Jim Inhofe: “March 23 marks the 20th anniversary of President Reagan's historic address to the Nation in which he launched the…”

“March 23 marks the 20th anniversary of President Reagan's historic address to the Nation in which he launched the program known as the Strategic Defense Initiative, SDI, designed to help protect America and our allies from ballistic missile attack. I would like to commemorate this occasion by placing a copy of President Reagan's remarks into the Record at this time. With each passing year, we see more clearly the wisdom of President Reagan's vision. The spread of technology relating to ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction has grown enormously in 20 years. Since September 11, 2001--and now as we are engaged in military operations to disarm IRAQ--more people have become aware of the growing threats we face from missile attack. When President Reagan spoke in 1983, he said it might take ``decades'' before reliable missile defense was a reality. And he was right. As he well knew, it was not only the technical and engineering hurdles that stood in the way, but also the formidable political obstacles.”