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1069207
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1976/04/14 - Dedication of the White House Visitors Waiting Area
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1069207
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document
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1976/04/14 - Dedication of the White House Visitors Waiting Area
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Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Speech Reading Copies
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
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1976-04-30
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4
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1976
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1976-04-01
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1976
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The original documents are located in Box 3, folder "Dedication of the White House
Visitors Waiting Area, April 14, 1976" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 3 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
MRS. FORD'S REMARKS
WHITE HOUSE VISITORS WAITING AREA
April 14, 1976
ISN'T THIS A LOVELY DAY.
I.
AND WHAT A DELIGHTFUL DAY
TO HAVE THIS CEREMONY.
to
'NOLONIHSYM NJ
I'VE STOOD IN MANY, MANY LINES,
INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.
AND IT'S REALLY GREAT
TO SEE THESE STANDS
WHICH MAKE THE WAITING MUCH EASIER.
3.
THE CROWDS SEEM TO GET
LARGER EVERY YEAR,
AND, OF COURSE, IN THIS
OUR BICENTENNIAL YEAR,
WE EXPECT A RECORD TURNOUT.
WASHINGTON SUMMERS CAN REALLY BE HOT---
4.
NOT ONLY HOT, BUT HOT AND HUMID.
BUT THESE COVERED STANDS
SHOULD MAKE YOUR WAITING
A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE.
5.
I CAN REALLY APPRECIATE THE PROBLEMS
OF STANDING IN LINE WITH CHILDREN,
THAT'S WHY I'M so DELIGHTED
TO KNOW YOU NOW HAVE A PLACE TO SIT DOWN AND REST
WHILE LISTENING TO
SOME WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT.
6.
I WANT TO SAY THANKS
TO CHAIRMAN ToM STEED,
REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD BOLAND,
AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
WHO SUPPORTED THIS PROJECT---
7.
ALSO TO THE HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN
OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
AND, OF COURSE, TO ALL WHO DONATE
THEIR TIME TO ENTERTAIN.
THE LARKIN HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS
FROM ELGIN, illinois
WILL BE SINGING FOR YOU TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO PRESENT THEM
THIS CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION---
AND TO SAY TO ALL OF YOU---
ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO THIS LOVELY HOUSE.
IT BELONGS TO YOU.
9.
ITS HISTORY
IS THE HISTORY OF AMERICA,
AND YOUR VISIT
IS PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE TRADITION
OF HOSPITALITY.
WE'RE GLAD YOU'VE COME
AND WE HOPE YOU'LL COME AGAIN
# # #
Remarks, Ellipse Appearance, April 14, 1976
It's so good to see all of you. This is my first
close look at the new facilities, and
I'm
so happy they are here to make your wait more
1
pleasant.
the H is a very special place
All of us at the White House
your
visit
Because so
memorable one, especially in our Bicentennial Year. With
mare
this year
so many extra ******* visitors expected, it's really grand
these facilities are ready to ease the croud problems.
There are some people who deserve thanks:
Chairman Tom Steed and Rep. Edward Boland and the members
of Congress who supported this project, the dedicated
men and women of the National Park Service and those who
donated funds or services to arrange these stands and special
programs.
I'm very happy to present a Certificate of Appreciation
to the Larkin High School Chorus one of the many
outstanding groups who have volunteered to entertain visitors.
You're Washington at such a beautiful season,
and I hope you enjoy your Bicentennial visit to thexCapitate
this lovely city and to the White House the People's House.
-30-
Remarks, Ellipse Appearance, April 14, 1976
You know in my years in Washington I've stood
in so many lines with visitors, and it really is
grand to think yau these facilities may make waiting
more pleasant. We're going to have so many quesxx
people from all over the country and abroad, and these
candi-cane canopes X should make it cooler.
You've really come at the most beautiful time,
and all of us at the White House hope you enjoy seeing
this lovely old pka home. I believe that one of the
things that makes the White House so special is the
fact that so many people come to visit and to share
see the rooms where so much history has la taken place.
As a former visitor myself, I'd like to thank some
of the people responsex who've worked
andp planned to make these facilities possible. These
include Chairman Tom Steed, Rep. Edward Boland and the many
members of Congress who supported this project, the hard-working
men and women of the National Park Service and those who
da donated funds or services to arrange these special programs.
I think 1976 is a wonderful year to visit Washington
to celebrate the Bicentennial. So enjoy.
Now I'd like to present a certificate of appreciation
to the Larkin High School Chorus of kE Elgin, Illinois
one of the many MMSXEX nusk outstanding groups who xx
are entertaining visitors this year.
Thanksxex
Kaye
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 9, 1976
MEMORANDUM TO:
PETER SORUM
FROM:
SUSAN PORTER
SUBJECT:
Action Memo
Mrs. Ford has accepted the following out-of-house invitation:
EVENT: Visit New White House Visitors Waiting Area on the Ellipse
GUESTS: Congressional Sub-Committees and National Park Service and
White House Visitors Office
DATE: Wednesday, April 14, 1976
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
PLACE: Ellipse
CONTACT: Mike Farrell, Ext. 2322
COMMENTS: To focus attention on the new Visitors Waiting Area designed
to better accommodate White House visitors during the
Bicentennial, Mrs. Ford will go down to the Ellipse and
participate briefly in recognizing the new arrangement.
Because each day while visitors wait at the Ellipse to come
to the White House a band or other entertainment will be
provided, a band will be playing upon Mrs. Ford's arrival.
She will briefly greet members of Congress and the Park
Service who have confe, thanking them all for coming and
in a sense inaugurating the new program. She will also
present a certificate to the band. This certificate will
be given to each day's entertainment. She will greet a
few of the visitors informally and then return to the
White House. It is my understanding that Jack Williams
(O: 343-6195; H: 333-2243) will do this advance. The file
is attached. Thank you.
c: BF Staff
Jack Williams
F
Red Cavaney
William Nicholson
Mike Farrell
Rex Scouten
Staircase
APRIL 6,7,028 7th per BF upstains
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 26, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUSAN PORTER
FROM:
MIKE FARRELL
my
SUBJECT:
Visitors Waiting Area, Ellipse
April 6, 7 or 8, 1976
11:00 or 11:30 a.m.
April 6, 7 or 8 would be good dates for Mrs. Ford to see the Visitors
Waiting Area which will be established on the Ellipse beginning
March 16 through October 23. An invitation would be extended to the
members of the Congressional committees which appropriated the
funds for this special Bicentennial program to join her. I would
suggest the following format.
1. Mrs. Ford could make brief remarks to the visitors
assembled in the bleachers. This would provide her
with an opportunity to thank the members of the two
committees for their support of this special project
and would enable her to make some appropriate remarks
about the importance of the Bicentennial and to express
her interest in sharing the White House with the American
people.
2. She could then tour the area and meet the Park Service
employees who are running this program.
3. She could also meet the high school or college band
which will be performing for the visitors at that time
and express her appreciation for their participation in
the Bicentennial program.
Mrs. Ford has indicated that she would like to do this, schedule
permitting. It would be best to schedule this for early April from
the standpoint of inviting the members of the Congressional committees.
- 2 -
If that time should not prove to be convenient for Mrs. Ford, most
any day, Tuesday through Saturday, later in the spring would be fine
for her to drop by the Ellipse.
I have attached a fact sheet which we have prepared for tours during
1976 as additional background.
Thank you.
Attachment
P
:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SCHEDULE OF WHITE HOUSE TOURS FOR 1976
To better accommodate visitors to the White House during our
Bicentennial, the following provides information on tour procedures
and scheduled events for 1976.
1. Tuesday, March 16, 1976 - Saturday, October 23, 1976
A Visitors Waiting Area will be established on the Ellipse
in cooperation with the National Park Service. During this
period, visitors should proceed to the Ellipse south of the
White House -- not to the East Gate.
(a) Visiting hours will be Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. (most days, schedule permitting) and on Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The White House will be closed on
Sunday and Monday.
(b) Ticket booths will be open at 8:00 a.m. each day, Tuesday
through Saturday. Tickets may be obtained from 8:00 a.m.
to 12 noon, Tuesday through Friday, and on Saturday from
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Each member of a family or a group
must obtain a ticket for the tour. Tickets are available the
day of the tour only.
(c) Each visitor after being issued a ticket (specifying the time
of the tour) may either leave the park to visit other attractions
or choose to view the entertainment program (9:30 a.m. until
1:00 p.m. most days) on the Ellipse. Bleachers will be
available. Visitors will be escorted from the Ellipse to the
White House at the appointed time.
2. Before March 16 and after October 23, 1976
The White House will be open from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Tuesday
through Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday. Visitors
should come to the East Gate on East Executive Avenue.
3.
Garden Tours
As a special program for the Bicentennial, Mrs. Ford has asked
that the gardens and grounds be open to the public on the following
days:
Saturday
April 24
Sunday
April 25
Saturday
May 29
Sunday
May 30
Saturday
June 19
Sunday
June 20
Saturday
July 17
Sunday
July 18
Saturday
August 7
Sunday
August 8
Saturday
September 18
Sunday
September 19
Saturday
October 16
Sunday
October 17
Reservations are not required, admission is free. The tour includes
the grounds and the State Floor of the White House. Each visitor
receives a brochure as a guide to the grounds.
Special Note: On Saturdays the hours will be 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
and the Visitors Waiting Area will be used. On Sundays the hours will
be 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and the Visitors Waiting Area will not
be used. Vísitors should come directly to the East Gate on East
Executive Avenue.
4.
Easter Egg Roll
Children 8 years and younger, accompanied by an adult, are invited
to participate on Monday, April 19, 1976 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There will be entertainment and an egg rolling contest. Reservations
are not required, admission is free. Participants should come to
the Southeast Gate which is located at the intersection of East Executive
Avenue and Alexander Hamilton Place, N.W.
5.
Holidays
The White House will be open the following Monday holidays:
May 31
Memorial Day
September 6
Labor Day
October 11
Columbus Day
Visiting hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ticket booths on
the Ellipse will be open 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
The White House will be closed the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
With best wishes for a most enjoyable visit to our Nation's Capital
during the Bicentennial,
The White House Visitors Office