Bush's Statement On Reagan's Passing Away

Bush's Statement On Reagan's Passing Away

This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end.

I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family, our prayers and our 1)condolences.

Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility¹, and the humor that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save. 

During the years of President Reagan, America 2)laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny. Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say “thank you.”

He always told us that, for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done, and now, a shining city awaits him.

May God bless Ronald Reagan.

注释：
1) condolence [kEn5dEulEns] n. 慰问，哀悼
2) lay to rest 结束；埋葬（文中巧用lay to rest两个不同意思，前面两个表“结束”，后面一个表“埋葬”）

布什就里根总统病逝发表讲话

    这是美国历史上的一个悲痛时刻。一个伟大的美国生命走到了尽头。
    我刚才与南茜·里根通过电话。我和罗拉代表全国人民向南茜和里根家族成员致以祝福与慰问。
    罗纳德·里根以其伟绩赢得美国人民的尊敬，以其美德赢得美国人民的爱戴。他拥有由信念而生的自信、由个性而生的力量、由谦虚而生的优雅以及由智慧而生的幽默。他留下了一个复兴的国家，一个他拯救过的世界。
    里根总统任职期间，美国告别了分歧和缺乏自信的年代；由于他的领导，世界结束了恐惧与暴政的年代。现在，在我们这位领袖要安息之时，我们要对他说一声：谢谢！
    他总是告诉我们，美国最美好的日子还在后头。我们慰藉自己：对他来说也是如此——他的使命已经完成了，现在，等待他的是一个辉煌之城。
    愿主保佑罗纳德·里根。

1 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。