The new press secretary for a liberal firebrand in the House, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), participated in the memorial services for former President Ronald Reagan as an honorary guard.
Chris Evanson was a petty officer with the U.S. Coast Guard for more than three years and was assigned to be a member of the Presidential Honor Guard. His tenure included serving during President Reagan's memorial services. The president passed away from Alzheimer's disease on June 5, 2004. Reagan's casket laid in state at his Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. and at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. before his body was flown back to Southern California for internment.
In addition to being a member of the honor guard, Evanson also served as a spokesperson for the Coast Guard. He also was a media consultant for the U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS and as a public affairs specialist at the U.S. Department of State before joining the Floridian Democrat's staff. He earned an associate's degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville, a bachelor's degree from American University and a master's degree from Georgetown University.
