Lynn Jenkins: “``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'' With those words, President Reagan felled not only a wall dividing a city but an…”

“``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'' With those words, President Reagan felled not only a wall dividing a city but an ideology that divided the world. I carry a piece of that wall with me today, and though 20 years have passed, I am struck by the enormity of what this used to represent and the courage, conviction, and character of the man who stared down the Soviet empire and won. President Reagan was not just ``a,'' he was ``the'' Great Communicator, but it wasn't his style that made the difference. It was his content and corresponding action. Too often rhetoric is turned around in this town with little thought and even less action. As we celebrate this 100th birthday of President Reagan, I desire that we can remember that not only did President Reagan inspire us with hope for a new morning in America, that he took real action that led a country waiting in gas lines, on the brink of nuclear war, and reminded us all that we truly are a shining city on the hill.”