2016 -- H 7939

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LC005412

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF FORMER FIRST LADY

NANCY DAVIS REAGAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Costa, Price, Giarrusso, Nardolillo, and Trillo

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

passing of Nancy Davis Reagan, beloved wife for 52 years to the former President of the United

States, Ronald Reagan, mother of Patti Davis and Ron Reagan, and the step-mother of Michael

Reagan and the late Maureen Reagan; and

     WHEREAS, Nancy Reagan was born Anne Frances Robbins in New York City on July

6, 1921. Her mother and father had separated before her birth. Her mother subsequently married

Chicago neurosurgeon Loyal Davis who adopted Nancy. She was a graduate of Smith College;

and

     WHEREAS, From 1949 until 1956, Nancy Davis made 11 films as part of the MGM

stable. In 1949, as with many actors of that time, she was blacklisted as a communist

sympathizer. She turned to a friend for help, who then introduced her to the president of the

Screen Actors Guild, Ronald Reagan, who at the time was one of Hollywood's dashing leading

men; and

     WHEREAS, The chronicle of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis is a true Hollywood love

story. The two wed on March 4, 1952, and in 1966, she began her role as the wife of a politician

when her husband was elected as Governor of California; and

     WHEREAS, In January 1981, Nancy Reagan became the First Lady of the United States,

following her husband's victory in the 1980 presidential election. For the next eight years, she

became her husband's most devoted and strongest supporter and ally; and

     WHEREAS, As first lady, Nancy Reagan initiated the "Just say no" campaign and

became the spokeswoman of anti-drug campaigns. In 1981, when President Reagan was shot in

an assassination attempt, she never left the hospital where he was treated until he was released;

and

     WHEREAS, After eight successful years, the Reagans left the White House. Nancy

Reagan was quoted as saying that "her husband represented all of the American people, not just

Republicans." Years later, she became his protector again as he struggled with Alzheimer's

disease. On June 5, 2004, Ronald Wilson Reagan passed away, but Mrs. Reagan continued her

devotion to her husband, as a staunch guardian of his image and legacy; and

     WHEREAS, There is little doubt that Nancy Davis Reagan inspired this nation. She will

forever be remembered for her extraordinary devotion to her husband and our country and she

will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the entire Reagan Family on

the passing of former First Lady Nancy Davis Reagan; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Patti Davis, Ron Reagan, and Michael Reagan.

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