U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly
Serving the 24th District of California

http://www.house.gov/gallegly/media/media2008/media2008.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2008
Contact: Tom Pfeifer, (202) 225-5811

Gallegly Bill Would Honor President Reagan

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties) today introduced a bill to honor President Ronald Reagan on the 100^th anniversary of his birth.

Today would have been the late president’s 97^th birthday.

“While ending the Cold War and making America prosperous during his eight years in the White House, perhaps most importantly President Reagan also inspired greatness in the nation he loved. That inspiration should be remembered and celebrated,” Gallegly said.

The Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act would create a commission to plan and implement activities to honor President Reagan on his 100^th birthday. Six of the 11 commissioners would be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation, which is in Gallegly’s congressional district. Three others would be appointed by the President of the United States. The other two members would be the Archivist of the United States and the Secretary of the Interior or his designee.

Ex-Officio Members would include the Chief Justice of the United States. In addition, the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader would each appoint one ex-officio member.

The bill appropriates $4 million for the commission to carry out its duties. After the first $500,000 is spent, the remainder would only be available to the extent that the commission receives matching funds. The commission would dissolve on May 30, 2012.

Commissioners would not be paid for their service, but would be reimbursed for expenses.

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, the Republican Whip, is an original cosponsor of the bill.

“I want to thank Elton for his leadership in establishing this committee to honor the life and service of President Reagan,” Blunt said. “The ideals of our 40^th president did more than help our nation believe it could once again be that shining City upon a Hill about which he spoke so eloquently, they told the world of America’s promise of freedom and democracy.

“President Reagan was our great communicator. But more than for their cadence and presentation, his words are remembered for their sincere, heartfelt meaning. President Reagan was a great president and even greater man. It is fitting that we form this committee to honor him.”

Previous commissions have been instituted to honor Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Abraham Lincoln.