Mark Souder: “I rise today to honor Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, Great American Patriot, and…”

“I rise today to honor Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, Great American Patriot, and conservative stalwart. This past weekend, I joined a delegation of Members from this body in honoring the veterans--both living and fallen--who brought freedom to Europe by storming the beaches of Normandy. Unfortunately, transportation problems have prevented me from participating more fully in commemorating the passing of a truly great president. Had I been able, I would have certainly joined my colleagues in unanimously voting to mourn the passage of Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, a small town in the heart of America. His Midwest Christian upbringing helped to mold Reagan into the conservative icon that he has become. When I was 14 years old, living in a small rural Midwest town, I heard Ronald Reagan's 'A Time for Choosing' speech for Barry Goldwater. That speech and many of his other speeches, which I would listen to on records, inspired me to get involved in politics and to fight for conservative values. I know Reagan did not inspire me alone. Ronald Reagan did not just speak about conservative ideals. He lived them and led with them. At a time when conservatives and conservatism were derided and ridiculed, he showed young politicians a new way to be a conservative. In 1981, President Reagan became the President of the United States. A boy from a small town had proven the American dream was still alive.”