    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 16, 2002]
    [Pages 810-811]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to Former President
    Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan
    May 16, 2002

        Thank you all very much. Ever since the American Revolution, our
    Congress has given gold medals to heroes of our Republic. Today I'm
    honored to join the Members of the Congress from both parties in paying
    tribute to Nancy and Ronald Reagan as they receive this high award, the
    Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of their contributions to
    America and to the cause of freedom.
        Mrs. Reagan, it's great to see you again. It's always a pleasure to
    be with you.
        I want to thank our Secretary of State, Colin Powell, for joining us today; Mr. Secretary, thank you for coming.
    I appreciate the justices from our courts being here. I particularly
    want to thank the Members of Congress, Mr. Speaker and Senator Byrd and all
    the Members of the Congress who are here.
        I want to welcome all the friends of President and Mrs. Reagan. All
    of you all who work in the Reagan administration, welcome back to your
    old stomping grounds.
        Ronald Reagan is one of the largest figures of our time. His name
    will always stand for courage and consistency, for patriotism and
    resolve, and for humor and optimism. He's a man of great talent and
    great character. Yet, his entire career is a tribute to the power of
    great ideas.
        President Reagan believed deeply in American character and destiny.
    He believed deeply in the power of freedom to improve the lives of
    average men and

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    women. These ideas changed America, and they changed the world, not only
    because he eloquently explained them, because they are right and they
    are true. Ronald Reagan believed that prosperity is another--another
    name for economic freedom, and his policies of freedom laid the
    foundations for a prosperous and for a generous society.
        Ronald Reagan believed that history is on the side of human liberty,
    that all tyranny must be temporary, because liberty is the universal
    hope of all mankind. He believed that the aspirations of our country
    require the might of our military. And he knew that the cause of freedom
    is served by moral clarity, a willingness to call oppression and evil by
    their proper names.
        Above all, Ronald Reagan believed in the strong character of the
    American people, even when some on both the left and right were quite
    skeptical of that character. He would recognize the country we have seen
    since September the 11th. He would look at the spirit and sacrifice of
    the firefighters and police officers, the men and women of our military,
    average Americans, and he'd be proud. He wouldn't be surprised. He knew
    the courage and decency and generosity at the heart of this country
    because he shared it and he embodied it.
        At every step of an amazing life, Nancy Reagan has been at Ronald
    Reagan's side--right by his side. As his optimism inspired us, her love
    and devotion strengthened him. As first lady of California, Mrs. Reagan
    spoke out on behalf of POWs and American servicemen missing in action.
    As our First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan led an antidrug
    campaign that helped significantly reduce teen drug use. Now she has
    joined the fight against the terrible curse of Alzheimer's.
        Ronald and Nancy Reagan were married in 1952, and their love for one
    another has only grown greater with the passage of time. They set out to
    make a life together, and this amazing partnership helped change the
    world. Now on a difficult journey, we admire Nancy Reagan's eloquent
    example of loyalty and love.
        May God bless you and your husband, Mrs. Reagan. And may God bless
    this country he loves so much.
        And now I'm honored to present the Gold Medal, along with the
    Speaker and Senator Byrd, President pro tempore.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. in the Rotunda at the Capitol.
    The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of former First Lady Nancy Reagan.