Gwen Graham: “later today, the body of President Ronald Reagan will be brought into this Capitol so that all Americans can pay their…”

“later today, the body of President Ronald Reagan will be brought into this Capitol so that all Americans can pay their final respects. Much has been said, much has been written about our 40th President and the impact he had on our Nation and the world. In at least one respect, I believe part of his legacy has been mischaracterized, and I rise today, as has my friend and colleague from Missouri, to set the record straight. The issue that I would like to address is Ronald Reagan's view of the size of Government. It is true that President Reagan believed the Federal Government was too large and too costly, but he did not believe that was true of all governments. As a former Governor of California, he believed governments closer to the people, governments at the State and local level, had the primary responsibility for essential public service and, thus, they should have the resources to respond to public needs.”