Mourning The Passing of President Ronald Reagan

Mourning The Passing of President Ronald Reagan -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 14, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER
OF OHIO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2004

Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to join my colleagues in support of H. Res. 664, honoring the late Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States. As is the case for so many speaking in this chamber today, Ronald Reagan was one of my personal heroes.

Although we are all deeply saddened by the passing of President Reagan, Americans today are still touched by his legacy and his steadfast belief in the promise of this great Nation. By using his famous wit, he knew how to make us believe in ourselves again. Each of us has our favorite examples of the Reagan wit. My favorite quote is, "Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

To Ronald Reagan, "America is a shining city upon a hill for all to see and to follow and reach to, something toward which mankind should strive." Reagan brought convictions and determination as well as a genuine, hopeful and optimistic outlook to the office of President. Ronald Reagan never doubted his convictions. He never lost faith in America. His reassuring tones were comforting even in difficult times. With Reagan as president, it was indeed morning again in America.

Just prior to Ronald Reagan assuming the presidency, many people wondered whether this country's best days were behind us. Reagan insisted: "America's best days lie ahead." By the time he left office, the United States was enjoying the longest peacetime economic expansion in our history. President Reagan's most long-lasting legacy is his role in winning the Cold War. While the common doctrine of the time called for containing Communism, Reagan boldly predicted it would soon be "left on the ash-heap of history."

During the journey that was the Reagan revolution, he restored prosperity, confidence, optimism, faith and pride in America. While we will miss Ronald Reagan, his contributions to the world will be felt for generations to come. He came to Washington to change the country and ended up changing the world. As he said in his farewell address to the Nation from the Oval Office, "A final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for eight years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made. the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all."

Summing up an American icon, a giant, like Ronald Reagan is an enormous task. I am grateful for the vision Ronald Reagan taught me and the lessons about the power of convictions, the value of principled leadership, and the goodness and the decency of the human spirit. We'll miss the twinkle in his eyes and affable smile which have left this earth. However, the contributions he made to his country and to mankind remain with us, as vast as the great continent that the United States spans, and God willing, will outlast us all.

As an American, I want to join in offering my support of H. Res. 664, honoring the late Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States.

END