On Saturday, former President Ronald Reagan slipped into eternity, after a decade of struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Each generation of Americans experiences brushes with history. Some have brushes with greatness. Such was our generation's witness of a man who was, I believe, the greatest president of my lifetime.
A little over three years ago, I delivered a speech on the floor of the North Dakota House of Representatives, on the occasion of Ronald Reagan's 90th birthday, which drew bipartisan appreciation. It made me reflect upon my thoughts and memories of the man. I borrow from it here to help express them.
The man who would become our nation's 40th president grew up in the Midwest and came to exemplify the values and virtues most Americans share.
A lifeguard, turned sportscaster, turned actor, he later embarked upon a political career which took him from the California governor's mansion to the White House.
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He became president at a time when Americans needed a good dose of confidence, leadership and patriotism and he provided all three like few who have held the highest office in the land ever have.
Politically, he earned loyal admirers and his share of critics, but on one thing virtually all Americans agree: Ronald Wilson Reagan, as president, was a man of decency, charm and grace who inspired us and made us proud to be Americans once again.
He had such respect for the Oval Office in which he labored for eight years, that he reportedly never even took his suit coat off in that historic room. He disarmed us with his wit, inspired us with his optimism and challenged us to dream big dreams. "And why not?" he said. "After all, we're Americans."
For the past 10 years, he battled the terrible disease called Alzheimer's and withdrew from the public spotlight, but the memory of his exemplary service to our nation and our gratitude for it only grew.
In his remarks from France, where he commemorated the anniversary of D-Day, President George W. Bush recalled Reagan's optimistic belief that, for America, "the best is yet to come" and his frequent reference to America as a "shining city on a hill." He expressed his belief that, for Reagan, too, the best is yet to come and that he had moved on to another shining city, convictions I share.
Today, as we remember him, let us join together in paying tribute to a great statesman and in praying for Nancy Reagan and the family in this time of loss. God speed, Mr. President.
Koppelman, R-West Fargo, has served District 13 in the North Dakota House since 1994. He is a member of the Appropriations Committee - Government Operations Division.
