William Pryor: “the Capitol today is overflowing with visitors, flags stand at half-staff, and the Nation has collectively stopped this…”

“the Capitol today is overflowing with visitors, flags stand at half-staff, and the Nation has collectively stopped this week--all to honor a remarkable man who accomplished remarkable things during a remarkable time. President Ronald Reagan gave his life to public service and has left a legacy of leadership that will always be remembered. We remember President Reagan's strong vision for political and economic freedom which was instrumental in the fall of communism and the spread of democracy in Eastern Europe. The world held its breath as America stared communism in the face, but in the end we peacefully won over the respect and cooperation of our enemy. Less than a year after Reagan left office, Mr. Gorbachev stepped down, the Berlin Wall fell and the cold war ended. I will never forget President Reagan's historic speech on June 12, 1987, in front of the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall when he called on Mikhail Gorbachev to ``Open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.''”