The LSU College Republican Alliance is honoring former President Ronald Reagan’s accomplishments and 93rd birthday with speakers throughout the week and a “Louisiana-style” birthday party Friday.
CRA gave each day of Reagan Week a theme from Reagan’s guiding principles, the Four Pillars of Freedom. The pillars – economic opportunity, corporate democracy, national pride and individual liberty – incorporate Reagan’s core beliefs.
“President Reagan was very proud of these pillars; they helped guide him through his time in office,” Boudreaux said.
Monday and Tuesday focused on economic opportunity and corporate democracy in an outreach effort to educate the current generation of LSU students about Reagan’s accomplishments. Members of CRA handed out fliers and encouraged students to become members of the organization.
“Present University students were very young when Reagan was President, and they don’t realize all that he achieved,” Boudreaux said.
During his first term, Reagan’s issues included strengthening the military and a strong foreign policy stance against communism, according to the “Prime-time President” Web site. Focusing on the Soviet Union’s communist government, Reagan supported a defense budget that amassed a large military expansion.
In his second term, the site said Reagan and Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to terms ending the Cold War, with reduction of arms and political reform.
“President Reagan’s strong dedication to foreign policy is definitely one of his greatest accomplishments,” said Dorothy Carpenter, an English and political science junior.
Former 1976 Reagan delegate Ned Borie was the planned guest speaker at Wednesday night’s CRA meeting in the Union, but he did not attend.
Thursday’s honorary event is a prayer breakfast open to all University students at the LSU Faculty Club starting at 8 a.m.
Executive Director of the Louisiana Family Forum Rev. Gene Mills will pray for all elected officials, regardless of political affiliation. Rev. Mills also will be discussing why it is important for young Christian people to be involved in politics.
Friday’s birthday celebration will take place at the old state capitol and will include chicken and sausage jambalaya, red beans and rice and a special birthday cake honoring the former president.
First Lady Nancy Reagan sent a personal message to be read at the party. CRA will send a scrapbook of pictures from the party to the Reagan Presidential Library in California.
“We want to generate the feeling that politics can be fun,” said Devin Reid, a Latin and political science sophomore.