By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A memorial service for former President Ronald Reagan will be held Friday afternoon at D'Youville College in Buffalo. The public is invited to the 3:00 service that will feature remarks by area religious and elected leaders.
D'Youville was the location of a speech Mr. Reagan delivered during his only appearance in Buffalo back in 1984. Erie County Republican Party Chairman Robert Davis remembers attending that event.
"He did the dedication of the Santa Maria Towers down the street from D'Youville College," Davis said. "Then he walked up the street to the college. It was the first time that the President had been out of the presidential limousine since the assassination attempt three years earlier. Security was pretty tight that day. I remember it very well."
Davis said the Republican Party is working with local clergy on this afternoon's service. He says it's open to the public.
In Washington, thousands of people filed by the body of the former president inside the Capitol Rotunda. US Senator Charles Schumer said he had a chance to talk with some of them Thursday.
"People were waiting four or five hours to go past the casket. Who was there? Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives and Liberals -- people from every part of the country," Schumer said. "They all paid tribute, not only to Ronald Reagan the man, but to the presidency and to the country."
Schumer says he's hoping the partisanship that is so much a part of Washington life will tone down as a lasting tribute to Mr. Reagan.