    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [December 27, 2006]
    [Pages 2224-2225]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Death of Former President Gerald R. Ford in Crawford, Texas
    December 27, 2006

        My fellow Americans, all of us are saddened by the news that former
    President Gerald R. Ford passed away last night. I spoke with Betty
    Ford. On behalf of all Americans,
    Laura and I extend to Mrs. Ford and all President
    Ford's family our prayers and our condolences.
        President Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his
    life in serving the United States. He was a true gentleman who reflected
    the best in America's character. Before the world knew his name, he
    served with distinction in the United States Navy and in the United
    States Congress.
        As a Congressman from Michigan and then as Vice President, he
    commanded the respect and earned the good will of all who had the
    privilege of knowing him. On August 9th, 1974, he stepped into the
    Presidency without ever having sought the office. He assumed power in a
    period of great division and turmoil. For a nation that needed healing
    and for an office that needed a calm and steady hand, Gerald Ford came
    along when we needed him most.
        During his time in office, the American people came to know
    President Ford as a man of complete integrity who led our

    [[Page 2225]]

    country with common sense and kind instincts.
        Americans will always admire Gerald Ford's unflinching performance
    of duty and the honorable conduct of his administration and the great
    rectitude of the man himself. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and
    our 38th President will always have a special place in our Nation's
    memory.
        President Ford lived 93 years, and his life was a blessing to
    America. And now this fine man will be taken to his rest by a family
    that will love him always and by a nation that will be grateful to him
    forever.
        May God bless Gerald Ford.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:56 a.m. at the Bush Ranch. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these
    remarks. The related proclamation of December 27 announcing the death of
    Gerald R. Ford, the proclamation of December 28 on the national day of
    mourning for Gerald R. Ford, and the Executive order of December 28
    providing for the closing of Government Departments and Agencies on
    January 2, 2007, are listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.