Dutch Reagan - All American: Remembering an American hero, starring the Gipper as himself.

In his first big role, in "Knute Rockne – All American," Reagan had played George Gipp, the legendary Notre Dame football star. Thereafter Reagan would always be known as "the Gipper." In his death-bed scene Gipp would say with unforgettable pathos to his coach, Knute Rockne (played superbly by Pat O'Brien): "Just win one for the Gipper." The phrase would enter the language.

The San Diego Union-Tribune looks back on his wonderful life, from the chubby little baby of working-class parents who called him "Dutch," a nickname that stuck for a lifetime, to a movie star, to Governor of California , to President of the United States, the defining role of a lifetime he dedicated to winning the cold war and defeating communism.

Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, communicated the essence of Americanism in his first inaugural address:

"If we look to the answer as to why, for so many years, we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here, in this land, we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price."

Now, many people are pressing Congress to honor this heroic American president with a new currency design. It has been suggested that, perhaps, half the dimes should be minted with his face on the coin. And the Reagan Legacy Project is lobbying to have President Reagan's image replace that of Alexander Hamilton on the ten dollar bill. But that idea is fraught with problems, including arguments against defacing Hamilton. These well-intentioned ideas just don't seem well thought out.

There's a more fitting way to commemorate the 40th President of the United States in currency--a new $40 bill. More than just matching the value of the denomination of the note to the 40th presidency, a new $40 bill would afford an opportunity, on the reverse of the new bill, to depict an important national monument that is symbolic of the American values held in the highest regard by President Reagan. Perhaps, a new bill with Reagan on the face should have the Statue of Liberty on the reverse. "An inspiration to millions of immigrants, this statue is a universal symbol of freedom, democracy, and diplomacy."

Nearly a century after her dedication in 1886, Lady Liberty needed care and attention. In his first term in office, President Reagan created the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Commission to restore the statue to her original beauty. The statue was closed for two years and reopened on July 4, 1986 with a centennial celebration. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the symbol of American freedom and liberty has been closed to the public, but it is scheduled to be re-opened this July. What better time to announce a new $40 bill depicting Ronald Reagan on its face with the Statue of Liberty on its reverse, commemorating his role in the preservation of this national monument and the values for which she stands.