[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 594-602]
[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 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 the rules 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, thrust by President Nixon's resignation into an office 
he had never sought, former President Gerald Ford occupied the White 
House for just 896 days. They were, however, 896 extraordinary days 
that President Ford used to guide the Nation through and 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.''
  Ford got his first exposure to national politics at Yale University, 
working as a volunteer in Wendell Willkie's Republican campaign for 
President.
  After World War II service with the Navy in the Pacific, he went back 
to practicing law in Grand Rapids and became active in Republican 
reform politics. The rest is history.
  President Ford was elected to the House of Representatives in 1948 as 
a

[[Page 595]]

Republican. 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. Mr. Ford was a devoted 
public servant who led his country with grace and bipartisanship during 
challenging times. The country is grateful to him for his leadership 
and dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  It is a great pleasure once again to recognize the many 
accomplishments that President Ford had during his life, and I am 
pleased that we can spend more time this evening adding to the record 
we began early this afternoon.
  Before I do that, I want to remind all Members to please take the 
time to go to the Cloakrooms and record their remembrances in the books 
that are displayed there. This will be very meaningful to Mrs. Ford and 
the family if we can do that, and I urge all Members to do that.
  Mr. Speaker, before I proceed any further, I would like to yield to 
Mr. McCotter from Michigan for such time as he may consume.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to go on record with the 
reminiscence of late President Ford.
  As a young person growing up in Michigan, I remember Watergate. It is 
a very early political memory. And it would have been so easy at the 
time for that indelible memory to remain with a young person and sour 
them and make them cynical toward the public process and toward 
government in general.
  But I was very lucky because the man who took the place of the 
disgraced Richard Nixon was a man from Michigan by the name of Gerald 
Ford. Living in Michigan at the time being a young person, to see 
someone from my home State filled me with pride and a sense of 
inspiration that one person could rise above it and help to heal the 
wounds of a Nation.
  So in many ways today in paying respect to Gerald Ford, it is not my 
ability to thank him for his service to our country in general, but to 
thank him personally for the inspiration that he provided me, to see 
what one good and decent man could do for his fellow Americans.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 
such time as he may consume to one who knew President Ford well, the 
Dean of the House of Representatives, the Honorable John Dingell from 
the State of Michigan.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend for his kindness and 
for his yielding me this time. I express to him my gratitude not only 
for his managing this time, but for bringing this bill to the floor. 
You have done a good thing, and I say to you, sir, my thanks.
  I also want to congratulate my dear friend from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) 
for his part in bringing this matter before us.
  We honor here a great American, a real patriot, a distinguished 
President, a man who served with distinction in the House, where he had 
no enemies and legions of friends. He was an honorable and decent man. 
He was a friendly man. He was uncomplicated. He was good. He was a fine 
family man, and he was a man with whom any Member of this House on 
either side of the aisle could work with affection and with respect. We 
will miss him. He was a great American, and he was a man who left a 
great tradition as a Member of this body and as a member of the 
Appropriations Committee where he served with distinction.
  A curious event associated with him is that he always wanted to be 
Speaker, but never made the grade. By a curious set of circumstances, 
he was the only man who probably could have been confirmed as Vice 
President under the constitutional amendment. And by an even more 
curious circumstance, he was never elected either Vice President or 
President, and yet he served in both offices with real distinction.
  I will be praying for the repose of his soul. My wife, Deborah, and I 
knew Gerald Ford and admired him greatly. We extend our condolences to 
his wonderful wife, Betty, who was his loyal friend, supporter, 
counselor, and who served his country and him and all of us with 
distinction and who brought luster not just to her name but also to the 
name of her distinguished husband.
  We will pray to God He be good to Jerry Ford, and I thank my 
colleagues for bringing this resolution. It is well deserved by a great 
American.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to give a few vignettes of Jerry Ford 
that illustrate the type of man that he was.
  We heard this afternoon when we discussed this on the floor that he 
had been active in supporting the Civil Rights Act that passed this 
House and the Senate some years ago. But this was not an out-of-the-
ordinary thing for him. When he was a football player at the University 
of Michigan, and a very fine one, I might add, undoubtedly the finest 
athlete to ever occupy the White House, he was the captain of the 
football team. They were scheduled to play Georgia Tech. There was one 
African American football player on the Michigan football team, and 
Georgia Tech said we cannot allow a black player to play on the field 
at Georgia Tech.
  When Gerald Ford heard that, he said I will not play either. I am 
simply not going to play if they will not let my friend, Ward, play. 
That was the type of person he was. It was not until his African 
American friend begged him to play that he finally conceded that he 
would play.
  Another vignette is when he was elevated to the Presidency, we had a 
big party for him back in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 5,000 people 
turned out for our little party. Person after person got up to the 
microphone and related experiences in their life where Jerry Ford had 
helped them, whether it was a matter of housing, of veterans benefits, 
getting medals for veterans. The list went on and on and on.
  That accords with another thing that was told me by one of my fellow 
legislators at the time. He had become a Member of Congress and he 
said, Sometimes I cursed Jerry Ford. Because of the high standard of 
constituent service he provided, he said, we worked endlessly in our 
office to do as well as Jerry Ford and his staff did in his office.

                              {time}  1930

  Those are two examples. I have more, but I see that the majority 
leader has arrived, and I know he is anxious to speak on this issue.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 
such time as he may consume to the majority leader, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), one who did know the President, but, as I 
observed a few minutes, not quite as long as Representative John 
Dingell.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my very distinguished friend for 
yielding and thank him for his leadership in this Congress, in the 
great city that he represents and his State of Illinois. He does a 
wonderful job.
  I am pleased to join the sponsor of this resolution, my good friend, 
Vern Ehlers. Vern Ehlers represents the district, as some of you have 
already been told, I am sure, I just got to the floor, but I am sure 
you have been told he represents the district that Gerald Ford 
represented for a quarter of a century.
  Jerry Ford was my friend. President Ford was someone who I got to 
know after he was President of the United States. As Mr. Davis 
observed, I was not in the Congress and did not serve with President 
Ford. He was, however, a distinguished leader of this body.
  I would like to say just a few words, Mr. Speaker, about the 
contributions of a great American leader, a man who personified 
integrity, openness, civility and a sense of responsibility, and a man 
who helped restore public confidence in our institutions of government 
during a time of national crisis and grave doubt about our government, 
and that doubt existed here in this country and abroad.
  President Jerry Ford, our Nation's 38th President, took office during 
a period of American history when deep

[[Page 596]]

skepticism was the norm and uncertainty ruled the day. The challenges 
he faced were not the product of his actions, but he effectively 
confronted them and helped our proud Nation rise above its ``long 
national nightmare,'' as he referred to it, and to begin dreaming again 
about the promise that has been ours since our founding.
  President Ford, of course, never asked to be our Commander in Chief. 
The responsibilities and burdens of that office were thrust upon him 
when he chose to answer our Nation's highest calling. That calling came 
because of the respect that was accorded to him in this House, in the 
United States Senate and in our country.
  He never put partisanship or ambition ahead of the needs of the 
American people, seeking instead to heal our national wounds. Where he 
saw division, he built bridges, and where he saw doubt, he nurtured 
trust.
  I am proud to be able tonight to serve in the same Chamber where 
Gerald R. Ford served our Nation for such a long time. I have now 
served one year longer than Gerald Ford served in this House. He served 
for 25 years. I am in my 26th year. But no one brought more luster to 
their service, no one brought more integrity to this House, no one was 
a better example of what all of us ought to be as Members of this great 
institution, the People's House, than was Gerald R. Ford of Michigan.
  He offered his talents for seeking compromise and building consensus. 
I would hope all of us would take a lesson from Gerald Ford as we move 
ahead over the next 2 years. Too often, the cycle that we enter is a 
cycle of confrontation rather than consensus creation. We need 
consensus. America wants consensus. America wants progress. America 
wants a Congress focused on its need, not a Congress focused on how we 
can make the other guy look bad.
  Gerald Ford can be an example and should be an example for all of us 
to emulate. I am honored to have this opportunity to carry on President 
Ford's steadfast commitment to God, to country, to, obviously, his 
family, his beloved wife Betty and to the People's House.
  It goes without saying that the thoughts and prayers of an indebted 
Nation are with the Ford family in their time of sorrow. I want to 
congratulate the Ford family, who conducted themselves with such great 
dignity and returned the caring of literally tens of thousands of 
people who came through our Rotunda to honor President Ford and his 
service and to thank him for that which he has done for our country. 
Jack and Susan in particular stood for hours greeting people and 
thanking them for being there, and the other children as well.
  On December 26, 2006, we lost a great American, a great leader and a 
great friend. I was a member of the Appropriations Committee and had 
the honor of chairing the Treasury-Postal Committee. The Treasury-
Postal Committee had under its aegis the retirement funds for our 
former Presidents, and in that capacity, I had an opportunity to talk 
to him from time to time, not about his own personal interests, which 
we did talk about, but that is not why we talked.
  He talked about the institution. He talked about what we were doing 
to make this House run better. I can remember we were at a forum at 
Georgetown together over two decades ago at which we both spoke, and he 
spoke of the need for having more contested elections, as opposed to 
districts that were automatic for one party or the other. He said that 
would be good for democracy, good for discussion of issues and good for 
the creation of consensus.
  Gerald Ford's indomitable spirit will live in these halls of power 
and service for generations to come, halls that will forever bear the 
mark of his influence and dedication to the people of the United States 
of America.
  I want to extend my deepest sympathy to President Ford's beloved 
wife, Betty, his children and his family and loved ones, and in closing 
thank him; thank him for being an example to which all of us could 
repair for service in this body; thank him for being an example for the 
American people to look to for what a Member of Congress can and ought 
to be, a man of principle, a man of generosity, a man who cared about 
his country and its people.
  Gerald Ford, we thank you for your service, and we miss you.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to add a few more comments, little 
vignettes. We have had a lot of discussion today about the wonderful 
attributes of President Ford as a President, as a Vice President and as 
a Member of the House of Representatives. Indeed, he was a most 
gracious person and also a most capable and hardworking person. I 
appreciate the comments that Majority Leader Hoyer made which reflect 
very accurately what a wonderful person Mr. Ford was. But I want to add 
just a few examples from my hometown and my experience with him.
  I, at one time, was the Chairman of the County Commission. This was 
at the time when we were erecting the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. Of 
course, he was interested in that and came around regularly. He was 
retired from the Presidency at that time.
  I recall walking down the street with Mr. Ford. I thought I knew 
quite a few people there, but walking down the street with him, even 
though he had not served in Congress for some 10 years at that time, 
people, of course, would greet him and say, ``Hi, Jerry, how are you 
doing?'' They all knew him. The amazing part to me was that he knew 
them, and he would say, ``Hi, Bob. Hi, Shirley. Hi, Jerry. How are you 
doing?''
  Then another time we walked into the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, which 
had been the Pantlind Hotel, and he had stayed there when he came back 
to Grand Rapids for visits and for meetings. We walked into the hotel 
lobby, and, of course, a number of people saw him and sort of mobbed 
him and kept talking to him.
  I noticed a bellman standing off to the side, and it was clear to me 
that he wanted to speak to Mr. Ford but didn't dare to come up to this 
group of people. He just thought it wasn't proper. So I mentioned this 
to President Ford. I said, ``I think the bellman wants to talk to 
you.'' He said, ``Oh, good.'' So he marches over to him and says, 
``Harry, how are you doing? It is good to see you again.'' I didn't 
know he had a personal relationship with him.
  Then he said, ``By the way, I heard that your mother has cancer. Is 
that true? How is she doing?'' He then had a 10-minute conversation 
with this young man about his mother and her health and what had gone 
on. I am curious how many ex-Presidents would take the time to do that 
for a bellman that they had known in the past?
  Similarly, the first time he went to the White House as President and 
a reporter I know was following him, and as he approached the White 
House, of course, the Marines stood erect, opened the doors and stood 
at attention. He came up and held out his hand and said, ``Hi, I am 
Jerry Ford. I am going to be living here. What is your name?'' The 
reporter talked to the Marines at the door after that and said, ``Have 
you ever had that before?'' One said, ``No, I have been here for 
several years, and the previous President has never even looked at 
me.'' But, again, that was characteristic of Mr. Ford.
  One final little note. I first got acquainted with him, I am a 
nuclear scientist, as most of you know. I had moved from Berkley, 
California, where I got my Ph.D., and I was teaching at Calvin College. 
I heard a speech at a national convention from a Congressman who said, 
``It is terrible. We don't have any scientists in the Congress. We 
don't have any scientific advice.'' He said, ``I urge you to contact 
your Member of Congress to see if you can help them by giving 
scientific advice.''
  So I took the gentleman at his word. I sent a letter to Congressman 
Ford and said, ``I am a scientist. I have heard there is not much 
scientific advice there. I would be happy to help you in any way I 
can.''
  I dropped the letter in the mailbox, and my first thought was, I 
would get a nice response that said: Thank you for your comments. We 
will keep you in mind if we ever need you. But in

[[Page 597]]

fact, Mr. Ford was excited about it. The day they got the letter, his 
chief of staff called me and said, ``Jerry is very excited with this 
and would like to meet with you.''
  So I met with him. I established a science advisory committee, and we 
met with him quarterly to advise him on scientific matters. What struck 
me was he was extremely interested in the meetings and in what we were 
saying, but also very, very quick on catching on to the scientific 
terms and issues we were discussing, much more so than the average lay 
person would be able to catch on. So it was a real pleasure for us.
  But one day after a meeting, I said, ``Mr. Ford, I don't quite 
understand, because you come back to Grand Rapids, you spend all day in 
meetings, you spend an hour or hour and a half in a meeting with us 
just because we want you to know more about science,'' and I said, 
``You really seem to enjoy it. Doesn't it get tiresome sometimes?''
  He put his arm around my shoulder and he said, ``Vern, one thing you 
have to recognize: Everyone else I meet with is asking for something. 
You are the only group I meet with that is offering me something.''
  I have never forgotten that, and it really gave a lot of meaning to 
me when I got here in Congress and found out that is true. Almost 
everyone that walks through our office doors comes in asking for 
something, not trying to help. So I now appreciate more fully why he 
appreciated our help.
  These are just a few instances of what a wonderful human being 
President Ford was, how he related to the people around him, how he was 
concerned about the people around him and really sought to do what was 
best for them and what was best for this country. He was a terrific 
model for the rest of us and for me myself, and I have always tried to 
serve the people as well as he has.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I have no 
further comments, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as I close, let me just first of 
all commend and thank Representative Ehlers for introducing this 
resolution. I also want to thank all of those who have come down and 
taken the time to speak.
  In summing up the life of President Gerald Ford, I am reminded of 
something that my mother used to tell us all the time, and that is that 
if a task is once begun, never leave until it is done; be the labor 
great or small, do it well or not at all.
  President Gerald Ford, wherever he was, did his work well, whether it 
was on the football field, at the university, in the halls of Congress, 
as Vice President and ultimately as President of the United States of 
America, and our country is a better place because of it.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join all Americans today in 
mourning the passing of President Gerald R. Ford and support.
  Gerald Ford became President in the aftermath of Watergate, a scandal 
that shook to the core the confidence that Americans place in their 
government. His unquestioned integrity, good humor, and unimpeachable 
personal character carried this nation through one of the toughest 
periods of American history. Gerald Ford's legacy is one of steadiness 
in a time of crisis and of selfless service for his country.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House 
Resolution 15, Mourning the passing of President Gerald R. Ford.
  While we mourn President Ford, we also celebrate this great 
American's life and unique contributions to our country. I believe he 
will be remembered as a devoted and decent man of impeccable integrity 
who put service to his country before his own self interest. In public 
life, there can be no higher achievement.
  In 1968 President Ford and his family first came to Colorado to ski. 
He was inspired by the beauty of the area and found a connection to the 
land and to the surrounding community and ended up buying home in 
Beaver Creek. When he became President, his vacations in Colorado 
helped introduce the world to the Town of Vail, and in fact, the family 
home was dubbed ``the Western White House.''
  Coloradans, especially those in the Vail Valley, consider Jerry Ford 
to be the first President from Colorado because he was a great 
ambassador for the State who established long ties to the people of 
Colorado. He was known as the first skiing president, and because of 
this tireless promotion of Colorado's ski industry, he was inducted 
into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2001. He was a good neighbor, an 
avid golfer and a lover of the outdoors. So you can see why I like to 
claim the former president as a constituent.
  Because of his work with charities in Colorado and his contributions 
to our great state, I've introduced a bill which would rename the Vail 
Post Office after President Ford, and I hope that the House will take 
up that bill soon and pass it in his honor.
  President Ford will rightly be remembered for his personal warmth, 
his decency, his interest in bridging the many divisions in America 
during the 1970s. My father, Mo Udall, served in the Congress with him, 
and while they were often on different sides in political matters they 
were united by a common view that politics should unite people. I 
remember a story in 1974 President Ford invited Arizona's senators and 
representatives to ride on Air Force One for a meeting he was having 
with Mexico's president. At the time, Arizona had two Republican 
senators and three Republican congressmen. They all declined. The one 
Democratic congressman--my dad--accepted the invitation.
  ``All these other politicians don't want Ford to come into their 
district. Hell, I'm glad to see him in mine,'' my dad told a person in 
a crowd outside the place where Ford and the Mexican president were 
meeting. Mo then went into the crowd and put his arm around the 
president, telling him how proud Arizona was to have him. ``It's a 
great day for the state.''
  They both were firm believers that in public life one could disagree 
without being disagreeable. This is a credo I try to live by and I draw 
inspiration from my father and from President Ford. They were both 
practitioners of civility long before the term came a popular term of 
political art.
  As a dedicated public servant, President Ford served honorably in his 
years in Congress and in the White House. Most important, when America 
needed someone to reassure their trust in government after Watergate, 
he filled that leadership role with authenticity.
  In short, Gerald Ford helped heal our nation during a time of crisis, 
provided steady leadership and restored people's faith in the 
presidency and in government. We need leaders like him today.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late President 
Gerald R. Ford, who was born in my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. 
President Ford will forever be remembered for his great service to the 
people of the United States of America. He served the people at a 
complicated and divisive time in our history with honor and 
distinction. By helping our Nation heal from the political turmoil of 
Watergate, he helped move us forward.
  President Ford was a man of selfless actions based in modest, 
Midwestern values. As a public servant, I am proud of his efforts; as a 
Nebraskan, I am proud of our President.
  President Ford was a man who gave up a National Football League 
career in order to study law and ultimately serve the people in the 
highest office of public service. His love for our Nation and our 
American freedoms will live on through our work in Congress and his 
immortal words, spoken during his 1977 State of the Union Address when 
he said ``The Constitution is the bedrock of all our freedoms. Guard 
and cherish it, keep honor and order in your own house, and the 
republic will endure.''
  He was a scholar, an athlete, an honorable President, and an even 
more honorable American. Our nation will truly miss his leadership, 
honestly and integrity.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
great friend of this institution, President Gerald Ford. I speak for 
all of us when I say that our thoughts and our prayers go out to his 
wife, Betty, and their family.
  Born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska, President Ford 
embodied the values and spirit of Nebraska by putting the good of the 
nation ahead of personal, partisan politics. He was a valued colleague 
to two branches of our government, who loved and honored our 
traditions.
  A great statesman, he will be hard--if not impossible--to replace. 
President Ford taught us lessons of unity we will do well to remember 
as we debate issues that may be divisive.
  The flags hang at half-mast throughout our entire nation to remember 
a good and decent man. Though I never met him, I am honored to pay my 
respects to this great.
  God bless him and his family.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, as a member from the Michigan 
Congressional Delegation I am proud to honor today one of our State's 
favorite sons, the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford.
  President Ford is the only person in the history of our Nation to 
ascend to presidency having never sought either the presidency or

[[Page 598]]

the vice presidency. And he did so at one of the most difficult moments 
in our Nation since the Civil War.
  Upon assuming office he acknowledged that he had not been elected 
through the votes of the American people but simply asked for his 
confirmation through their prayers.
  He was the right man, for the right office at the right time for our 
Nation.
  He made policy decisions not based on political calculation, but on 
what he believed was in the `` best interests of the Nation.
  He was not afraid to reach across party lines to find solutions to 
the myriad of challenges which faced our Nation.
  He was a man of unquestionable character.
  Prior to coming to Congress I had the honor to serve as Michigan's 
Secretary of State and as such served as our State's official 
historian.
  During my term in office I had the privilege to place a historic 
marker at the newly renovated boyhood home of President Ford.
  On that day he spoke of the values instilled in him in that home, in 
his community and in our great State of Michigan.
  These were values that served him well throughout his life and 
certainly when he assumed the presidency.
  Values like honesty. Integrity. Treating every person with respect 
and dignity. Love of country and a commitment to freedom.
  His commitment to these values was evident throughout his public 
service.
  As a military officer in the Pacific in World War II.
  As a member of this House of Representatives for nearly three 
decades.
  As the leader of the Republican minority in the House where he 
proudly voted for and sought votes for landmark legislation like the 
Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
  And as Vice President and President of the United States where he 
helped America recover from what he called our long National nightmare 
of Watergate and where he concluded the war in Vietnam.
  Simply put, Gerald R. Ford was a great American worthy of our honor 
and respect.
  Our condolences go out to his wonderful and courageous wife Betty and 
to the entire Ford Family.
  A grateful Nation owes a debt of gratitude to President Ford for his 
lifetime of honorable service.
  May he rest in peace.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to my 
dearly departed friend, Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the 
United States.
  Gerald R. Ford rose to the Presidency at a time when the Nation was 
in crisis. Disillusioned by Watergate, nervous about an economy in 
recession, and anxious to get its soldiers out, of war, the country was 
yearning for a leader who could reestablish a sense of normalcy. So 
when Ford took over the White House after a short stint as Vice 
President, and a quarter century in the House of Representatives--even 
though we disagreed on some fundamental policy issues--I was relieved. 
I knew Jerry as an all-American hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, a 
fellow World War II Veteran, and above all, a man of extraordinary 
character. He was the right man at the right time to restore a divided 
Nation shaken to its Constitutional roots.
  When Ford left for duty he was considered an ``isolationist''. When 
he came back, he was a committed internationalist. It was this change, 
which I think marks the type of person that my friend Gerald Ford was. 
Many of today's pundits will call him a ``throwback'' or a ``dying 
breed''. I say he simply possessed a remarkable sense of self, strong 
patriotism and astute common sense. He looked at the world, saw the 
conflicts, recognized the need for U.S. leadership, and changed his own 
opinion.
  Too often today, men and women in public life who change their 
opinion are derided. Stubborn consstency in the face of rebutting 
evidence is now considered leadership. But this narrow definition of 
leadership was never the Ford model. He was a citizen legislator, a 
stalwart in a grand tradition that stretches back throughout democracy, 
from the complexities of the 21st century to the founding of Athens. He 
never sought leadership, it aways came to him.
  During his 25 years in Congress, where we worked side-by-side in the 
Michigan delegation for 17 years, Ford worked hard for his party but 
also reached out and made many friends abross the aisle. His party 
elected him as minority leader in 1965, where he served as an effective 
leader and consensus builder until 1973, when he took over the Vice 
Presidency under Richard Nixon, replacing Spiro Agnew.
  Not only did Ford take over the Presidency during one of the toughest 
times in American history, he did so as a leader whose political party 
differed from the congressional majority. Ford vetoed an unprecedented 
66 bills during his Presidency. Nevertheless, the Congress passed some 
important laws with bipartisan support under the Ford Administrationl 
including the Community Development Block Grant, the Privacy Act, and 
the Federal Elections Campaign Act Amendments.
  Ford and I worked particularly closely during his presidency on 
energy matters. Despite our differences, we were able to work together. 
During the Ford Administration we passed the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), which established the Nation's first 
fuel economy standards. Because of his self assuredness and his uncanny 
ability to think for himself, policy disputes did not deter Ford from 
working across party lines to achieve success. Nor did partisan 
bickering preclude bipartisan friendships: he played golf with 
political adversary Tip O'Neill and became good friends with Jimmy 
Carter after Carter defeated him in the 1976 election.
  President Ford was devoted to ensuring that America and the 
Presidency were in better, shape than when he found it, and above all 
else, this was his most important accomplishment. His honesty and 
patriotism should be a model for elected officials today who are often 
too eager to create a sound bite and too reluctant to find common 
ground. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my fellow colleagues join me in 
remembering President Gerald R. Ford, and honoring him by carrying on 
his legacy of bipartisanship, honesty and integrity in the years to 
come.
  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 15, and to pay tribute to a dear friend and remarkable 
American. Today, we honor the life and memory of our Nation's 38th 
President, Gerald R. Ford. The consideration of this legislation is of 
great personal importance to me, as I had the honor and distinction of 
counting President Ford not only as a friend but also as a constituent.
  These past few weeks, the American people have come to know the story 
of one of our most beloved leaders, a man who brought our nation 
together during a tumultuous time and restored faith in our democratic 
system of government. President Ford famously said, ``Our Constitution 
works, our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.'' 
Yet, the truth is that our system works because of people like Gerald 
R. Ford and his wonderful wife, Betty--people who dedicated their lives 
to making our country strong and improving the prospects for all 
American citizens.
  Despite achieving great success as an athlete, President Ford 
declined the opportunity to play professional football because he 
wanted to serve the Nation he loved. He went to Yale to study law, 
served heroically in the U.S. Navy during World War II, honorably 
represented the people of Michigan in this very House for 25 years, and 
was selected to serve as Vice President because he had the confidence 
of the U.S. Congress and was simply the best man for the job. He 
assumed the Presidency he never sought because, when called, he never 
shied from his duty to his country.
  His personal integrity was beyond question and his quiet strength 
steadied our Nation in a time of crisis. President Ford skillfully led 
our nation through the post-Watergate era, he laid the groundwork for 
an historic peace accord in the Middle East, and steered our country 
through tough economic times. History has shown that he was the right 
leader for those difficult days.
  In California's Coachella Valley, where President Ford and Betty made 
their home after leaving the White House, their support of charities, 
too numerous to mention, helped make them the beloved ``first-couple'' 
of the Palm Springs region. As lifelong partners who were truly devoted 
to one another and to their family, the Fords encouraged millions of 
dollars in donations to many worthwhile causes. When Betty Ford 
courageously raised public awareness of dependency issues and founded 
the recovery clinic in her name, President Ford stood squarely and 
quietly behind her every step of the way.
  I extend my deepest sympathy to Betty and the entire Ford family for 
their loss, a loss we all share. As we begin this Congressional session 
in the House which he loved so deeply, I think we would be well-served 
to remember the example of leadership and selfless duty to country that 
President Ford provided. We celebrate his memory and our Nation is 
better for his service.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Strong support of House Resolution 
15. It is fitting and right that the House remember this highly 
distinguished citizen of the State of Michigan, and honor his service 
to the people of the United States.
  Gerald Ford's life and legacy define the term ``public servant.'' He 
served with distinction in World War II aboard the U.S.S.

[[Page 599]]

Monterrey. In 1948, he was elected to the House of Representatives, 
where he served with integrity for 25 years. In 1974, during one of the 
darkest moments in U.S. history, Gerald Ford served as our Nation's 
38th President, and restored integrity to the Presidency.
  As the Nation has honored President Ford over the course of the last 
week, I have been struck by how many have made mention of his honesty, 
trustworthiness and essential decency. As the first President Bush said 
of his one-time colleague in the House of Representatives at the 
memorial service at Washington Cathedral last week, ``to political ally 
and adversary alike, Jerry Ford's word was always good.''
  President Ford will also be remembered for believing that America is 
strongest when we work together and work with others.
  President Ford has left us a rich legacy. As we begin this new 
Congress, I hope all of us here will honor him by taking to heart that 
legacy.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 15. This resolution mourns the passing of Gerald Rudolph 
Ford, Jr., the 38 President of the United States, and honors his 
lifetime of outstanding leadership and service to our Nation.
  President Ford was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., in 1913 in Omaha, 
Nebraska. Soon after his birth, his mother moved to Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, where she remarried and he was adopted and renamed after his 
stepfather, Gerald Rudolph Ford.
  While in high school, Jerry Ford was an outstanding student and 
athlete, and Eagle Scout. He went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts at 
the University of Michigan, where he majored in economics and political 
science. He also played on the University's 1932 and 1933 national 
championship football teams and was selected to several college All-
American football teams. Indeed, Jerry Ford was such a gifted football 
player that he was offered contracts by the Detroit Lions and Green Bay 
Packers. But he turned them down to accept a coaching position at Yale 
University, in hopes of gaining admission to its law school. His 
perseverance paid off and he was admitted in 1938. He graduated in the 
top third of his class with an LL.B. in 1941.
  President Ford returned to Grand Rapids to practice law and teach a 
course at the University of Grand Rapids. He also helped coach the 
Grand Rapids football team. After the United States entered World War 
II, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving on the light aircraft 
carrier USS Monterey. In 1944, he narrowly survived a deadly typhoon in 
the Philippine Sea. In 1946 he completed his military service and was 
honorably discharged.
  Upon returning home to Grand Rapids, Jerry Ford resumed his law 
practice, this time with a more ``internationalist'' outlook due to his 
experiences abroad. He was elected to Congress with more than 60 
percent of the vote in 1948 after ousting an isolationist incumbent in 
the Republican primary. During the 1948 campaign, Jerry married the 
outspoken advocate of women's rights, Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Warren, 
whom we all know and love as ``Betty.'' Jerry Ford was elected to 
Congress 13 times by his constituents, never once receiving less than 
60 percent of the vote. In October 1973, he was nominated to be Vice-
President by President Richard Nixon and assumed the office after being 
confirmed by both the House and the Senate. In fact, Jerry Ford holds 
the distinction of being the only person in history to be confirmed by 
both chambers of Congress.
  At noon on August 9, 1974, upon the resignation of President Nixon, 
Jerry Ford became the 38th President of the United States. In 
addressing the Nation after taking the oath of office, President Ford 
said: ``My fellow American's, our long national nightmare is over.'' 
And he was right. Over the next twenty-nine months, President Ford did 
so much, by word and deed, to restore public confidence in the 
institutions of government. In the final analysis, President Ford's 
lasting legacy is ``all he did to heal our land,'' as his predecessor, 
President Jimmy Carter, memorably put it in his 1977 Inaugural Address. 
There is perhaps no more deserving recipient of the Medal of Freedom, 
an honor bestowed on President Ford in 2000 by President Bill Clinton. 
In 1999, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and in 2001, he 
was presented the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy 
Library and Museum.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute President Ford for his outstanding and 
patriotic service, especially his efforts as President to unite and 
heal the Nation in a time when it had lost all confidence in its 
officials. I strongly urge all members to join me in supporting this 
resolution honoring and celebrating the late President Gerald R. Ford 
and his lifetime of achievement and service to our country. We mourn 
the death but celebrate the life of this great American, this great 
president, and former Minority Leader of this House.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor former President and 
U.S. Congressman Gerald R. Ford.
  Gerald Ford, who is often referred to as ``Michigan's Greatest Son,'' 
worked hard wherever his life led him and based his decisions upon what 
he felt was the right thing to do.
  A star football player with my alma mater, the University of 
Michigan, he turned down offers to play in the National Football League 
to study law at Yale.
  He then volunteered to serve his country in the Navy during World War 
II before returning to Michigan to put his law degree to work.
  He later defeated an incumbent for a seat in the U.S. House of 
Representatives in his own party's primary, which from my own 
experience is an incredibly difficult endeavor. His colleagues later 
elected him to the highest leadership position among Republicans in the 
House.
  Gerald Ford admittedly did not seek the greatness of the U.S. 
presidency, but destiny determined that he would become the right man 
in the right place at the right time.
  President Ford allowed the country to move forward by pardoning 
Richard Nixon, although it likely contributed to him failing to win the 
1976 election.
  He helped to unite a divided nation, even when he knew that it would 
likely result in a great personal cost. He made the decision because he 
knew that if he did not, our country would spend the months and years 
looking back and not ahead. For him it was simply the right thing to 
do.
  He conducted himself with integrity and character throughout every 
step of his distinguished career. He set a very high standard for those 
of us in West Michigan who would follow him to Washington.
  The legacy he leaves to join his Creator will impact not only the 
officeholders who follow in his footsteps, but generations of Americans 
to come.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for H. Res. 15, a House Resolution mourning the passing of former 
President Gerald Ford of Michigan.
  Throughout his life and his career, Jerry Ford exhibited the highest 
standards of courage, wisdom, integrity, and civility.
  I had the honor of serving with President Ford's brother, Thomas, in 
the Michigan legislature before I was elected to Congress in 1976.
  Mr. Speaker, I must admit that I was one of those who questioned 
President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon at the time he did it.
  But by the time Ford gave his final State of the Union speech in 
January 1977, I, and most of the Nation, had come to realize the 
rightness of his decision to pardon Nixon.
  I vividly remember the sustained and prolonged applause, from both 
sides of the aisle, for President Ford during his January 1977 State of 
the Union Address to the Congress.
  He took the Office of the Presidency at a very difficult and troubled 
time for our Nation and for our world.
  He had previously served his country with honor as a naval officer 
during World War Two, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives 
from the State of Michigan, and as the minority leader of the U.S. 
House.
  But when his country needed him the most, he served in the highest 
office in the land, as President of the United States of America.
  He was the right person, at the right time, in the right office.
  He guided our Nation through a very difficult time and he helped in 
the healing process which our Country so deeply needed at that time in 
our history.
  Mr. Speaker, Jerry Ford loved this Country, he loved his house, he 
loved his State of Michigan, and he certainly loved his wife Betty and 
their children and grandchildren.
  Our thoughts and our prayers are with them as we honor Jerry Ford 
today.
  Mr ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the great 
President Gerald R. Ford, who has recently passed away. Gerald Ford was 
not only America's 38th president but he was also a dedicated husband, 
father, athlete and WWII veteran.
  Born in Nebraska, Ford was an athletic young man. He was the star of 
his high school football team and continued to play football as a 
college student at the University of Michigan. He then went on to 
receive his law degree from Yale University. Shortly after graduating 
from Yale, Ford received a commission as ensign in the U.S. Naval 
Reserve and received numerous awards for his bravery and service during 
WWII. After returning from the war, Ford became more involved in 
politics, serving as member of the House of Representatives for 25 
years, including 8 years as the Minority leader, and later becoming 
Vice President before taking the oath as President.

[[Page 600]]

  President Ford took power following one of the most difficult times 
in our Nation's history and brought America back together. Gerald Ford 
was a noble, honorable man who emerged as a leader at a time when 
Americans were questioning their government. President Ford showed us 
that strength and integrity are indisputably important traits to have 
in order to successfully lead our great Nation.
  As power has just changed hands in Congress, it is my hope that we 
will heed the legacy of Gerald Ford and always seek to stand together 
to face the challenges of the future. Gerald Ford will be sorely missed 
by all of the Americans that he touched. My heart goes out to all of 
his family members.
  Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise a truly 
good man. With the passing of President Gerald Ford, the House of 
Representatives lost its most distinguished alumni, and America lost a 
great patriot who always placed his country's good ahead of his own 
political interest. Gerald Ford was a man of absolute integrity and 
profound personal decency.
  Much has been said about President Ford's distinguished career in the 
House and as President. Many will rightly recall his absolute integrity 
and his profound personal decency. To build upon those remarks, I would 
like to share some of my personal interactions with Gerald Ford. I had 
the honor of meeting and working with former President Ford on many 
occasions after he left office. I found him to be the same man in 
private that he was in public--decent, honorable, and self-deprecating 
in his humor and observations. He was shrewd without being devious and 
wise without being complicated.
  Mr. Speaker, President Ford had genuine connections to and affection 
for Oklahoma and Oklahomans. He told me on several occasions that he 
became Vice President and ultimately President because of the late 
Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma, who supported his nomination for the 
Vice Presidency. He always remembered that Oklahoma was one of only two 
Southern States that he carried in 1976. Indeed, once while making this 
point to me, he recalled the exact margin of victory--13,266 out of 
over 1 million cast.
  Mr. Speaker, during a memorable 1976 campaign stop in Oklahoma, 
President Ford said, ``It's great to be in Oklahoma, the home of Will 
Rogers, who never met a man he didn't like, and the Oklahoma Sooners, 
who never played a team they couldn't beat.'' I later told him that 
single line won Oklahoma for him. ``Well,'' he responded, ``talking 
college football is pretty good politics in a lot of places. You might 
try it if you're ever campaigning in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, or 
just about anywhere in the South.'' It is still one of the best pieces 
of advice I ever got from a practicing politician.
  President Ford paired his intelligence with empathy and his candor 
with modesty. He was as politically astute as he was personally decent, 
something that all too many people forget. He was absolutely loyal to 
his party while still approaching politics in a pragmatic and 
bipartisan manner that made genuine political compromise possible. The 
House was all the better because of his character, and so too was our 
country. When speaking to the Congress, the President said with his 
usual humility that he was a Ford, not a Lincoln. Today, only the best 
among us might be able to call themselves Fords.
  We will all miss him very much, Madam Speaker, and I strongly urge 
support of H. Res. 15.
  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
honoring the legacy of former President Gerald R. Ford.
  Although I never served with President Ford personally, I admire him 
for his record as a leader in the House of Representatives, and later 
for accepting one of the greatest challenges an individual can assume--
the Presidency of the United States of America.
  In the past couple of weeks, we have heard many historians talk about 
President Ford's legacy of healing our nation in the aftermath of the 
Watergate scandal. At the time, he was sharply criticized for his 
decision to pardon President Richard Nixon, but now he has been lauded 
for moving this country forward. I think they are right. I admire him 
for the courage he had in making what was arguably one of the most 
difficult decisions a sitting president has ever made.
  As a Midwesterner myself, I would like to think that it was some of 
the values and experiences that President Ford had while growing up in 
Michigan that helped shape him into the courageous and good-natured 
leader that he later became.
  While President Ford played football for what we Ohio State 
University fans refer to as ``the team up north,'' he demonstrated his 
good-natured personality the day that he gave the university's 1974-
commencement address. It was just a few weeks after he became president 
and legendary football coach Woody Hayes was still at OSU. According to 
a recent story in The Columbus Dispatch, he said: ``We just had our 
picture taken together and when that picture appears in today's 
Dispatch, I'm pretty sure what the caption will say,'' Ford said. 
``Woody Hayes and friend.''
  President Ford loved our country, and he served it with integrity, 
which helped restore the public's confidence in the presidency.
  I proudly join my colleagues in honoring him with this resolution, 
and expressing our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Betty Ford and her family.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. 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.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Res. 15, a 
resolution honoring the life of President Gerald R. Ford. As America 
remembers President Ford's leadership and service to the American 
people, I offer my condolences to the Ford family.
  While attending former President Ford's funeral, I had the 
opportunity to converse with Dr. David Mathews, a community leader in 
my district. Dr. Mathews served as Secretary of Health, Education and 
Welfare under President Ford and shared with my office some personal 
stories of the President's legacy. Dr. Mathews recalled:

       Ford was a reconciler. While there was a great balance in 
     Ford, he was also tough as nails. He did what he believed the 
     country needed and was never motivated by polls.
       In 1976 one U.S. soldier stationed at Fort Dix died of the 
     swine flu. There was some concern that the potential for an 
     epidemic existed. A panel of the best and brightest 
     scientists of the day was convened. That panel included 
     Doctors Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, who did much of his 
     research at the University of Cincinnati. Both were pioneers 
     in developing polio vaccines. Some of the panelists counseled 
     the president to quickly begin creating vaccine and getting 
     the word out to the nation. Others thought it prudent not to 
     risk a panic, and wait. President Ford was decisive and 
     unwilling to risk an epidemic, giving the order to produce 
     the vaccine. To emphasize the point President Ford and I 
     received the first and second doses of the vaccine.
       The working relationship and personal friendship between 
     President Ford and I continued after the Ford administration. 
     In the early 1980s, when I became president of the Kettering 
     Foundation, I suggested to Ford that he invite former 
     president Jimmy Carter to the first conference at the Gerald 
     R. Ford Presidential Library. That conference addressed the 
     public's reaction to proposals to strengthen the Nation's 
     Social Security program. The meeting was based on results 
     from a citizens' briefing book prepared for the National 
     Issues Forums.
       Characteristically, President Ford agreed, not just 
     begrudgingly, or acquiescing, he was enthusiastic about 
     inviting Carter . . . That was the first project Presidents 
     Ford and Carter did together. It resulted in a life-long 
     friendship.

  I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting H. Res. 15 and 
honoring the life of President Ford.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of the resolution 
honoring the life of former President Gerald R. Ford.
  Gerald Ford served America with great distinction--first in the 
military, then as a Member of the U.S. House, and later as Vice 
President and President of the United States. After faithfully serving 
his Michigan constituents for 25

[[Page 601]]

years in the House, he was called to serve all of the American people 
in the White House when his country needed him most.
  The Watergate crisis was one of the most difficult times in our 
nation's history, and President Ford's unflinching leadership helped 
heal a nation and restore the American people's faith in their 
government. His decision to pardon President Nixon was a controversial 
and difficult move that drew a great deal of criticism. But in 
hindsight, I think most Americans would agree it was the right 
decision, the honorable decision, and reflected President Ford's good 
judgment and straightforward approach.
  Throughout the ordeal, President Ford earned our affection and 
respect. He will be remembered for the integrity, character, and grace 
he exhibited in his work and throughout his life.
  As public servants we owe a huge debt to those who have served before 
us, and we owe President Ford a debt of gratitude for the enormous 
contributions and sacrifices he made on behalf of his country. I am 
humbled to serve in the same elected leadership post he occupied for 
eight years during his tenure in the House.
  Our thoughts and prayers, and those of a grateful nation, are with 
Betty and the Ford family. I urge all my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the life and 
legacy of President Gerald Ford.
  I served with him in the House of Representatives and had the 
pleasure of working with him when he served both as Vice President and 
President of the United States. I will always think fondly on President 
Ford as a humble, genuine President and good friend.
  The people of Ohio will always be extremely grateful for his 
leadership in creating Ohio's Cuyahoga National Park, one of the most 
visited in the 388 National Parks and other sites administered by the 
National Park Service.
  President Ford's leadership and service to the Nation is well 
described in the title of his book ``A Time to Heal.''
  His wife Betty in her role as First Lady also was a wonderful role 
model for millions of American women, particularly her devotion to 
helping people in establishing the Betty Ford Clinic to help 
individuals with challenging personal problems.
  Our Nation was enormously enriched by the leadership of President 
Ford and his wife Betty.
  I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Ford family. I 
pray that you are comforted by the kind words and admiration the 
country has shown for President Ford.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 15, a resolution to honor the late President Gerald Ford who 
passed away on December 26, 2006. A man of great honor and integrity 
who led this country through one of the most difficult times in our 
history, he will be remembered as a fair, respected leader who was able 
to rise above partisanship to serve the citizens of this nation.
  President Ford, born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised in Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, embodied the spirit of the Midwest. He was hard-working, 
modest, unassuming, and throughout his life held an unabashed pride in 
the University of Michigan where he starred on the football team. 
During World War II, President Ford earned the title of lieutenant 
commander and several honors while serving this country in the U.S. 
Navy.
  Mr. Ford began his political career when he was elected to the U.S. 
House of Representatives as the Representative from Grand Rapids, 
Michigan. He held that seat from 1949 until 1973, and of the 25 years 
he served in the House, he was minority leader for 8.
  In 1973, when Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned, President Richard 
Nixon nominated then Congressman Ford to assume the vice presidency. 
President Ford's nomination was quickly approved by both the House and 
the Senate. However, his time as Vice President was brief and the 
attention of the country was focused on the looming Watergate scandal. 
On August 9, 1974, President Nixon stepped down and President Ford 
assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief.
  As our nation's president, Ford was faced with the critical task of 
regaining the trust of a country that had lost confidence in its top 
leadership. In order to begin to restore transparency and integrity to 
the office of the President, he traveled around the country listening 
and talking to the people of this country. President Ford felt the way 
in which he could help the country to begin to move beyond the wounds 
of Watergate was to grant a full and unconditional pardon to President 
Nixon. President Gerald Ford put the needs of our nation before his own 
vulnerability to political fallout, and that is the mark of a great 
leader.
  On behalf of the families of Minnesota's Fourth Congressional 
District, we extend our prayers and sincerest condolences to Mrs. Betty 
Ford, her children and all of the family and friends of President Ford. 
President Gerald Ford was a loving husband and father and a devoted 
public servant. He will be remembered and honored in the highest 
regard.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the life of 
President Gerald Ford.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, last week, Congress received the 
body of the late President Gerald Rudolph Ford, our 38th President, to 
lie in State in the Rotunda. He was the second President for whom I 
felt such an endearment that it felt as if I'd lost a friend.
  I first met President Ford along with President Carter several years 
ago when I called on both men to support legislation I had introduced 
to give those who had been incarcerated, paid their debt to society, 
and had become productive citizens a restoration of their voting 
rights. In speaking with him, I found him to be very sensitive and 
understanding of that important issue. He said that it was the decent 
thing to do and signed a letter (along with President Carter and 
myself) asking President George W. Bush to submit a proclamation to all 
States to ensure these citizens' voting rights.
  Two years later, I had the opportunity to meet with him and his 
beloved wife, Betty, at Rancho Mirage along with Governor 
Schwarzenegger and others to discuss federal legislation for 
California. We continued our discussion on voting rights, and I became 
further impressed with his modesty despite the fact that he had served 
at the highest level in this country.
  Gerald R. Ford was a man of character and integrity, with many 
accomplishments to his credit. He was a Boy Scout, and the only 
President who has ever attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a 
football star for the University of Michigan where he majored in 
political science and economics while leading his team to two national 
titles. He studied at Yale Law School and opened his own law practice 
in Grand Rapids, Michigan before joining the Navy where he served as an 
officer during WorId War II and earned several medals.
  In 1948, Gerald R. Ford was elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives where he served until 1973. He was the Republican 
Minority Leader from 1965-1973. During his years in the House, Ford 
was, as the New York Times described, ``a negotiator and a 
reconciler.'' On October 12, 1973, Ford was appointed Vice President of 
the United States after Spiro Agnew resigned. He became President after 
the resignation of Richard Nixon on August 9, 1974. President Gerald R. 
Ford is the only person to ever serve as both Vice President and 
President without being elected to either office.
  As President, one of Ford's first actions was to pardon President 
Nixon, allowing the nation to heal and move on. Although this action 
was highly criticized at the time and may have cost him the election in 
1976, it helped to restore Americans' faith in the office of the 
President. President Ford successfully addressed high inflation and 
unemployment while ending American involvement in Vietnam and pursuing 
international human rights through the Helsinki Accords, helping end 
the Cold War.
  President Ford's legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments, 
however. More than anything else, President Gerald R. Ford will be 
remembered for his character, integrity, and humility. Gerald R. Ford 
was a very decent and humble human being. As Americans, we mourn more 
than the loss of a former President--we mourn the loss of a truly great 
American.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise with my colleagues 
today in support of House Resolution 15, honoring the late Honorable 
Gerald Rudolph Ford, the 38th President of the United States.
  Here in this Chamber, President Ford served dutifully for 24 years, 
representing the people of the Fifth District of Michigan from 1949 
until his ascension to the Oval Office. As a Congressman, Gerald Ford's 
warmth, approachability, and affability made him one of the most highly 
regarded Members of his day.
  It was these qualities which would shape Gerald Ford into an 
excellent House floor leader for his party, a position he held for 8 
years until his appointment as the 40th Vice President. During his 
tenure as minority leader, Gerald Ford set a standard of fairness, 
diplomacy, and cooperation to which all of us can aspire.
  As both Vice President and President, Gerald Ford was called to serve 
in positions of great responsibility during a troubled time in our 
Nation's history. Ford accepted his powers and responsibilities with 
the same steadfast composure and patience for which he had became known 
as a Congressman.
  As a man known for his ability to create consensus, compromise, and 
conciliation, he

[[Page 602]]

was well suited to take the helm of America and navigate the turbulent 
storm it faced. President Ford's gentle nature helped soothe the deep 
scars America faced after an arduous period of strife at home and 
abroad.
  Mr. Speaker, Gerald Ford served our country with a patient hand, an 
understanding mind, and a reassuring voice. His time in Congress and in 
the White House leave behind a legacy of commitment, passion, and 
comity that we will all remember.
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the passing of 
a great President and American, President Gerald R. Ford.
  As I reflect upon the distinguished life and legacy of President 
Ford, the first things that come to mind are his honesty, integrity, 
and ability to make the tough decisions for a nation that was fiercely 
divided by war and recovering from a scandal at the highest level of 
government. He served with the best interest of America in mind, never 
losing sight of his faith, family, and his beloved roots in southwest 
Michigan.
  President Ford was truly a Michigan original, and folks throughout 
our State saw an ordinary man become extraordinary; yet, he always 
remained our native son. His upbringing in Michigan molded the man that 
Gerry Ford became--growing up in an environment that encouraged him to 
pursue his vision of what America should and could be.
  I have the great honor and privilege of representing some of the very 
same folks in southwest Michigan that President Ford did during his 
time in Congress.
  All our hearts go out to Betty and the Ford children: Mike, Jack, 
Steve, and Susan during this difficult time.
  His legacy continues to grow particularly as we see first hand the 
partisan divisions which divide our country and this Congress. 
President Ford was one that always put his country first and his party 
second.
  President Ford was a remarkable man and an outstanding representative 
of the Wolverine State. Our Nation was blessed to have such a 
compassionate and steadfast leader and he will forever remain in our 
memory.
  Farewell to our President. Go Blue.

                              {time}  1945

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 15, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________