SENATE RESOLUTION
8707

By Senators Benton, McCaslin, Johnson, Fraser, Roach and Pflug

     WHEREAS, Ninety-three years ago, on February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to John and Nelle Reagan in the family's modest apartment above the general store in Tampico, Illinois; and
     WHEREAS, John Reagan struggled both before and during the Great Depression in his attempts to provide for his family, until he was appointed director of the Dixon, Illinois office of the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal, back to work program; and
     WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan, building upon a successful career in the private sector, acted upon the courage of his convictions and entered the world of politics and public service as Governor of California; and
     WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan was extraordinarily successful at communicating his vision to the American people, in words such as these from his first inaugural address as Governor of California:

"We are a humane and generous people and we accept without reservation our obligation to help the aged, disabled, and those unfortunates who, through no fault of their own, must depend on their fellow man. But we are not going to perpetuate poverty by substituting a permanent dole for a paycheck. There is no humanity or charity in destroying self-reliance, dignity, and self-respect . . . the very substance of moral fiber . ."; and

     WHEREAS, During his career as a public servant, Ronald Reagan was unafraid to do battle on the great issues of his time and, in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, enter the arena, strive valiantly, and spend himself for a worthy cause; and
     WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan, as all great American presidents, used the power of the Presidency as he deemed best to invigorate our economy, put Americans to work, honor our obligation to those who need help, and inspire all Americans to seek a more perfect Union; and
     WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan's leadership, with the support of the American people, helped to end the Cold War, set many nations on a path to freedom and democracy, and promoted greater peace and stability to many regions of the world;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate hereby recognize and honor our Fortieth President, Ronald Wilson Reagan, in this month of his ninety-third birthday.

I, Milton H. Doumit, Jr., Secretary of the Senate,
do hereby certify that this is a true and
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8707,
adopted by the Senate
February 6, 2004

MILTON H. DOUMIT, JR.
Secretary of the Senate