S6640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 9, 2004 After his meeting with Ronald simple ideas upon which his foreign back from them when necessary, such Reagan, Richard Allen never looked at policy was based: a strong military as as when it proved impossible to cut the world in the same way. When Ron- an instrument of peace; liberty and de- taxes, increasing spending for defense, ald Reagan entered the White House mocracy as the destiny of mankind; and balance the budget at the same and laid out his vision for winning the and the moral clarity to see the world time. cold war, America never looked at the as it was and what it should be. He was an intense competitor who world the same way. And when Ronald Let us also remember that without wanted to win, not just for himself but Reagan left the White House and the courage and the character of Ron- for his beliefs. But his goal was to de- events he helped put in motion came to ald Reagan, his ideas would have re- feat his opponents, not destroy them. pass, the world, indeed, would never be mained just ideas, and the world would He taught us that even though the bat- the same. have remained the same. tle would inevitably resume the next What were the reasons for Ronald As Reagan once wrote of his deter- morning, at the end of each day we Reagan’s historic foreign policy suc- mination to stand up for what he be- could put aside the divisions and de- cess? How did he come to leave a more lieved: bates. We could sit down together and laugh together, especially at his end- indelible mark on the world than any But bearing what we cannot change and American President since Franklin going on with what God has given us, con- less stream of stories. He took issues Delano Roosevelt? fident there is a destiny, somehow seems to seriously, but he had a sense of per- First, Ronald Reagan believed in a bring a reward we wouldn’t exchange for any spective that never let him or us take strong military to defend our Nation other. It takes a lot of fire and heat to make ourselves too seriously. As a leader, he and to protect peace. He marshaled the a piece of steel. was a President of large principles, not resources from this body for a remark- I yield the floor. small details. Some criticized him for that, but it was often the source of his able 35-percent increase in defense f spending during his Presidency. Critics strength. RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME On foreign policy, he will be honored accused Reagan of unnecessarily pro- as the President who won the cold war, voking the Soviet Union and putting The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under and his famous words ‘‘Mr. Gorbachev, America on a path to nuclear war. But the previous order, the leadership time tear down this wall’’ will be linked in for Ronald Reagan, a strong national is reserved. history with President Kennedy’s ‘‘Ich f defense was an instrument for peace. It bin ein Berliner.’’ He came to office was Government’s first and foremost MORNING BUSINESS convinced that we could not trust the duty to its people. He knew the Soviet Communists, or perhaps even negotiate Union could not match our capacity to The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, there will be a pe- with them, and his commitment to a fund our national defense, and should strong national defense was never the Soviets attempt to keep pace, as riod for the transaction of morning business with Senators permitted to doubted by Soviet leaders. they did, the Communist state would But he also understood the impor- be unable to sustain itself. speak for up to 10 minutes each. The Senator from Massachusetts. tance of working with our allies to pro- Second, Ronald Reagan believed that tect our security, and he also under- America, our allies, and our common f stood the madness of ‘‘mutually as- values were on that winning side of his- TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT sured destruction.’’ He had an instinct tory. The destiny of mankind was not RONALD WILSON REAGAN that Michail Gorbachev might be dif- to live in the shadow of tyranny, dicta- ferent, and was quick to respond when torship, but to be guided by the light of Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle I learned on a visit to Moscow in 1986 liberty, by the light of democracy. that President Gorbachev was prepared That was the destiny. in paying tribute to Ronald Reagan. As all of us who had the privilege of work- to negotiate a separate arms control As Reagan said in his watershed treaty on the critical issue of nuclear Westminster speech: ing with him know, he brought a spe- cial grace to the White House and the missiles, in Europe. The Intermediate- The march of freedom and democracy . . . country in everything he did. We often Range Nuclear-Force Treaty they ne- will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash- gotiated the following year eased ten- heap of history as it has left other tyrannies disagreed on specific issues, but he had an undeniably unique capacity to in- sions in Europe, and became the needed which stifle the freedom and muzzle the self- breakthrough in U.S.-Soviet relations expression of the people. spire and move the Nation. that made it possible to see light at the The warmth of his personality al- Third, Ronald Reagan viewed the end of the long dangerous tunnel of the ways shone through, and his infectious world through a lens of moral clarity. cold war. He believed there was right and wrong optimism made us all feel that it really President Reagan was never afraid to and good and evil, strength and weak- was ‘‘morning in America.’’ It was im- be controversial, to confront when he ness, but, most importantly, he was possible not to respect and admire the had to, and lead where he believed. not afraid to talk about the world as he way he revived the spirit of the Nation There were intense disagreements with saw it or use his words to help shape in that era, restored the power and vi- many of his policies, then and now. But the world in that vision. tality of the Presidency, and made it a beyond all that was a defining reality. He called the Soviet Union the ‘‘evil vigorous and purposeful place of effec- He came to power at a time of self-ful- empire.’’ Why? Because the Soviet re- tive national and international leader- filling pessimism, a pervasive belief gime was repressive and godless and ship. that public policy could barely move imperialist. It was no coincidence that he opened molehills, let alone mountains. The In 1987, he stood before the Branden- his 1984 re-election campaign year by true achievement of the Reagan Revo- burg Gate in Berlin and challenged the citing two Democratic Presidents, lution was the renewal of America’s Soviet leadership: John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roo- faith in itself. Mr. Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you sevelt, in his State of the Union ad- It was more than the fact that he was seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and dress. Nor was it a coincidence that at a superb communicator. Some attrib- Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, the Republican Convention that year, uted at least part of his success to the come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open not the Democratic Convention, the fact that he had been an actor. But his this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this band played ‘‘Happy Days Are Here deepest convictions were matters of wall. Again.’’ heart and mind and spirit, and on Within months, the wall was torn He governed as a conservative Repub- them, he was no actor at all. down. The cold war was won, and the lican, often very conservative. But he He was very generous to the Kennedy new and lengthy era of peace for Amer- had a special genius for reaching out to family on many public and private oc- ica and among the major powers of the all Americans. Somehow, the hard casions. Caroline and John went to see world was born. edges of his policies always seemed him in the White Hose early in 1985 to In this week of tribute to the life of smoother when he discussed and de- ask if he might be willing to partici- Ronald Reagan, let us remember the fended them. He was willing to step pate in some way in a dinner we were

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.003 S09PT1 June 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6641 planning at my home in support of my It was spellbinding and uplifting. late. That’s why his passing has hit so brother’s presidential library. He was Even though it was a political conven- many of us so hard. delighted to attend. ‘‘Of course I’ll help tion, I think his message of optimism Even his strongest critics will tell you,’’ he said. ‘‘You don’t have a father and his belief in the goodness of Amer- you that they liked Ronald Reagan the to help.’’ ica touched all Americans. man and human being. They knew that At the dinner a few weeks later, he President Reagan believed in me even though he might disagree with stood with us in the receiving line and again when I ran for Congress in 1986. their policies that he still liked them shook the hand of every guest. He was To be honest, I wasn’t really interested as people and that he would treat them quick to mention that he had not sup- at first in coming to Washington. But with respect. ported President Kennedy in 1960. ‘‘I when Ronald Reagan and his White That was a hallmark of Reagan and was for the other fellow,’’ he told us. House turned on the power of persua- another strength of his administra- ‘‘But you know, it’s true, when the bat- sion, it was almost impossible to say tion—he was always a gentleman and tle’s over and the ground cooled, well, ‘‘no.’’ And with Ronald Reagan’s sup- treated others with respect. He might it’s then that you see the opposing gen- port, I was fortunate enough to win and not have won every policy and political eral’s valor.’’ to come join him as a Member of Con- argument, but he fought cleanly and He proceeded to give one of the finest gress for his last 2 years in office. conducted himself with civility and tributes that my brother ever received. Again, he believed in me and I’ve never grace. As he said of Jack, ‘‘He seemed to forgotten it. In the end, I believe that few of us grasp from the beginning that life is I attended his last two State of the will see another leader the likes of one fast-moving train, and you have to Union speeches as a Member of the Ronald Reagan during our lifetime. jump aboard and hold on to your hat House and they were spectacular per- I believe that when he took office he and relish the sweep of the winds as it formances. set out to change not only the Nation rushes by.’’ I remember during his last State of but the face of the world. That is ex- He summed it up by saying of my the Union when he dropped a copy of actly what he did. brother, ‘‘You have to enjoy the jour- the enormous continuing resolution I yield the floor. ney. . . . I think that’s how his country spending bill Congress had passed in The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The remembers him, in his joy, and it was late 1987 and warned us that we’d bet- Senator from Utah is recognized. a joy he knew how to communicate.’’ ter get our work done on time because Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, on the he wouldn’t sign another bill like that. That’s how America remembers Ronald passing of former President Reagan, We knew he meant it and Congress Reagan, too. my mind, like everyone else’s, goes listened and the next year we did get The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The back to a personal experience—not one our work done on time. Senator from Kentucky. that I had with Ronald Reagan himself I believe the secret to Ronald Rea- because I did not know him that well, Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise gan’s appeal was that he had such to pay tribute to the memory of our but in 1976, I was being interviewed for strong and profound fundamental be- a job in the Reagan campaign for Presi- 40th President, Ronald Wilson Reagan. liefs about the role of Government and Mary and I have deep sadness today dent. The individual, the former Presi- he was so confident in his ability to and we send out our heartfelt condo- dent’s campaign manager at the time, communicate those beliefs in simple, lences to Nancy and the rest of the who was conducting the interview, but powerful ways that average Ameri- Reagan family. went through all of the specifics of the cans could understand. job he wanted me to take. The inter- I didn’t personally meet Ronald People sensed that he was sincere in view went very well. I seemed to have Reagan until 1983, but I wish I had his own beliefs. They knew he was com- the credentials they wanted, and it was known him before. fortable in his own skin and had a clear clear that a job offer was sitting there I will never forget how even though idea of the direction where he wanted on the table. But I was a little trou- we hardly knew each other, he was to lead the country. Because he was bled, even though things were going there when I needed him. confident in himself and believed in This first happened when I was run- well, because I wanted to make some- America and its people, the American ning for Governor of Kentucky in 1983. thing very clear. people returned that faith. They be- To be honest, not many people were I did not know Ronald Reagan. I had lieved in him and they listened to him. helping me. I entered the race late to met him, but I did not know him. I When he led, they followed. try to help the Republican party be- They followed Ronald Reagan when only knew the caricature of Reagan cause we didn’t have a candidate. Most it came to his staunch opposition to which was out there in the media, people either weren’t very interested or taxes. which was that he was a rigid, ideolog- weren’t giving me much of a chance. They listened to him when he warned ical, hard-line conservative who would But I called President Reagan and he us about the evils of communism and never, ever budge from an ideological helped me and even came out to cam- asserted our moral superiority in the position. So I said, in the spirit of full paign for me. I’m sure some of his ad- struggle between the East and the disclosure in this job interview, I want visers told him not to, and told him West. to make one thing clear. I said: I am there was nothing in it for him. But he Many in Washington criticized him not a true believer. came anyway. when he warned that the old Soviet The individual conducting the inter- At a time when not many other peo- Union was an evil empire. view smiled a little and he said: That’s ple believed in me, Ronald Reagan did. But Ronald Reagan understood that all right, neither is the Governor. That was very special to me person- the Soviets were a moral threat to our That was my first glimpse into what ally. way of life, and that we were engaged made Ronald Reagan a truly successful I didn’t win that race, but President in a struggle that we had to win. politician. He was a politician of abso- Reagan’s faith in me and his support The naysayers said Ronald Reagan lutely firm resolve, there is no ques- transformed me from someone who had was dangerous, but the American peo- tion about that. There were things he merely watched him from afar to an ple knew he was fundamentally right, believed and he believed with such pas- appreciative admirer. and history will show him to be a vi- sion that he would never, ever deviate He had no reason to come and assist sionary who probably saved our Nation from them. But there were also some me other than to help because of the and the world. things he realized could be com- goodness in his heart. Like every other President, Ronald promised that did not require an abso- I asked, and that was enough for him. Reagan had his critics. And he made lute, hard-line ideological stance, and Later I was at the 1984 Republican mistakes. But there is no doubt that the great genius of the man is that he Convention in Dallas when he gave the the strong consensus among the Amer- had the wisdom to be able to discern great speech about believing in Amer- ican people is that Ronald Reagan was which issue fell into which category, ica and how our Nation symbolized a great President. which issue was one in which there hope to the world as a shining city on He was an unusually strong and opti- must be no compromise, and which the hill. mistic leader that we all want to emu- issue was one where he could, in the

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JN6.007 S09PT1 S6642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 9, 2004 words of former Senator DOLE, take 80 Let us look back for a minute at quickly it was no longer an empire. percent of the deal and be happy with what America was like when Ronald And instead of setting off dangerous it. That requires a degree of wisdom Reagan became President. international consequences, what he and sensitivity that very few of us pos- We think of the Great Depression and did by standing firm on his resolve was sess. Ronald Reagan possessed it, and how devastating that was as an eco- transform the world by ridding it of its that was the core of his genius. nomic event in our lives. When Ronald greatest threat. That was not bad for a In the words of the country music Reagan came to the Presidency, we B actor who presumably didn’t know song, he knew when to hold them and were in the midst of the great infla- anything beyond what was on those 3- when to fold them. tion. I remember it very clearly. I was by-5 cards. On the issue of the evil empire, that delighted in that period—absolutely The best summary comes from one of was a time when he would hold them. delighted—to be able to get a bank his staffers who wrote a book. The On the issue of the evil empire, he loan, so I could meet payroll in the staffer was named Dinesh D’Souza. He would give no quarter, and he was business I was running, at an interest wrote a book called ‘‘Reagan,’’ and the criticized firmly for that, even within rate of 21 1/5 percent. I remember talk- first chapter of that book is entitled, his own administration. The story is ing to my banker who said to me, ‘‘The Wise Men and The Dummy.’’ told of a meeting where members of the Today the Treasury auction has sold In that chapter, D’Souza said when administration were discussing how 30-year Government securities at 15 Reagan came to the Presidency, it was they would deal with the Soviet Union percent. It was absolutely stunning. widely assumed among all the liberal in a certain situation, and after one The great inflation was destroying wise men in the country that he was a point of view was presented President value, destroying confidence, and cre- dummy. The untold secret is the con- Reagan turned to the individual and ated what is the most serious recession servative wise men felt the same way. said: If you believe that, what are you we have had since the Great Depres- The conservative wise men thought he doing in this administration? He was sion—the double digits of the 1980s won the Presidency because he was a that firm in his determination that the which occurred in Reagan’s Presidency great actor: He looks good on tele- Soviet Union was, indeed, an evil em- but were the consequence of the great vision, but we can’t allow him to make pire and had to be confronted as such. inflation that went before. This Presi- any of the decisions. He is a front, and But when the confrontation truly dent stood absolutely firm on his eco- we will put together the conservative came and the Soviet Union found they nomic policy that was being ridiculed, agenda. Then we will have him as our were up against an immovable object that was being castigated, that was puppet to go out and sell it to the in Ronald Reagan and they began to being sneered at; and his message to American people, and we will have the maneuver, then he could see the areas the country was stay the course. We best of all possible worlds. Well, as D’Souza records, at the end in which 80 percent was good enough. did stay the course. His party lost a lot of the day, on every major issue that He could discern the difference between of seats in that next election, but he came before the Reagan Presidency, it where he had to stand absolutely firm stood firm. Along with Paul Volcker at turned out the wise men were wrong and where he had to negotiate. He the Federal Reserve, they squeezed in- and the dummy was right. And the skillfully exploited all of those dif- flation out of the economy, created an dummy, because he was President of ferences in such a way that the ‘‘evil economic situation where today as the empire’’ first ceased to be evil and then the United States and because he un- heirs of that enormously difficult but derstood the proper use of power and he ultimately ceased to be an empire. significant effort we find the time I find one of the great ironies of his- exercised it with tremendous skill, had when interest rates are at their lowest views that prevailed, and we are the tory the fact that upon his passing, on in 20, 30, or 40 years. the pages of the New York Times, Mi- beneficiaries of his wisdom. I remind people who derided Ronald At this time of his passing, I do not khail Gorbachev is quoted in praise of Reagan as the playboy, lifeguard, foot- mourn because Ronald Reagan has Ronald Reagan. The man whom Reagan ball player with no intellectual base been released by death from a tremen- outmaneuvered, outnegotiated, and ul- that he was the only President of the dously debilitating, frustrating, and ul- timately forced from office was singing United States who had a degree in eco- timately tragic situation. Ronald his praises at his passing. That is an nomics—classic economics, Keynesian Reagan is now in a better place that indication of how good Ronald Reagan economics—and he viewed the world in does not require us to mourn but to re- was at the job of being President of the Keynesian terms and set an economic joice. This time is a time to celebrate, United States. course that produced the base of pros- a time to be grateful, and a time to We have all talked about how opti- perity we live in today. Yes, he was an thank Providence for giving America mistic he was, how filled with hope he optimist. Yes, he was a politician of at this time in its history this par- was, what a congenial fellow he was, joy. Yes, he was a pleasant fellow. But ticular statesman, the one who knew what a great communicator he was. he was an enormously successful Presi- when to stand with absolute resolve, And all of that is true and all of that is dent in his domestic policies. when to be willing to make the deal, right and proper in this eulogy. But we During his Presidency, the American and possess the innate wisdom to know should not allow ourselves to forget in economy grew as measured in terms of the difference. these discussions of his wonderful gross domestic product as much as if it We live in Ronald Reagan’s America. qualities how effective a President he had acquired the entire economy of Indeed, we live in Ronald Reagan’s was. We live in Ronald Reagan’s Amer- Germany. We added as much gross do- world, and we are all better off for that ica. Indeed, we live in Ronald Reagan’s mestic product—that is as much out- fact. world. He is more responsible for the put in the American economy—during I suggest the absence of a quorum. kind of America we have today than the time he was President as the entire The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The any other man. He is more responsible economy of Germany. clerk will call the roll. for the kind of world in which we live Let us not forget that contribution The journal clerk proceeded to call than any other man. as we remember and properly celebrate the roll. That does not mean he is solely re- his sterling personal qualities. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask sponsible, by any means, because there Internationally, of course, we have unanimous consent that the order for are many people who have affected talked about that. Other Senators have the quorum call be rescinded. America and have affected the world talked about that. But let us remember The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. for good and ill, and no one man can be once again at the time his policies were GRAHAM of South Carolina). Without solely responsible for what happened. very controversial, at the time his poli- objection, it is so ordered. But he is more responsible than any cies were derided by the wise men, at Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, it is a other individual for the kind of coun- the time they said he was a cowboy great honor for me to be a Member of try we have and for the kind of world who was going to set off all kinds of this body at this point in history and in which we live—and both are substan- danger internationally, and at the end to be able to have the privilege of mak- tially better than that which he found of his Presidency, as I say, the ‘‘evil ing a few comments on the life and ca- when he became President. empire’’ was no longer evil and very reer of Ronald Reagan.

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.005 S09PT1 June 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6643 My words are inadequate to the task. the Congress the Federal Sentencing His courage to be true to those Many have spoken more eloquently Guidelines that eliminated parole, had ideals, I believe, was his secret than I. Many have written beautifully guaranteed sentences for incarceration, strength. He understood that intu- about his life and the meaning of his with many substantial sentences for itively, and he remained true to it. He Presidency. serious violations of the law. I believe called us, in his very special way, to I will just say that I do remember the sentencing guidelines were prob- the natural optimistic spirit of Amer- being personally inspired by him. As a ably the biggest change in law enforce- ica. young high school student, I came to ment in the history of this country His record of achievement was ex- believe Barry Goldwater would be a since its founding. traordinary. He led us with courage good President. I believed that from The result was that drug use went and steadfastness to defeat the evil em- the values he was articulating. I did down. It went down every year Presi- pire. He cut our taxes. He called on us what I could. I put a bumper sticker on dent Reagan was President. For 12 to renew our spiritual, moral, and fam- my daddy’s pickup truck. Although he years it declined steadfastly. We now ily values. He said criminals should be had never been involved in politics in have less than half of high school sen- punished. He not only communicated any way, he allowed me to do that. iors who say they have used an illegal these values with words, but his ac- Of course, things did not go well in drug in their life. The crime rate began tions and policies and life were dedi- that election. Things were going poor- to fall. We are still seeing declines in cated to that. ly. But on the eve of that election, the crime. That is because we went back to As a result of his constancy and cour- Nation and many of the people who the fundamental precepts of crime and age to fight for these values, a serious shared those basic values about clas- punishment, and how you do it. Some period of pessimism abounding in our sical America, what we as a nation rep- people are just dangerous. They need to land at that time ended. The Soviet resent—limited government, individual be incarcerated. They need to be re- Union collapsed. The economy began responsibility, personal freedom, a moved from society for the protection its 20 years of remarkable growth. Mat- strong national defense—were elec- of society. ters of faith, morality, and family were States picked up on this. Most crimes trified by a speech by Ronald Reagan. I lifted up. The crime rate fell, and drug are prosecuted in the States, but that think they call it ‘‘Rendezvous With use fell. leadership of the bully pulpit by the Destiny.’’ Some just call it ‘‘The The success of the Reagan Presidency President led to State reforms and Speech.’’ I remember it to this day. was stunning in its scope, and it could crackdowns and improved capacity in After the Goldwater campaign not have come at a better time for the prisons to deal with repeat offenders. It ended—and it certainly was a major de- country. Like President Washington, has been a key element in the reduc- feat for him—Ronald Reagan sort of in- President Reagan’s life was given over tion of crime and why Americans are herited the flame of classical American to the country. He loved his country safer today than they were in 1980. It is values and made them the basis of his and he was selfless in his commitment something that I think we have not personal beliefs and his campaign for to it. His selflessness and the purity of heard much about in the discussion of his principles inspired those who the Presidency. the accomplishments of President I was also later honored to be Presi- worked for him. Reagan. dent Reagan’s U.S. attorney for the I was also honored to have been his I remember—and I will close; I know Southern District of Alabama. It was a nominee for a Federal judgeship. It there are others who would like to Presidential appointment, confirmed turned into a very unpleasant experi- speak—but I do remember how, as a by the Senate. I was a U.S. attorney, ence for me and my nomination did not U.S. attorney, we did not need to be and I served in that job as one of his clear the Senate Judiciary Committee, told in detail what the President want- lieutenants in the war on crime for the of which I am now a member and on ed. We heard his philosophy. We heard entire two terms of his Presidency, which I am honored to serve. But he his campaign. We knew he wanted us to and, indeed, for 4 more years under stood steadfastly for me. The fact he be more productive. We knew he want- former President Bush. That was a believed in my ability to be a Federal ed us to take charge of our govern- great honor for me. judge was something I cherish. And I mental office and make it work for the As we talk about what President cherish the letter he wrote me when I people and produce as high an output Reagan accomplished, I do want to asked that my name be withdrawn as it could possibly achieve. We also take a moment to talk about crime and from that appointment. It is something knew he expected us to crack down on drugs. Crime and drugs had been surg- I will always cherish. It was personal criminals and crime. ing for 20 years when President Reagan and meaningful to me. I think that was good leadership be- took office. The elites in this country Ronald Reagan had a deep and fully cause all the departments of the Gov- actually believed that prison was non- formed philosophy about America and ernment understood where Reagan effective, that it did not work, that it American ideals when he came to office came from, what administration they was counterproductive, that you at age 69. This is something that did were a part of. They did not have to be should not put people in prison, that not come to him lightly. It was over a instructed in detail on how to accom- we ought to ask how they committed lifetime of evaluation. Even in the face plish the goals of his administration. the crime, what the root causes of of the most fierce opposition, he never That was one of his great strengths. criminal behavior were, and what we wavered in those beliefs. Indeed, his The impact of it was incalculable in could do to help the criminal. very life seemed to embody the highest many ways around the world. We lost sight of the victim. We lost and best of American values. His very I will just close with this story. In sight of accountability. We lost sight life, the way he carried himself, em- 1993, several years after President of righting wrong. And it resulted in bodied American values. His courage to Reagan left office, I had the oppor- crime rates that doubled and tripled in remain true to the highest of these tunity to go with a church group to the 20 years prior to President Reagan ideals was his greatest strength, I be- Russia. It was a Methodist group. We taking office. lieve. went and stayed in a town 5 hours from Drug use had surged during the 1960s His goal was to free the greatness of Moscow, about 40,000 people, many of and 1970s. By the time President individual Americans, assured that whom had not seen Americans before. Reagan took office, one-half of high their goodness and industry would lift We had a very nice time there. I stayed school seniors in America admitted to the Nation and inspire the world to for a number of days with a Russian having used an illegal drug in their freedom and progress. He believed in family. life. That is a stunning number. That is the individual American citizen. He be- The first day we got there, the Rus- according to a University of Michigan lieved that government should allow sian host’s daughter was to be bap- study. their creativity and industry to flour- tized. Father Gannati was the Russian Nancy Reagan began her ‘‘Just Say ish, and as they flourished, and as they orthodox priest. He came and he did a No’’ program. President Reagan passed worked hard, and as they were cre- nice service, and it took some time. mandatory sentencing policies. He ative, the world and America would Then we had dinner after the baptism. eliminated parole and passed through benefit from it. Father Gannati explained that just 2

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.008 S09PT1 S6644 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 9, 2004 years before, he was not able to wear In fact, in 1968, Ronald Reagan came to ment, and it was his administration his robes in public. The state caused Wyoming to speak to the Wyoming Re- that determined that oil drilling him to be moved from town to town publican State Convention in Chey- should be allowed in a small section of every year so that he could not build enne. Clarence Brimmer, now a U.S. the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a bonds and roots in a given community. district judge in Cheyenne, remem- debate that continues today. He could not meet the governmental bered the cowpoke from California who Alaskans remembered all that Presi- leaders. They would not meet with him delivered a motivating speech. He said dent Reagan did for us in both Presi- because they were atheists and they recently: dential elections by giving him wide would not meet with believers. So it He was really outstanding, not just as a and broad-based support throughout was a very interesting time. speaker, but in a cowboy suit he was really the State. He described how since then he could sharp. He wowed all the ladies. President Reagan had the oppor- wear his robe, the mayor had him down The passing of Ronald Reagan has tunity to visit Alaska several times. to meet with him the day before this brought about a great deal of grief for He liked to talk about his ties to the event, and that he was able to stay and all of us in the country and throughout State. He was a big fan of Robert Serv- rebuild the church there that had been the world. But through his dignified ice, and one of his favorites was a poem damaged ever since the Russian revolu- leadership, universal diplomatic skills, entitled ‘‘The Shooting of Dan tion had occurred. and his energetic persona, Ronald McGrew.’’ It is a poem about a par- At the conclusion of those remarks, Reagan established a legacy that will ticular barroom brawl, and most people our host jumped up and said: I propose live for generations to come. We should may remember the beginning of it: a toast to Ronald Reagan, who allowed take pride in his life, in his accom- A bunch of the boys were whooping it up at us to believe in God again. Right in the plishments, and recognize what he left the Malamute Saloon. center of the evil empire, the impact us—the great dawning of a new Amer- It is a wonderful, kind of down-and- Ronald Reagan had to change the na- ica. dirty, rough-and-tumble poem that per- ture of the world in which we lived was I yield the floor. sonified what many wanted to believe felt in a very real way. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- about Alaska and the last Frontier. I yield the floor. ator from Alaska. But President Reagan was quite fond The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I, of that. I had an opportunity last night ator from Wyoming. too, rise to join my colleagues in hon- to pull out ‘‘The Shooting Of Dan Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise to oring our Nation’s 40th President, Ron- McGrew’’ and read it yet one more join other colleagues in talking about ald Reagan. It is most fitting and I time, and it brought good smiles to my President Ronald Reagan, the Great know that I have watched, as have face. Communicator, the great humani- Americans across the country, as we I ask unanimous consent to have tarian. see the stories of Ronald Reagan and printed in the RECORD the full contents I will lie down and bleed awhile, and then his life and his contributions to this of ‘‘The Shooting Of Dan McGrew.’’ I will rise and fight again. country, stories coming from not only There being no objection, the mate- Ronald Reagan quoted Sir Andrew those of us standing on the Senate rial was ordered to be printed in the Barton’s words after returning home floor but from other countries, from RECORD, as follows: from campaigning against Gerald Ford. small communities. People are focus- THE SHOOTING OF DAN MCGREW Poignant words for a man who just 4 ing on the man that was Ronald A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in years later was elected the 40th Presi- Reagan, a great leader for this country. the Malamute saloon; dent of the United States. The stories that have been told have The kid that handles the music-box was hit- The Nation and the world have lost a been wide-ranging, covering President ting a jag-time tune; Back of the bar, in a solo game, sat Dan- great treasure. Ronald Reagan was a Reagan’s role in the cold war, his truly gerous Dan McGrew, master wordsmith, an international undying sense of optimism for the And watching his luck was his light-o’-love, diplomat, a man whose genuine human- country, the discussions about Reagan- the lady that’s known as Lou. ity gave Americans and people around omics, and, of course, all those per- When out of the night, which was fifty the world a new sense of self-worth. He sonal stories that make President below, and into the din and glare, loved America first and foremost, so we Reagan so unforgettable. There stumbled a miner fresh from the stood behind our leader, our captain, Alaska certainly has its stories to creeks, dog-dirty, and loaded for bear. our coach—to win one for the Gipper. add and to share as well. President He looked like a man with a foot in the Ronald Reagan held a deep devotion Reagan’s impact on Alaska began be- grave and scarcely the strength of a to principle, sought peace through fore he even entered the office of the louse, strength, and encouraged everyone to Presidency. In 1980, the Alaska Na- Yet he tilted a poke of dust on the bar, and he called for drinks for the house. believe in their convictions. He had a tional Interest Lands Conservation There was none could place the stranger’s keen intellect, but he was underesti- Act, putting over 100 million acres of face, though we searched ourselves for mated by his critics. He disarmed land under Federal control, was pend- a clue; many naysayers with his quick wit, ing before the Congress. With Reagan’s But we drank his health, and the last to crooked smile, thoughtful words, and a election that year, leaders in the House drink was Dangerous Dan McGrew. jar of jelly beans. and Senate—at the time, both were There’s men that somehow just grip your He will forever be remembered by under Democratic control—knew that eyes, and hold them hard like a spell; ending the cold war. His words ‘‘Mr. if they were going to get a bill signed And such was he, and he looked to me like a Gorbachev, tear down this wall’’ echo into law, it would have to be then, be- man who had lived in hell; in our mind’s eye. Known as the Great fore President Reagan was sworn in, With a face most hair, and the dreary stare of a dog whose day is done, Communicator, his philosophies and the Act, for better or for worse, As he watered the green stuff in his glass, changed the political direction this was signed into law on December 2, and the drops fell one by one. country was taking. His domestic poli- 1980. But President Reagan understood Then I got to figgering who he was, and won- cies gave us a smaller government Alaska and Alaskans. dering what he’d to, rather than a larger one. These are just In his book, entitled ‘‘Reagan, In His And I turned my head—and there watching a handful of changes that will be the Own Hand,’’ the President asked this him was the lady that’s known as Lou. legacy left by Ronald Reagan. Cer- very important question: His eyes went rubbering round the room, and tainly, we can all be very proud of the Will Alaska wind up as our biggest state, he seemed in a kind of daze, leadership he has given and follow the or will it be our smallest state surrounded by Till at last that old piano fell in the way of example he left behind. our biggest national park? his wandering gaze. Beneath the steely smile, Ronald He tried to ease the impact these The rag-time kid was having a drink; there was no one else on the stool, Reagan was a cowboy. Westerners re- land withdrawals had on Alaskans liv- So the stranger stumbles across the room, member Reagan for his love of horses, ing in and around the new parks and and flops down there like a fool. his Wrangler jeans, his cowboy hats, refuges. He fought for access to these In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt something we all appreciated out West. lands to provide for economic develop- he sat, and I saw him sway,

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.010 S09PT1 June 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6645 Then he clutched the keys with his talon Fairbanks on their way back from idealism. May each of you have the heart to hands—my God! but that man could China. The following day, the Pope was conceive, the understanding to direct, and play. arriving on his way to Korea. As we do the hand to execute works that will make Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when in Alaska, we can facilitate great the world a little better for your having been here. the moon was awful clear, unions because of our strategic loca- And the icy mountains hemmed you in with May all of you as Americans never forget a silence you most could hear; tion at the top of the globe. So they your heroic origins, never fail to seek divine With only the howl of a timber wolf, and you were able to meet at the Fairbanks guidance, and never lose your natural, God- camped there in the cold, International Airport. given optimism. A half-dead thing in a stark, dead world, During his stopover in Fairbanks, the And finally, my fellow Americans, may clean mad with the muck called gold; President spent his time at my par- every dawn be a great new beginning for While high overhead, green, yellow, and red, ent’s home out on the Chena River. America and every evening bring us closer to that shining city upon a hill. the North Lights swept in bars?— They were there for a couple of days. It Then you’ve a hunch what the music meant would not be much of a story except I yield the floor. . . . hunger and might and the stars. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that the home was brand spanking new. ator from Missouri. And hunger not of the belly kind, that’s ban- It had not yet been furnished. So in an ished with bacon and beans, UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT—S. RES. 374 But the gnawing hunger of lonely men for a effort to make sure the President and Mrs. Reagan were comfortable, the Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, on be- home and all that it means; half of the leader, I ask unanimous For a fireside far from the cares that are, community literally furnished the consent that following the scheduled four walls and a roof above; home, complete with very fine Alaskan But oh! so cramful of cosy joy, and crowded artwork. It was perhaps a showcase vote, the Senate proceed to a second with a woman’s love— home for a couple of days. Everything resolution, which is at the desk, and A woman dearer than all the world, and true from the city’s artwork to the china further that the resolution and pre- as Heaven is true— amble be agreed to, with the motion to (God! how ghastly she looks through her ultimately had to be returned to wher- ever it came from. The community reconsider laid upon the table. rouge,—the lady that’s known as Lou.) The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without went all out for the President and Mrs. Then on a sudden the music changed, so soft objection, it is so ordered. that you scarce could hear; Reagan. Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, it is an Because this was a new house, there But you felt that your life had been looted honor for me to join the Senate in hon- were some kinks that still needed to be clean of all that it once held dear; oring the memory and celebrating the That someone had stolen the woman you worked out, specifically the water. It life of Ronald Reagan. I want to say, loved; that her love was a devil’s lie; didn’t have hot water. Apparently, first of all, how much I have appre- That your guts were gone, and the best for after a long flight, it is quite nice to ciated the eloquence and the personal you was to crawl away and die. stop and take a shower, or perhaps Mrs. ’Twas the crowning cry of a heart’s despair, memories that have been offered on the Reagan needed a warm bath. But there and it thrilled you through and Senate floor and in public by those who was no hot water. A call was made to through— knew and remembered President then-Senator Murkowski at about 3 ‘‘I guess I’ll make it a spread misere,’’ said Reagan. I, of course, remember him. I a.m. asking how come there was no hot Dangerous Dan McGrew. didn’t know him personally. The music almost dies away . . . then it water. As the story goes, the President I also want to say how much espe- burst like a pent-up flood; and my father were wandering around cially I have appreciated the grace and And it seemed to say, ‘‘Repay, repay,’’ and outside trying to figure out how to the charity shown to the former Presi- my eyes were blind with blood. make the hot water come on. They The thought came back of an ancient wrong, dent by those here who were, when he learned you had to keep the water run- was in office, his political opponents. I and it stung like a frozen lash, ning for a while. That was the way And the lust awoke to kill, to kill . . . then think it is a great testimony to their President Reagan was. He was willing the music stopped with a crash, charity of spirit that they have done so And the stranger turned, and his eyes they to go out and try to be helpful and fix and also a comment on how our system burned in a most peculiar way; the problem. He was a man who wanted operates in times such as this. We can In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt to make things work, to cut through remember and appreciate a person for he sat, and I saw him sway; the redtape and bureaucracy, reduce his good qualities without necessarily Then his lips went in in a kind of grin, and the size of Government, and a man who having to retreat from any disagree- he spoke, and his voice was calm, was not afraid to stand up and promote ments we may have had with that per- And ‘‘Boys,’’ says he, ‘‘you don’t know me, his vision for America, but also know- and none of you care a damn; son over political issues. ing when it was time to compromise on I am reminded of what Winston But I want to state, and my words are issues. He was an individual who truly straight, and I’ll bet my poke they’re Churchill said on a similar occasion true, made America feel good about itself when he was offering remembrances of That one of you is a hound of hell . . . and again. a colleague who had died, with whom that one is Dangerous Dan McGrew.’’ I will close by reading a quote from he had had many differences. He said: Ronald Reagan during his speech at the Then I ducked my head and the lights went The fierce and bitter controversies which out, and two guns blazed in the dark; 1992 National Republican Convention. I hung around him in recent times were And a woman screamed, and the light went feel it is truly a fitting reminder of hushed by the news of his illness and are si- up, and two men lay stiff and stark. this great man’s legacy. I read as fol- lenced by his death. In paying a tribute of re- Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead, lows: spect and of regard to an eminent man who was Dangerous Dan McGrew. My fellow citizens—those of you here in has been taken from us, no one is obliged to While the man from the creeks lay clutched this hall and those of you at home—I want alter the opinions which he has formed or ex- to the breast of the lady that’s known you to know that I have always had the pressed upon issues which have become a as Lou. highest respect for you, for your common part of history; but at the Lychgate, we may These are the simple facts of the case, and I sense and intelligence, and for your decency. all pass our own conduct and our own judg- guess I ought to know. I have always believed in you and in what ments under a searching review. It’s not They say that the stranger was crazed with you could accomplish for yourselves and for given to human beings, happily for them for ‘‘hooch,’’ and I’m not denying it’s so. others. otherwise life would be intolerable, to fore- I’m not so wise as the lawyer guys, but And whatever else history may say about see or to predict to any large extent the un- strictly between us two— me when I’m gone, I hope it will record that folding course of events. In one phase men The woman that kissed him and—pinched his I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst seem to have been right, in another they poke—was the lady known as Lou. fears, to your confidence rather than your seem to have been wrong. Then again, a few Ms. MURKOWSKI. I have a wonderful doubts. My dream is that you will travel the years later, when the perspective of time has personal anecdote about President road ahead with liberty’s lamp guiding your lengthened, all stands in a different setting. There is a new proportion. There is another Reagan. He visited Fairbanks, Alaska, steps and opportunity’s arms steadying your way. scale of values. History with its flickering in 1984. It was a monumental visit be- My fondest hope for each one of you—and lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, cause he joined Pope John Paul II in especially for the young people here—is that trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its Fairbanks for a summit there. The you will love your country, not for her power echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the pas- President and Nancy Reagan arrived in or wealth, but for her selflessness and her sion of former days. What is the worth of all

VerDate May 21 2004 03:50 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JN6.002 S09PT1 S6646 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 9, 2004 this? The only guide to a man is his con- public life. His faith was in what the where he was in that fight, because the science; the only shield to his memory is the American people had built and have seeds of welfare reform were planted rectitude and sincerity of his actions. It is built and are continuing to build on during his administration. very imprudent to walk through life without I am not going to go on. There are this shield, because we are so often mocked their own, and in the associations and by the failure of our hopes and the upsetting networks of private life that give life others who wish to speak. I thank the of our calculations; but with this shield, meaning, that give people a chance for Senator from Florida for allowing me however the fates may play, we march al- happiness and opportunity. He believed to go out of order because we try to go ways in the ranks of honour. in what people build in their families, back and forth on both sides of the I stand here for a few minutes to re- in their small businesses, in their local aisle. member a man who always marched in schools, in their voluntary associations Let me close with one of my favorite the ranks of honor and whose shield and organizations, in their churches, quotes from President Reagan. We are was the sincerity and rectitude of his synagogues, and temples. He believed all doing that. It is from his second In- actions at all times. He was not a men- in the great traditions of American augural Address in January 1985, and tor, because I did not know him person- culture. He knew those traditions and many have commented on President ally, but he was a hero of mine. the institutions that represent them Reagan’s optimism about America, Much has been said in the last few grow and evolve organically over time how he was optimistic about America days about his humor and amiability. I and that they represent the wisdom of because he not only believed in those agree that was a very important part many generations of people about how values and the institutions that rep- of Ronald Reagan, of who he was and of we ought to live in our society so that resented them, but he had a tremen- his success. When I think of him, when we can have the maximum amount of dous faith in their power. I think he I visualize him, I visualize him smiling, justice and freedom and opportunity knew we were going to triumph over telling a joke, or offering some witti- for all of our people. the Soviet Union in the cold war be- cism or some piece of humor. I think What he wanted was for the Govern- cause he knew what we believed in was that was a big part of his success. ment to be vigorous in the areas it was right, was powerful, and was good, and It is important not to take yourself supposed to operate but to respect he was not afraid to state it in those too seriously. That is a quality that those institutions rather than trying terms. often is lacking in this town. I think I to overthrow them. Here is an example of his optimism can say that without being deemed un- He said once in 1970: from his second Inaugural Address: charitable. But it was not a quality It is not my intention to do away with gov- Now we hear again the echoes of our past: that was lacking in Ronald Reagan. He ernment. It is rather to make it work—work a general falls to his knees in the hard snow thought deeply about issues. He with us, not over us; stand by our side, not of Valley Forge; a lonely president paces the thought deeply about the country. I ride on our back. Government can and must darkened halls, and ponders his struggle to think people underestimated, to some provide opportunity, not smother it; foster preserve the Union; the men of the Alamo call out encouragement to each other; a set- extent, how deeply he thought and un- productivity, not stifle it. I remember a few years ago when we tler pushes west and sings a song, and the derstood what was going on. He never song echoes out forever and fills the unknow- pretended to know everything. I think were debating welfare reform in the ing air. that helped him a lot in his Presidency. Congress—and I was in the House at It is the American sound. It is hopeful, big- We should also remember President the time—a key point in that debate hearted, idealistic, daring, decent, and fair. Reagan, however, not just for his quali- was when the Congress decided collec- That’s our heritage; that is our song. We sing ties and his personality, but also for tively that we were not talking about it still. For all our problems, our differences, what he believed. He thought ideas whether we were going to try in some we are together as of old, as we raise our voices to the God who is the Author of this were important, and he was right. I re- sense to get rid of the welfare system. We were not going to retreat from the most tender music. And may he continue to member George Will said a few years hold us close as we fill the world with our ago—and I am paraphrasing him; he impulse of the 1960s to help people who sound—sound in unity, affection, and love— probably said it more eloquently than were in poverty get out of poverty. one people, under God, dedicated to the this—but the gist of his remarks was, What we wanted, however, was a sys- dream of freedom that he has placed in the the collapse of the Soviet Union proves tem that tried to do that in a way that human heart, called upon now to pass that that ideas not only have consequences, respected and upheld the values that dream on to a waiting and hopeful world. but that maybe only ideas have con- generations and generations of Ameri- Mr. President, I yield the floor. sequences. cans have relied on to move up the eco- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- President Reagan’s friends and oppo- nomic ladder. We wanted a system that ator from Florida. nents have sometimes characterized instead of punishing work, encouraged Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. Presi- his political philosophy as being an and required it. We wanted a system dent, later today, the body of President anti-Government philosophy or a sim- that instead of providing incentives Ronald Reagan will be brought into plistic belief in making Government against marriage, encouraged marriage this Capitol so that all Americans can smaller whatever the circumstances and talked about its importance. We pay their final respects. the country was confronting. I do not wanted a system that did not uproot Much has been said, much has been think that is correct. I think at best it neighborhoods and neighborhood insti- written about our 40th President and is oversimplistic. tutions, that did not sweep them aside the impact he had on our Nation and President Reagan understood that in the name of an all powerful and pre- the world. In at least one respect, I be- the issue of our time during his Presi- scriptive government, but rather a sys- lieve part of his legacy has been dency and the issue of our time now, I tem that helped build up again the mischaracterized, and I rise today, as suggest, is not whether Government is vital parts of neighborhoods. has my friend and colleague from Mis- going to be big or small, certainly in The reason that bill has been so suc- souri, to set the record straight. an absolute sense and often in a rel- cessful, the reason it was supported by The issue that I would like to address ative sense as well, but whether the a vast majority in both Houses, and is Ronald Reagan’s view of the size of Government, in doing whatever func- why it has been successful all over the Government. It is true that President tions we believe it ought to do, will country is not because it represented, I Reagan believed the Federal Govern- consistently respect the values and in- submit, a retreat by the Government ment was too large and too costly, but stitutions of private life. from its commitment to helping people he did not believe that was true of all It is not a question of whether Gov- achieve the American dream, but rath- governments. ernment is important, because it is; it er because it represented a conscious As a former Governor of California, is a question of whether the Govern- commitment by the Government to he believed governments closer to the ment believes it is more important work with the values of Americans, to people, governments at the State and than the private society and culture respect those values and not to uproot local level, had the primary responsi- and people it is governing. That is them. bility for essential public service and, where President Reagan drew the con- There is no question where President thus, they should have the resources to sistent line of his philosophy in his Reagan would have been in that fight, respond to public needs.

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.013 S09PT1 June 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6647 The people would serve as the control that better schools would improve our $35,000, $18,000 of which was my own, of whether the State and local officials State’s economic climate. We even which was a lot of money then back in had fulfilled the voters’ expectation of printed up buttons which read: ‘‘Edu- 1976. I was about 9 points ahead and the role of their State, their county, or cation Means Business.’’ pulling away at that time against the their city. I know this firsthand. I was therefore very disturbed that favored in the race—the Republican My tenure as Governor of Florida the success of the educational reform Party favorite and the favorite of most overlapped with President Reagan’s ad- program was threatened by the lack of of the delegates of the State conven- ministration for 6 years. During that support by Republicans in the State tion. But he had spent about $150,000, time, President Reagan and key mem- Senate and the State House of Rep- and he was starting to slip. I was start- bers of his administration, even as they resentatives. I called President Rea- ing to pull ahead by about 9 points, ac- attempted to eliminate the U.S. De- gan’s Education Secretary, Dr. Terrell cording to the polls. partment of Education and shrink Fed- Bell from Utah. I reported that I was Since I was the first to come out for eral spending on education, helped me attempting to do exactly what the Ronald Reagan in that race at that pass a tax increase in Florida that led President had said States should be particular time in Utah as a candidate, to great improvements in our State doing, but could not get any Repub- we decided to ask Ronald Reagan if he education system. lican support. would pre-primary endorse me in my An education reform movement After consulting with the White race for the U.S. Senate. swept the country in 1983 and 1984 with House and gaining the President’s per- I have to say when I called it didn’t the issuance in April of 1983 by the Na- sonal permission, Secretary Bell called take them long, recognizing my friend- tional Commission on Excellence in me back and asked: What can I do to ship and my support for the first time Education of a landmark report enti- help? in his political career, as far as I tled ‘‘Nation at Risk: The Imperative I gave him the names of a half dozen know—at least that is what I was told for Educational Reform.’’ or more Republican legislators. Sec- by those who were running his cam- At the time that report was issued, retary Bell called them on behalf of the paign, that he was going to pre-pri- President Reagan made this statement: President to ask them to support the mary endorse me, and he did. By that Parental authority is not a right conveyed reform package. I am pleased to say time I was probably known by about 60 by the state; rather, parents delegate to that with strong bipartisan support, to 65 percent of the people in Utah. their elected school board representatives the education reform program in Flor- After the endorsement, I won the pri- and state legislators the responsibility for ida passed in 1983, and then by 1986 mary. I probably would have won the their children’s schooling. Florida had moved to 13th in the Na- primary between 10 or 15 percentage During a meeting of the National tion in our per-pupil spending, and our points. But after his endorsement, I Governors Association in 1983 Presi- test scores had the greatest rate of in- won the primary 2 to 1, and I was dent Reagan told the Governors they crease in 1986 of any State in the Na- known by, I believe, well over 95 per- would be responsible for implementing tion. cent of my fellow constituents in Utah. reforms, including how to cover the This program showed that greater I went to 36 States for Ronald Reagan costs of those reforms. He was not in- gains in student performance can be as one of his major surrogates. I went terested in having the Federal Govern- achieved through the right set of edu- to New Hampshire, and I was Nancy ment play a larger role; in fact, he was cational reform. This would not have Reagan’s date that night as I spoke for intent on cutting the Federal role in happened without the support of Presi- Ronald Reagan in the cattle call. That education. dent Ronald Reagan. is what it was called in New Hamp- I recalled those words when back in My point is Ronald Reagan was a shire. Tallahassee I began to push a major more nuanced political leader in terms In 1980, I gave the keynote address at educational reform package through of his view of the role of Government Plains High School, Jimmy Carter’s the legislature. I was not alone. For in- than he is generally given credit for by own high school in Plains, GA, before stance, our colleague, the then-Gov- both his critics and his fans. On behalf 2,000 people. ernor of Tennessee, Lamar Alexander, of all Floridians, I express my appre- I did everything in my power to elect was instrumental in the development ciation for his support of improved edu- Ronald Reagan. We had a friendship and adoption of a similar reform pack- cation in Florida, and on behalf of all that transcended the usual friendships age in Tennessee, and we had the op- Floridians I express my condolences to that are lovely and wonderful around portunity to work together during that President Reagan’s family, especially here but nevertheless usually don’t rise process with then-Governor Alexander his beloved Nancy. to the level that his friendship for me talking to Republican members of the Thank you. and mine for him really rose to. Florida legislature as I reciprocated in I suggest the absence of a quorum. I truly love Ronald Reagan. I know conversations with Democratic mem- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The what a great President he was. I know bers of the Tennessee legislature. clerk will call the roll. he did bring down the Iron Curtain, The Florida package had a goal. The The assistant legislative clerk pro- that he was the primary mover and ar- goal was we would raise the level of ceeded to call the roll. ticulator of the themes that actually education in Florida as judged by stu- Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask ended the cold war. dent performance on standardized tests unanimous consent that the order for Most scholars will now say there are and other measurements and also per- the quorum call be dispensed with. four reasons why Reagan was able to student funding of education to among The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without win the cold war: No. 1, his military the top 25 percent of the States in objection, it is so ordered. buildup; he put too much pressure on America. We increased student per- Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I would the Soviets; No. 2, the placing of the formance standards at all levels and feel really bad if I didn’t take a few Pershing II missiles in Europe, which had the most challenging standards for moments to speak about my friend, was a very gutsy thing to do at the graduation from high school of any Ron Reagan. I, as much as anybody in time, and highly criticized; No. 3 was State in the Nation. this body, revered him, respected him, the threat to build SDI, the Space De- The package included basic things and loved him. fense Initiative, and the Soviets knew such as smaller class sizes, more class When I was running back in 1976, I we could do it; and, No. 4 was a placing and curriculum opportunities for stu- filed literally on the last day, May 10. of the Stinger missiles Afghanistan. I dents, and a career ladder with pay in- I had zero name recognition except was here through all of those times. creases which recognized our best among the legal community and among I honor this great President, and I teachers. But all of those reforms de- my initial church community. But it honor his dear wife who has been a pended upon additional State financ- was zero in the public polls. I ran wonderful wife and supporter, who I ing. I proposed several steps to raise through the preconvention, the conven- know deeply, who has been an advocate the necessary revenue, including a re- tion, and came out second in the con- for so many things that are right, and vision of our corporate profits tax. I vention, which enabled me to force a especially in later times. Embryonic advocated the plan with the assurance primary, and through the primary on stem cell research—she is right on that

VerDate May 21 2004 01:00 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.016 S09PT1 S6648 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 9, 2004 issue, and I support her. I honor both of the use of American force with the en- In foreign policy, he knew that com- them this day. croachments of communist tyranny, munism was an abominable scourge on I join my colleagues, millions of America became uncertain of itself and the face of the planet. He eagerly tack- Americans, and indeed countless more turned inward. led that challenge as he had most ob- around the world in mourning the loss It was not our finest moment. stacles in his life, and in so doing left of the greatest American President of Our late colleague, Senator Moy- a legacy unparalleled by any American the 20th century, President Ronald nihan, once remarked, ‘‘the central leader. Wilson Reagan. conservative truth is that it is culture, Who can forget his momentous call, After suffering nearly a decade, our not politics, that determines the suc- ‘‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that Wall?’’ beloved President died this weekend. I cess of a society. The central liberal And who can forget watching as the join those in this body here today in truth is that politics can change a cul- wall fell just 2 years later? sending our condolences to Mrs. ture and save it from itself.’’ In the most fundamental way, Presi- Reagan and their entire family. In the 1970s, liberal culture had dent Ronald Reagan inspired us all to It is hard to imagine any American brought this country to a period of so- believe in our great nation, and what it alive who has not been touched by the cial decline and international with- could do to help its people lead better legacy of Ronald Reagan. Even those drawal. lives. born after he left office in 1989 have As communist tyranny gained As a junior Senator, I watched Presi- benefited from his selfless service, as around the world, drug use here dent Reagan take office, facing his first they grew up in an era of unprece- reached an all-time high. challenge: an economy misfiring on all dented global freedom, a result of the The economy of the most productive cylinders, mired in the mud of infla- end of the cold war brought on by nation in the world was unraveling tion, high taxes and bureaucracy. President Reagan’s bold vision of this with high taxes and higher inflation. With a strong voice of optimism, Our sense of mission was gone; our country and our faithful mission in the President Reagan unfurled an ambi- belief in our natural strengths and world. tious plan to rejuvenate the economy Certainly, I was touched by the life goodness receded. and lead the nation to economic recov- One of the things I loved the most of President Reagan. ery. about Ronald Reagan was that he rec- Perhaps I might not be here today I remember how excited we were to ognized his duty to lead a conservative were it not for the invigorating support see his bold plan, the change in direc- movement back into the political ma- of this great leader, whose endorse- tion that our new President charted. jority; by so doing he declared that we ment of my candidacy in my first Sen- He led us to pass the landmark Eco- would never concede to cultural de- ate run was certainly instrumental in nomic Recovery and Tax Act, including cline. the Kemp-Roth personal income tax my service to the people of Utah. Reagan’s victory in 1980 put an end to I was pleased and honored to return cuts of 25 percent over three years. this malaise and changed our country the favor at every opportunity—and, in This major initiative stimulated the forever. 1980 and 1984, I campaigned for Ronald Originally from the Midwest, Reagan economy by providing for accelerated Reagan in almost every State of the moved to California and found his tal- depreciation deductions and an invest- Union. ent in the industry of American ment credit. Let no one believe that this repaid dreams, showing our country that an It also enhanced the retirement of my debt, political or personal, to this American everyman could be a star. millions of Americans by introducing great man—because I believe I will re- Many scorned Reagan the actor for Individual Retirement Accounts. main in his debt as long as I live, and seeking political office. And perhaps most significantly, it in- so will our country. But, once again, he showed them dexed income tax brackets to inflation, President Reagan was both political wrong. He won our hearts as a Presi- limiting this punishing form of spend- mentor and inspiration to me as a dent—as he had as an actor—showing ing growth. young Senator. us all that a man well-practiced in the The result? The economic boom in We both started as Democrats. arts of both heart and mind could be a the 1980s. We were inspired by our country’s perfect leader for a nation which had Inflation dropped from 13.5 percent in bold international leadership and sac- lost its sense of imagination. 1980 to 3.2 percent in 1983. rifice during World War II, under a Only in America could a man from By 1986, the fourth year of the tax Democratic president. the middle class, from the middle of cuts, economic growth had increased a Yet we both saw the political land- the country, rise to become the great- cumulative 18 percent. scape shift early in our adult lives. est American leader of the 20th cen- And, when Ronald Reagan left office We both grew dismayed at our coun- tury. in January 1989, more than 18 million try’s direction, as citizens lost faith, Ronald Wilson Reagan achieved this jobs had been created. lost optimism and lost the dynamism by appealing to the essential American Some have criticized the Reagan era that once made this land great. values in all of us—the values of indi- as years of profligate spending and an At the same time, we both grew to vidualism and enterprise, initiative irresponsible increase in the federal appreciate the principles of the Repub- and optimism, charity and sacrifice. deficit. lican Party, where individual initiative And he restored those values in our However, only in 1 year, 1983, did ei- and personal freedom are enshrined, country’s policies. ther personal income tax collections or and where the fight against inter- Many misjudged Reagan. Many un- total receipts go down from the pre- national communism took a backseat derestimated him. Many confused a vious year. It is true that the budget to no other foreign policy. man of simple beliefs with a simple deficit did increase during the Reagan When I came to the Senate in 1977, man. presidency, but this was clearly due to our country was still fresh from the de- Those of us who knew him well rec- large increases in spending, not be- feat symbolized by communist tanks ognized Reagan as a man of deep con- cause of the Reagan tax cuts, without crashing into Saigon in 1975. victions. Deft of wit, he always de- which we would not likely have had the By the time Ronald Reagan became flected a tough moment with humor. increase in prosperity most Americans President, the defeat in 1975 had been But, under it all, a gravity of purpose enjoyed. interpreted by our global nemesis, the shone through. President Reagan also led the way Soviet Union, as a weakness in Amer- What I came to admire in Ronald for Congress to approve the landmark ican resolve; it inspired the Soviets to Reagan was his core belief that govern- 1986 Tax Reform Act. proxy adventures in Latin America, Af- ment could lead society, but not build Despite the naysaying of critics, rica and Asia. society. He recognized that govern- President Reagan did it again. The 1986 As the liberal elites of the 1970s de- ment’s most important economic role Act lowered the top marginal income nounced and disparaged our inter- was to foster American innovation and tax rate from 50 percent to just 28 per- national sacrifices of the past decade, industry. And his policies followed that cent. Also, it reduced the number of as it became commonplace to equate principle. tax brackets from 14 to just 2.

VerDate May 21 2004 02:20 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09JN6.018 S09PT1 June 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6649 While I did not support some of the C. Everette Koop to be the Surgeon Yet I have never known a more authen- provision in the final product of the General. tic man. 1986 Act, particularly some of the dras- Many balked, citing Dr. Koop’s age— And when he concluded that AIDS tic changes in depreciation, which I be- 65—as a barrier. The Public Health was a challenge to the public health lieved would help contribute to a crisis Service Act limited the age of PHS that was reaching emergency propor- in real estate and the savings and loan Commission Corps officers to 641⁄2. tions, he declared this as national pol- industry, the Act itself with its sim- But our President, himself past that icy. plification and lower tax rates was a age, recognized the superior leadership At the time, some criticized his ad- major accomplishment. skills of Dr. Koop. ministration. They wanted him to act The fact that subsequent presidents It was a long battle, but one which sooner. They wanted more money. and Congresses have reversed the gains one which had to be fought. Dr. Koop They wanted more research. made in terms of simplicity does not defined the modern-day role of Surgeon But what I remember was a compas- take away from the monumental vic- General, and today is revered by all, sionate man, who recognized that we tory that President Reagan scored by Democrats and Republicans alike, for needed to build the research infrastruc- his leadership of the Tax Reform Act of his independent minded advocacy of ture to make effective use of new fund- 1986. public health, from AIDS awareness ing. Throughout the Reagan era, I had the and prevention to anti-tobacco initia- While the HIV virus was not identi- privilege of serving on the Labor and tives. fied until 1983, the Reagan administra- Human Resources Committee, much of I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight tion invested close to $6 billion in it as chairman. I worked closely with President Reagan’s other significant fighting the disease by the end of his the President and his staff on issues re- healthcare accomplishment. term in 1989. Once the President recog- lated to public health and welfare As we know, the use of illegal drugs nized the challenge, he radically in- issues showcasing the President’ com- had hit a historic high in the late 1970s. creased the response of the govern- passion and dedication to improving Again, President Reagan recognized ment, and the breakthroughs with the quality of life of all Americans. that government needed to find new retroviral medicines in the 1990s would The country was still in a major re- ways to address this social blight. He simply have not occurred were it not cession, and we worked to pass the Job proposed and we legislated the creation for those investments. Training Partnership Act. This legisla- of the Office of National Drug Control We all know that one of a President’s tion changed the emphasis of job as- Policy, which has taken the leadership greatest legacies is his nominations to sistance from providing government role in anti-drug policy ever since. the third branch of government. jobs to unemployed workers to pro- Once again, however, the President In appointing more judges than any viding them job training which would recognized that leadership was as much president in American history, Presi- help unemployed find jobs in the pri- in the message as in the bureaucracy. dent Reagan’s judicial legacy can be His beloved First Lady introduced vate sector. seen on two levels. The President’s initiatives often fo- the ‘‘Just Say No’’ campaign, a flat re- First, he described, in both principled cused on releasing decision-making ini- buttal to an ingrown acceptance of and practical terms, the kind of judge tiatives from an old federal bureauc- drug use in our society. America needs. Derided by some elites, this program racy, as with the innovative health We had seen decades of judicial activ- of declaring unequivocally the unac- block grants that returned decision- ism, through which judges took more ceptable use of illegal drugs has be- making to the states, providing them and more control over the policies gov- come a foundation of all subsequent with the resources and flexibility to de- erning the country and the culture in drug use. which Americans lived. liver preventive services, maternal and No one suggests—then or now—that President Reagan came into office child health care, and mental health the problem of drug use is simple, and not just saying judges were going too services in a totally new model. that prevention and treatment policies As chairman of the committee, I was far, but explaining why. He refocused can be cauterized from interdiction criticized for putting this legislation Americans on the principles America’s policies. through. But we are vindicated when But no one suggests, after years of founders laid down at the dawn of the the General Accounting Office re- confirming studies, that a drug policy Republic: the people, through their viewed these initiatives several years can be effective absent a strong compo- elected representatives, decide how after their creation, it included that nent of social rhetoric. they wish to be governed and make the they were successful, and provided a I loved President Reagan, and I loved law to do so. Judges can only interpret more efficient way to address the his personal style of leadership. and apply that law, they cannot make health needs of America’s diverse popu- But I loved even more his undying or change it. lation. love and affection for one of the Implementing those basic principles, I also remember how strongly the classiest first ladies this country has President Reagan shaped the judiciary Reagan administration supported bio- come to know. by the individuals he nominated and medical research, a love for and appre- Nancy Reagan’s quiet support of her appointed. He appointed some of the ciation of the power of scientific in- husband, so evident in all his successes, legal academy’s best minds to the U.S. quiry Mrs. Reagan carries forward to is often overlooked, as is her courage Court of Appeals—such as Ralph Win- this day. in leading the ‘‘Just Say No’’ cam- ter to the Second Circuit, Frank Other key accomplishments under paign. Easterbrook and Richard Posner to the President Reagan’s tenure were signifi- I remember as if it were today when Seventh Circuit, and of course Robert cant Food and Drug Administration President Reagan signed the 1986 drug Bork to the District of Columbia Cir- legislation, such as the Orphan Drug law, the one that created the Office of cuit. Act, the Drug Price Competition and the drug Czar and gave added resources I served on the Judiciary Committee Patent Term Resolution Act, the Na- to prevention and treatment. during those years, seeing first hand tional Organ Transplantation Act, pe- I was standing behind the President the depth and breadth and quality of diatric emergency medical services, when he signed the bill. He said with President Reagan’s nominees. vaccine compensation, tobacco warn- that special twinkle in his eye, ‘‘I am America’s founders insisted that this ing labels, and the national practi- going to give this pen to the women separation of powers, this restriction tioner data bank. who has crusaded to end drug use in on judicial power, was absolutely crit- How well I remember the battle this country.’’ ical for the freedom that self-govern- President Reagan waged to seat C. With that, he walked past expectant ment under a written constitution Everett Koop as the Surgeon General. advocates and lawmakers straight to makes possible. Again recognizing that the country his wife Nancy, and presented her with For some whose agenda the people do needed inspired leadership more than the pen. not favor, however, a judiciary that bureaucracy, President Reagan in- Some focus on President Reagan’s won’t make law means their preferred formed us that he wanted to nominate talents as an actor and image-maker. law just won’t get made. And they

VerDate May 21 2004 02:20 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JN6.016 S09PT1 S6650 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 9, 2004 fought President Reagan’s nominees nal to the Soviets our new-found reso- have bravely and proudly served be- with increasingly intensity. lution to combat them geopolitically? sides ours in Iraq. The first cloture vote ever taken on Ronald Reagan rejected the so-called Nicaragua has also had democratic an appeals court nominee, for example, ‘‘Vietnam syndrome’’ long before our elections over the past decade. occurred during President Reagan’s victory in the first Gulf War allowed And while the Iran-Contra episode first term, and the confirmation proc- Americans to believe in the justice of was a policy debacle, I remain proud of ess changed entirely in his second. our use of force. He knew that the U.S. my service in this Senate during that The seeds sown then have borne fruit had a role in the world, that the use of investigation, as I remain unflinching today in the filibusters being used American force was not immoral and in my belief that it was right to help against President Bush’s nominees. that the U.S. could do good for the Nicaraguans resist the tyranny and But the issue remains the same, wheth- world. thuggery of the Sandinistas. er unelected federal judges may take This military escalation challenged And our support for the Afghan re- over from the people the business of the Soviet leadership and ultimately sistance led to the withdrawal of So- making law and defining the culture. bankrupted its coffers. The decision to viet forces from Afghanistan, dealing President Reagan’s record of judicial roll-back directly challenged and re- the Soviet Union a military, financial appointments is certainly a profound futed the fundamental ideological and psychological blow from which it legacy. He truly blazed a trail on this tenet of communism, that it would pre- would never recuperate. This blow cre- issue and, through his leadership, vail as an inexorable law of history. ated a major fissure in the notion of Americans now know more about how This perverted notion was based, of communist inevitability that, many of appointing the right kind of judge is so course, on the acceptance that the us believe, would lead to the crumbling important to protect their freedom. highest stage of history would be rest of the Soviet empire. Many believe that President Rea- on imprisoning nations and extin- Many are quick to disparage that gan’s lasting legacy will be his success- guishing history. policy, because of what arose from the ful leadership during the last stage of Reagan knew in his heart that this tumult of the Afghan resistance and the cold war. was the greatest falsehood perpetrated the rise of the Taliban. We made mis- Ronald Reagan’s tenure began at on modern history and he built his for- takes in implementing the policy, we what was our lowest point in the cold eign policy—the Reagan Doctrine—on now see, primarily having to do with war. The loss in Vietnam and the Wa- the idea of rolling back this ideology, recruiting Saudi participation and re- tergate debacle led to a withdrawal this tyrannical power, and tearing lying on Pakistani management of from our global policy of containment. down the walls that kept its citizens arms flows. The Soviets filled the gap, and their imprisoned. But our biggest mistake was aban- proxies gained around the globe. Ronald Reagan did not accept the doning Afghanistan after the collapse Emboldened, the Soviet Union en- status quo. of the Soviet puppet regime, leaving gaged in its most extensive military He did not accept a static geo- that poor country an orphan child of expansion in that dictatorships his- political division of the world between the cold war. But we made no mistake tory; during the 1970s, the Soviets ex- the free nations and the captive na- in contributing to a devastating Soviet panded their nuclear missile arsenals tions of the evil empire. defeat, a defeat that brought about the as well as their conventional arsenals He and his allies—and I will be proud end of the cold war. in virtually every armament category. to my dying day to have considered When Ronald Reagan left office, this At the end of the 1970s, the previous myself one of his allies—believed that country had been transformed. Malaise was not associated with the president as left shame-faced, following we could roll back communism, on the American economy, nor the American the invasion of Afghanistan, declaring ground, and in the minds of people. spirit. his ‘‘surprise’’ at Soviet behavior. Ronald Reagan went to England in Optimism, that personal trait of Ron- President Reagan came to office 1983, before the leftist Oxford Union, ald Reagan, was what characterized dedicated to redressing the military and announced the creation of what our standing in the world, our econ- balance and engaging the Cold War. would become the National Endowment omy, and our belief in ourselves. His administration saw the largest for Democracy, which would support Reagan, a child of the Midwest who peace-time growth of military spending programs around the world fostering understood mythically the role of the in modern American history. That es- democratic principles and practices. western frontier in the American psy- calation combined American resolve Last year, on the 20th anniversary of che, left us looking to the horizon, to with American ingenuity, and this was this bold initiative, President Bush an- the future. no more evident than in President Rea- nounced a major push by the NED into Ronald Reagan was a humble man, gan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. the Arab world. who left office gladly, having served The President rejected conventional Democracy remains relevant after it his term, but who never stopped loving deterrence doctrine when he stated, has triumphed over communist tyr- the American people. ‘‘We must seek other means of deter- anny. It was such love that led to one of the ring war. It is both militarily and mor- But for democracy to succeed, people most moving letters to the American ally necessary . . . I propose to channel striving to break the yoke of tyranny public ever written in our history, the our technological prowess toward had to have a friend in the United letter he wrote on November 5, 1994, building a more secure and stable States. Ronald Reagan did not limit announcing that he was slowly suc- world . . . Our only purpose is to his friendship to diplomacy and mili- cumbing to Alzheimer’s Disease. search for ways to reduce the danger of tary posturing. This is a horrible disease, as so many nuclear war.’’ A key aspect of the Reagan legacy American families know. What President Reagan imagined, was the Reagan Doctrine’s policy of My colleagues in the Senate know when he stated this back in 1984, is support for anti-communist move- that, after much soul-searching and slowly coming to be, 20 years later. We ments around the world. We supported study, I have become a strong pro- have moved too slowly, but not because Solidarity in Poland, using the Inter- ponent of embryonic stem cell re- we lacked in vision. national Labor Organization. search, because of the promise it offers President Reagan was willing to We supported the resistance in Nica- for treatment of some of the most challenge the Soviets diplomatically, ragua—and the wars over that policy wrenching illnesses Americans face militarily and by proxy. He was un- were sometimes almost as intense here today, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons abashed in declaring that regime an on Capitol Hill. and juvenile diabetes. ‘‘evil empire’’. Who today denies the And we supported the Afghan resist- President Reagan’s widow, my dear inherent evil of the gulag? ance. friend Nancy, knows that I will remain He was bold in responding to the em- We’ve had democracy in Poland for dedicated to supporting this research placement of Soviet SS–20s in occupied over a decade, and Poland is the shin- through all my days in the Senate. Europe with Pershing’s in Germany. ing example of the New Europe, a coun- Even though retired and enjoying the Who today denies that this didn’t sig- try whose government and soldiers privacy that was always important for

VerDate May 21 2004 02:20 Jun 10, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JN6.018 S09PT1 June 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6651 him and his family, President Reagan to reflect on the life of this remarkable man. virtue. It was a right given to each of us by wrote on November 5, 1994 one of the He will not only be remembered for his vi- a sovereign God. bravest and most moving letters in sion and leadership, but also for his convic- Rondald Reagan did not invent freedom. He defined it. For through his wit and humil- American history. tion to principles, his sense of pride and love of country. ity, he carried his role in history as the man He said: President Reagan made a difference in my who gave freedom a face. And through his Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had life both personally and politically. When he undying faith in those who entrusted him to decide whether as private citizens we was elected in 1980, I remember vividly say- the role as their leader, Ronald Reagan would keep this a private matter or whether ing to my wife Priscilla ‘‘this is such an im- achieved greatness. we would make this news known in a public portant election for our nation that I have to Even though President Reagan has now way. So now, we feel it is important to share become involved. I had no idea his election completed the journey he began so many it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope would one day lead me to seek elective office years ago, our nation has not yet completed this might promote greater awareness of this and eventually to represent Florida in the the path we began under his leadership. Ron- condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clear- United State Senate. ald Reagan made America stronger, more er understanding of the individuals and fami- Knowing Ronald Reagan and serving in the prosperous and more confident. We still need lies who are affected by it. U.S. Congress when he was President of the to do more to make our country and the After speaking of the burdens he United States has been one of the greatest world a better and safer place to live, work knew his long illness had in store—not honors of my life. I remember when he came and raise a family. We must continue his leg- to Florida in 1988 to campaign for me in my acy so as to ensure that America remains for him, but for his beloved Nancy, he race for the United States Senate. I intro- that shinning city on the hill that President thanked his fellow Americans. He said: duced him saying: ‘‘Mr. President, we will Reagan described to us. Let me thank you, the American people, never forget that you gave us back a belief in To Nancy and the Reagan family, our na- for giving me the great honor of allowing me ourselves and our nation. You restarted our tion is forever in your debt for sharing this to serve as your President. When the Lord economy giving people hope and oppor- unique and special individual with us, the calls me home, whenever that may be, I will tunity. You rebuilt America’s military and American People. leave with the greatest love for this country led the fight for freedom around the world.’’ President Reagan, we say goodbye for now. of ours and eternal optimism for its future. Ronald Reagan was more than the president, You have touched our lives deeply. You have I now begin the journey that will lead me he was an inspiration . . . he was a friend. indeed lived the words of sacred scripture: into the sunset of my life. I know that for Each year, the magnitude of President ‘‘You have fought the good fight, you have America there will always be a bright dawn Reagan’s accomplishments at home and finished the race, you have kept the faith.’’ ahead. abroad become increasing apparent. As rec- Godspeed Mr. President. These are the virtuous and loving ognition of his achievements and their im- f pacts on our lives today grows so does the words of a patriot, of a brave and hum- nation’s gratitude toward him. He embodied RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF ble man, of a man who lived every day the American Spirit that helped lift the mo- RONALD WILSON REAGAN in the belief that our best days lie rale of our country. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The ahead. It is America that pauses this American Presidents affect history in their hour of 11:30 having arrived, the Senate week, and I thank God for the gift of own way, but fewer have made more of an will proceed to consideration of a reso- the greatest American president of the impact or shaped the history of their times lution honoring the former President twentieth century, Ronald Reagan. than Ronald Reagan. In the election of 1980, Americans were Ronald Wilson Reagan, which the clerk We have lost a great American. faced with one of the most simple, yet defin- I think it is fitting to quote another will report. ing questions in American politics: ‘‘Are you The legislative clerk read as follows: great American, Daniel Webster who better off now than you were four years A resolution (S. Res. 373) relative to the spoke so eloquently about the passing ago?’’ Were we as Americans willing to ac- death of Ronald Wilson Reagan, a former cept that the once proud land of the free and of two other Presidents, Thomas Jef- President of the United States. ferson and John Adams. Webster’s the home of the brave was now worn and S. RES. 373 words were never more true than tired and lacked direction? America said: ‘‘No!’’ Resolved, That the Senate has heard with today: Ronald Reagan reaffirmed my philosophy profound sorrow and deep regret the an- A superior and commanding human intel- as well as that of a whole generation which nouncement of the death of the Honorable lect, a truly great man, when Heaven vouch- believed that wealth and prosperity emerge Ronald Wilson Reagan, a former President of safes so rare a gift, is not a temporary flame, from the spirit of creativity that resides in the United States, and a former Governor of burning brightly for a while, and then giving individuals not government, and to the belief the State of California. place to returning darkness. It is rather a in the principles of less taxing, less spending, Resolved, That in recognition of his illus- spark of fervent heat, as well as radiant less government and more freedom. Freedom trious statesmanship, his leadership in na- light, with power to enkindle the common deeply mattered to Ronald Reagan, and free- tional and world affairs, his distinguished mass of human kind; so that when it glim- dom deeply matters to me. public service to his State and his Nation, mers in its own decay, and finally goes out With Ronald Reagan’s election came a re- and as a mark of respect to one who has held in death, no night follows, but it leaves the newed vitality in America. He brought a be- such eminent public station in life, the Pre- world all light, all on fire from the potent lief that freedom must ring from the bells of siding Officer of the Senate appoint a com- contact of its own spirit. this great nation and that opportunity mittee to consist of all the Members of the I pray that America will always be should not be limited. He reminded us of the Senate to attend the funeral of the former alight with the spirit of Ronald America that was there all along. A freedom President. Reagan. loving country waiting to be unshackled Resolved, That the Senate hereby tender its from a Government that had grown too big deep sympathy to the members of the family The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The and cost too much which dictated what was of the former President in their sad bereave- Senator from Mississippi. best for us. No, we wanted better and Ronald ment. Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unan- Reagan led us there. Resolved, That the Secretary communicate imous consent the remarks of our Under President Reagan’s leadership, the these resolutions to the House of Represent- former colleague, Senator Connie spirit of America was rekindled and the atives and transmit a copy thereof to the Mack, be printed in the RECORD. flame of freedom burned bright free markets, family of the former President. There being no objection, the mate- free ideas, free trade and freedom as the cen- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. By re- terpiece of our foreign policy. The Reagan quest, Senators are asked to vote from rial was ordered to be printed in the Revolution had no boundaries. The winds of RECORD, as follows: freedom swept across America and gained their desks. RONALD W. REAGAN momentum throughout the world. Freedom’s The majority leader is recognized. 1911–2004 ring was heard in Latin America, where na- Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, these past few days we have seen an extraordinary (A tribute by former U.S. Senator Connie tions turned back communism and accepted Mack (R–FL)) the free will of the people. In Eastern Eu- outpouring of affection for our 40th rope, freedom broke the rusted chains of to- President, Ronald Wilson Reagan. In a RONALD REAGAN WAS MORE THAN THE PRESI- talitarianism and caused the Berlin Wall to DENT, HE WAS AN INSPIRATION, HE WAS MY few short hours, he will lie in state fall. under the Capitol dome where dig- FRIEND Ronald Reagan never lost faith in the free- As America mourns the passing of former dom, dignity and liberty of mankind. He un- nitaries from around the world and President Ronald Reagan, one of the most derstood that freedom is never more than citizens from across the country will loved American Presidents in history, it is one generation away from extinction. He pay their respects to the man from appropriate that our nation take a moment never doubted that freedom was more than a Dixon.

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