William F. Smith: “I was honored to have served in Congress for the last 2 years of President Reagan's second term. President Reagan…”

“I was honored to have served in Congress for the last 2 years of President Reagan's second term. President Reagan devoted his life to the preservation of freedom. He believed that "no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." His global fight against communism is one of the most significant events in world history. Many said this enemy of freedom could not be conquered. But the Berlin Wall fell because President Reagan made it fall. Since the president's death last Saturday we have heard all or parts of the speeches that inspired so many for so long. They earned him the nickname "The Great Communicator." Mr. Speaker, President Reagan will always be The Great Communicator because of what he said and did. But his public remarks were also notable for what he did not say and what he did not do. He did not pound the podium. He did not flail his arms, or yell. He did not substitute manufactured emotion for reason. He did not exploit human suffering. The style and manner of his speech combined with the power of his ideas made verbal and physical gimmicks completely unnecessary. Mr. Speaker, there are many ways to judge a president's place in history. I believe a question we must ask is: What kind of impact on world and national events does a President have after he leaves office? By that standard President Reagan is a historical giant.”