State designates Sunday ‘Ronald Reagan Day’
By DANIELLE LYNCH
dlynch@delcotimes.com
State legislators have designated Feb. 6, 2011, as “Ronald Reagan Day” in Pennsylvania in memory of the former U.S. president who would have turned 100 years old Sunday.
“I think that history will prove Ronald Reagan was one of the more popular presidents of the day,” said state Rep. Bill Adolph, R-165, of Springfield. “I think the reason for that was the way he could communicate to the residents and the people of the U.S. I think he was able to get our federal government back on a good fiscal policy. And his foreign policy — in my opinion — was second to none. I also think he was respected by other world leaders.”
Adolph was one of several state representatives who co-sponsored a House resolution in honor of Reagan, a Republican icon who served as the 40th U.S. president from 1981-1989. The resolution, which was unanimously adopted Jan. 25, was introduced by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12, of Cranberry Township, Butler County.
Metcalfe described Reagan as “one of the greatest presidents our country has ever known.” Metcalfe said the resolution has been introduced in the House in previous years.
“Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest modern day presidents,” said state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, of Upper Chichester, another co-sponsor of the resolution.
Barrar described Reagan as a cheerleader following the pessimistic days of the administration of Democrat Jimmy Carter. Barrar, a U.S. Navy veteran, claimed that Reagan was responsible for the demise of the Soviet Union. Reagan was a “staunch anti-communist,” said Barrar.
Reagan “instilled in us as a people that the greatest days are ahead of us,” Barrar said. “He believed in economic power and military power.”
State Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-163, of Upper Darby, another co-sponsor of the House resolution, said he believes the U.S. was more unified under Reagan’s watch. “I think he was a great president,” Micozzie said.
The state Senate adopted a similar Ronald Reagan Day resolution on Jan. 25. The resolution was introduced in the Senate by state Sen. Jake Corman, R-34, of Bellefonte, Centre County. State Sen. Ted Erickson, R-26, of Newtown, co-sponsored the resolution, but he was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
The House and Senate resolutions ask Pennsylvanians to recognize the 100th anniversary of Reagan’s birth this year.
In California, former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill last June that officially designates Feb. 6 of every year as Ronald Reagan Day. It was unclear Tuesday whether any other states have similar resolutions or bills.
“We do know California has Ronald Reagan Day, but that’s the only state we know of for sure,” said Mary Branham, a spokeswoman for the Council of State Governments.
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