Chris Chocola: “I join my colleagues tonight and rise in tribute to a great man, President Ronald Reagan. In 1980, I turned 18, and the…”

“I join my colleagues tonight and rise in tribute to a great man, President Ronald Reagan. In 1980, I turned 18, and the first person I ever voted for was Ronald Reagan. With that vote, the world changed. It changed because President Reagan clearly understood that the greatest strength of this Nation is the American people. He believed in us so much that he inspired us to believe in ourselves. And in his typical humble fashion, during his last speech from the Oval Office, he said, 'I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow; they came from the heart of a great Nation.' Mr. Speaker, President Reagan captured the hearts of the American people and he unleashed the power, the hope, and the optimism that comes with a sincere understanding and love of freedom and democracy. President Reagan changed the world by simply reminding us all of exactly who we are. He inspired us to become the Nation we were all along. Although we deeply mourn his passing, Ronald Reagan's life was a gift to the world, a gift that will never be forgotten by all who love freedom and the shining example he gave us. Thank you, Mr. President, and God bless Ronald Reagan.”