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relationship with those leaders? Thank you, ferences and try to find common ground to sir. work together. The President. Yes. Well, we go to dif- We’ve got too much to do in a world beset ferent corners of the room, and we face the by terror, poverty, and disease to allow a pol- wall—no. [Laughter] Look, there is—we’re icy difference to prevent us from working to- united by values. We’re united by common gether. And that’s why these G–8 summits values. And therefore, it’s a easy place to start are meaningful and worthwhile. And that’s conversations. And it’s to be expected that why I’m really glad to have been the host nations don’t always agree on every issue. But here in Georgia. we do agree in the power of free societies. Putting the hook on me? Okay. Listen, We do agree in a free press. We don’t nec- we’re off to Washington. I’ve got a—I’ve got essarily agree everything the free press the—I will be paying tribute to President writes, but we agree in a free press. We agree Reagan here in about an hour and a half or with free religions. There’s great agreement. so and then will be visiting with Mrs. Reagan And so, therefore, it’s—this is a—it facili- at the Blair House. I appreciate your under- tates good and healthy conversation. And standing for the need for us, whoever is trav- look, there was obviously a disagreement eling with me, to get moving so that we can over whether or not we enforced the de- be on time for a solemn night and a day of mands of the U.N. I fully understand that, remembrance tomorrow for a magnificent but now that’s past. And I know there’s great world leader. speculation about the relationship between God bless you all. Thanks for coming. the United States and France. Let’s face it. Most people say the United States and the NOTE: The President’s news conference began at world differ. No, it’s the United States and 3:27 p.m. at the International Media Center. In France. That’s where the focus generally is, his remarks, he referred to President Ghazi al- and as Jacques Chirac said yesterday, rela- Ujayl al-Yawr, Prime Minister Ayad al-Alawi, and tions with the United States are excellent. Minister of Displacement and Migration Pascale He’s right. Isho Warda of the Iraqi interim government; Col. That doesn’t mean we agree every time Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi, leader of we speak. But nevertheless, we’ve got very Libya; Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; good relations. And I appreciate my working Charlie Duelfer, head of the Iraq Survey Group; President Jacques Chirac of France; and President relationship with him. Vladimir Putin of Russia. This item was not re- And so the meetings are very cordial. And ceived in time for publication in the appropriate you probably want me to say something issue. about Vladimir Putin. Yes, well, it’s because you—I’ve always had good relations with Vladimir, ever since the first time I met him. Eulogy at the National Funeral You remember where I met him first? Service for President Ronald Reagan Q. Slovenia. June 11, 2004 The President. Very good. Very good, yes. [Laughter] That’s impressive. But he’s a— Mrs. Reagan, Patti, Michael, and Ron; you know, he is a person who’s got opinions, members of the Reagan family; distinguished and I admire his strong opinions. I like coura- guests, including our Presidents and First La- geous leaders, people who express their opin- dies; Reverend Danforth; fellow citizens: ions. It’s—to me, it’s hard to have a good We lost Ronald Reagan only days ago, but meeting with somebody if you’re always won- we have missed him for a long time. We have dering what their opinion is, and you kind missed his kindly presence, that reassuring of leave feeling somewhat empty. That’s not voice, and the happy ending we had wished how you get things done, as far as I’m con- for him. It has been 10 years since he said cerned. When you sit around the table, you his own farewell, yet it is still very sad and say what’s on your mind. You know, ‘‘Here’s hard to let him go. Ronald Reagan belongs what I think. What do you think?’’ And if to the ages now, but we preferred it when there’s a difference, try to explain the dif- he belonged to us.

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In a life of good fortune, he valued above the Golden Rule and in the power of prayer. all the gracious gift of his wife, Nancy. Dur- He believed that America was not just a place ing his career, Ronald Reagan passed in the world but the hope of the world. through a thousand crowded places, but And he believed in taking a break now and there was only one person, he said, who then, because, as he said, ‘‘There’s nothing could make him lonely by just leaving the better for the inside of a man than the out- room. side of a horse.’’ America honors you, Nancy, for the loyalty Ronald Reagan spent decades in the film and love you gave this man on a wonderful industry and in politics, fields known on occa- journey and to that journey’s end. Today our sion to change a man—but not this man. whole Nation grieves with you and your fam- From Dixon to Des Moines to Hollywood ily. to Sacramento to Washington, DC, all who When the sun sets tonight off the coast met him remembered the same sincere, hon- of California and we lay to rest our 40th est, upright fellow. Ronald Reagan’s deepest President, a great American story will close. beliefs never had much to do with fashion The second son of Nelle and Jack Reagan or convenience. His convictions were always first knew the world as a place of open plains, politely stated, affably argued, and as firm quiet streets, gas-lit rooms, and carriages and straight as the columns of this cathedral. drawn by horse. If you could go back to the There came a point in Ronald Reagan’s Dixon, Illinois, of 1922, you’d find a boy of film career when people started seeing a fu- 11 reading adventure stories at the public li- ture beyond the movies. The actor Robert brary or running with his brother, Neil, along Cummings recalled one occasion. ‘‘I was sit- Rock River and coming home to a little house ting around the set with all these people, and on Hennepin Avenue. That town was the we were listening to Ronnie, quite absorbed. kind of place you remember where you I said, ‘Ron, have you ever considered some- prayed side by side with your neighbors, and day becoming President?’ He said, ‘President if things were going wrong for them, you of what?’ ‘President of the United States,’ I prayed for them and knew they’d pray for said. And he said, ‘What’s the matter, don’t you if things went wrong for you. you like my acting either?’ ’’ [Laughter] The Reagan family would see its share of The clarity and intensity of Ronald Rea- hardship, struggle, and uncertainty. And out gan’s convictions led to speaking engage- of that circumstance came a young man of ments around the country and a new fol- steadiness, calm, and a cheerful confidence lowing he did not seek or expect. He often that life would bring good things. The quali- began his speeches by saying, ‘‘I’m going to ties all of us have seen in Ronald Reagan talk about controversial things.’’ And then he were first spotted 70 and 80 years ago. As spoke of communist rulers as slavemasters, the lifeguard in Lowell Park, he was the pro- of a Government in Washington that had far tector keeping an eye out for trouble. As a overstepped its proper limits, of a time for sports announcer on the radio, he was the choosing that was drawing near. In the space friendly voice that made you see the game of a few years, he took ideas and principles as he did. As an actor, he was the handsome, that were mainly found in journals and books all-American good guy, which in his case re- and turned them into a broad, hopeful move- quired knowing his lines—and being himself. ment ready to govern. Along the way, certain convictions were As soon as Ronald Reagan became Califor- formed and fixed in the man. Ronald Reagan nia’s Governor, observers saw a star in the believed that everything happens for a reason West, tanned, well-tailored, in command, and that we should strive to know and do and on his way. In the 1960s, his friend Bill the will of God. He believed that the gen- Buckley wrote, ‘‘Reagan is indisputably a part tleman always does the kindest thing. He be- of America, and he may become a part of lieved that people were basically good and American history.’’ had the right to be free. He believed that Ronald Reagan’s moment arrived in 1980. bigotry and prejudice were the worst things He came out ahead of some very good men, a person could be guilty of. He believed in including one from Plains and one from

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Houston. What followed was one of the deci- friends dealing with sickness and loss, to sive decades of the century, as the convic- strangers with questions about his days in tions that shaped the President began to Hollywood. A boy once wrote to him request- shape the times. ing Federal assistance to help clean up his He came to office with great hopes for bedroom. [Laughter] The President replied America and more than hopes. Like the that, ‘‘Unfortunately, funds are dangerously President he had revered and once saw in low.’’ [Laughter] He continued, ‘‘I’m sure person, Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan your mother was fully justified in proclaiming matched an optimistic temperament with your room a disaster. Therefore, you are in bold, persistent action. President Reagan was an excellent position to launch another vol- optimistic about the great promise of eco- unteer program in our Nation. Congratula- nomic reform, and he acted to restore the tions.’’ [Laughter] rewards and spirit of enterprise. He was opti- See, our 40th President wore his title light- mistic that a strong America could advance ly, and it fit like a white Stetson. In the end, the peace, and he acted to build the strength through his belief in our country and his love that mission required. He was optimistic that for our country, he became an enduring sym- liberty would thrive wherever it was planted, bol of our country. We think of his steady and he acted to defend liberty wherever it stride, that tilt of the head and snap of the was threatened. salute, the big-screen smile, and the glint in And Ronald Reagan believed in the power his Irish eyes when a story came to mind. of truth in the conduct of world affairs. When We think of a man advancing in years with he saw evil camped across the horizon, he the sweetness and sincerity of a Scout saying called that evil by its name. There were no the Pledge. We think of that grave expression doubters in the prisons and gulags where dis- that sometimes came over his face, the seri- sidents spread the news, tapping to each ousness of a man angered by injustice and other in code what the American President frightened by nothing. We know, as he al- had dared to say. There were no doubters ways said, that America’s best days are ahead in the shipyards and churches and secret of us, but with Ronald Reagan’s passing, labor meetings where brave men and women some very fine days are behind us, and that began to hear the creaking and rumbling of is worth our tears. a collapsing empire. And there were no Americans saw death approach Ronald doubters among those who swung hammers Reagan twice, in a moment of violence and at the hated wall that the first and hardest then in the years of departing light. He met blow had been struck by President Ronald both with courage and grace. In these trials, Reagan. he showed how a man so enchanted by life The ideology he opposed throughout his can be at peace with life’s end. political life insisted that history was moved And where does that strength come from? by impersonal tides and unalterable fates. Where is that courage learned? It is the faith Ronald Reagan believed instead in the cour- of a boy who read the Bible with his mom. age and triumph of free men, and we believe It is the faith of a man lying in an operating it all the more because we saw that courage room who prayed for the one who shot him in him. before he prayed for himself. It is the faith As he showed what a President should be, of a man with a fearful illness who waited he also showed us what a man should be. on the Lord to call him home. Ronald Reagan carried himself, even in the Now death has done all that death can do. most powerful office, with a decency and at- And as Ronald Wilson Reagan goes his way, tention to small kindnesses that also defined we are left with the joyful hope he shared. a good life. He was a courtly, gentle, and In his last years, he saw through a glass dark- considerate man, never known to slight or ly. Now he sees his Savior face to face. embarrass others. And we look for that fine day when we Many people across the country cherish will see him again, all weariness gone, clear letters he wrote in his own hand to family of mind, strong and sure and smiling again, members on important occasions, to old and the sorrow of this parting gone forever.

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May God bless Ronald Reagan and the to slight or embarrass others. From the Oval country he loved. Office, he took time to answer letters from schoolchildren and grandmothers and count- NOTE: The President spoke at 12:09 p.m. at the less strangers curious about life in the White National Cathedral. In his remarks, he referred House. to Episcopal minister and former Senator John C. Danforth of Missouri. Ronald Reagan deeply loved the United States of America, and that love is being re- turned. Over the past week, tens of thou- The President’s Radio Address sands of mourners stood in line in California June 12, 2004 and in Washington, DC, to pay their final respects. There were 21-gun salutes and dig- Good morning. This week, America nified processions and homemade memorials mourned the passing of President Ronald at a funeral home in Santa Monica. Reagan. We remembered a gentle, decent Now that Nancy Reagan has taken her man and one of the greatest leaders our Na- husband to his place of rest, we offer our tion has known. He was a courageous patriot gratitude. Our country is stronger, and our whose leadership transformed the country world is freer for the brave leadership of this and the world he leaves behind. modest son of America. Ronald Reagan al- In this time of sadness, we think especially ways told us that for America, our best was of Nancy Reagan, a loyal, loving wife of 52 yet to come. We know that is true for him years, and the President’s three children and too. His work is done, and now a shining city the rest of the Reagan family. awaits him. Ronald Wilson Reagan entered the world May God bless Ronald Reagan. Thank you more than 93 years ago in an apartment for listening. above a local bank in Illinois. His life would include success in careers from sports broad- NOTE: The address was recorded at 10:01 a.m. casting to film acting to public office. Along on June 11 in the Cabinet Room at the White the way, his deepest convictions were House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 12. The transcript was made available by the Office formed, and through all the trials of life, of the Press Secretary on June 11 but was embar- those convictions never wavered. goed for release until the broadcast. The Office Ronald Reagan believed that everything of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- happens for a reason and that we can trust guage transcript of this address. in God’s purposes. He believed that people are basically good. He had no tolerance for bigotry or injustice. Above all, he believed Proclamation 7796—Flag Day and in the courage and triumph of free men and National Flag Week, 2004 in the capacity of the American people to June 12, 2004 overcome any obstacle. President Reagan brought those convic- By the President of the United States tions to the White House in 1981, and he of America departed 8 years later with achievements that have endured. With bold, persistent action, A Proclamation he restored the confidence of our Nation, For more than 200 years, the American strengthened the spirit of free enterprise, flag has served as a symbol of our country’s challenged and shamed an oppressive em- enduring freedom and unity. Old Glory has pire, and inspired millions with his conviction welcomed generations of immigrants to and moral courage. America’s shores and is displayed proudly on As he showed what a President should be, homes, at schools, and over businesses across he also showed us what a man should be. our country. During times of war, our flag Ronald Reagan carried himself with a de- has rallied our citizens to defend the bless- cency and attention to the small kindnesses ings of liberty at home and abroad. It has that also define a good life. He was a courtly, accompanied our troops into battle and been gentle, and considerate man, never known given to grieving families at the grave sites

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