"Although I often disagreed with Ronald Reagan on policy, I personally liked him and was saddened by his death. My first five years in congress were during his presidency and every time I had dealings with him, he was extremely warm, charming and personable.

I remember that my first time in the Oval Office was during a meeting with him and then Vice President George Bush Sr. I had helped lead the fight against starvation and he met with me after my first trip to Ethiopia to hear my experiences. I asked him why we couldn't use grain stored in warehouses across America to feed people who were starving. He was nice and charming but told me, we're already doing a lot about the issue.

From there I spearheaded a campaign with local schoolchildren from New York in which we raised millions of dollars and international awareness for the starving people of Ethiopia.

As we grieve and remember his leadership and service to our nation, we send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Nancy and the entire Reagan family."