[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15411]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      COLLAPSE OF THE BERLIN WALL

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I would like to note that exactly 20 years 
ago, on June 12, 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!

  Although that speech was deeply rooted in the Cold War, and is indeed 
seen as a significant milestone in that war, it also spoke larger 
truths. President Reagan also said:

       Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient 
     hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is 
     the victor.

  President Reagan was not just addressing West Berlin, and the Soviet 
General Secretary, he was addressing the world, and posterity. He was 
expounding on the American ideal of liberty and justice for all. He was 
not addressing a regional problem, but mankind's aspirations. It was a 
triumphant moment for Americans and our ideals.
  Accordingly, I have previously submitted a resolution, S. Con. Res. 
1, calling 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 
millions of Americans who did their part for nearly half a century in 
that struggle, both military and civilian. And it would testify to the 
greatness of our Nation, and the greatness of our 40th President.
  Today I am adding cosponsors to that resolution. I urge my remaining 
colleagues to join me as well. This is worth doing.

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