[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM D. FORD

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in honoring 
Bill Ford upon his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives. 
Like a number of us in the Michigan delegation, Bill came to Congress 
after serving in the Michigan State Legislature. Unlike me, he made 
that move early enough in his life that he has been able to serve 30 
years in Congress, and still retire as a young man.
  I was familiar with Bill Ford's reputation before I came to Congress. 
In Michigan Bill Ford is well known as a strong proponent and tough 
fighter for liberal causes. Even in my relatively short period of time 
of serving with him in Congress, I have seen that he is not only that, 
but that he also cares deeply about issues and concerns that affect 
nearly every person and family in our districts--education, working 
conditions, employment opportunities, and supportive services for 
persons in need. We may not often have agreed on the policy 
prescriptions, but certainly no one has fought harder or more 
skillfully on these issues than Bill Ford.
  I know that he also cares deeply about this institution in which we 
are honored to serve. Again, we may not agree on what changes need to 
be made to restore the trust and confidence of the American people in 
this institution, but he has always conveyed to me and I'm sure to 
many, many others the sense of honor responsibility that comes with 
serving in this body.
  He leaves Congress with many, many legislative achievements--a record 
for achievement that many of us will no doubt long envy. He has had a 
major hand in shaping our current policies on financing of 
postsecondary education, on Federal support for elementary and 
secondary education, and on many of our employment and training laws. 
His influence has come not only from his position as chairman of the 
Education and Labor Committee, but from the hard work in knowing the 
issues and understanding the details of legislation.
  Bill Ford has fought hard and skillfully for what he believed was the 
best course for this country, and in so doing has served his district, 
his State, and his country, and the House of Representatives. So I want 
to join my colleagues in honoring his service here in the House of 
Representatives, and wish him the best in the months and years ahead in 
whatever his future endeavors may be.

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