[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMARKS ON WILLIAM CLAY FORD, SR'S RETIREMENT FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S 
                           BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2005

  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Clay Ford, 
Sr. for 57 years of dedicated service as a member of Ford Motor 
Company's Board of Directors. He has served on the Board with 
distinction for over half of Ford Motor Company's history of almost 102 
years. As the only surviving grandson of the late Henry Ford and father 
of the current chairman, he uniquely links Ford's past and future.
  Mr. Ford has had a long and distinguished career of service to Ford 
Motor Company. He was elected to the Board in 1948, a year before his 
graduation from Yale University. When the Design Committee of Ford's 
Policy and Strategy Committee was formed in 1957, Mr. Ford became its 
first chairman, a post he held until 1989.
  In 1978, Mr. Ford was elected chairman of the Executive Committee and 
appointed a member of the Office of the Chief Executive. From 1980 
until 1989, he served as vice chairman of the Board. From 1987 until 
1995, he served as chairman of the Finance Committee, one of the most 
vital positions on the Board.
  Mr. Ford served the Company as an employee from 1949 until 1989. He 
held a variety of executive positions including vice president and 
general manager of the Continental Division. In 1956, Mr. Ford assumed 
responsibility for corporate product planning and design. Throughout 
his career, he oversaw the design and development of a number of 
classic vehicles, including the Continental Mark II, a worthy successor 
to the Continentals designed by his father, Edsel Ford. The Mark II is 
considered by many to be one of the most beautiful personal luxury cars 
ever built.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. William 
Clay Ford, Sr. as he retires from the Ford Motor Company Board of 
Directors and in wishing him the best of luck as he becomes Director 
Emeritus.

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