79R8078 MW-D

By:  Grusendorf                                                 H.C.R. No. 89 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th president of the United 
States, passed away at his home in California on June 5, 2004, at 
the age of 93; and
	WHEREAS, Born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, 
President Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and worked 
as a radio sports announcer before signing an acting contract with 
Warner Brothers studio in 1937; he went on to star in more than 50 
films and later enjoyed a highly successful career in television; 
and
	WHEREAS, His electrifying speech in support of Barry 
Goldwater's presidential bid in 1964 brought national attention and 
encouragement from Republican Party leaders to run for public 
office himself; he won the governorship of California in 1966 and 
again in 1970; and
	WHEREAS, Ten years later, Ronald Reagan captured 489 out of 
538 electoral votes to win the White House; that same election saw 
Republicans seize control of the U.S. Senate for the first time in 
decades; in 1984, he won a landslide re-election, garnering nearly 
60 percent of the popular vote and winning 49 states; and
	WHEREAS, During his two terms in office, President Reagan 
focused on shrinking the federal government and increasing the 
country's military might; his policy of supporting anti-Communist 
insurgents wherever they might be became known as the Reagan 
Doctrine; highlights of his presidency included a sustained 
economic recovery and the end of the Cold War with the Soviet Union; 
and
	WHEREAS, Less tangibly, he has been credited with evoking in 
Americans a more generous feeling about politics and "restor[ing] a 
kind of confidence in the presidency"; supporters and critics alike 
have cited his humorous quips, affable charm, and sunny optimism, 
as well as a remarkable ability to connect with individuals on a 
personal level, even when delivering a formal address; and
	WHEREAS, Possessing a grand vision of America's "rendezvous 
with destiny," Ronald Reagan gave his name to a revolution in 
politics and policy that continues to be a potent force at the 
opening of the 21st century; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
Regular Session, 2005, hereby pay special tribute to the life of 
President Ronald Wilson Reagan.