Date: 2011-02-08
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. It may very well have been that. He called me personally to talk to me about that. And I had the hardest time saying "no" to him. but I did. The remarkable thing about it was that he didnt pressure me anymore. He didnt make me feel bad. He didnt say. Well. youll hear from us again. or if you want something in your district. All he said was. I understand. Im sorry I couldnt convince you. I got off that phone. I thought I was right in the decision I had made. but I felt badly that I had to tell him "no." and I think that was it. One of the highlights of my first 10 years in the Congress was going to my alma mater. the University of Notre Dame. on Air Force One with Ronald Reagan when he was going to unveil the stamp commemorating the 100th birthday of Knute Rockneor as he said. "KeNute" Rockne because thats what Knute Rocknes widow had told him was the proper pronunciation. And we flew there. and it was a great day. A little bit of rain. We got in the Athletic and Convocation Center. and it was standing room only. They didnt have enough room for all the students. The overflow crowd was in another room that had a television. There were four of us. graduates of the University of Notre Dame. who were Members of Congress at the time that he had with us and Dick Lyng who was the Californian who was the Secretary of Agriculture. also a Notre Dame grad. And in his speech. he said. "I want to introduce you to the new Four Horsemen of Notre Dame." and then mentioned each one of our names. I have that on tape. and that is one of my highlights of my life. And at some point in time. I will make sure I make copies and give it to my children and my grandchildren. But he loved the fact that people remembered him for that role and for the spirit that he had there. And I am proud of the fact that after his recovery from that assassination attempt. the first public major address he made away from the Capitol was at the University of Notre Dame. Ronald Reagan was a hero to many of us. He was an inspiration to many of us. but he was a real man. He had his weaknesses as well as his strengths. He had his shortcomings. and he would be the first one to admit it. But above all. he was that person who told us. as Republicans. that we should approach the future not only with confidence. not only with hope. but with a sense of joy. an idea that this country is the greatest country in the history of the world and gives us the greatest opportunity to succeed. And he always felt a sense of gratitude that he was here. that he was born here. that he was allowed to raise himself up. And he thought that ought to be the opportunity given to everybody. When he came into a room. there was just a feeling there that was not there at any other time. And its hard for some of us to realize that he has been gone for 612 years now and that he would be 100 years old today. All we can say is. were not looking backwards. Were trying to take the essence of the man. his commitment to the foundations of this country. his openness and his optimism. and utilize that at a time when we desperately need it. I never thought that he looked at a person and thought. Youre African American. youre Caucasian. youre Hispanic. youre Asian. He looked at you and said. Youre an American. and therefore Im going to expect the best out of you. and this country is going to give you the opportunity to be the very. very best. So I thank the gentleman from California for this time. And this weekend was wonderful not only for us to reflect in our memories but also to bring the Ronald Reagan we know to the present people of America. particularly those young people who were not born when he was President of the United States and let them have a sense of what it was that commanded this country. that led this country. that inspired this country.