In Remembrance of Ronald W. Reagan

40^th President of the United States of America

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on Feb. 6, 1911, in Tampico Ill., the son of an itinerant shoe salesman named Jack Reagan and his wife, Nelle.

Jack Reagan was a Democrat, and ended up working for the presidential campaign of Franklin D. Roosevelt and later got a job with the Works Progress Administration, one of FDR’s job-creation efforts. Roosevelt became a hero to young Reagan, his fireside chats making an imprint on Reagan’s own radio style.

After graduating with a degree in economics and sociology from Eureka College, a small Illinois liberal arts college, in 1932, Ronald Reagan landed a job broadcasting University of Iowa football games over WOC, a radio station in Davenport, Iowa.

Later, Reagan broadcast Chicago Cubs games over WHO in Des Moines. In 1937, when he covered the Cubs spring training in California, Reagan was discovered by a Warner Bros. agent. It was during this time that Reagan met Hollywood actress Jane Wyman on the set of "Brother Rat." The two married in 1940, and a year later Jane gave birth to a girl, Maureen Elizabeth. In 1945, they adopted a son, Michael Edward. The couple would divorce after eight years of marriage

His film career featured him in more than 50 films. He was often cast as the foil to leading men like Errol Flynn, Reagan was best known for the 1940 film “Knute Rockne, All American,” in which he played Notre Dame Football star George Gipp.

Marriage to Nancy
Reagan met his second wife, Nancy Davis, while president of the Screen Actors Guild, a position he used to help defend colleagues that he believed had been wrongfully blacklisted. The couple had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott. Reagan and Nancy were inseparable until his death.

Governor of California
Reagan shifted from actor to corporate spokesman — and from Democrat to Republican

In 1964, Reagan backed Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater with a 30-minute political advertisement condemning big government and calling for tax reform -- themes that would become Reagan's conservative mantra for the next 24 years. The speech helped him launch a 1966 bid for the governorship of California, which he won.

Seizing the Presidency

In 1976, Reagan nearly succeeding in wresting the Republican nomination from President Gerald Ford.

Four years later, with Jimmy Carter hobbled by the Iranian hostage crisis and soaring inflation, Reagan won the presidency, carrying 44 states, as the 40^th President of the United States of American.

After defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter for the presidency in 1980, Reagan said at his inauguration, "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

Four More in '84

At 73, Reagan became the oldest American to be elected president, winning the 1984 election against former Vice President Walter Mondale.

From the shoe maker’s son from Tampico Ill, to lifeguard, athlete, movie star, governor, and oldest President in the United States, we encourage all to research the history of Ronald Reagan and its impact on the United States and the World. From the John Hinkley Jr., assassination, tempt, Tragedy in Beirut, Iran Contra, meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, to the INF Treaty signing, eight years in office, the Alzheimer's disease, and why he was known as the Great Communication.

Upton Reacts to Death of President Ronald Wilson Reagan

Upton served as Director of Legislative Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget in the Reagan Administration

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) made the following statement in response to today's passing of America's 40^th President, President Ronald Wilson Reagan.

"I had the great honor and privilege of serving America's 40^th President.  During our weekly meetings with Congressional Leaders in the West Wing, I learned firsthand from President Reagan what could be accomplished through principled leadership that reached across the political aisle.   

"Ronald Reagan was a true American patriot, a remarkable optimist who shepherded us through the end of the Cold War and into a time of economic prosperity that benefited all of America.   

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Reagan family, especially the former First Lady, Nancy, who was the angel by her husband's side during these trying years.  She has been a courageous leader as the public face of the fight against Alzheimer's.  We must do all we can to find a cure for this debilitating disease.   

"President Ronald Wilson Reagan has finally reached that 'shining city on the hill' he spoke so often about."