OFFICE OF RONALD REAGAN

JUNE 6, 2004

Los Angeles – Good Afternoon. Thank you for coming.

My name is Joanne Drake. I’ve worked for President Reagan for almost 20 years, the last 9 years as his Chief of Staff. With me today is Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., the Chairman of the Board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, who has been coordinating with the White House on all state funeral arrangements, Duke Blackwood of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Anthony Chapa, Special Agent in Charge, Los Angeles Field Office of the United States Secret Service, Barbara Owens, Public Affairs Officer with the Military District of Washington, Bob Boetticher with Gates Kingsley Gates, and James Butts, Chief of Police for the City of Santa Monica.

The Reagan Family has asked me to offer a short statement on their behalf and then we will review the official funeral activities in honor of President Reagan that will occur over the next 6 days. Please hold your questions until the end.

Mrs. Reagan and her family are deeply touched by the outpouring of sympathy from across the country and around the world. They have received thousands of messages via telephone, fax, e-mail and through the special remembrances that have been placed here, near the Reagan Residence in Bel Air, at the Reagan Library, at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, at the Birthplace in Tampico, Illinois and the President’s Boyhood home in Dixon, Illinois. As you can understand, the family is in deep mourning over the loss of a husband, a father, a grandfather…and their hero.

Each of you will be handed the schedule of funeral events in writing, but we will review it now:

REVIEW OF SCHEDULE

At Lying in Repose – The public will be transported by bus from Moorpark Community College. Out of respect for President Reagan, Moorpark College will be closed Monday and Tuesday for all faculty and staff in order to support the general public parking at the college. Although there are too many people to thank and not enough time, the Reagan Family wants to express their gratitude to the City of Simi Valley, L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Roger Snoble and the entire MTA staff, Dr. Eva Conrad, President of Moorpark Community College, and the numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies, for making all of this happen.

REVIEW END OF SCHEDULE

All of this information has been posted on the Reagan Library website at www.reaganlibrary.com. The information on this site includes the outline of events, bus shuttle and parking information from Moorpark College, and all other media releases. Beginning today, tributes from national and world leaders will also be posted Members of the public are invited to sign the online condolence book which will be shared with the Reagan Family. Again, that address is www.reaganlibrary.com.

Details for state funeral arrangements in Washington, D.C. will be distributed by the Military District of Washington. All media questions should be directed to the MDW Office of Public Affairs at 703-696-4035. For information on armed forces funeral honors and traditions go to their website at www.mdw.army.mil.