Remember Ronald Reagan

With the passing of President Ronald Reagan, this week has been a time for reflection for America. Having served in the U.S. House of Representatives during his entire tenure, I have paused on many occasions myself this week to look back on those eight years. What I recall is a president who brought his passionate belief in the ideals of America to bear in advancing our nation and projecting the hope of freedom as a force for good in the world, and a leader who was, contrary perhaps to conventional wisdom, not averse to consensus-building in implementing his vision for this country.

At a time of great consequence, President Reagan came to office and assured an uncertain nation. In 1980, I had already served two years in Congress and as many no doubt remember, it was a period defined by turmoil and malaise. Internationally, our country was mired in the Cold War and reeling from the Iranian hostage crisis. On the domestic front, our economy had been sapped by double-digit inflation, double-digit prime interest rates, stifled by massive tax burdens – including a top tax rate of 70 percent – and stalled by a pervasive energy crisis.

Against that backdrop, President Reagan arrived in Washington with an unflagging conviction that the greatest untapped potential lies in the American people themselves. And by embracing hope, not resignation, he charted a course for America for greater prosperity and security, while bringing about an ultimate victory in the Cold War.

His ideas were bold, and in terms of his principles his compass was always steady. President Reagan was a conservative from California, and I was a moderate New England Republican. Not surprisingly, there were times when we differed on policy. What may, however, surprise some is that

President Reagan was always respectful of divergent views, and that he met with me and other members of the House Republican Caucus, as well as Democrats, many times at the White House where we had discussions to shape the direction of policy on issues ranging from defense policy, to the MX missile, to Central America. And we negotiated federal budgets that reflected regional balance.

Thinking back this week, I also recall how the president was willing to hear disparate views on trade policy. In fact, my husband, Jock, served four years in Congress during the Reagan era and he and I met with the president to discuss the potential negative impact of trade proposals on Maine’s industries such as potatoes, shoes and lumber in advance of the president meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Indeed, I saw the former prime minister in the Capitol just prior to the viewing in the Rotunda on Wednesday night, and I recounted that conference with the president.

Moreover, as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues, I spearheaded an effort to meet with President Reagan to discuss matters critical to America’s women. In the end, these initiatives led to ultimately passing landmark child support enforcement legislation and pension reform for widows that previously had not even been part of the federal lexicon, let alone part of federal policy. And in thinking of women’s issues,

I cannot help but remember my cherished friendship with the president’s daughter, the late Maureen Reagan who died in 2001, and how we also worked together on behalf of issues of concern for women in this country.

Of course, as an example of how President Reagan’s Oval Office door was almost always open, nothing compares to the time when the Maine congressional delegation and the governor presented the president with the first salmon of the year caught in the Penobscot River – resuming a longstanding tradition along with the long overdue restoration of salmon in the river. Indeed, I will surely never forget the look on his face as he stood there holding the salmon, water dripping onto the White House carpeting!

The fact is, we had a divided government during those times with Democrats in the continued majority in the House. As a problem solver, President Reagan understood that if he was to achieve the great things he set out to do and also ensure he could be resolute in implementing his vision for the country, he had to make it happen with persuasion and openness. As president, he gave life to what he once said: “If I can get 70 or 80 percent of what it is I’m trying to get … I’ll take that and then continue to try to get the rest in the future.”

In the end, President Reagan’s deeds and words summoned America’s resolve and essential goodness, and his steady hand guided America in working to foster liberty and democracy where previously only tyranny had thrived. For this legacy alone, the American people and freedom-loving people everywhere are in his debt – just as he and his family are today in our hearts and prayers as we bid a final, fond farewell to our 40th president.

Olympia J. Snowe represents Maine in the U.S. Senate.