[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 10791-10792]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 100--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
AN ARTISTIC TRIBUTE TO COMMEMORATE THE SPEECH GIVEN BY PRESIDENT RONALD 
   REAGAN AT THE BRANDENBURG GATE ON JUNE 12, 1987, SHOULD BE PLACED 
                    WITHIN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL

  Mr. ALLARD submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                            S. Con. Res. 100

       Whereas the people of the United States successfully 
     defended freedom and democracy for over 40 years in a global 
     Cold War against an aggressive Communist tyranny;
       Whereas President Ronald Wilson Reagan's demonstration of 
     unwavering personal conviction during this conflict served to 
     inspire millions of people throughout the United States and 
     around the world to seek democracy, freedom, and greater 
     individual liberty; and
       Whereas Ronald Wilson Reagan's determined stand against the 
     Soviet empire during his eight years as President served as 
     the catalyst for the end of that regime: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that an 
     artistic tribute to commemorate the speech given by President 
     Ronald Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987, 
     during which he uttered the immortal lines ``Mr. Gorbachev, 
     tear down this wall!'', should be placed within the United 
     States Capitol.

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, last Monday was a somber anniversary for 
our Nation--it marked the second anniversary of President Ronald 
Reagan's passing. I did not come to the floor last Monday, because I 
knew that today, just a week later, would be another important 
anniversary in Reagan's life, and one I would rather note.
  Nineteen years ago, on this day in 1987, President Ronald Reagan 
stood at the Berlin Wall, at the Brandenburg Gate and issued his--
issued liberty's--famous challenge to Soviet tyranny:

       General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek 
     prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you 
     seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, 
     open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

  I believe the power and significance of this quote has been 
acknowledged. I believe history recognizes what President Reagan's 
steadfast determination to resist communist expansion and even the 
communist status quo meant to that great struggle. Many spoke on this 
floor 2 years ago on his contributions, and most have acknowledged the 
significance of those contributions.
  I am submitting legislation today because President Reagan's 
contributions to winning the cold war, defending liberty, strengthening 
America and brightening our future can, in my mind, be adequately 
summarized by the moment he went to Berlin, stood in the shadow of a 
communist tyranny, summoned up the force of the American spirit, and 
called for the removal of the infamous wall.
  My resolution calls for an artistic rendering of that moment in time 
to be painted into the Capitol, along with the other significant scenes 
of our Nation's past. As we walk through the building today, we can see 
scenes from the Nation's founding, from the Civil War, our westward 
expansion, even the Moon landing and Challenger astronauts. I would 
like to also see Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate. I think it would be 
entirely appropriate to have this image added. It would be an important 
reminder of the struggle this Nation undertook. It would stand for the

[[Page 10792]]

millions of Americans who did their part for nearly half a century in 
that struggle, military and civilian. And it would testify to the 
greatness of our Nation, and the greatness of our 40th President.

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