[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 1 (Monday, January 8, 2007)]
[Pages 3-4]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Eulogy at the National Funeral Service for Former President 
Gerald R. Ford

January 2, 2007

    Mrs. Ford; the Ford family; distinguished guests, including our 
Presidents and First Ladies; and our fellow citizens:
    We are here today to say goodbye to a great man. Gerald Ford was 
born and reared in the American heartland. He belonged to a generation 
that measured men by their honesty and their courage. He grew to manhood 
under the roof of a loving mother and father. And when times were tough, 
he took part-time jobs to help them out. In President Ford, the world 
saw the best of America, and America found a man whose character and 
leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive 
moments in our Nation's history.
    Long before he was known in Washington, Gerald Ford showed his 
character and his leadership. As a star football player for the 
University of Michigan, he came face to face with racial prejudice when 
Georgia Tech came to Ann Arbor for a football game. One of Michigan's 
best players was an African American student named Willis Ward. Georgia 
Tech said they would not take the field if a black man were allowed to 
play. Gerald Ford was furious at Georgia Tech for making the demand and 
for the University of Michigan for caving in. He agreed to play only 
after Willis Ward personally asked him to. The stand Gerald Ford took 
that day was never forgotten by his friend. And Gerald Ford never forgot 
that day either--and three decades later, he proudly supported the Civil 
Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the United States Congress.
    Gerald Ford showed his character in the devotion to his family. On 
the day he became President, he told the Nation, ``I am indebted to no 
man and only to one woman--to my dear wife.'' By then Betty Ford had a 
pretty good idea of what marriage to Gerald Ford involved. After all, 
their wedding had taken place less than 3 weeks before his first 
election to the United States Congress, and his idea of a honeymoon was 
driving to Ann Arbor with his bride so they could attend a brunch before 
the Michigan-Northwestern game the next day. [Laughter] And that was the 
beginning of a great marriage. The Fords would have four fine children. 
And Steve, Jack, Mike, and Susan know that, as proud as their dad was of 
being President, Gerald Ford was even prouder of the other titles he 
held: father and grandfather and great-grandfather.
    Gerald Ford showed his character in the uniform of our country. When 
Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941, Gerald Ford was an attorney 
fresh out of Yale Law School, but when his Nation called, he did not 
hesitate. In early 1942 he volunteered for the Navy and, after receiving 
his commission, worked hard to get assigned to a ship headed into 
combat. Eventually his wish was

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granted, and Lieutenant Ford was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS 
Monterey, which saw action in some of the biggest battles of the 
Pacific.
    Gerald Ford showed his character in public office. As a young 
Congressman, he earned a reputation for an ability to get along with 
others without compromising his principles. He was greatly admired by 
his colleagues, and they trusted him a lot. And so when President Nixon 
needed to replace a Vice President who had resigned in scandal, he 
naturally turned to a man whose name was a synonym for integrity: Gerald 
R. Ford. And 8 months later, when he was elevated to the Presidency, it 
was because America needed him, not because he needed the office.
    President Ford assumed office at a terrible time in our Nation's 
history. At home, America was divided by political turmoil and wracked 
by inflation. In Southeast Asia, Saigon fell just 9 months into his 
Presidency. Amid all the turmoil, Gerald Ford was a rock of stability. 
And when he put his hand on his family Bible to take the Presidential 
oath of office, he brought grace to a moment of great doubt.
    In a short time, the gentleman from Grand Rapids proved that behind 
the affability was firm resolve. When a U.S. ship called the Mayaguez 
was seized by Cambodia, President Ford made the tough decision to send 
in the Marines, and all the crew members were rescued. He was criticized 
for signing the Helsinki accords, yet history has shown that document 
helped bring down the Soviet Union, as courageous men and women behind 
the Iron Curtain used it to demand their God-given liberties. Twice 
assassins attempted to take the life of this good and decent man, yet he 
refused to curtail his public appearances. And when he thought that the 
Nation needed to put Watergate behind us, he made the tough and decent 
decision to pardon President Nixon, even though that decision probably 
cost him the Presidential election.
    Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency when the Nation needed a leader 
of character and humility--and we found it in the man from Grand Rapids. 
President Ford's time in office was brief, but history will long 
remember the courage and common sense that helped restore trust in the 
workings of our democracy.
    Laura and I had the honor of hosting the Ford family for Gerald 
Ford's 90th birthday. It's one of the highlights of our time in the 
White House. I will always cherish the memory of the last time I saw him 
this past year in California. He was still smiling, still counting 
himself lucky to have Betty at his side, and still displaying the 
optimism and generosity that made him one of America's most beloved 
leaders.
    And so, on behalf of a grateful nation, we bid farewell to our 38th 
President. We thank the Almighty for Gerald Ford's life, and we ask for 
God's blessings on Gerald Ford and his family.

Note: The President spoke at 11:20 a.m. at the National Cathedral.