Memories of Ronald Reagan

Memories of Ronald Reagan

Saturday, June 5, 2004, former President Ronald Reagan passed away, and our prayers go out to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Although his passing saddens us, Americans today are still touched by his legacy and his steadfast belief in the promise of this great nation. To share their favorite reminiscences about President Reagan, a Book of Memories is available for residents of Ohio's Third District to sign at my office.

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."

In 1994 President Reagan released a letter to the American people. In the letter he announced that he had Alzheimer's disease. In making the decision to share it with the American people he wrote: "In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

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, "As I walk off into the city streets, 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."

Please help me in honoring President Reagan's legacy. The Book of Memories is at my office and I encourage each of you in Ohio's Third District to sign it with messages to the Reagan family. After the final memorials and tributes to President Reagan, we will send the book to Mrs. Reagan. The Dayton office, located at 120 West Third Street, Suite 305, is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Residents of the southern counties can sign the book in the Wilmington office located at 15 East Main Street, Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Please join me in paying tribute to this remarkable president and American.