Vernon Ehlers: “Mr. Speaker, this may seem like a routine resolution because we must pass these resolutions to allow the use of the…”

“Mr. Speaker, this may seem like a routine resolution because we must pass these resolutions to allow the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for certain events, but frankly, this is a very auspicious moment. By statute, we have defined how state funerals are to proceed in this Nation's Capital. We have very few of them. I believe the last one was at the time of the death of President Lyndon Johnson of Texas. It is a great honor to host an event such as this in the rotunda, and today I rise to present a resolution which will grant permission to have the body of President Ronald Reagan rest in state in the rotunda of the Capitol so that the Members of Congress and members of the public may join in honoring him by viewing the casket. This is, as I said, a very auspicious event, and fortunately, we do not have to do this often. But it inspires in us, again, respect for the ideals of our Nation and for the things that we do and that we believe in.”