Ronald Reagan Visits Decatur
statue at ADM headquarters in Decatur, commemorating Reagan's 1984 visit |
Ronald Reagan was in Decatur at least 4 times during his life... the only U.S. President known to have visited that many times.
As president in 1984, he flew into Decatur Airport on Air Force One and visited Archer Daniels Midland Company and Millikin University.
Previous to that, he visited in 1977 for a Republican fundraiser, in 1955 as a spokesman for General Electric, and in 1929 during his sophomore season as a starting right guard for the Eureka College Red Devils football team.
1955 with Decatur Mayor Sablotny |
Reagan on campus of Millikin University (1955) |
1984, with Decatur Mayor Gary Anderson & Illinois Governor Jim Thompson |
THANKS TO DEBBIE ANDERSON EDWARDS FOR THE NEXT 3 PHOTOS:
at Millkin University, 1984; future State Senator Duane Noland is in dark suit (next in line) |
TEXT OF REAGAN'S SPEECH AT DECATUR AIRPORT 8/20/1984:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=40270
TEXT OF REAGAN'S SPEECH AT MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY 8/20/1984:
inscription on base of Reagan statue at ADM headquarters in Decatur |
(most pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them)