Dr. Joseph B. Kennedy, Sr
President & CEO
US China Education Foundation

As President of the U. S. China Education Foundation, I had been asked by the Chinese Government to give them some idea of what gift they might give the President during his visit. I replied, "A western saddle". I also advised how it might be given so he would actually receive it and use it on his ranch explaining that if given to him directly as President, as with all gifts to Presidents it would end up in a big box in a very large warehouse.

They choose to do this. The trip was the most successful of any President that ever visited China. There were many reasons.

He had been sleeping during the day and working at night, on China time for the two weeks before going. Also, he had a specialist design what he should eat. Food that would help in his adjustment. Another was that he planned for the trip. He stopped in Hawaii, then in Guam. Resting overnight in each place, he arrived refreshed. He never nodded off, went to sleep, fainted, or any of the things most Presidents did when they make the long trip to China or Japan. He was wide-awake, energetic and attentive.

He also arrived in style. He brought his own bulletproof limo, along with the support systems an American President should have.

Another thing, he was the age of most all the leaders in China. They loved it. They loved him. His beautiful wife, who not only had style and grace but in small mannerism, a glance, a touch, holding his hand, showed she loved him.
Reagan spoke everywhere, as the ruling gerontocracy watched and weighed. The elders did not notice that the youth in China were falling in love with this dynamic American President (that love was expressed in part in Beijing's great square during the democracy movement of 1989) just five years later.

We were able to have the Sunday schedule, including his flight to Xian, delayed so he could go to church. I had worked on four presidents visiting China, in a very special way if they were there over Sunday, to make a statement in support of those millions in China who were so much in the minority as Christians. As a President from what they knew to be a 'Christian Nation' to that date no President had made it to church. We planned that he attend Gangwashi Protestant church in Beijing, near Zhongnanhai. A member of his cabinet, after it was set, talked him out of it. I was forever sorry about that. Finally, President Bush Sr. attended the church, built by the Methodists in the days of missionaries, where his daughter had been baptized when he was Chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China.

President Reagan leaves behind him an influence on history that even thought it is beyond our knowing, that will take historians in the future to finally record. For me, a life long democrat, he was my choice, had my vote, and I am thankful for him, his honor, integrity, and genius. Most of all for his courage. Earth is less for his departure, heaven richer...that "Shining City' President Bush mentioned that 'awaits him.' For me, he is already there.