For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 16, 2002
President Delivers Keynote at Ceremony Honoring President and Mrs. Reagan
Remarks by the President at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan
The United States Capitol
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Ever since the American
Revolution, our Congress has given Gold Medals to heroes of our
republic. Today I'm honored to join the members of the Congress from
both parties in paying tribute to Nancy and Ronald Reagan as they
receive this high award, the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition
of their contributions to America and to the cause of freedom.
Mrs. Reagan, it's great to see you again. It's always a pleasure
to be with you.
I want to thank our Secretary of State Colin Powell for joining us
today -- Mr. Secretary, thank you for coming. I appreciate the
justices from our courts being here. I particularly want to thank the
members of Congress -- Mr. Speaker, and Senator Byrd, and all the
members of the Congress who are here.
I want to welcome all the friends of President and Mrs. Reagan.
All of you all who work in the Reagan administration, welcome back to
your old stomping grounds.
Ronald Reagan is one of the largest figures of our time. His name
will always stand for courage and consistency, for patriotism and
resolve, and for humor and optimism. He's a man of great talent and
great character. Yet his entire career is a tribute to the power of
great ideas.
President Reagan believed deeply in American character and
destiny. He believed deeply in the power of freedom to improve the
lives of average men and women. These ideas changed America, and they
changed the world. Not only because he eloquently explained them,
because they are right and they are true.
Ronald Reagan believed that prosperity is another -- another name
for economic freedom. And his policies of freedom laid the foundations
for a prosperous and for a generous society.
Ronald Reagan believed that history is on the side of human
liberty; that all tyranny must be temporary, because liberty is the
universal hope of all mankind. He believed that the aspirations of our
country require the might of our military. And he knew that the cause
of freedom is served by moral clarity, a willingness to call oppression
and evil by their proper names.
Above all, Ronald Reagan believed in the strong character of the
American people, even when some on both the left and right were quite
skeptical of that character. He would recognize the country we have
seen since September the 11th. He would look at the spirit and the
sacrifice of the firefighters and police officers, the men and women of
our military, average Americans, and he'd be proud. He wouldn't be
surprised. He knew the courage and decency and generosity at the heart
of this country because he shared it and he embodied it.
At every step of an amazing life, Nancy Reagan has been at Ronald
Reagan's side. Right by his side. As his optimism inspired us, her
love and devotion strengthened him. As First Lady of California, Mrs.
Reagan spoke out on behalf of POWs and American servicemen missing in
action. As our First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan led an
anti-drug campaign that helped significantly reduce teen drug use. Now
she has joined the fight against the terrible curse of Alzheimer's.
Ronald and Nancy Reagan were married in 1952, and their love for
one another has only grown greater with the passage of time. They set
out to make a life together, and this amazing partnership helped change
the world. Now on a difficult journey, we admire Nancy Reagan's
eloquent example of loyalty and love.
May God bless you and your husband, Mrs. Reagan. And may God bless
this country he loves so much.
And now I'm honored to present the Gold Medal, along with the
Speaker and Senator Byrd, President Pro Tempore.
(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)
MRS. REAGAN: Thank you very much. Well, it's such an honor to be
here. And thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Mr. Speaker, and
everyone.
This is a very, obviously, very special occasion for me, and very
memorable, because it was in this room that Ronnie and I came after his
first inaugural. And it was in this room that we found -- we were
told that the prisoners had been released, and they were in Iranian
airspace, and everything was going to be all right. It was very
exciting.
But I want to thank you, all of you, for all your expressions and
what you've said. And I -- I can't say any more. Thank you very
much. (Applause.)