WHEREAS,  Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States and the 33rd Governor of California, was born in Illinois on February 6, 1911 and was a graduate of Eureka College, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and a successful actor before going on to devote his life to public service; and

WHEREAS,  Ronald Reagan began his working career as an actor, first in radio, then primarily in films and later in television, appearing in over 50 movie productions and enjoying widespread success and popularity; and

WHEREAS,  he served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and eventually became interested in politics, originally as a member of the Democratic Party and then switching to the Republican Party in 1962; and

WHEREAS,  he served 2 terms as Governor of California and he ran for president in 1968 and 1976 before winning the presidency in 1980, and was reelected by a landslide in 1984, proclaiming it was "Morning in America"; and

WHEREAS,  as President of the United States, Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt, implemented sweeping new political and economic initiatives and was instrumental in the ending of the Cold War; and

WHEREAS,  President Reagan was known as a beacon of optimism, with his assertive enthusiasm, rallying the people during times of sorrow and crisis and also good times; and

WHEREAS,  though known for his genial, open and friendly manner, President Reagan was also strong-willed and committed to his principles and enjoyed widespread popularity not only in the United States, but throughout the world, building strong relationships with other nations; and

WHEREAS,  President Reagan left office after serving 2 terms in 1989, at the peak of his popularity, and soon after disclosed he had Alzheimer's disease, dying 10 years later at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS,  his burial site is inscribed with the words he delivered at the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: "I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life"; now, therefore, be it