Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he included in the Congressional Record a statement to honor Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40^th President of the United States of America. 

“Today, I pay tribute to former President Ronald Reagan who passed away on Saturday June 5, 2004,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “At this time, I extend my deepest condolences to his loving wife, Nancy, and his children, and I join with our Nation in mourning the loss of a great leader.”

            “Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois to Nelle Wilson and John Edward ‘Jack’ Reagan.  In 1928, Ronald Reagan graduated from Dixon High School where he served as student body president.  From 1928-1932, Reagan attended Eureka College, a small liberal arts institution in Illinois.  He majored in economics and sociology.”

            “In 1937, Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserve as a Private and was soon promoted to 2^nd Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry.  While in the Army, an agent for Warner Brothers discovered Ronald Reagan.  In 1940, Reagan wed Jane Wyman.”

“In 1942, the Army Air Force called Reagan to active duty.  He was assigned to the 1^st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California where he made over 400 training films.  Reagan was discharged from the Army in 1945 at the rank of Captain,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. 

“After the war, Reagan resumed his acting career and in 1952 wed Nancy Davis.  In 1956, Reagan campaigned as a Democrat for Eisenhower.  In 1960, he campaigned for Richard Nixon.  In 1962, he officially changed his party registration to Republican.”

“In 1966, Reagan was elected Governor of California and was re-elected in 1970.  On November 4, 1980, Ronald Reagan Wilson became the 40^th President of the United States.”

“Ronald Reagan wished to be remembered as the President who wanted Americans to believe in themselves.  We will remember him for much more,” the Congressman continued.

“We will remember Ronald Reagan as a political leader who worked diligently to stimulate economic growth, increase employment and strengthen national defense.  He was ‘The Great Communicator’ whose words and actions spoke of honor and peace.”

 “Through his convictions, we witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.  ‘Peace through strength’ is what he sought and achieved.”

“In his own words taken from 1986 as he sought to comfort us after the Challenger Disaster, ‘We will never forget [him], nor the last time we saw [him]…as he prepared for [his] journey, and waved good-bye, and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God,’” the Congressman concluded.