Praise for the Planning and Implementation of Ronald Reagan Tribute
PRAISE FOR THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RONALD REAGAN TRIBUTE -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 18, 2004)
HON. ELTON GALLEGLY
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2004
Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise the City of Simi Valley, California, for its role in paying tribute last week to the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
Many county, State and Federal agencies, Nancy Reagan and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library joined in planning and implementing the tribute to and national mourning for President Reagan.
But as the host city, the burden of limiting the impact on the surrounding community, accommodating mourners from throughout the Nation, and ensuring a respectful good-bye to one of America's greatest presidents largely fell on the City of Simi Valley. As a resident of the city for more than 35 years, its former mayor, and a neighbor of the presidential library, I applaud the city for a job well done.
I arrived at the presidential library within 2 hours of the announcement of President Reagan's death. Simi Valley police and Ventura County Sheriff's deputies were already on hand to provide crowd control. A place for people to leave flowers and tributes was already established. At the library, 50 to 60 people were already working in crews to ready the place for the arrival of President Reagan's casket and the more than 100,000 mourners who would file past it in the coming days.
Simi Valley dedicated nearly half its police force specifically to duties associated with the viewing and internment. Volunteers were brought in to answer telephones. Other volunteers were dispatched to the Wood Ranch development with fliers to inform residents on what they could expect and why.
The top-notch planning and execution ensured that the tribute to President Reagan was dignified, secure and smooth from beginning to end. Visitors from across the country and television viewers throughout the world marveled at the peaceful and orderly scenes.
Working closely with Duke Blackwood, director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Mayor Bill Davis and the entire City Council, City Manager Mike Sedell and Police Chief Mark Layhew displayed to the world the heart and spirit of Reagan country.
Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in expressing to Simi Valley's officials that they have the thanks of a grateful Nation.