A Tribute to President Ronald Reagan

Statement of Rep. Jim Ramstad

In the House of Representatives

June 9, 2004

Mr. Speaker, I rise to proudly pay tribute to the greatest President of the 20^th Century, Ronald Wilson Reagan, whose suffering has ended and Heavenly life begun.

My fellow Minnesotans join me in mourning the loss of America’s 40^th President and celebrating the life of a man who personified the greatness and goodness of America.

All Americans and freedom-loving people around the world owe President Reagan our deepest gratitude for his strong, principled leadership that won the Cold War and brought freedom to millions of people.

As we celebrate President Reagan’s remarkable career and historic legacy, we also celebrate a man of strong character, deep convictions, unforgettable charm and wonderful wit.

No Minnesotan will ever forget President Reagan braving the below-zero windchill to ride in a convertible in St. Paul’s Winter Carnival Parade and proclaim, “I thought my ears would fall off!”

Mr. Speaker, as America honors our beloved 40^th President, we also thank God for a leader who restored pride and made the American people believe in themselves again.  Always the eternal optimist, President Reagan instilled confidence and optimism at a time both were in short supply in our country.

Thanks to President Reagan’s strong leadership and undying belief in free-market capitalism, the great entrepreneurial spirit of the American people was unleashed, and prosperity was restored here at home.

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family on their great loss.  Mrs. Reagan showed the whole world the true meaning of love and loyalty these past ten painful years, as her beloved husband suffered from cruel Alzheimer’s disease -- the same deadly, debilitating disease that took my own mother just months ago.

So today, Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Ronald Reagan, let us honor this great President by keeping his legacy alive.  A legacy of love for his faith, family, friends and country.  A legacy of freedom, liberty and opportunity for all people.  A legacy of public service deeply rooted in faith, principle, character and conviction.

And let us always remember President Reagan’s warm, infectious, kind smile that lit up every audience, inspired us and gave us hope, just as we remember our “rendezvous with destiny.”

Rest in peace, Mr. President, in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior.

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