McCarthy Statement on 100th Birthday of President Ronald Reagan PDF Print E-mail

Washington D.C. – Congressman Kevin McCarthy issued the following statement commemorating the 100th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth:

"Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the greatest leaders America has ever known, Ronald Wilson Reagan – a man of genuine integrity and sincerity whose story personifies the American dream. Even before his election as 40th President of the United States of America, he lived an extraordinary life as radio announcer, actor, Army officer and Governor of the great State of California.

"A staunch believer in liberty and limited government, he led America to exceptional economic success. As a global leader, his philosophical steadfastness, leadership and negotiation skills set the stage for the demise of communism – one of the most brutal regimes in history. The world will not soon forget the power of his seemingly simple words delivered in Germany at the Brandenburg gates that separated freedom and tyranny: 'Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!'

"People everywhere were inspired by his charge and in a few short years, that wall, and communism itself, crumbled before our eyes.

"Ronald Reagan believed in American exceptionalism and her "rendezvous with destiny." Like President Reagan, we face difficult challenges today – persistent unemployment, skyrocketing debt, and threats to our national security. I believe America's current leaders can meet these challenges and if I ever feel a sense of doubt, I turn to Mr. Reagan's 1981 inaugural address when he said dealing with crisis requires 'our willingness to believe in ourselves and in our capacity to perform great deeds; to believe that together, with God's help, we can and will resolve the problems that now confront us. After all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans.'

"Happy Birthday, Mr. President. You are missed but certainly not forgotten."