[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 108 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H7032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF WILLIAM D. FORD

  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great sadness this evening to 
announce the death of our dear friend and former colleague, Congressman 
William D. Ford. He died on August 14.
  Congressman Ford spent 3 decades serving the Nation in this 
institution. He was a great champion for the causes that concerned so 
many Americans, from ensuring that each child had a quality education 
to become successful citizens, to making sure that our workplaces were 
safer.
  His father's death in a factory accident lead to a lifelong 
commitment to protect the health and safety of employees in the 
workplace. Congressman Ford worked every day in his life to be the 
champion of the working poor and the middle class.
  Bill Ford was a member of the House from 1965 to 1995, representing 
Michigan's 15th and 13th congressional districts. During his 30-year-
and-more tenure, he served as chairman of the House Committee on the 
Post Office and Civil Service, as well as the chairman of the Committee 
on Education and Labor.
  He was the oldest son of immigrant Spanish parents and the first 
member of his family to attend college. He served his Nation in the 
United States Navy. He attended the University of Denver on the GI 
Bill.
  He was the author of many important pieces of legislation to benefit 
ordinary, working Americans.
  Prior to serving in the Congress, he was a delegate to the Michigan 
Constitutional Convention and a member of the Michigan State Senate. He 
served as city attorney in a number of communities in Michigan.
  He is survived by his three children, William D. Ford, Jr.; Margaret 
Van Fleet Ford; and John Ford; three grandchildren; a sister, Janet 
Ford; and a brother, Robert Ford.
  Our Nation is a better place because of his work and dedication. His 
life left a mark on this Nation. His death is a tremendous loss, and 
those of my colleagues who knew him understand the sorrow that I feel 
tonight, as I am sure they feel their own.
  A memorial service will be held tomorrow in Washington.

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