[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 121 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ON THE DEATH OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN BILL FORD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great sadness this evening to 
announce the death of our former colleague, Congressman William D. 
Ford. Mr. Ford died August 14th while the House was adjourned. 
Congressman Ford spent three decades serving the Nation as part of the 
U.S. House of Representatives. He was a great champion for the causes 
that concerned so many Michiganders. He worked every day of 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 thirty-
year tenure, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Post 
Office and Civil Service and as Chairman of the House Committee on 
Education and Labor.
  He was the oldest child of immigrant Scottish parents and the first 
member of his family to attend college. Following his service in the 
U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Denver on the GI Bill.
  He was the author of the Middle Income Student Assistance Act, the 
Plant Closing Act and orchestrated the passage of the Family Medical 
Leave Act, the first law signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. In 
1994 The Federal Direct Student Loan program was named for him in 
recognition of his efforts to expand educational opportunities for 
students and lower the cost of education for them.
  A champion of federal compensatory education programs to serve 
educationally disadvantaged children; he was an original sponsor of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. He had a special 
interest in programs serving students from migrant farm worker 
families.
  His father's death in a factory accident led to a lifelong commitment 
to protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace.
  Prior to serving in Congress, he was a delegate to the Michigan 
Constitutional Convention and a member of the Michigan State Senate. He 
also served as city attorney of Melvindale, Michigan; as attorney and 
as justice of the peace of Taylor Township, Michigan.
  He is survived by three children, William D, Ford Jr., Margaret Ford 
VanVleet and John Ford; three grandchildren, a sister, Janet Ford, and 
a brother, Robert Ford. A memorial service will be held tomorrow here 
in Washington.
  Michigan is a better place because of the work and dedication of 
William D. Ford. His life left its mark on our state, his death is a 
tremendous loss. Our sympathies go out to his loved ones, many friends 
and his dedicated former staffers in Washington and Michigan.

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