[Ken H]

I'd like to say a few words directly to all of you and to those who are watching and listening tonight, because this is the only way I know to express to all of you on behalf of Nancy and myself our appreciation for your messages and flowers and, most of all, your prayers, not only for me but for those others who fell beside me. The warmth of your words, the expression of friendship and, yes, love, meant more to us than you can ever know. You have given us a memory that we'll treasure forever. And you've provided an answer to those few voices that were raised saying that what happened was evidence that ours is a sick society.

The society we heard from is made up of millions of compassionate Americans and their children, from college-age to kindergarten. As a matter of fact, as evidence of that I have a letter with me. The letter came from Peter Sweeney. He's in the second grade in the Riverside School in Rockville Centre, and he said, "I hope you get well quick or you might have to make a speech in your pajamas." And he added a postscript. "P.S. If you have to make a speech in your pajamas, I warned you."

Reagan address to Congress, April 28, 1981

[geopyg]

"After he was shot he was told to stay in his bed and rest. One day he couldn't sleep and started padding around in his pajamas and robe. There were some workmen having their sandwiches at lunchtime on the floor . They looked up and saw this apparition - Reagan in his robe blithely proceeding toward them. They lowered their sandwiches and stared. Reagan padded by and without missing a beat said" Gee, fellas, I didn't know there were any good restaurants this far out."

Peggy Noonan, "What I saw at the Revolution".