Politics

Reagan Centennial Endowment Surpasses $100 Million

Editor’s note: This story originally contained live video of Reagan’s centennial birthday celebration. It has been replaced by an AP story related to the event.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — The Ronald Reagan centennial endowment campaign surpassed its $100 million goal Saturday, hours before the Gipper’s 100th birthday.

The nonprofit Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation told The Associated Press that the milestone was reached about two years after the foundation set its $100 million endowment goal.

Foundation board chairman Frederick Ryan said achieving the steep milestone for the nation’s 40th chief executive, and the timing, were remarkable.

“We couldn‘t have asked for a better present on President Reagan’s 100th birthday,” Ryan said during private reunion of Reagan associates at the Ventura County library some 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. “Just over two years ago, we set a steep goal of raising $100 million for an endowment that will ensure the Reagan Foundation and its work will live on in perpetuity.”

The endowment means Reagan’s legacy will be preserved and promoted, Ryan said. The endowment also maintains and expands the foundation and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

Reagan was 93 when he died on June 5, 2004, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Library executive director John Heubusch said the foundation’s mission is “ensuring that our next generation of leaders has the opportunity to learn about President Reagan and his impact on U.S. and world history.”

“As President Reagan himself once said to America’s youth, ‘We need you, we need your youth, your strength, and your idealism,’” Heubusch said.

—–

Online:

http://www.reagancentennial.com

http://www.reaganfoundation.org

Comments (34)

  • Bronco II
    Posted on February 7, 2011 at 12:33pm

    I will always remember him as a great President my son was born in 81 and we were in bad shape till he changed things and those were the best years for my family and it still was somewhat of a struggle but it was a well worth it and turned me around 180 degrees from it‘s all about me to NO it’s about your baby and your family and have been on the right track ever since still made some mistakes along the way but with GOD watching over he thumped me and keep me on the right path ever since.And when his father who had a drinking problem stupid me I stayed but our son ALWAYS came first because I didn‘t drink and wasn’t going to let happen what happen with my mother and her drinking have her nine kids taken away because her alcohol meant more to her and I should have left him but like many at the time was afraid with a child so I don‘t judge women who don’t leave he never put his hands on me because I told him straight out if you ever do you will go to jail and if you ever touch our son when your drinking you will not walk out of here alive and at the time I meant it.He did one time grab my arm and I had him locked up and he couldn’t believe I did it and I told him NOW you know where the line is and yes he came back and yes he sitll drank and he never put his hands on me or my son.My son is 30 years old now and is a wonderfull man loves his dad but their relationship isn‘t what you would call great because thru the years he saw for himself he wasn’t as important as his beer and friends and he knows that when it came to his education and doing what is right his dad and I were always on the right page when he wasn‘t drinking and knows I’am to fault too for not doing what was right at the time and leaving him and he told me I don‘t judge you I know and saw how you always put me first when money was tight and you taught me that you were my parents not my friends and there is a line you don’t cross and I got my punishments when due and didn’t like it at the time but so thankfull now you and dad did.I remember you saying I‘ve been your age when have you been mine so when we tell you NO you can’t do that we either did it and it didn’t turn out like we thought or our parents raised us the same way so you live and learn and when you have children hopefully that instinct kicks in.Sadly today you don’t see that so much anymore.I want to add if you leave GOD out of your life you will NEVER EVER be happy or free and I’am because the TRUTH SET ME FREE.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
  • Fina_Biscotti
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:18pm

    The Reagan Foundation should start a “REAGAN AWARD” –

    to compete w Europe’s Nobel Pizz Prize that is given to POLITICAL TERRORISTS and CRIMINALS.

    Report Post »  
  • Showtime
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:08pm

    @Robert-CA
    If you meant not to click on the link, I won’t (and didn’t). Thank you.
    You have shown respect for us. Thank you again.

    Report Post » Showtime  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:43pm

    don’t go knocking

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • Rice Water
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:36pm

    I…guess so?

    Report Post » Rice Water  
  • 13thGenerationAmerican
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:19pm

    What would Palin and the tea party have said when Reagan oversaw the largest personal tax increase in the history of the country? In 1982, Reagan signed into law The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which raised taxes by nearly 1 percent of the national GDP. While the act came with some strings attached, most notably the promise to cut spending by three times the amount of the tax increase, in retrospect, the cuts never really happened, and it remains, to many experts, the largest tax increase in the history of the country.

    Reagan signed into law a package that included the highest corporate tax rate increase in history in 1986. Reagan, actually, raised taxes in six of his eight years in office.

    As for shrinking government, Reagan did no such thing. The number of employees in the federal government grew from 2.8 million to 3 million during his presidency. Reagan certainly was no deficit hawk, either, as the national debt grew from $700 billion to $3 trillion during his time in office.

    Report Post » 13thGenerationAmerican  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:54pm

      So what?

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Fina_Biscotti
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:21pm

      REAGAN “inherited” Jimmy Carter‘s bullshyt and the cost of Carter’s screwball ideologies, such as the Department of Education……that should be completely closed down.

      Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 4:11pm

    No matter how you look at President Reagan. His legacy is something that is his and can never be taken away. But I think they will be learning from him for a long time to come.

    Report Post »  
  • pma_guy
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:24pm

    Other than Washington, “His Excellency”, President Reagan is the greatest leader of our country! We miss you.

    Report Post » pma_guy  
  • NJGal
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:20pm

    Happy Birthday, Mr. President. We miss you terribly.

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:19pm

    Just one word when Lee Greenwood sang the song at the end of the celebration.
    GOOSEBUMPS

    Report Post » randy  
  • Fina_Biscotti
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:15pm

    Beautiful presentation!

    Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:59pm

    Happy Birthday President Reagan – AND oh yes how we miss him! There will never be another.

    Report Post »  
  • copper
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:51pm

    Ronald Reagan was the reason I became a conservative. He was not perfect but he was what this nation needed so badly. He was the best encourager, he made us believe that our nations best years were NOT behind us.

    The only ONE in my mind that even comes close is Sarah Palin. She has the gift of resonating with the common citizen. She is just like the rest of us who love this country and want her to be the ‘Shining City on a Hill’ once again. We need to put someone in the oval office who can INSPIRE, not PRETEND to inspire while actually dividing, attacking and demeaning. (Why just like Stalin, Hitler and Mao did!)

    Report Post »  
  • J0HN L0CK
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:46pm

    The greatest president with an even grater legacy we the people remmember you.

    Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:43pm

    The last with the Integrity of George Washington.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • iloveusa2
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:40pm

    A President to be followed!

    Report Post »  
  • Smiling Bob
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:28pm

    Happy Birthday Gipper…we sure do miss you.

    Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 4:01pm

      I and my family miss you very much, Mr. President! God bless you!

      Report Post »  
    • Lesterp
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:20pm

      We all had the privilege of being governed by the best President of the last century! I sure hope another comes along.

      Report Post » Lesterp  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:21pm

    We miss you :(:(:(:(

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:27pm

      A more perfect example of the vile crassness of empty headed liberals frothing at the mouth at the thought of conservatism rice water could not have given.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:28pm

      …….†….r.i.p…..†…..

      Report Post »  
    • missy123
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:28pm

      @RiceWater
      That is the most disgusting thing you could ever say about a dead man!
      How would you like it if somebody said that abiut YOUR father?
      There is no need to be ignorant!
      Why do you even bother to read The Blaze?
      The people that post here have more respect for each other!
      I would suggest you go fina another website that puts up with garbage…MSNBC perhaps!

      Report Post »  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:41pm

      Ronald Reagan was a great President, and a great man. Especially with what’s going on in this great country today, he is sorely missed. I remember listening to his speech on socialized medicine and thinking this is exactly what the liberals just did. He spelled the whole thing out back in 1961. Thanks for the memories Mr. Reagan.

      http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the tribute to Ronald Reagan video

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:45pm

      LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:28pm
      …….†….r.i.p…..†…..
      ____________________
      AMEN .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 3:54pm

      What a great man he was. Thankfully his ideals and legacy will live on for others to enjoy and learn from. Mr. President…we miss you. God bless Nancy and good health to you.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:52pm

      @Missy123
      Don‘t let Rice Water’s darkness dim your bright light. He just wants attention.
      Just step over filth as though it were “steaming brown.” Don’t step in it.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Large Eagle
      Posted on February 7, 2011 at 1:05am

      Rice Water

      That is what we all will be drinking when Obama finally sells us out to the Chicomms

      Report Post »  
    • Large Eagle
      Posted on February 7, 2011 at 1:08am

      Kinda of like Bush‘s Books versus Slick willie’s books
      Ronald Reagan raises more money on his memeory then any of the living

      Report Post »  

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