Announcing the Death of Ronald Reagan

Proclamation 7794 of June 6, 2004

Announcing the Death of Ronald Reagan

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:

It is my sad duty to announce officially the death of
Ronald Reagan, the fortieth President of the United
States, on June 5, 2004.

We are blessed to live in a Nation, and a world, that
have been shaped by the will, the leadership, and the
vision of Ronald Reagan.

With an unshakable faith in the values of our country
and the character of our people, Ronald Reagan renewed
America's confidence and restored our Nation. His
optimism, strength, and humility epitomized the
American spirit. He always told us that for America the
best was yet to come.

Ronald Reagan believed that God takes the side of
justice and that America has a special calling to
oppose tyranny and defend freedom. Through his courage
and determination, he enhanced America's security and
advanced the spread of peace, liberty, and democracy to
millions of people who had lived in darkness and
oppression. As America's President, Ronald Reagan
helped change the world.

President Reagan has left us, but he has left us
stronger and better. We take comfort in the knowledge
that he has left us for a better place, the shining
city that awaits him.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by the authority vested in me
by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in
honor and tribute to the memory of Ronald Reagan, and
as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct
that the flag of the United States be displayed at
half-staff at the White House and on all buildings,
grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a
period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also
direct that for the same length of time, the
representatives of the United States in foreign
countries shall make similar arrangements for the
display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies,
Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all
military facilities and stations.

I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by
units of the Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary
of Defense.

I do further appoint Friday, June 11, 2004, as a
National Day of Mourning throughout the United States.
I call on the American people to assemble on that day
in their respective places of worship, there to pay
homage to the memory of President Reagan. I invite the
people of the world who share our grief to join us in
this solemn observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand
four, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

(Presidential Sig.)B