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Log Cabin Offers Condolences to Reagan Family After the Death of Former President Reagan

History will remember Ronald Reagan as one of our nation's greatest Presidents

June 7, 2004

(Washington, DC) – The members of Log Cabin Republicans offer their condolences to Nancy Reagan and her family at the passing of former President Ronald Reagan. "President Reagan's inspirational vision for America relied on optimism, hope and an enduring faith in individual freedom, " said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero. "This is a great loss for the nation. "

Guerriero was traveling in Los Angeles over the weekend and saw the motorcade that was carrying Reagan's body to the funeral home. "It was a solemn moment, but also a chance to remember this great man. President Reagan possessed the courage and principles to lead this nation through troubled times and help build what he called a shining city on a hill. He will go down in history as one of our nation's greatest Presidents. "

Ronald Reagan forever will be linked with the founding of Log Cabin Republicans in 1977. Anti-gay forces in California pushed what was called, the Briggs Initiative. The proposal would have prevented gay people from teaching in California public schools. Ronald Reagan's public opposition to the Briggs Initiative helped lead to its defeat. In the wake of that campaign, gay conservatives united to form Log Cabin Republicans.

"President Reagan united the Republican Party by embracing an optimistic vision for America: low taxes, limited government, individual opportunity, free markets, personal freedom and a strong national defense, " continued Guerriero. "He succeeded by bringing America together – not trying to divide it for political gain. "

President Reagan's legacy can best be summed up by quoting one of his last speeches. At the 1992 Republican National Convention, President Reagan said, "Whatever else history will say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears, to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty's lamp guiding your steps and opportunity's arm steadying your way."