Rep. Issa Honors President Ronald Reagan

Congressman Darrell Issa today made the following statement in the Congressional Record:

Mr. Speaker,

On this second week of June, seventeen years ago, President Ronald Reagan stood in the then divided city of Berlin, and called on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to, "tear down this wall."

President Reagan's critics at home called his speech a publicity ploy.

The Soviets and East Germans called it an infringement of East German sovereignty -- unwarranted meddling by the American President.

Two years later, the wall came down.

President Reagan was a leader with foresight and strong conviction.

He believed in America -- then he made America believe in itself again.

He valued freedom -- so he brought it to those who had none.

Through wise policies, force of will, and a kind demeanor, President Reagan conveyed strength and determination alongside reason and optimism to America and those who yearned for freedom behind the Iron Curtain.

He never doubted what America could do -- and he wouldn't let us doubt ourselves.

When tragedy struck, he told us to move forward -- and we listened.

Ronald Regan knew America. He knew what was right about our nation, what was right for our nation, and what America could set right in the world.

Ronald Reagan led America and the rest of the free world against communism. When his work was finished, the free world had expanded by over 400 million people in 27 countries.

Today, soldiers from these new democracies fight side by side with Americans against the new enemies of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Reagan showed us that freedom can tear down walls. He reaffirmed for us that America is a force for good in the world, and that our proudest achievements will never come without criticism or sacrifice.

I never had the opportunity to meet Ronald Reagan, but knew him, like most Americans, as someone who had faith in our ability to achieve great things for ourselves and the world.

Mr. Speaker, history will remember Ronald Reagan for bringing freedom to more people throughout the world than has ever been done before.

The America and the world Ronald Reagan leaves behind is a better place because of him.

President Reagan, we still carry the confidence you gave our nation and will never forget what we accomplished together. A grateful nation thanks you.