signonsandiego.com
This article is from the San Diego Tribune. I highlighted, in bold, a respectful comment from Maria (Kennedy) Shriver regarding the Reagans.
June 8, 2004
Associated Press
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the first page of the "Book of Remembrance" yesterday to honor Ronald Reagan.
SACRAMENTO – Honoring President Reagan, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday declared Friday a day of mourning in California, and he invited the public to join him in signing a "Book of Remembrance" that will be presented to the Reagan family.
Schwarzenegger issued an order that will close most state offices on Friday – mirroring an order President Bush gave at the federal level – and cause flags at the Capitol and state buildings throughout California to be flown at half-staff for 30 days in honor of the late president.
Reagan's funeral in Washington and burial in Simi Valley will take place Friday.
Schwarzenegger, with his wife Maria Shriver at his side, said he chose the spot in the Capitol rotunda where Reagan was sworn in as governor on Jan. 2, 1967, to sign the book. Its pages will be available for the public to sign at locations around the state, to be announced later.
"President Reagan is my hero," Schwarzenegger said in the rotunda, hours after he and Shriver paid their respects to Reagan at the president's library in Simi Valley. "I idolized him. The power of his ideas, the strength of his leadership, and the resolve of his actions always inspired me very much."
After the governor and his wife made their inscriptions, the four top legislative leaders and other statewide elected officials signed the pages of the book, displayed on a large desk used by a former governor, the late Earl Warren.
"On behalf of millions of Californians, we thank you for your leadership – your service – your patriotism – your optimism," Schwarzenegger wrote in the book. "You will always live in the hearts of all Californians."
Shriver wrote: "To Nancy – We love you and we pray for you at this difficult time. To Patti – Ron and Michael – Thank you for sharing your father with our country – With Respect, Maria Shriver." |
