[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 20 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Pages 834-835]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 835]]

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 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.