Dana Rohrabacher: “Today, I rise to have a discussion with my fellow colleagues and with those people throughout the United States who are…”

“Today, I rise to have a discussion with my fellow colleagues and with those people throughout the United States who are watching this and reading this in the Congressional Record. The issue I wish to discuss is a matter of grave concern to me and I believe to the American people as well. I came here 26 years ago. Prior to my arrival in the United States Congress, I had served 7 years in the Reagan White House. I was a speechwriter to President Reagan, and I was a special assistant to the President, which was a designated rank at the White House. I recall what it was like in the time leading up to Ronald Reagan's election, and I recall specifically how Ronald Reagan dealt with the great challenges he faced. Before Ronald Reagan came to the White House, America was in retreat. There was a sense of pessimism throughout our country. Our economy was topsy-turvy. There were high levels of inflation and high levels of unemployment. Our country was in jeopardy. Our country felt a danger because while we were in retreat, communism--Soviet communism--was on the offensive throughout the world. Well, Ronald Reagan, in 8 short years, turned that situation totally around. He turned the economy around, and he turned around the spirit of the people. We went from being pessimistic to being the most optimistic and forward-looking people in the world. Yes, he helped the economy, but foremost, Ronald Reagan ended the cold war. Mr. Speaker, I am 67 years old.…”