Ronald Reagan: “Welcoming good friends to Washington and to the White House is one of my more pleasant responsibilities as President.”

Let us remember that the Soviet preponderance in military power in Europe remains, an asymmetry that offends our Jeffersonian senses.

We have walked a long way together to clear a path for peace.

We must remain strong and free of illusion.

I am delighted that later today I'll have the opportunity to welcome President Gorbachev to the United States and extend to him the hospitality and good wishes of the American people.