Ronald Reagan Signed Souvenir Copy of New Year's Eve 1988 "The President's Column" Re: George H.W. Bush, Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Lockerbie Bombing, National Deficit & More!

A souvenir copy of the December 31, 1988 issue of "The President's Column," signed by its author, sitting 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) as "Ronald Reagan" in black felt tip pen at upper left recto. The document is 2pp and printed on both sides of special letterhead emblazoned "The President's Column" recto. Light expected paper folds, else pristine. 8.5" x 11." Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication, serial number 168532, issued on November 3, 2020.

President Reagan's column, entitled "The New Year," served as a combined State of the Union address and farewell speech since he only had three more weeks remaining in office. Reagan summarized a generally positive state of national and international affairs, stating that the economy, national security, and world peace were well-established.

In part:

"Recently, we celebrated the coming of a new year --a time of expectation and promise. I believe it is going to be a very good year indeed. Our economy is healthy, our defenses are strong and our policy of peace through strength is paying off in spades…And I want to assure you as we do take this time together to look ahead that there is not a single major problem facing this country today that cannot be solved when we come together to solve them. What it takes is the political will to solve them -- rather like a successful New Year's resolution…"

Reagan also had specific talking points, which include:

1. George H.W. Bush (1924-2018), Reagan's vice president and presidential successor: "I am also confident about 1989 because on January 20th George Bush will be sworn in as the 41st President of the United States. And a superb President he is going to be…"

2. The Soviet military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was complete by February 15, 1989, just as Reagan believed it would be: "In a few weeks [sic] time, the Soviet Union is due to pull its remaining forces out of Afghanistan. I am confident the Soviets will stick to their timetable…"

3. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 by Libyan terrorists on December 21, 1988, which killed 270 passengers, crew, and on-the-ground civilians: "Of course, we still reel in shock and horror from the bombing of Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland…"

4. The U.S. / Canada Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect on January 1, 1989.

5. The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget Acts of 1985 and 1987, which Reagan hoped would continue to be implemented, noting the dangers of not doing so, and playfully alluding to George H.W. Bush's "Read my lips: no new taxes" declaration at the 1988 Republican National Convention by saying, "George Bush's lips have been eloquent on this subject."

Ronald Reagan had a long-standing tradition of submitting editorial opinions. He wrote a regular newspaper column syndicated in 175 American newspapers after his term as Governor of California concluded in 1974. Reagan's two-term presidency lasted between 1981-1989.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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