WHEREAS, February 6, 2011, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States; and

WHEREAS, born in Tampico, Illinois, on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan worked his way through Eureka College before pursuing a successful film career that included appearances in more than 50 films and service as the head of the Screen Actors Guild; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan's political career began in the mid-1960s when he won the election as Governor of California; he served two terms before pursuing the Republican nomination for President; and

WHEREAS, in 1980 Ronald Reagan gained the Republican nomination for President and then took office as the 40th President of the United States after a landslide victory; four years later, the American people again expressed their confidence in and approval of President Reagan by electing him to a second term; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan initially took office at a time when the country faced economic woes, a Cold War with the Soviet Union, and the waning confidence of the American public in its government; and

WHEREAS, driven by his love for America and its ideals and his strong faith in the ingenuity and ability of the American people, President Reagan pursued a bold agenda focused on having the government serve the people, reinvigorating the United States economy, strengthening the United States military, and connecting personally with world leaders; and

WHEREAS, known as "The Great Communicator," President Reagan had a natural optimism and ability to connect with others that made him a respected and beloved figure with the American public and leaders around the world; and

WHEREAS, on the homefront, President Reagan skillfully worked with Congress to enact legislation to cut taxes, provide assistance to those in need, and create new jobs for the American people, resulting in unprecedented economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan worked to make government more efficient for the American people by eliminating burdensome paperwork; strengthened the nation's commitment to providing a quality education for its youth; and nominated Sandra Day O'Connor as the first American woman to serve as a justice on the United States Supreme Court, opening a long-closed door for women; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan believed that America's strength was the key to world peace, and he pursued an aggressive campaign to reinvigorate the nation's military forces, which led to a renewed sense of pride and confidence among the members of the armed forces; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan formed close working relationships with many world leaders, including staunch ally Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Pope John Paul II, with whom he worked to support the Solidarity movement in Poland; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan himself initiated communication with Soviet leaders to ease the tensions that had existed between the two countries for decades; his persistent efforts thawed the relationship between the two countries, eventually putting an end to the Cold War; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan met with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev numerous times, developing a relationship based on mutual respect that led to the signing of an historic treaty to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear forces; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan's ambitious endeavors during his two terms as President of the United States left an American economy, military, and public revitalized while democracy around the world continued to spread with the support of the United States; and

WHEREAS, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease shortly after his retirement from public service, Ronald Reagan, along with his beloved wife, Nancy, established the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute and worked to raise awareness of the disease; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004, and following a state funeral that allowed thousands of Americans from across the country to pay their respects, his remains were interred at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library; and

WHEREAS, the anniversary of President Reagan's 100th birthday is an appropriate time to reflect on the beloved and inspiring leader whose presidential legacy continues to grow with the passage of time; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Ronald Wilson Reagan; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library and former First Lady Nancy Reagan as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation and recognition of President Reagan's distinguished contributions to the nation.