PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN - SPEECH SIGNED CIRCA 1985 - HFSID 285973

RONALD REAGAN
His ink signature on the printed text of his 1985 speech to the Portuguese Assembly
Speech signed: "As per your request/Ronald Reagan", 5½ pages, separate sheets, 8½x14. Press Release headed: "The White House/Office of the Press Secretary/(Lisbon, Portugal)/For Immediate Release/May 9, 1985/Remarks of the President/to the Assembly of the Republic/Assembly of the Republic Chamber/Lisbon, Portugal/12:30 P.M." At the outset, President Reagan displayed his quick sense of humor and his ability to disarm his critics. Just prior to his prepared address, the Communist Party Assembly members walked out in protest. Reagan opened this speech with: "I'm sorry that some of the chairs on the left seem to be uncomfortable." It was greeted with laughter. He then recalled his European trip: "For us, a long journey is ending now, but one fruitful in results and rich in memory. World leaders in summit conference, the youth of modern Germany, warm welcomes at the European Parliament and in Spain -- all these things we have seen and been grateful for. We have seen, too, memorials to the devastation of the past, to the memory of war, and to the cruelty of totalitarian rule." Then came his prepared humorous observation showing he could also laugh at himself: "I hope, by the way, that you'll not think it impertinent of me to mention that anyone who's had the two careers that I've had, in Hollywood and in Sacramento, the capital of California, owes the Portuguese people a special debt. It was, after all, your countryman of five centuries ago, Joao Rodrigues Cabrilho, who discovered a very long stretch along the North American coastline that came to be known as California. In fact, some in my country claim I've been around so long that my ranch in the Santa Ynez Mountains was originally sold to me by Cabrilho himself…." Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) had two careers: actor and politician. His first movie was Love is on the Air (1937) and his 53rd and last film was The Killers (1964). In 1965, he wrote his autobiography, Where's the Rest of Me?, a line from his role as Drake McHugh in King's Row (1942). Reagan left his job hosting television's Death Valley Days during the 1965-1966 season, when he entered politics. Elected Governor of California in 1966, he was reelected in 1970. Reagan began his campaign for the presidency and narrowly lost the 1976 Republican nomination to Gerald Ford. He was elected President in 1980 and was reelected in 1984. After leaving office in 1989, he wrote his second autobiography, An American Life. On February 6, 2001, Reagan became just the third U.S. President to reach the age of 90 and the nation's longest living President until Gerald Ford (d. 2006) lived 45 days longer. Staple holes at upper left corner. Lightly creased. Fine condition. Accompanied by PSA/DNA LOA.