
Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004, his death brought more than an end 
to his valiant ten-year struggle against Alzheimer's disease. It 
brought an end to one of the brightest and most optimistic periods in 
American history.
  While President Reagan had been out of the public eye and under the 
loving care of his beloved wife, Nancy, for over a decade, he was never 
far from our minds or our hearts. During these past ten years, while he 
was traveling down the road into the sunset of his life, we have all 
had the opportunity to consider his true greatness and his many 
achievements. We have all come to understand that he was more than just 
our president and the most powerful man in the world; he was, instead, 
the personification of--and the symbol for--the boundless potential 
possible in this country.
  From Dixon, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, from Washington, D.C., to 
Los Angeles, California, and at all points in between, men and women 
everywhere recognize President Reagan for what he truly was: a gifted 
leader and a compassionate American with a vision for our future and an 
unwavering belief in the spirit and goodness of mankind.
  To say that Ronald Reagan was an example of the American dream would 
be an understatement. Ronald Reagan was the American dream, the product 
of a poor middle class family who, as the result of his own 
intelligence, determination and strong personality, was able to attend 
college, enjoy a successful career in broadcasting and motion pictures, 
and eventually rise to the position of governor of California.
  For most, that in and of itself would be a remarkable career. But 
President Reagan did not stop there. Rather, he continued to focus on 
what he saw as a need for a strong leader in the White House, someone 
who could work with a divided Congress and an American public still 
reeling from the political and economic crises of the 1970s to restore 
this Nation to its position as the ``shining city on the hill.''
  During his eight years in office, he did just that. The ``Reagan 
Revolution,'' as it came to be known, provided the impetus for 
significant changes here at home and around the world. The economy in 
this country which had been in steep decline for a number of years 
righted itself and enjoyed a strong period of growth for the next nine 
years. The Cold War was brought to an end, communism in many countries 
ultimately collapsed, and a whole new generation of men, women, and 
children around the world were able to enjoy a new, life free from the 
fear of oppression.
  Perhaps his greatest accomplishment, however, was in giving Americans 
a new sense of hope and pride. President Reagan restored a strong sense 
of optimism and hopefulness to this country, and made everyone feel 
proud that they could once again say with assurance and determination, 
``I am an American.''
  Mr. Speaker, just as our nation paused last week to remember and 
reflect on this good man and great leader, let us, as a nation, 
remember President Ronald Reagan in the same way that he is remembered 
by his family: a man full of love, laughter, and life, someone full of 
boundless optimism and faith, and someone who always believed that 
America's best days are indeed ahead.
  Our country--indeed, our world--has been blessed that we were able to 
share in a small way in the tremendous life he led. May we never forget 
the lessons he taught us or the leadership he displayed, and may we 
continue to keep Mrs. Reagan and the entire Reagan family foremost in 
our thoughts and prayers.

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