For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 6, 2004
Announcing the Death of Ronald Reagan
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:
It is my sad duty to announce officially the death of Ronald
Reagan, the fortieth President of the United States, on June 5, 2004.
We are blessed to live in a Nation, and a world, that have been
shaped by the will, the leadership, and the vision of Ronald Reagan.
With an unshakable faith in the values of our country and the
character of our people, Ronald Reagan renewed America's confidence and
restored our Nation. His optimism, strength, and humility epitomized
the American spirit. He always told us that for America the best was
yet to come.
Ronald Reagan believed that God takes the side of justice and that
America has a special calling to oppose tyranny and defend freedom.
Through his courage and determination, he enhanced America's security
and advanced the spread of peace, liberty, and democracy to millions of
people who had lived in darkness and oppression. As America's
President, Ronald Reagan helped change the world.
President Reagan has left us, but he has left us stronger and
better. We take comfort in the knowledge that he has left us for a
better place, the shining city that awaits him.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws
of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Ronald
Reagan, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that
the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White
House and on all buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United
States for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also
direct that for the same length of time, the representatives of the
United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrange-ments for
the display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies, Legations,
and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and
stations.
I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the
Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.
I do further appoint Friday, June 11, 2004, as a National Day of
Mourning throughout the United States. I call on the American people
to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to
pay homage to the memory of President Reagan. I invite the people of
the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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