Beth Gaines co-authors legislation to create Reagan memorial

Republican Assembly members hope to see a Ronald Reagan memorial constructed in the Capitol in the coming year as AB 2358 makes its way through the legislative process.

So far, the bill -- AB 2358 -- is moving along nicely, having passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife committee Tuesday on a 8-0 vote.

Specifically, the bill would authorize the Ronald Reagan Centennial Capitol Foundation to plan and construct a memorial to California's 33rd governor and America's 40th president in the State Capitol Building Annex. The memorial will be funded through private donations.


Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, of Roseville, is one of 24 co-author of the bill, which includes Assemblyman Dan Logue, a Colfax and North Auburn representative. 

The authors of the bill stated 

"President Ronald Reagan is an American icon who spent the beginning of his political career making decisions in the California State Capitol.  President Reagan remains one of the most influential leaders in both our state and country's history and deserves to be honored for his significant political presence in California's Capitol." 

In an analysis of the bill, it is stated that AB 2358 "is similar to other existing statutes giving authority for construction of other memorials in the State Capitol Park, including a Purple Heart Memorial, a California Search and Rescue Volunteers memorial, and a Genocide Survivors memorial."

The bill is supported by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, Tehama County Republican Party and Doug Elmets, of Elmets Communication.