    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [June 8, 2004]
    [Pages 1013-1014]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on the Death of President Ronald Reagan
    June 8, 2004

    To the Congress of the United States:
        By this Message, I officially inform you of the death of Ronald
    Reagan, the fortieth President of the United States.
        Ronald Reagan was a great leader and a good man. He had the
    confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with
    character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes
    with wisdom.
        Through his leadership, spirit, and abiding faith in the American
    people, President Reagan gave our Nation a renewed optimism. With his
    courage and moral clarity, he enhanced America's security and advanced
    the spread of peace, liberty, and democracy to millions of people who
    had lived in darkness and oppression. As America's President, he helped
    change the world.

        The sun has now set on Ronald Reagan's extraordinary American life.
    Just as he told us that our Nation's best days are yet to come, we know
    that the same is true for him.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     June 8, 2004.

    Note: The related proclamation and Executive order of June 6 are listed
    in Appendix D at the end of this volume. The related proclamation of
    July 2 is printed in the Federal Register at 69 FR 41179.

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