[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E441-E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. FRANKLIN E. FORD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Franklin 
``Frank'' Ford recognizing his recently revealed contributions to the 
U.S.-led allied victory in World War II as designer and superintendent 
for The Dow Chemical Company's ethylene plant.
  During Word War II, Imperial Japan blocked shipments of natural 
rubber to the U.S. As necessity is the mother of invention, the U.S.

[[Page E442]]

was forced to develop synthetic rubber to relieve the U.S. military of 
its dependence on imported rubber.
  Mr. Ford and a team of dedicated engineers at The Dow Chemical 
Company in Midland, Michigan, developed and pioneered domestic ethylene 
production, which as the precursor to synthetic rubber, was used to 
supply the U.S. with critical resources necessary to win the war, 
Ethylene continues to have practical, widespread applications today in 
plastic bags, paints, antifreeze and car components.
  Until recently Mr. Ford's family was unaware of his impact on Dow and 
his important role in developing ethylene. He is being honored today at 
the Herbert D. Doan Historical Museum in Midland and finally getting 
the recognition he and others deserve.
  Like so many in Mr. Ford's generation, he never asked for any credit, 
recognition or accolades for his work or the work of his team during 
the war. He did not ask for a blue ribbon or a tickertape parade. He is 
among the many anonymous Americans who quietly, selflessly did his job 
on the home front to win the war overseas.
  That is why more than 60 years after World War II it is a privilege 
for me to publicly recognize Mr. Ford and his team at The Dow Chemical 
Company as unsung heroes and acknowledge their contributions to the 
U.S. during a time of world war.

                          ____________________