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Mourning the Passing of President Ronald Reagan

Date: June 9, 2004
Location: Washington, DC


MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN -- (House of Representatives - June 09, 2004)

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Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman, my colleague, for yielding me the time.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in marking with sadness the passing of President Ronald Reagan. I send my deepest condolences to Mrs. Reagan and the entire Reagan family and to those friends who knew the President best.

Ronald Reagan was a man of principle, deep patriotism and great humor. He loved his country, and he loved the American people. His was, in many ways, the quintessential American life: moving from a small town to chase the American dream in California, achieving success through hard work and determination, and finally giving back through public service.

One of the things I most admired about President Reagan was his ability to disagree without being disagreeable. During the 1980s, I was a staff member for the late Congressman Joe Moakley from Massachusetts. We had a front row seat to the great political battles between the Reagan White House and the House of Representatives under Speaker Tip O'Neill. While President Reagan and Tip O'Neill had sharp political differences, they never had sharp words. Their arguments were never nasty. They were never personal. At the end of the day, their battles shifted from policy to who could tell the most outlandish story or the funniest Irish joke. It is an example that I believe all of us should try to do a better job of following.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to say just how much respect and admiration I have for Nancy Reagan. These last several years have been extremely difficult for her as President Reagan battled Alzheimer's disease. Mrs. Reagan has faced this tremendous adversity with strength, dignity and class, and she serves as an inspiration to us all.

Again, my wife Lisa and I send our sympathy and our prayers to the Reagan family during this sad time, and I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

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