[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 60 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E456-E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN CELEBRATION OF BETTY FORD'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 13, 2018

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the day of First 
Lady Betty Ford's 100th birthday. Her lifetime of work bettered the 
lives of countless Americans.
  Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1918, Elizabeth ``Betty'' Ford moved to 
Michigan as a young girl and worked various jobs to help her family 
make ends meet during the Great Depression. At the age of 11, she 
earned money by modeling, working with disabled children, and dancing, 
which became a lifelong passion of hers. Mrs. Ford moved back to Grand 
Rapids after taking dance classes and performing in New York City. That 
was where she met her eventual husband, Gerald Ford, a World War II 
veteran and practicing lawyer. After her husband was elected to his 
first term as a Member of Congress, the Fords moved out east, where 
they'd live for over 20 years as he served 13 terms in the House of 
Representatives. After being appointed as Vice President in 1973 under 
President Richard Nixon after the resignation of Spiro Agnew; Mr. Ford 
assumed the presidency in 1974 and served until 1977. Mrs. Ford was a 
beloved First Lady of the United States, known for her genuine passion 
for the causes she championed and her love for her four children: 
Michael Gerald Ford, John ``Jack'' Gardner Ford, Steven Meigs Ford, and 
Susan Elizabeth Ford.
  As First Lady, Mrs. Ford was an advocate for women's rights and was 
at the forefront of the women's movement in the 1970s. She was 
unabashed in her belief that every American deserves to receive equal 
treatment in the workplace and public landscape and was named Time 
Woman of the Year in 1975 for her efforts. She was always honest and 
candidly refreshing for the political arena. Other causes that the 
First Lady notably championed included the arts and breast cancer 
awareness. She spoke openly about her mastectomy when in the White 
House and went on to be very blunt about alcohol and opioid drugs and 
helped found the Betty Ford Center. Her courage and support helped 
numerous people with their journey of addiction and recovery. On what 
would be her 100th birthday, her legacy remains; Mrs. Ford was a 
strong, blunt, tenacious, real and courageous leader whose spirit 
continues to this day to inspire women and men alike to stand up for 
what they believe in.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mrs. Betty 
Ford's contributions

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to our country throughout her life. She was a notable advocate for 
women, children, and health, and our country is better due to her 
life's work.

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