House marks Reagan’s 100th birthday with one-hour tribute on the floor

Dozens of House members Wednesday honored Ronald Reagan for what would have been his 100th birthday on Sunday. The one-hour tribute was marked by several short speeches from members, including two Democrats.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered her regards to Nancy Reagan, and Rep. John Garamendi, another California Democrat, said he cherishes a photograph from years ago of Reagan meeting his young daughter.

Several other House Republicans paid tribute to Reagan’s drive to reduce the influence of government, fight against Communism and restore optimism in America.

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) showed a piece of the Berlin Wall that she keeps with her and spoke about Reagan’s famous call for Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), whose district contains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, led the tribute. On Tuesday night, California Republicans David Dreier, Dan Lungren and Dana Rohrabacher honored Reagan on the House floor.