Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey). (Mr. GINGREY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) very much for those very eloquent comments. I am reminded of the fact that in very simple form, Ronald Reagan challenged the world on behalf of liberty, on behalf of peace. He had this remarkable relationship that developed over time with Mikhail Gorbachev. After he described the Evil Empire in straightforward terms, they began to communicate as leaders of two great countries. Indeed, together over time they reduced the nuclear threat by coming to agreement with one another. It has been said earlier, but let me repeat the words of Ronald Reagan: ``Mr. Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek the liberalization, come here to this gate, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'' And indeed, within a couple of years, that wall came down. The East- West confrontation began to thaw; and between these two leaders, the world has seen a different kind of opportunity for peace. Today we face the challenge that involves the war on terrorism; and, indeed, that struggle is bound to last for years to come. It was the legacy of Ronald Reagan that laid the foundation for America to best be prepared to defend itself for liberty and for freedom. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 5 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton). (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague yielding his time back, and now we know why he is chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House today and as the designee of the majority leader, I request an additional hour of debate on the resolution.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), my favorite coach.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I could not feel more strongly than I do about the gentlewoman's remarks. Indeed, one of the wonderful things that has happened in recent years in the House is the advent of young women like this stepping up to the plate, running for Congress, and making a big difference in the People's House. It is my honor, Mr. Speaker, to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the comments of our colleague from Texas. I am reminded of that tragic day when Ronald Reagan, shortly after he became President in March of 1981, and the assassination attempt took place. As they rolled him on a gurney into the emergency room, he looked up and said to his wife, I guess I forgot to duck, honey. Ronald Reagan, a man who was always ready to try to calm down the other person and make sure they felt okay, our President. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate my colleague from Texas joining with us in this discussion this evening of perhaps America's greatest President, Ronald Reagan. In his words, Ronald Reagan said, ``Some argue that we should encourage democratic change and right-wing dictatorships but not in communist regimes. Well,'' he said, ``to accept this preposterous notion, as some well-meaning people have, is to invite the argument that once countries achieve a nuclear capability, they should be allowed an undisturbed reign of terror over their own citizens. We reject this, of course.'' As Ronald Reagan rebuilt America, his defense budget designed to restrengthen our country's ability to defend itself, he stared down the Evil Empire and negotiated a nuclear arms treaty with Gorbachev. As two enemies became close friends, think of that, two enemies became close friends, Gorbachev was heard to say, Who would have thought it. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Chocola).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert). (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), chairman of the Committee on Rules. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa). (Mr. ISSA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. President Reagan came to Washington at a moment when our country was in great malaise. Interest rates had risen as high as 21\1/2\ percent. Inflation was raging the country. Jobs were very, very difficult to come by. And in typical Ronald Reagan fashion, the President for whom the glass was always more than half full, he began setting forth policies that reduced interest rates, that impacted inflation, and created jobs. He set a stage for tomorrow that would lead us all to believe in America again and have new hope and opportunity within our country. It is my privilege, Mr. Speaker, to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, through the years of having the opportunity to know President Ronald Reagan, one could go down many a pathway in recalling his greatness. My first recollection of Ronald Reagan, I can recall clearly I was lying on the living room floor, and he was giving this speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater. The remarks in that speech entitled, ``A Time For Choosing,'' never to forget, ``You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on Earth, or we will sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness.'' I will never forget rolling over on the floor and saying to my family, ``This guy ought to be Governor of California.'' And, by golly, just 2 years later, he was: Governor Ronald Reagan, elected in 1966 by the people of California. Two years after that, a group of seven Republican freshmen legislators were invited to the Governor's home for a little dinner. They had a set of card tables in the living room, a couple sat down at one card table, I sat on an extra chair, and, lo and behold, the Governor sat down beside me. The gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) may remember that I was a bit more brash in those days than I choose to be now. And so almost immediately, I raised the subject of interest to me to the then-Governor Reagan. I asked him what he thought about preschool and child care. It did not take 30 seconds for me to begin to understand that I had asked the right question, for Governor Reagan knew an awful lot more about preschool and child care than I ever thought of knowing. He and Nancy had been thinking about this subject for some time. And indeed, as a result of that beginning point of working together in this very special area of education, the Child Development Act was signed in 1972 by Governor Reagan and became the first major State quality day care programming that included health components and education components and involved parental responsibilities as well. The Governor was way ahead of the curve, as one might see; for some 25 years later, Washington discovered the importance of child care. Another illustration of an interesting side of the Governor who by many was considered to be some way out there, far out on the right; but quickly those who would observe carefully recognized that this Governor was looking out for the benefit of all people of California and because of that, shortly he became very well known as an environmental Governor. He joined quickly with Governor Laxalt of Nevada, and together hand in hand they literally saved Lake Tahoe. A leader way ahead of his time, it was my privilege to spend so much time in those early days with Governor Ronald Reagan. At another time in this evening's discussion I would like to spend a moment discussing with all of you my first experience with Governor Reagan when he became President of the United States. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Ronald Reagan became President in 1981 after an election in 1980. At that point in our history, our defenses had been reduced to such significant levels, all of us were concerned about the future of America's ability to defend itself. Indeed, there were great leaders who recognized the importance of building our defenses. Among those who have come here since President Reagan was with us is the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham). Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), Ronald Reagan's home State.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, the eloquence of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle reflect the best of Ronald Reagan. His leadership indeed recognized that there was little partisanship when you were really working towards solving problems for America's people. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes). (Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, today it is my pleasure to recognize Sherri and Robert Vines for more than 30 years of community service in San Bernardino County, California. The Vines, who are being honored with the Norman F. Feldheym Award from Congregation Emanu El in our community, exemplify the volunteerism that is the backbone our American communities. Currently the President of the United Jewish Welfare Fund of San Bernardino County, Robert Vines has been serving his Congregation and his community for 30 years. Robert has been a respected member of the California State Bar since 1973 and served as the Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Bernardino from 1973-1975. As a member of Congregation Emanu El, Robert has served in a number of important positions, including Financial Secretary of the entire Congregation. His wife Sherri has served Congregation Emanu El in many capacities, including teaching at the School of Jewish Living, chairing the Community Sedar and three terms as Sisterhood President. Mr. Speaker, together they have been leading members of their community serving as officers in the Arrowhead United Way, as host family for the Western Regional Little League Tournament, and as coaches in the local Little League and AYSO. They have contributed their skills and resources to programs of Congregation Emanu El, including sponsoring temple events and serving as a host family for NFTY Conclave. Sherri and Robert Vines will receive the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award on June 12, 2004 on the 113th anniversary of the founding of their Congregation. They are certainly deserving of the award, which pays tribute to members who most closely resemble the Rabbi Feldheyin's qualities of love and loyalty to the synagogue, service to the community, and personal traits of humility, kindness, care and love. Please join me, Mr. Speaker, in recognizing Sherri and Robert for their outstanding service to their community.