Difference between revisions of "Gerald Ford"
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| − | '''Gerald Rudolph Ford''' (1913-2006) was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to January 1977. He was the only American president who was not elected to the position and was not elected Vice-President. A Republican, Ford also served as U.S. Representative, 1948-73, and was the House Minority Leader in 1964. He major decision was to pardon former President [[Richard Nixon]] of any crimes for the good of the nation. Nixon had appointed Ford to become Vice President and ultimately succeed Nixon. | + | '''Gerald Rudolph Ford''' (1913-2006), considered by many to be one of the greatest American Presidents, was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to January 1977. He was the only American president who was not elected to the position and was not elected Vice-President. A Republican, Ford also served as U.S. Representative, 1948-73, and was the House Minority Leader in 1964. He major decision was to pardon former President [[Richard Nixon]] of any crimes for the good of the nation. Nixon had appointed Ford to become Vice President and ultimately succeed Nixon. |
Ford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but did not live there long, as his mother fled with Gerald within a month due to domestic abuse. He was raised in Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan, where he was a football star. After this, he attended graduate school at Yale, then served in the Navy during [[World War II]]. <ref>http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gf38.html</ref> | Ford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but did not live there long, as his mother fled with Gerald within a month due to domestic abuse. He was raised in Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan, where he was a football star. After this, he attended graduate school at Yale, then served in the Navy during [[World War II]]. <ref>http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gf38.html</ref> | ||
Revision as of 05:24, March 20, 2007
Gerald Rudolph Ford (1913-2006), considered by many to be one of the greatest American Presidents, was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to January 1977. He was the only American president who was not elected to the position and was not elected Vice-President. A Republican, Ford also served as U.S. Representative, 1948-73, and was the House Minority Leader in 1964. He major decision was to pardon former President Richard Nixon of any crimes for the good of the nation. Nixon had appointed Ford to become Vice President and ultimately succeed Nixon.
Ford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but did not live there long, as his mother fled with Gerald within a month due to domestic abuse. He was raised in Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan, where he was a football star. After this, he attended graduate school at Yale, then served in the Navy during World War II. [1]
Gerald Ford in his own words:
Upon assuming the presidency afer President Nixon's resignation:
I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers. And I hope that such prayers will also be the first of many ....
Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a Government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. But there is a Higher Power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy.
As we bind up the internal wounds ... let us restore the Golden Rule to our political process, and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and of hate. In the beginning, I asked you to pray for me. Before closing, I ask again your prayers, for Richard Nixon and his family. May our former President, who brought peace to millions, find it for himself. May God bless and comfort his wonderful wife and daughters, whose love and loyalty will forever be a shining legacy to all who bear the lonely burdens of the White House ...
I now solemnly reaffirm my promise I made to you last December 6; to uphold the Constitution, to do what is right as God gives me to see the right, and to do the very best I can for America. God helping me, I will not let you down.
Upon announcing his decision to pardon Richard Nixon:
To procrastinate, to agonize, and to wait for a more favorable turn of events that may never come or more compelling external pressures that may as well be wrong as right, is itself a decision of sorts and a weak and potentially dangerous course for a President to follow. I have promised to uphold the Constitution, to do what is right as God gives me to see the right, and to do the very best that I can for America. I have asked your help and your prayers, not only when I became President but many times since.
The Constitution is the supreme law of our land and it governs our actions as citizens. Only the laws of God, which govern our consciences, are superior to it. As we are a Nation under God, so I am sworn to uphold our laws with the help of God. And I have sought such guidance and searched my own conscience with special diligence to determine the right thing for me to do ....
I do believe, with all my heart and mind and spirit, that I, not as President, but as a humble servant of God, will receive justice without mercy if I fail to show mercy.
A Christmas message delivered by President Ford:
As our Bicentennial Year comes to a close, it is especially appropriate to gather once more around the traditional symbol of family ties and friendly reunions, our Nation's Christmas tree. In doing so, we combine our year-long celebration of historical events with a personal rededication to timeless values.
The message of Christmas has not changed over the course of 20 centuries. Peace on Earth, good will towards men-that message is as inspiring today as it was when it was first proclaimed to the shepherds near Bethlehem. It was first proclaimed, as we all know, then. In 1976 America has been blessed with peace and a significant restoration of domestic harmony.
But true peace is more than an absence of battle. It is also the absence of prejudice and the triumph of understanding. Brotherhood among all peoples must be the solid cornerstone of lasting peace. It has been a sustaining force for our Nation, and it remains a guiding light for our future.
The celebration of the birth of Jesus is observed on every continent. The customs and traditions are not always the same, but feelings that are generated between friends and family members are equally strong and equally warm.
In a few moments I will turn the switch that lights up our national Christmas tree. As beautiful as that tree is, it will be only a symbol if its light is not matched by the glow of love in our hearts. It is my personal prayer on this Christmas of 1976 that the tree which I light tonight is only the beginning, that each of you will also light a flame of love-love that is reflected in the eyes of all our brothers and sisters across the Nation and around the world. Now, Betty joins me in wishing you all a very, very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you, and God bless you.
