[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 493-497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT GERALD RUDOLPH FORD

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 15) mourning the passing of President 
Gerald Rudolph Ford and celebrating his leadership and service to the 
people of the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 15

       Whereas all American Presidents affect the history of the 
     United States, but President Gerald Rudolph Ford leaves a 
     legacy of leadership and service that will endure for years 
     to come;
       Whereas millions of men and women across America mourn the 
     death of the 38th President of the United States;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford is the only person from the State of 
     Michigan to have served as President of the United States;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford graduated from the University of 
     Michigan with academic and athletic excellence;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford attended Yale University Law School 
     and graduated in the top 25 percent of his class while also 
     working as a football coach;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford joined the United States Navy 
     Reserves in 1942 and served valiantly on the U.S.S. Monterrey 
     in the Philippines during World War II;
       Whereas the U.S.S. Monterrey earned 10 battle stars, 
     awarded for participation in battle while Gerald R. Ford 
     served on the ship;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford was released to inactive duty in 
     1946 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander;
       Whereas in 1948, Gerald R. Ford was elected to the House of 
     Representatives, where he served with integrity for 25 years;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford's contributions to the foreign 
     operations and defense subcommittees of the Committee on 
     Appropriations earned him a reputation as a ``congressman's 
     congressman'';
       Whereas in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Gerald 
     R. Ford to the Warren Commission investigating the 
     assassination of President John F. Kennedy;
       Whereas from 1965 to 1973, Gerald R. Ford served as 
     minority leader of the House of Representatives;
       Whereas from 1974 to 1976, Gerald R. Ford served as the 
     38th President of the United States, taking office at a dark 
     hour in the history of the United States and returning

[[Page 494]]

     the faith of the people of the United States in the 
     Presidency through his wisdom, courage, and integrity;
       Whereas the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford is remembered for 
     restoring trust and openness to the Presidency;
       Whereas President Gerald R. Ford followed a steady, 
     sensible course to cope with the Nation's economic problems 
     and during his Administration halted double-digit inflation 
     and lowered unemployment;
       Whereas President Gerald R. Ford worked to solidify 
     President Nixon's accomplishments in China, bring 
     representatives of Israel and Egypt to the conference table, 
     and provide developmental assistance to poor countries;
       Whereas in 1975, under Gerald R. Ford's leadership, the 
     United States signed the Final Act of the Conference on 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly known as the 
     ``Helsinki Agreement'', which ratified post-World War II 
     European borders and supported human rights;
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford, together with Betty Ford, was 
     awarded the Congressional Gold Metal in 1999 in recognition 
     of dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian 
     contributions to the people of the United States;
       Whereas in 1999, Gerald R. Ford received the Medal of 
     Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian award, for his role in 
     guiding the Nation through the turbulent times of Watergate, 
     the resignation of President Nixon, and the end of the 
     Vietnam War, and for restoring integrity and public trust to 
     the Presidency;
       Whereas since leaving the Presidency, Gerald R. Ford has 
     been an international ambassador of American goodwill, a 
     noted scholar and lecturer, and a strong supporter of the 
     Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of 
     Michigan, which was named for the former President in 1999; 
     and
       Whereas Gerald R. Ford's life has been characterized by 
     honesty, integrity, and dedication of purpose: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its appreciation for the profound public 
     service of President Gerald Rudolph Ford;
       (2) tenders its deep sympathy to Betty Ford; to Michael, 
     Jack, Steven, and Susan; and to the rest of the family of the 
     former President; and
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House to transmit a copy of 
     this resolution to the family of President Gerald Rudolph 
     Ford.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
debate on the pending motion to suspend be extended to 1 hour.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Res. 15.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Gerald Ford, the Nation's 38th President, and the only 
person to serve both as President and Vice President, although elected 
to neither office, led the Nation out of the dark days of the Watergate 
scandal. When Ford took office on August 9, 1974, he declared: ``I 
assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances. This is an 
hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.''
  After playing football at the University of Michigan and serving on 
an aircraft carrier in the Navy during World War II, Ford was elected 
to the House of Representatives in 1948 as a Republican. The district 
he represented included his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ford's 
reputation for integrity and openness made him popular and well 
regarded among his peers during his 25 years in Congress.
  In 1965, he was elected minority leader. In October of 1973, Vice 
President Spiro Agnew resigned from office after pleading no contest to 
tax evasion. President Nixon, ensnared in the rising Watergate scandal, 
asked the well-respected Ford to leave Congress in order to replace 
Agnew, and he accepted.
  In September 1974, Ford granted President Nixon a pardon, an act that 
is credited for calming American anxieties about the Watergate 
controversy. ``It was a tough decision,'' Ford told USA Today in an 
interview in 2000. ``We needed to get the matter off my desk so I could 
concentrate on the problems of 260 million Americans and not have to 
worry about the problems of one man.''
  Gerald Ford was a devoted public servant who led this country with 
grace and bipartisanship during challenging times. All of America is 
grateful to him for his leadership and dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, though he served as President for only 2\1/2\ years, 
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., leaves a legacy of leadership and service 
that will endure for years to come. As the 38th President of the United 
States, he is remembered as a man whose integrity and decency would be 
the salve needed to heal a deeply divided country during one of the 
most politically turbulent periods in our Nation's history. He is also 
remembered as a loving and loyal husband, family man, and friend.
  Born on July 14, 1913, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Gerald Ford 
graduated from the University of Michigan and excelled in both 
academics and athletics. He was voted the most valuable player on the 
football team his senior year at Michigan, which led to offers to play 
for the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
  Despite these offers, Ford decided that law would be a better career 
choice. He attended Yale University Law School, graduating in the top 
25 percent of his class while working as a football and a boxing coach.
  It was at Yale that he would receive his first taste of national 
politics, volunteering on Wendell Willkie's 1940 Presidential campaign.
  His rise in Michigan politics was put on hold when he joined the 
United States Navy in 1942 to serve in the Second World War. He served 
valiantly on the aircraft carrier USS Monterrey until 1946, attaining 
the rank of lieutenant commander.
  1948 was a banner year for Ford as it was the year he was elected to 
the House of Representatives, with over 60 percent of the vote, the 
lowest margin he was ever to receive. It was also the year he would 
marry Elizabeth ``Betty'' Bloomer, who would become one of his most 
ardent campaigners and mother to their four children.
  Ford served in the House for distinction and honor for 25 years, 
where his contributions earned him a reputation as a Congressman's 
Congressman. Even though his highest aspiration was to be Speaker of 
the House, he never got the chance. He did, however, hold the highest 
Republican post in a Democratically controlled Congress by being 
elected the minority leader in 1965.
  He held that post until 1973 when he was appointed by President Nixon 
to replace Spiro Agnew as Vice President of the United States of 
America amid allegations of corruption.
  After Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford became the 
38th President of the United States and has the distinction of being 
the only person to serve as but never be elected by the populace to 
either the Presidency or the Vice Presidency.
  As President, he followed a steady, sensible course to cope with the 
Nation's economic problems. He is credited with halting double-digit 
inflation and lowering unemployment. He also worked to solidify 
President Nixon's accomplishments in China and ended U.S. involvement 
in the Vietnam War.
  Under his leadership, the United States signed the final act of the 
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly known as the 
Helsinki agreement, which ratified post-World War II European borders 
and supported human rights, and is now regarded as having helped bring 
down the Soviet Union.
  Maybe most importantly, his wisdom, courage and integrity restored 
the faith of the American people in the executive branch of government. 
His

[[Page 495]]

time in office is remembered for restoring trust and openness to the 
Presidency.
  His courageous and difficult decision to pardon President Nixon may 
have cost him the election. However, it is now regarded as being in the 
best interest of the Nation, allowing it to move forward and recover 
from a tumultuous time.
  After leaving the Presidency, Ford became an international ambassador 
of American goodwill, a noted scholar and lecturer, and a strong 
supporter of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the 
University of Michigan. And together with his wife, Betty, he was 
awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999 in recognition of their 
dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to 
the people of the United States.

                              {time}  1230

  Also in 1999 Ford received the Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest 
civilian award, for his role in guiding the United States through the 
turbulent times of Watergate, the resignation of President Nixon and 
the end of the Vietnam War, and for restoring integrity and public 
trust to the Presidency.
  Gerald R. Ford, the President and the man, embodied many fine 
characteristics that we as Americans value: honor, integrity, decency, 
hard work and kindness. For this, I ask my colleagues to join in 
honoring his legacy by supporting this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Virginia for his remarks and would like to yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Michigan, Representative Bart Stupak.
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this 
resolution, paying tribute to one of Michigan's greatest sons, a man 
who dedicated the best years of his life to public service, President 
Gerald R. Ford. Those who knew Gerald Ford remember him for his 
humility, his understanding of the virtue of public service and his 
dedication to his family. Michigan and America have lost a statesman 
who truly believed in the honor of public service.
  President Ford will be remembered not only for his Presidency but 
also for his distinguished career representing Michigan in Congress and 
for his service as minority leader of the United States House of 
Representatives. He believed deeply in this institution, and he served 
his State, his party and his Nation skillfully as a Congressman for 
more than a quarter of a century. President Ford exemplified the values 
both of this institution and the great State of Michigan with humility, 
good humor, faith and persistence.
  Gerald Ford did not seek power or fame, but he answered the call of 
our Nation's highest office when our Nation needed him. He was selected 
to be Vice President because of his high character, bipartisanship and 
integrity. Eight months later, these qualities were evident when 
President Ford helped heal a divided nation after the Watergate 
scandal.
  There can be no better demonstration of a tribute to President Gerald 
R. Ford than the outpouring of gratitude and respect from ordinary 
citizens when he was laid to rest on January 3. The people of Michigan 
remember him not only as President or minority leader but as a constant 
presence in our lives and as a selfless, dedicated public servant who 
talked about the values that unite us in the most divisive of times.
  President Gerald R. Ford represented us with honor and courage, and 
he will be deeply missed. To Betty and his children, Michael, Jack, 
Steven and Susan, thank you for sharing the President with us.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the author of this resolution, the gentleman from Michigan 
(Mr. Ehlers).
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 15, a resolution I 
introduced along with Speaker Pelosi, Republican Leader Boehner, 
Majority Leader Hoyer and the entire Michigan congressional delegation. 
This resolution honors our great President, Gerald R. Ford, who was 
also an outstanding Member of Congress.
  I am privileged to serve in the same House seat that President Ford 
held. I am still deeply honored when people, both here and in Grand 
Rapids, Michigan, refer to my district as ``Jerry Ford's district.'' 
After all these years, they still consider it to be Jerry's.
  He personified the many good traits that West Michigan has to offer 
our Nation; honesty, integrity and a sense of courage and duty. I think 
you are going to hear these words a great deal as we honor President 
Ford in this chamber, where he honorably served for 25 years.
  I was deeply touched by the funeral services and memorial 
celebrations held for President Ford over the past 2 weeks since his 
death on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. I want to thank all those who 
helped plan and carry out those memorable events, which solemnly 
reflected on this great man and his service and leadership to our 
Nation. I am pleased that this House can now take time at the beginning 
of a new Congress to celebrate and remember one of our own Members and 
the great things that he did for our country.
  For many younger Americans, these past tributes have served as a 
history lesson about the so-called ``accidental President.'' They have 
learned, and those of us who knew him, have remembered his athletic 
prowess at the University of Michigan; his brave service in the Navy 
during World War II; his outstanding representation of Grand Rapids and 
Western Michigan in the Congress; his ascension to the Republican 
Leader's position in 1965; his appointment and confirmation as Vice 
President in 1973; and, of course, his rise to the Presidency in the 
wake of Richard Nixon's resignation in August 1974.
  What has struck me during the memorial services and tributes is the 
shift in the way President Ford is regarded as compared to some of the 
opinions during his Presidency. For example, at the time of his 
appointment as Vice President, the Wall Street Journal editors wrote 
that the nomination ``caters to all the worst instincts on Capitol 
Hill, clubbiness, partisanship and the small-mindedness that thinks in 
terms of those who should be rewarded rather than those who could best 
fill the job.''
  Little did the Wall Street Journal know that the Congress had in fact 
picked the person who could best fill the job; they later changed their 
thoughts and their writings about President Ford.
  I think a lot of people probably thought at the time as the Wall 
Street Journal did. He was a political insider, from a relatively small 
city in Michigan, who many knew little about. But those of us in Grand 
Rapids, his constituents and his colleagues, knew who he was, a decent, 
thoughtful, trustworthy man, full of integrity and courage.
  As it turns out, the country should be eternally grateful for the 
blessing of the timely leadership, strength and wisdom of Jerry Ford 
during this perilously difficult time in the constitutional history of 
our Nation. I am glad that 30 years of history have shown that the 
Members of Congress, and those who advised President Nixon on his 
appointment, knew what they were talking about and what they were 
doing.
  President Ford's appointment and his ascendency to the office of 
President was not the result of ``clubbiness'' or ``political favor.'' 
He was the person best suited to fill the job, and he literally healed 
our Nation by the actions that he took during those troubled times.
  I am pleased that the opinion writers at the Wall Street Journal 
recognized this when editorializing after his death. They eloquently 
wrote that President Ford navigated many perils in his short tenure, 
including the public furor over Watergate, the unpopularity of the 
Vietnam War, dramatic inflation and a struggling economy, and, as they 
put it, ``better than he gets credit for.''

[[Page 496]]

  I think that over time history will continue to hold President Ford 
in even higher regard for the actions he took to bring honor and 
respect back to the Presidency, to stabilize the economy, and to lay 
the groundwork for freedom and democracy to spread and for Soviet 
communism to fall.
  My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Betty and to their 
children, Michael, Jack, Steven and Susan, as well as their 
grandchildren. The Ford family demonstrated remarkable composure and 
strength during these long weeks of mourning, and we thank them for 
helping to lead us in our grief.
  At the beginning of this new year and this new Congress, I am hopeful 
that we in this House will be mindful of the life and legacy of Jerry 
Ford. He served in this House with distinction, he treated everyone 
with respect, and he always conducted himself with honesty, integrity 
and forthrightness in every matter he undertook. I pray that we will do 
the same.
  His family creed, incidentally, although humorous, is one we should 
all emulate: ``Work hard, tell the truth, and come to dinner on time.''
  Mr. Speaker, I know all my colleagues will support this resolution to 
honor our 38th President.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, during the last week we have heard many discussions 
about the impact of President Gerald Ford. We have heard people talk 
about the fact that he was never elected to either the Presidency nor 
the Vice Presidency of the United States. But yet his impact has been 
felt in such a way, as I listened to Representative Ehlers from 
Michigan talk, that people still refer to the district as his district.
  I hear individuals who are sports fans who remember his days as an 
athlete when he played football and the fact that whatever the 
assignments were, that he could pick up the assignment and do 
exceptionally well with it, and that oftentimes he didn't veer too far 
from the center. He didn't always veer so far to the left or he didn't 
always veer so far to the right, but he was one of these kind of 
straight-down-the-middle people who protected the interests of his 
colleagues, who protected the well-being of his mates, who protected 
the interests of those on the team.
  I think he saw America as a team and, when he was given the ball, 
decided that his greatest challenge was to protect the interests of 
America. And that is what he did, even though he probably knew that it 
would cause some difficulty with his reelection.
  Even though he knew that in all likelihood and all probability there 
were individuals who would be concerned enough that they may not give 
him the kind of support that he would need to be reelected, he did it 
anyway. He did it because he could put the interests of the country 
above those of any personal feelings or personal need that he had. I 
think that that is really what puts him down in history as one who 
excelled to the point of greatness, because he served the country and 
served the interests of the country extremely well.
  Mr. Speaker, when students study politics, when young people are 
trying to understand what it is that they need to be and what they 
ought to become if they really want to be a great public servant, they 
should study the life of President Gerald Ford, and they should 
understand that being a public servant is to put the public interest 
first. That is what he did, that is what he is noted for, and that is 
why all of America continues to revere him, especially those of us who 
are old enough to remember that period, who are old enough to kind of 
recall the mood of the people and what was taking place and what was 
going on at that time.
  No matter how historians write the script, you can never take away 
what President Gerald Ford did for America. That is why we salute him, 
and that is why we raise him up; that is why we lift him to the 
American people, and that is why this resolution is so important.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud Michigander today to 
express my profound respect and appreciation and admiration for the 
life and public service of our 38th President.
  President Gerald Ford was a man of impeccable integrity and ethics 
who served valiantly in World War II on the USS Monterey, where he came 
close to losing his life in December of 1944. After returning home to 
Michigan, his calling remained in public service to his country. He ran 
for the Grand Rapids area congressional seat against an incumbent 
Republican congressman. Nobody thought he could win. But with a strong 
conviction and a clear contrast between the two, he won two-to-one in 
the primary.

                              {time}  1245

  President Ford went on to serve 25 years in the U.S. House and was 
voted in 1961 by the House membership as a ``Congressman's 
Congressman.'' Rising to the rank of Republican leader, he was known 
for his modesty, his intelligence and thoughtfulness throughout his 
career. After Ford became President, his decisions that he made, though 
costing him politically, healed a fractured Nation. Today, we thank him 
for putting our country ahead of his own political success.
  May we never forget this great Michigander, and may the Lord's 
blessings be upon his family.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, could I inquire as to how much 
time I have left.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Illinois has 21 minutes 
remaining and the gentleman from Virginia has 18 minutes remaining.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Oftentimes when we talk about civil rights and the era of civil 
rights, and we talk of the individuals who were pushing perhaps the 
most, sometimes the name of Gerald Ford does not get included in that 
discussion, and he is not included in that discussion because he didn't 
always loom as high as some others might have. He was not necessarily 
one of these individuals that you would just simply know about. 
Oftentimes he did what he did somewhat quietly but, nevertheless, did 
it and it had the impact that it was designed to have.
  Such were his positions relative to civil rights issues, even prior 
to ever seeking or getting involved in public office. I was told a 
story of how, as he captained the football team, that there were some 
controversies relative to an African American member of the team who 
was not going to get an opportunity to play. Of course, President Ford, 
as football team captain at that time, a sort of president-in-waiting, 
learning what leadership really meant and what leadership was all 
about, just sort of took the position that if this gentleman was not 
going to be able to play, then neither would he. And of course the team 
was concerned, because if you have a star and the star is not playing, 
then of course it decreases your chance of winning.
  Think of what America would be if all of us stood up all of the time 
for stars, or for the individuals who had the potential to be stars, to 
make sure that they got their rightful chance, their rightful 
opportunity, got their acceptance because of what they could contribute 
and because of what they brought to the table. I guess that really was 
the understanding that Gerald Ford had even at that moment, and all of 
America continues to be grateful to him.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time it would be my pleasure and my honor to 
yield to the gentlewoman from California, the Speaker of the House, 
such time as she might consume.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and 
applaud him, Mr. Davis of Illinois, and the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Davis), for bringing this resolution to the floor to honor a great 
man, and I rise today to join them in paying tribute to the life and 
leadership of President Gerald Ford.
  I would like to also recognize Mrs. Betty Ford and the wonderful 
children, Michael, Jack, Steven, and Susan, who

[[Page 497]]

with their love and support helped to make President Ford's leadership 
possible; but they made a contribution in their own right.
  Betty Ford really changed the way people in America talked about 
their health and the challenges in their lives. Every family in America 
respects her, every family in America is in her debt for, again, 
changing how people speak about their physical and other challenges. 
Mrs. Ford, we all give you our condolences and our respect and 
admiration for your leadership as well.
  Having also served as House minority leader, as President Ford did, I 
have great respect for the fair and reliable leadership that President 
Ford displayed throughout his service in the House. He was effective 
and respected on both sides of the aisle. He recognized that however 
much we may disagree on political questions, we serve the people of the 
Nation, the great institution, the House of Representatives.
  He later became President, and another President, Thomas Jefferson, 
said: ``Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.'' 
Gerald Ford knew that. Gerald Ford followed that. He assumed office 
during one of the greatest times of challenge for our Nation and 
provided the American people with the steady leadership and optimism 
that was his signature.
  The outpouring of emotion and affection displayed by the American 
people last week and the week before reminds us that they desire the 
kind of leadership President Ford embodied. In this hour, we need and 
pray for President Ford's character, courage, and civility to affect 
us. He healed the country when it needed healing. This is another time, 
another war, and another trial of our American will, imagination, and 
spirit. I ask our colleagues, let us honor his memory not just in 
eulogy but in dialogue and trust across the aisle.
  Once again, our condolences to the family. I hope it is a comfort to 
the Ford family that so many people mourn their loss and are praying 
for them at this time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at 
this time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in order to give additional 
Members an opportunity to speak on this resolution, and knowing that 
the morning has just begun and we are into early afternoon, I withdraw 
this resolution, with the objective of bringing it up at a later time 
so that additional Members would have an opportunity to speak.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The resolution is withdrawn.

                          ____________________