back FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CONTACT: June 9, 2004 Kate Dwyer: 202-226-7326   Ryan Encourages Friday Bell Ringing in Honor of President Reagan WASHINGTON –  Wisconsin’s First District Congressman Paul Ryan today encouraged places of worship in the First Congressional District to toll bells at 12:15pm Central Time on Friday in memory of the late President Ronald Reagan. In a statement, R. Duke Blackwood, the Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Library, noted: “At 1:15 [Eastern Time], on Friday, June 11th, at the conclusion of the State Funeral, the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. will toll its bell 40 times in honor of the fortieth president of the United States.  Other churches across the country have indicated that they would like to join in this national tolling of the bells in honor of Ronald Reagan.  The Reagan family has learned of this and is very touched by this gesture.  I encourage other churches across the country to participate to make this a truly national tribute.” “I wanted to pass along this request to people in our area, in case they want to help honor a President who was instrumental in securing religious freedom for so many people around the world.  Interested citizens should contact their churches,” Ryan said.  back