Reagan Gives Freedom Award to Gen. Powell : Simi Valley: The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is honored for his military leadership.

Former President Ronald Reagan on Tuesday presented Gen. Colin Powell with an award honoring him for his military leadership and joked with the retired officer about his prospects of running for the presidency in 1996.

Powell received the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award in a ceremony at the Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley.

It was Powell’s first public appearance since retiring as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sept. 30.

“I’m hoping that perhaps one day he will return the favor,” Reagan quipped. “After the speeches, I’m going to show him the library’s replica of the Oval Office. That will give him the opportunity to get the feel of the place.”

In presenting the award, Reagan lauded Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants who grew up on the tough streets of the south Bronx, for overcoming social, economic and racial obstacles to become one of the most powerful and popular military leaders in the nation’s history.

“The story of the man we honor today is also one of liberation and hope,” Reagan said during the afternoon ceremony. “It is a story of strength, courage, perseverance and success. . . . Because you, Colin, have answered the call of duty without fail, America is stronger and safer than ever before.”

Powell in turn paid tribute to Reagan, calling him “a leader who understood that you can only successfully negotiate peace from a position of strength--political strength, economic strength and, above all, military strength.”

“Of all the things I want to thank you for, Mr. President, the number one is for helping us rebuild the armed forces of the United States in body and spirit,” said Powell, who served as Reagan’s national security adviser. “I accept this award with the certain knowledge that I am representing millions of Americans who have made the cause of peace their utmost passion.”

Powell’s remarks drew cheers from the more than 300 people who attended the ceremony in the library’s auditorium. Among those in attendance were Powell’s wife, Alma; his friend, actor Tom Selleck, and dozens of city and county officials.

Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton said Powell represented “the American ideal, that you can start out at a very poor beginning and by hard work and dedication you can become whatever you want to be.”

Selleck said he hoped Powell would continue to serve in some public leadership position.

“I’m so proud of him,” he said. “He’s the kind of leader that leads by example. We need more of that. . . . I think he would make a great President.”

During the presentation, both Reagan and Powell praised the firefighters who have battled wildfires throughout Southern California over the last three weeks.

“We have seen firsthand the heroic acts or bravery performed by these men and women and we will forever be in their debt,” Reagan said.

The former President said he and wife Nancy will join local officials in a special ceremony at the library Nov. 20 honoring the firefighters. He said the library will be open free of charge for the rest of the year to firefighters and their families.

Also on Tuesday, Reagan and Powell took advantage of the extensive media coverage to strongly endorse the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“Trade barriers are just that, barriers,” Powell said. “We must have this agreement.”

Added Reagan: “It is the shrill cry of fear that says the United States cannot compete on the world market. It is the voice of reason and experience that argues otherwise.”

Powell is only the second recipient of the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, which is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the freedom of mankind. The first recipient was former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

About 250 of the guests at the ceremony were also expected to attend a dinner for Powell at a Los Angeles restaurant Tuesday evening. The dinner was planned as a fund-raiser for the Ronald Reagan Center for Public Affairs, with tickets selling for $2,500 each.