Washington, DC  -  Third District Congressman Mike Rogers today urged churches across East Alabama to join other houses of worship across the country in ringing their bells tomorrow at the conclusion of Ronald Reagan’s funeral.

Rogers said Reagan’s family has requested churches nationwide to ring their bells 40 times tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. CDT in honor of the nation’s 40th president. Churches and other houses of worship around the country are embracing this opportunity to honor Reagan’s life, Rogers said, and ensuring the participation of Third District churches would help make this a truly national event.

“The simultaneous ringing of bells across the Third District will help make a truly national tribute to a man who brought our country together,” Rogers said. “From Centre to Smiths Station and Childersburg to Chambers County, Alabama church bells will ring with the spirit of Ronald Reagan and sound as one voice in honor of one of our nation’s greatest presidents.”

Rogers said he hopes many Third District churches will participate in the bell ringing tomorrow. Nationwide, thousands of churches and other houses of worship could take part in this occasion, Rogers said, which would be an honorable and ceremonial conclusion for Friday’s National Day of Mourning declared this week by President Bush.