Tuesday, February 20, 2007

This year a record 42 states recognized Ronald Reagan's birthday! Check out the full list below.

RONALD REAGAN DAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007
42 States Recognized Reagan Day

Governors Who Have Issued a Proclamation:
34 governors, 21 Republican (62%), 13 Democrat (38%)

Robert Riley (R – AL)
Sarah Palin (R – AK)
+Arnold Schwarzenegger (R – CA)
+Bill Owens (R – CO)
M. Jodi Rell (R – CT)
+Sonny Perdue (R – GA)
Linda Lingle (R – HI)
Butch Otter (R – ID)
+Rod Blagojevich (D – IL)
+Mitch Daniels (R – IN)
+Chet Culver (D – IA)
+Ernie Fletcher (R – KY)
Kathleen Blanco (D –LA)
John Baldacci (D – ME)
Timothy Pawlenty (R – MN)
+Haley Barbour (R – MS)
Matt Blunt (R – MO)
David Heineman (R – NE)
Jim Gibbons (R – NV)
John Lynch (D – NH)
+Bill Richardson (D – NM)
Eliot Spitzer (D – NY)
+John Hoeven (R – ND)
*Brad Henry (D – OK)
+Theodore Kulongoski (D – OR)
+Don Carcieri (R – RI)
Mark Sanford (R – SC)
+Phil Bredesen (D – TN)
+Rick Perry (R-TX)
Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R – UT)
James Douglas (R – VT)
Christine Gregoire (D – WA)
+Joe Manchin, III (D-WV)
David Freudenthal (D – WY)

*Denotes a verbal confirmation of the proclamation.
+ Denotes a resolution introduced in the state.

Legislators Who Have Introduced a Resolution:
23 States, 30 legislative bodies, 19 adopted

AZ - Resolution read by Rep. Steven Yarbrough (2/6/07)
CA - Rep. Audra Strickland– H.R. 6 – Adopted (2/09/07)
CO - Sen. Greg Brophy – S.J.R. 11 – Adopted (2/6/07)
CO - Sen. Wayne Allard – S.R. 73 – Adopted (2/6/07)
FL - Rep. Mike Fasano – S.B. 1918 – Prefiled (2/21/07)
GA - Sen. Ralph T. Hudgens – S.R. 131 – Adopted (2/1/07)
IL - Rep. Jack D. Franks – H.R. 55 – Introduced (1/31/07)
IL - Rep. Robert Pritchard – H.R. 78 – Introduced (2/7/07)
IA - Sen. Jeff Angelo – S.R. 8 – Adopted (2/6/07)
IN - Rep. Eric A. Koch – H.C.R. 14 – Adopted (2/6/07)
KS - Sen. Dennis Ryle – S.R. 1814 – Adopted (2/6/07)
KY - Rep. Ron Crimm – H.R. 64 – Adopted (2/6/07)
KY - Sen. Jack Westwood – S.R. 30 – Adopted (2/6/07)
MA - Adopted in the House (2/6/07)
MA - Adopted in the Senate (2/5/07)
MS - Rep. Mike Lott – H.C.R. 48 – Introduced (1/30/07)
NV - Sen. William J. Raggio – S.C.R. 1 – Adopted (2/6/07)
NM - Rep. Anna Crook – H.J.M. 21 – Adopted (2/6/07)
NJ - Rep. Sean Kean– A.J.R. 98 – Introduced (2/23/06)
ND - Rep. Bette B. Grande – H.C.R. 3021 – Adopted (2/6/07)
OR - Rep. Donna G. Welson – H.C.R. 3 – Introduced (2/6/07)
PA - Rep. Daryl D. Metcalfe – H.R. 18 – Adopted (1/30/07)
PA - Sen. Jeffery E. Piccola – S.R. 28 – Adopted (2/6/07)
RI - Rep. Robert A. Watson – H.B. 5339 – Adopted (2/6/07)
TN - Rep. Jason Mumpower – H.J.R. 95 – Introduced (2/5/07)
TN - Sen. Diane Black– S.J.R. 28 – Introduced (1/29/07)
TX - Rep. Harvey Hilderbran – H.R. 245 – Adopted (2/6/07)
WV - Rep. Jonathan Miller– H.C.R. 17 – Introduced (2/1/07)
WV - Sen. Don Caruth – S.R. 13 – Adopted (2/6/07)
WI - Sen. Ted Kanavas – S.J.R. 4 – Introduced (1/9/07)

Governors Who Did Not Issue a Proclamation:
16 governors, 14 Democrat (87.5%), 1 Republican (6.25%), 1 No Response (6.25%), 8 states with introduced resolutions or annual days

+Janet Napolitano (D – AZ)
O Mike Beebe (D – AR)
Ruth Ann Minner (D – DE)
*+Charlie Crist (R – FL)
+Kathleen Sebelius (D – KS)
Martin O’Malley (D – MD)
+Deval Patrick (D – MA)
Jennifer Granholm (D – MI)
Brian Schweitzer (D – MT)
Mike Easley (D – NC)
+Jon Corzine (D – NJ)
Ted Strickland (D – OH)
+Ed Rendell (D – PA)
Mike Rounds (R – SD)
Tim Kaine (D – VA)
+Jim Doyle (D-WI)

*Denotes no response at this time.
+ Denotes resolution introduced in the state.
O Denotes states with annual Reagan Day.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Grover Norquist, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, Comments on Fox News Channel's 'Fox & Friends'

FNC 02/13/07 08:45:08:
...Brian: Ronald Reagan was one of the most prominent figures in the 20th century, most would agree.
Gretchen: Why are some refusing to ignore his birthday. You're proposing through the foundation that February 6, be Ronald Reagan Day as a holiday. Would that entail that it would be like other holidays, the banks are closed, no mail, etc.?
Grover: We ask that governors make a proclamation that it is Ronald Reagan Day. It doesn't mean that the banks are closed or no mail. It doesn't interfere with commerce. The good news is that most governors have done it. 17 governors failed to do so.
Brian: Name some that stand out an surprise you.
Grover: Tim Kaine in Virginia to tries to argue that he is a moderate, refused. Eliot Spitzer, the liberal democrat from New York did it very quick lirks very graciously. It is not a partisan divide. Deval Patrick from Massachusetts has refused to do this for Reagan. And -- the good news is that most states -- the state legislature in Massachusetts, both houses passed resolutions, but the governor hasn't issued a proclamation.
Gretchen: All of the states governors must sign off?
Grover: Not every state does it. Arnold Schwarzenegger did it for California. Janet Nopalatano refused to do it in Arizona. She pretends to be nonpartisan --
Gretchen: It is not a federal situation?
Grover: It is state by state. The house didn't get around to it at the national level. It is an opportunity for every state legislature and governor to honor Ronald Reagan on his...
Poland’s ‘Symbol of Liberty’ to Get Statue
City square may also be renamed after Ronald Reagan

Washington, D.C. – On February 9th, city hall spokesman Waldemar Bojarun announced that the city of Katowice, Poland may erect a statue of Ronald Reagan in the town’s center square. In an open letter, the city’s major recognized President Reagan as a “symbol of liberty” during a time of communist occupation. The Ronald Reagan Legacy Project applauds the city of Katowice for its commitment to preserving Reagan’s contributions to freedom around the world.

The new Reagan statue would replace the current memorial of Soviet troops, who drove out the Nazis from Poland in 1945. Additionally, Katowice’s councilors are also in favor of renaming the city’s Freedom Square to “Ronald Reagan Freedom Square.”

“Reagan was committed to defeating communism and releasing the choke hold of the ‘evil empire’ in Eastern Europe,” stated Grover Norquist, chairman of the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project. “I commend Katowice for recognizing Reagan’s legacy in Poland and for supporting a symbol of liberty for all those who believe in democracy.”

In 1989, Reagan’s commitment to the defeat of the Soviet Union took shape as Poland became the first nation in Eastern Europe to defeat communism. As a result, several other cities in Poland have dedicated memorials to Reagan, including Warsaw’s Reagan statue, “Ronald Reagan Square” in Krakow and “Ronald Reagan Circle” in Tarnow.

“With this statue, future generations of Poles will see that Reagan’s commitment stretched far beyond our domestic borders,” continued Norquist. “The Reagan memorial will act as a consistent reminder that freedom can prosper in all corners of the globe.”

The RRLP is committed to preserving the legacy of one of America’s greatest presidents throughout the nation and abroad. Grover Norquist, chairman of the RLLP, is available for interviews regarding Ronald Reagan’s legacy and the group’s projects. Please contact John Kartch at (202)-785-0266 or jkartch@atr.org.
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Monday, February 12, 2007

The Boston Globe: Patrick Won't Commemorate Day for Reagan
By Jim O'Sullivan, State House News Service
(visit The Boston Globe for full-text of article)

Not even one for the gipper?

The new icon of Massachusetts Democrats has rebuffed efforts to commemorate a day for Ronald Reagan, the last Republican to win the Commonwealth in a presidential election. And Reaganites are not happy.

Governor Deval Patrick decided not to sign a proclamation recognizing Feb. 6 as "Ronald Reagan Day." A month into his term as governor, snubbing the Gipper's birthday has left Patrick open to partisan sniping.

A prominent conservative said Democratic New York Governor Eliot Spitzer declared the holiday.

"It's the difference between a little more sophisticated guy who's governor and a guy who's still playing partisan politics after a campaign," said Grover Norquist, founder and chairman of the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project.

Thirty-three governors -- 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats -- inked the agreement to recognize Reagan's birthday in their states, Norquist said. The 17 remaining governors either didn't reply or refused outright; Patrick was a frank "no," Norquist said.
State Republican Party Chairman Peter Torkildsen said he felt disbelief.

"To me, Ronald Reagan is one of the great figures of the 20th century, and not only that, he carried Massachusetts twice, which no Republican for president had done since Dwight Eisenhower," Torkildsen said in an interview.
Fox News Channel: Snubbing Ronald Reagan Day?

Ronald Reagan was one of the most prominent figures of the Twentieth Century.
So, why are some governors refusing to recognize his birthday as a holiday?

Governors Who Have Issued a Proclamation:
33 Governors, 20 Republican (60%), 13 Democrat (40%)

Robert Riley, R-Ala.
Sarah Palin, R-Alaska
+ Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif.
+ Bill Owens, R-Colo.
M. Jodi Rell, R-Conn.
+ Sonny Perdue, R-Ga.
Linda Lingle, R-Hawaii
Butch Otter, R-Idaho
+ Rod Blagojevich, D-Illl.
+ Mitch Daniels, R-Ind.
+ Chet Culver, D-Iowa
+ Ernie Fletcher, R-Ky.
Kathleen Blanco, D-La.
John Baldacci, D-Maine
Timothy Pawlenty, R-Minn.
+ Haley Barbour, R-Miss.
David Heineman, R-Neb.
Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.
John Lynch, D-N.H.
+ Bill Richardson, D-N.M.
Eliot Spitzer, D-N.Y.
+ John Hoeven, R-N.D.
* Brad Henry, D-Okla.
+ Theodore Kulongoski, D-Ore.
+ Don Carcieri, R-R.I.
Mark Sanford, R-S.C.
+ Phil Bredesen, D-Tenn.
+ Rick Perry, R-Texas
Jon Huntsman, Jr., R-Utah
James Douglas, R-Vt.
Christine Gregoire, D-Wash.
+ Joe Manchin, III, D-W.Va.
David Freudenthal, D-Wyo.

* Denotes a verbal confirmation of the proclamation.
+ Denotes a resolution introduced in the state.

Legislators Who Have Introduced a Resolution:
22 States, 28 legislative bodies, 18 adopted

AZ — Resolution read by Rep. Steven Yarbrough in the House (2/6/07)
CA — Rep. Audra Strickland — H.R. 6 — Introduced (1/31/07)
CO — Sen. Greg Brophy — S.J.R. 11 — Adopted (2/6/07)
CO — Sen. Wayne Allard — S.R. 73 — Adopted (2/6/07)
GA — Sen. Ralph T. Hudgens — S.R. 131 — Adopted (2/1/07)
IL — Rep. Jack D. Franks — H.R. 55 — Introduced (1/31/07)
IL — Rep. Robert Pritchard — H.R. 78 — Introduced (2/7/07)
IA — Sen. Jeff Angelo — S.R. 8 — Adopted (2/6/07)
IN — Rep. Eric A. Koch — H.C.R. 14 — Adopted (2/6/07)
KS — Sen. Dennis Ryle — S.R. 1814 — Adopted (2/6/07)
KY — Rep. Ron Crimm — H.R. 64 — Adopted (2/6/07)
KY — Sen. Jack Westwood — S.R. 30 — Adopted (2/6/07)
MA — Adopted in the House (2/6/07)
MS — Rep. Mike Lott — H.C.R. 48 — Introduced (1/30/07)
NV — Sen. William J. Raggio — S.C.R. 1 — Adopted (2/6/07)
NM — Rep. Anna Crook — H.J.M. 21 — Adopted (2/6/07)
NJ — Rep. Sean Kean — A.J.R. 98 — Introduced (2/23/06)
ND — Rep. Bette B. Grande — H.C.R. 3021 — Adopted (2/6/07)
OR — Rep. Donna G. Welson — H.C.R. 3 — Introduced (2/6/07)
PA — Rep. Daryl D. Metcalfe — H.R. 18 — Adopted (1/30/07)
PA — Sen. Jeffery E. Piccola — S.R. 28 — Adopted (2/6/07)
RI — Rep. Robert A. Watson — H.B. 5339 — Adopted (2/6/07)
TN — Rep. Jason Mumpower — H.J.R. 95 — Introduced (2/5/07)
TN — Sen. Diane Black — S.J.R. 28 — Introduced (1/29/07)
TX — Rep. Harvey Hilderbran — H.R. 245 — Adopted (2/6/07)
WV — Rep. Jonathan Miller — H.C.R. 17 — Introduced (2/1/07)
WV — Sen. Don Caruth — S.R. 13 — Adopted (2/6/07)
WI — Sen. Ted Kanavas — S.J.R. 4 — Introduced (1/9/07)

Governors Who Did Not Issue a Proclamation:
17 governors, 14 Democrat (82%), 1 Republican (1%), 3 No Response (17%), 7 states with introduced resolutions or annual days

+ Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.
O Mike Beebe, D-Ark.
Ruth Ann Minner, D-Del.
* Charlie Crist, R-Fla.
+ Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.
* Martin O'Malley, D-Md.
+ Deval Patrick, D-Mass.
Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich.
* Matt Blunt, R-Mo.
Brian Schweitzer, D-Mont.
Mike Easley, D-N.C.
+ Jon Corzine, D-N.J.
Ted Strickland, D-Ohio
+ Ed Rendell, D-Pa.
Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Tim Kaine, D-Va.
+ Jim Doyle, D-Wisc.

* Denotes no response at this time.
+ Denotes resolution introduced in the state.
O Denotes states with annual Reagan Day.

Governors Who Did Not Issue a Reagan Day Proclamation:
Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.
Mike Beebe, D-Ark.
Ruth Ann Minner, D-Del.
Charlie Crist, R-Fla.
Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.
Martin O'Malley, D-Md.
Deval Patrick, D-Mass.
Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich.
Matt Blunt, R-Mo.
Brian Schweitzer, D-Mont.
Mike Easley, D-N.C.
Jon Corzine, D-N.J.
Ted Strickland, D-Ohio
Ed Rendell, D-Pa.
Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Tim Kaine, D-Va.
Jim Doyle, D-Wisc.