Ronald Reagan Federal Building

RONALD REAGAN FEDERAL BUILDING -- (House of Representatives - April 28, 2004)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2043) to designate a Federal building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the "Ronald Reagan Federal Building".

The Clerk read as follows:

S. 2043

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. RONALD REAGAN FEDERAL BUILDING.

(a) DESIGNATION.-The Federal building located at 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, shall be known and designated as the "Ronald Reagan Federal Building".

(b) REFERENCES.-Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the building referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Ronald Reagan Federal Building.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, S. 2043, introduced by Senator Specter of Pennsylvania, is similar to House bill H.R. 3923, which was introduced by the gentleman from the Ninth Congressional District of Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).

This bill designates the Federal building located at 228 Walnut Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the Ronald Reagan Federal Building.

Many times I have come to the floor to honor Americans, politicians, judges and other great leaders. Perhaps no other American, however, has been as honored or as deserving of an honor as the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, in 1911. His early years are a model that we can all be proud of. The son of working-class parents, he attended the public schools in Dixon, Illinois, and then worked his way through Eureka College where he was on the football team and an actor.

One story that I think does not get told enough about Ronald Reagan is before President Reagan had an impact on the lives of billions, he had a more direct impact on the lives of people in his community of Dixon, Illinois. While growing up, Ronald Reagan earned extra money working as a lifeguard at Rock River. Over the course of 6 years, then-lifeguard

Reagan pulled 77 swimmers out of the water who were struggling in the notorious swift current and were in need of assistance.

During his time in public life, Ronald Reagan always worked to improve the lives of everyday Americans, from his Economic Recovery Act, which he worked to pass even after an assassination attempt, to the 1986 tax bill which reduced the burdens of taxation on all Americans.

In foreign policy, he pursued a policy of "peace through strength," a policy that brought about the end of the Soviet empire, bringing freedoms to millions in Europe and Asia.

This legislation bestows an appropriate honor to one who has given so much to his country.

I support the legislation, and I urge our colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this bill designates the Federal building located at 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the Ronald Reagan Federal Building. The bill was introduced by Senator Specter for himself and Senator Santorum. The House companion bill, H.R. 3923, was introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster.)

Former President Reagan was our country's 40th President. He was a magnetic leader whose greatest legacy was perhaps his call to Mr. Gorbachev to "tear down this wall."

His talents and his personal touch enabled him to rally support for his programs, often convincing even his greatest critics to see things his way. His charisma along with his sense of humor have earned him a special place in our Nation's history.

I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2043.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

END