[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT GERALD RUDOLPH FORD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2007

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
colleague and fellow Michigander, President Gerald R. Ford. I had the 
privilege of serving alongside then Congressman Ford in the United 
States House of Representatives for nearly a decade, and was able to 
observe firsthand the character and integrity of this ``congressman's 
congressman.'' Congressman Ford's exemplary service was confirmed by 
the support of the people of Grand Rapids, Michigan, whose love for him 
endures to this day. As minority leader of this body, President Ford 
demonstrated the collegiality and uprightness he would draw upon to 
lead our Nation through a dark time in our history.
  I disagreed with some of President Ford's decisions. Along with most 
of the American public at that time, I disapproved of the way he 
pardoned his predecessor before trial proceedings had been initiated. I 
also disagreed with many of his policy positions. However, time has 
shown that the man some have called the ``accidental president'' was 
the right person to take the highest office in the land at a critical 
time for our Nation.
  Gerald Ford's honor and integrity were the qualities we needed to 
restore trust and openness to a damaged Presidency. His humble and 
steady leadership brought our democracy back from the brink of a 
constitutional crisis. The citizens of the state of Michigan and of our 
great Nation will not soon forget the important contributions of this 
man of integrity and honor.

                          ____________________