HR1349 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1349 LRB096 22680 KXB 42011 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, a man of humble background and a native of Illinois, worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good, having been employed as an entertainer, union leader, corporate spokesman, Governor of California, and President of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico; he lived in many locations throughout Illinois, including his boyhood home in Dixon; he attended Eureka College in Eureka, graduating in 1932, and is a true son of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan served with honor and distinction for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of America, during his second election he earned the confidence of three-fifths of the electorate and was victorious in 49 of the 50 states in the general election, a record that is unsurpassed in the history of American presidential elections; and

WHEREAS, During Mr. Reagan's presidency, he worked in a bipartisan manner to enact his bold agenda of restoring accountability and common sense to government, which led to an unprecedented economic expansion and opportunity for millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan's commitment to our armed forces contributed to the restoration of pride in America, her values and those cherished by the free world, and prepared America's Armed Forces to meet 21st century challenges; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan's vision of "peace through strength" helped lead to the end of the Cold War and the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union, guaranteeing basic human rights for millions of people; and

WHEREAS, The United States Mint began the Presidential $1 Coin Program in 2007, to honor each president, and the program will feature President Reagan in 2016; and

WHEREAS, 2011 will mark the centennial of President Reagan's birth, and celebrations are planned across the nation to commemorate President Reagan's life; and

WHEREAS, A coin featuring President Reagan during the national commemoration of his centennial birth, rather than in 2016, would provide a last tribute; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Mint issue the planned and approved Ronald Reagan Presidential $1 coin in 2011 under a chronology that commemorates the centennial of President Reagan's birth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Director of the United States Mint, Edmund C. May, and to each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.