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The original documents are located in Box A14, folder "Older Americans" of the President
Ford Committee Campaign Records 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 R. Ford donated to the
United States of America her copyrights in all of her husband's unpublished writings in National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.
President Ford Committee
1828 L STREET, N.W., SUITE 250, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 (202) 457-6400
February 11, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PFC LEADERSHIP guit
FROM:
FRED SLIGHT
Director of Research
SUBJECT:
President Ford's Special
Message on Older Americans
In his recent special message to Congress, President Ford re-
affirmed his commitment to the needs of older Americans, and
to draw on their strengths in resolving the problems of America.
He asked Congress to:
"
help our nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep
concern for the dignity and worth of our older persons.
By doing so, our nation will continue to benefit from
the contributions that older persons can make to the
strengthening of our nation.'
President Ford noted that the single greatest threat to the quality
of life of older Americans is inflation. His first economic pri-
ority has been to fight inflation -- and his programs have cut
nearly in half the double digit inflation experienced in 1974.
But, he said,
"
the retired, living on fixed incomes, have been
particularly hard hit, and the progress we have made
has not benefited them enough.'
To meet this problem, President Ford has included in his budget
request for 1977 a full cost of living increase in Social Security
benefits, that will help bolster the purchasing power of 32
million Americans. Because the President is determined that the
Social Security system will remain fiscally sound, he has also
requested legislation to increase payroll taxes by three-tenths
of one percent to cover these added costs.
To alleviate the burden of catastrophic illness, President Ford
has proposed:
Extending Medicare benefits by providing coverage
for LIBRARY
unlimited days of hospital and skilled nursing facility
care for beneficiaries, and
Limiting the out-of-pocket expenses of beneficiaries
for covered services, to $500 per year for hospital
and skilled nursing services, and $250 per year for
physician and other non-institutional medical services.
The President Ford Committee, Howard H. Callaway, Chairman, Robert Mosbacher, National Finance Chairman, Robert C. Moot, Treasurer. A copy of our
Report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. 20463.
-2-
The President closed his message with the below statement which
may best reflect his commitment to resolving the problems and
making use of the talents of our older citizens:
"Today's older persons have made invaluable contributions
to the strengthening of our nation. They have provided
the nation with a vision and strength that has resulted
in unprecendented advancements in all of the areas of
our life. Our national moral strength is due in no small
part to the significance of their contributions."
The President's special message on older Americans, and a fact sheet
describing his programs, are attached.
Attachments
FORDO is LIBRARY 018870
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
February 9, 1976
UNTIL 12 P.M. (EST)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY S, 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
I ask the Congress to join with me in making improvements
in programs serving the elderly.
As President, I intend to do everything in my power to
help our nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for
the dignity and worth of our older persons. By so doing,
our nation will continue to benefit from the contributions
that older persons can make to the strengthening of our
nation.
The proposals being forwarded to Congress are directly
related to the health and security of older Americans.
Their prompt enactment will demonstrate our concern that
lifetimes of sacrifice and hard work conclude in hope
rather than despair.
The single greatest threat to the quality of life of
older Americans is inflation. Our first priority continues
to be the fight against inflation. We have been able to
reduce by nearly half the double digit inflation experienced
in 1974. But the retired, living on fixed incomes. have
been particularly hard hit and the progress we have made
in reducing inflation has not benefited them enough. We
FORD
will continue our efforts to reduce federal spending,
balance the budget and reduce taxes. The particular
GERALD
vulnerability of the aged to the burdens of inflation
LIDERAY
however, requires that specific improvements be made in
two major Federal programs Social Security and Medicare.
We must begin by insuring that the Social Security
system is beyond challenge. Maintaining the integrity of
the system is a vital obligation each generation has to
those who have worked hard and contributed to it all their
lives. I strongly reaffirm my commitment to a stable and
financially sound Social Security system. My 1977 budget
and legislative program include several elements which I
believe are essential to protect the solvency and integrity
of the system.
First, to help protect our retired and disabled citizens
against the hardships of inflation, my budget request to the
Congress includes a full cost of living increase in Social
Security benefits, to be effective with checks received in
July 1976. This will help maintain the purchasing power
of 32 million Americans.
Second, to insure the financial integrity of the Social
Security trust funds I am proposing legislation to increase
payroll taxes by three-tenths of one percent each for
employees and employers. This increase will cost no worker
more
2
more than $1 a week. and most will pay less. These additional
revenues are needed t.o stabilize the trust funds so that
current income will be certain to either equal or exceed
current outgo.
Third, to avoid serious future financing problems I will
submit later this year a change 1n the Social Security laws
to correct a serious flaw in the current system. The current
formula which determines benefits for workers who retire in
the future does not properly reflect wage and price fluctuations.
This is an inadvertent error which could lead to unnecessarily
inflated benefits
The change I am proposing will not affect cost of living
increases in benefits after retirement and will in no way
alter the benefit levels of current recipients. On the other
hand, it will protect future generations against unnecessary
costs and excessive tax increases.
I believe that the prompt enactment of all of these
proposals is necessary to maintain a sound Social Security
system and to preserve its financial integrity.
Income security is not our only concern. We need to
focus also on the special health care needs of our elder
citizens, Medicare and other Federal health programs have
been successful in improving access to quality medical care
for the aged. Before the inception of Medicare and Medicaid
in 1966, per capita health expenditures for our aged were
$445 per year. Just eight years later, in FY 1974, per
capita health expenditures for the elderly had increased
to $1218, an increase of 174 percent. But despite the
dramatic increase in medical services made possible by
public programs, some problems remain.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
There are weaknesses in the Medicare program which must
be corrected. Three particular aspects of the current
program concern me: i) its failure to provide our elderly
with protection gainst catastrophic illness costs, 2) the
serious effects that health care cust inflation is having on
the Medicare program, and 3) lack of incentives to encourage
efficient and sconomical use of hospital and medical services.
My proposal addre. ces each of these problems.
In my State of the Union Message I proposed protection
against catastrophic health expenditures for Medicare bene-
ficiaries. This will be accomplished in two ways. First, I
propose extending Medicare benefits by providing coverage
for unlimited days of hospital and skilled nursing facility
care for beneficiaries. Second I propose to limit the
out-of-pocket expenses of beneficiaries, for covered services,
to $500 per year for hospital and skilled nursing services
and $250 per year for physician and other non-institutional
medical services.
This will mean that each year over a billion dollars of
benefit payments will be targeted for handling the financial
burden of prolonged illness. Millions of older persons live
in fear of being stricken by an illness that will call for
expensive hospital and medical care over a long period of
time. Most often they do not have the resources to pay the
bills. The members of their families share their fears
because they also do not have the resources to pay such
more
3
large bills. We have been talking about this problem for
many years. We have it within our power to act now so that
today's older persons will not be forced to live under this
kind of a shadow. I urge the Congress to act promptly.
Added steps are needed to slow down the inflation of
health costs and to help in the financing of this catastrophic
protection. Therefore, I am recommending that the Congress
limit increases in medicare payment rates in 1977 and 1978
to 7% a day for hospitals and 45 for physician services.
Additional cost-sharing provisions are also needed to
encourage economical use of the hospital and medical services
included under Medicare. Therefore, I am recommending that
patients pay 10% of hospital and nursing home charges after
the first day and that the existing deductible for medical
services be increased from $60 to $77 annually.
The savings from placing a limit on increases in
medicare payment rates and some of the revenue from increased
cost sharing will be used to finance the catastrophic illness
program.
I feel that, on balance, these proposals will provide
our elder citizens with protection against catastrophic
illness costs, promote efficient utilization of services,
and moderate the increases in health care costs.
The legislative proposals which I have described are
LIBRARY
only part of the over-all effort we are making on behalf of
older Americans. Current conditions call for continued and
intensified action on a broad front.
We have made progress in recent years. We have responded,
for example. to recommendations made at the 1971 White House
Conference on Aging. A Supplemental Security Income program
was enacted. Social Security benefits have been increased in
accord with increases in the cost of living. The Social
Security retirement test was liberalized. Many inequities
in payments to women have been eliminated. The 35 million
workers who have earned rights in private pension plans now
have increased protection.
In addition we have continued to strengthen the Older
Americans Act. I have supported the concept of the Older
Americans Act since its inception in 1965, and last November
signed the most recent amendments into law.
A key component of the Older Americans Act is the
national network on aging which provides a solid foundation
on which action can be based. I am pleased that we have
been able to assist in setting up this network of 56 State
and 489 Area Agencies on Aging, and 700 local nutrition
agencies. These local nutrition agencies for example
provide 300,000 hot meals a day five days a week.
The network provides a structure which can be used to
attack other important problems. A concern of mine is that
the voice of the elderly, as consumers, be heard in the
governmental decision-making process. The network on aging
more
4
offers opportunities for this through membership on advisory
councils related to State and Area Agencies on Aging,
Nutrition Project Agencies and by participation in public
hearings on the annual State and Area Plans. Such involvement
can and will have a significant impact on determining what
services for the aging are to be given the highest priorities
at the local level.
The principal goal of this National Network on Aging
is to bring into being coordinated comprehensive systems
for the provision of service to the elderly at the community
level. I join in the call for hard and creative work at all
levels -- Federal, State and Area in order to achieve this
objective. I am confident that progress can be made.
Toward this end, the Administration on Aging and a
number of Federal Departments and agencies have signed
agreements which will help to make available to older
persons a fair share of the Federal funds available in
such areas as housing, transportation, social services,
law enforcement, adult education and manpower --- resources
which can play a major role in enabling older persons to
continue to live in their own homes.
Despite these efforts, however, five percent of our
older men and women require the assistance provided by
skilled nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
To assist these citizens, an ombudsman process, related
FORD
solely to the persons in these facilities, is being pute
into operation by the National Network on Aging. We
believe that this program will help to resolve individual
LIBRARY
complaints, facilitate important citizen involvement in
the vigorous enforcement of Federal, State and local laws
designed to improve health and safety standards, and to
improve the quality of care in these facilities.
Today's older persons have made invaluable contributions
to the strengthening of our nation. They have provided the
nation with a vision and strength that has resulted in un-
precedented advancements in all of the areas of our life.
Our national moral strength is due in no small part to the
significance of their contributions. We must continue and
strengthen both our commitment to doing everything we can
to respond to the needs of the elderly and our determination
to draw on their strengths.
Our entire history has been marked by a tradition of
growth and progress. Each succeeding generation can measure
its progress in part by its ability to recognize, respect and
renew the contributions of earlier generations. I believe
that the Social Security and Medicare improvements I am
proposing, when combined with the action programs under
the Older Americans Act, will insure a measure of progress for
the elderly and thus provide real hope for us all.
GERALD R. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 9, 1976.
#####
Fice
March 2, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BO CALLAWAY
THROUGH:
BOB STU MARIK SPENCER KALL
FROM:
JIM MILLS Muls
SUBJECT:
OLDER AMERICANS CAMPAIGN IN ILLINOIS
Attached is an overview of the campaign plan for older Americans
in Illinois.
The activities are similar to those employed in Florida with the
addition of a telephone/manpower field operation currently
underway.
I have also included an estimated program budget based on infor-
mation available. It is my understanding that the actual expendi-
tures will tend toward the high and not the low.
CC: Ed DeBolt
Skip Watts
Fred Slight
Bruce Wagner
Ed Terrill
GERALD 4 LIBRARY FORD
ILLINOIS OLDER AMERICANS PRIMARY CAMPAIGN PLAN
The activities and tasks presented below are designed to maximize
voter support from senior Republicans in the Illinois March 16th
primary. The objectives defined are limited to those which will
have the most impact and are immediately accomplishable.
I. ACTIVITY: Establishment of The Older Americans for PFC.
A. Tasks:
1. Identify two prominent older Republicans who will:
a. serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Committee.
b. assist in carrying those actions discussed
below which they deem appropriate.
C. expand the Committee membership on a regional/
county basis after the primary for the purposes
of further general election activities to be
developed.
d. lend their names for use in campaign materials
and advertising.
2. Potential Co-Chairpersons have been identified and
will be confirmed no later than Wednesday, March 3rd.
They are:
a. Mr. Clarence Lipman - Governor's call pending.
b. Mrs. Elizabeth Percy - pending - to serve after
the primary for general election purposes.
C. Mr. Ken Ogilvie - pending.
3. Attempts are currently underway to identify well-known
non-controversial older Americans in all major Illinois
communities to be members of the Committee (see Activity 4).
II. ACTIVITY: Advocacy/Scheduling
A. Tasks:
1. The PFC advocacy operation at the state and national
levels will place spokesmen and will schedule drop-bys
before senior citizen groups.
2. In addition to the materials already generated for
surrogate briefing, a separate memorandum developed
jointly by Commissioner Flemming, Slight and Mills
FORD is LIBRARY CENALD
presenting a recommended approach to explain the
President's Catastrophic Health Insurance proposal
will be available on March 5th. A copy of this memo-
randum will be forwarded to James Shuman.
3. Older Americans Forums - per previous discussions.
III. ACTIVITY: Communications Strategy. Communication of the fact
that President Ford is helping older Americans will be accomp-
lished through:
A. Tasks:
1. Newspaper Advertisement:
Based on in-house response to the Florida senior citizen
ad and the need to emphasize the President's commitment
to a strong Social Security system, a new ad for approp-
riate nationwide use is being developed in time for
placement in Illinois papers.
The copy of this full-page ad is currently being
developed. Space is being provided for the insertion
of name (s) of a locally prominent, non-controversial
senior Republican supporter (s) serving on the above-
mentioned committee. If an appropriate non-controversial
chairman is not confirmed by March 5th, no names will be
inserted in the ad.
Campaign '76, in cooperation with Mills, will submit the
recommended newspapers for ad placement and budget no
later than March 4th.
The impact of this ad and the Florida ad should be
measured. Therefore, it is recommended that Slight,
Mills, and Campaign '76 develop a proposed procedure,
criteria, and budget plan for such a test on a post-
election day basis.
AGREE
DISAGREE
2. Brochures:
25,000 older Americans PFC brochures have just been
sent to the Chicago headquarters. On March 1st,
Mr. Walter Parker was hired as the Older Americans for
President Ford Director in Illinois. Among other things
(see below) Mr. Parker is responsible for the distribu-
tion of these brochures in target areas throughout the
state.
FORDO is GERALO LIBRARY
3. Press Release:
The Illinois Press Director, Mr. Fred Bird, in cooper-
ation with Mills and Kaye, will develop and issue a
press release announcing the formation of the Older
Americans Committee, and why. A sample press release
is attached.
4. Interviews:
If scheduling and other conditions permit, the President's
cabinet-level advisor on aging, Dr. Arthur S. Flemming,
United States Commissioner, Administration on Aging,
will participate in interviews with local media when in
Illinois.
Scheduling of such interviews will be coordinated through
Mills and the Commissioner's office. When such inter-
views occur, the fact will be communicated to all approp-
riate PFC Directors through field reports.
IV. ACTIVITY: Field Operations. On February 28th, the Illinois PFC,
at Mills' recommendation, employed Mr. Walter Parker (age 72,
good health) as of March 1st for a fee of $250.00 per week for
the purposes presented below.
Mr. Parker was the Director of the Older Americans effort in
1972 and has complete records from that time. He had the best
organization of all states for Older Americans in 1972. It was
comprised of 168 committees throughout the state. He staged more
Older Americans events in Illinois in 1972 than did any other
senior citizens staff man in other states.
A. Tasks: Mr. Parker is, in order of priority, responsible for
re-activating his former Older Americans network with these
objectives:
1. identifying fifty former local Older Americans Chairmen
in fifty key communities,
2. having them conduct a home telephone campaign using
the pyramid system (see attached instructions),
3. having them supply capable manpower to the telephone
bank operations in those area's designated by the state
telephone bank coordinator,
4. having them distribute the Older Americans brochure to
senior citizen clusters in their areas,
5. re-activating, to the extent possible, his former down-
state farm network to carry out a home telephone campaign
using the pyramid system, and
6. distributing PFC-approved background material and
instructions to the above-mentioned contacts. Attached
are portions of the Older American's packet he will be
sending to his contacts.
a
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
Mr. Parker will quantitatively and qualitatively account the
results of the above-designated activities. He has been given
office space and will work both at the headquarters and at
home.
If his performance meets expectations it is possible Mills will
recommend that Mr. Parker be employed on a part-time basis in
other states.
V. ACTIVITY: Transportation. As previously discussed.
VI. BUDGET. Estimated Program Budget Expenditures for Older
Americans In Illinois (excludes overall effort impacting older
Americans)
March 1 through March 16
Low
High
A. State Staff Fees
$ 500.00
$ 600.00
(Walter Parker)
B. State Staff Expenses
200.00
250.00
(telephone, mailings,
travel)
C. Newspaper Ad
15,000.00
30,000.00
D. Brochures
500.00
700.00
E. Radio (Feb., March)
26,000.00
30,000.00
F. Advocacy (estimated)
2,000.00
5,000.00
TOTALS
$44,200.00
$66,550.00
FORD a. OFRATO LIBRARY
- COVER LETTER TO THE LOCAL OLDER AMERICANS CHAIRMEN -
March
, 1976
Dear
:
I was pleased to talk with you again and learn of your
desire to help President Ford.
As promised, I am enclosing guideline instructions and
background information to help you in carrying out this project.
If you have any questions, please call me at 312/641-6716 or
evenings at 312/432-5757.
If everyone you call agrees to contact at least ten friends
and some are able to help out at the telephone center, we will
have contributed tremendously to the President's campaign.
Again, it is great to be back in contact. I am sure with
this kind of effort, the President will win on March 16th and in
November.
Many thanks and best of luck.
Sincerely,
Walter Parker
FORD = DERALD LIBRARY
- INSTRUCTIONS -
TASK #1. Telephone Campaign
The goal here is for you to call every Republican you know in your
area and
1. tally:
a. how many are intending to vote for President Ford
b. how many are intending to vote for the opposition
C. how many are not intending to vote
d. how many are undecided and
e. who would like more information on a specific issue,
what the issue is and their address.
2. ask those who support President Ford if they would get
involved in helping him by
a. calling every Republican friend they have (at least
ten) and asking them to make calls if they support
the President,
b. ask them to call you back and report the tally results
as outlined above and on the enclosed tally sheet.
Be sure to tell each person you call who you have called
so that they do not repeat calls you have made. This is
especially important in cases where the circle of friends
is the same.
TASK #2. Volunteer Support
1. Ask those you call to help gather volunteers to help in the
telephone banks in the area. The telephone bank in your area
is coordinated by
.
You should call
and ask how many volunteers he/she
needs, when and where.
2. Ask if they want transportation to the telephone banks (or
to the polls). If they do, contact the telephone bank co-
ordinator.
TASK #3. Brochures
=
FORD
Per our telephone conversation, we are sending you
brochures
explaining how the President is helping older Americans. As you know,
- 2 -
these can be distributed in a variety of ways such as in areas where
older people shop, lobbies of retired persons residence complexes,
etc.
Be sure to ask permission where necessary and advisable and do not
hand them out around churches or where political activity is forbidden.
FORD & DERALD LIBRARY
MEMORANDUM FOR: State Press Directors
FROM: Jim Mills 202/466-2113
SUBJECT: Sample Press Release -- Older Americans for
President Ford Committee
Date
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Telephone:
HEADLINE: "Older (Senior) * Americans (State;e.g., Nevadans)
for Ford"
Mr. (Mrs.)
, Chairman of the
(State) President Ford Committee in (State) announced today the
formation of the
(e.g., Senior Texans
for President Ford Committee).
"Older people want to be actively involved in President Ford's
campaign, Mr.
said. Mr.
of
(city) and Mrs.
of (city) have been appointed to
chair this important committee.
"President Ford is helping those of us who are retired, now we
are going to help him," Mr (s).
said. "Older
people support Ford for many reasons including his success at cutting
down inflation and determination to improve and strengthen the Social
Security Trust Fund," according to Mr (s).
.
"Older people will vote for Ford because he acts rather than
talks ans because they know that a healthy economy is in their as
well as everybody's best interest, Mr (s).
, the
Committee's other Co-Chairman said.
("We older people have been around a long time. We are not
about to be hoodwinked by glamour and fancy-dan rhetoric," Mr (s).
, the Committee's Co-Chairman said.)
* Parentheses indicate optional language.
GERALD ? FORD
President Ford Committee
P.O BOX 1976 GREAT FALLS MONTANA 59403(403) 3452
Contact: Kenneth R. Neill, Chairman
(727-2200)
Sharon Ann Ashton, Exec. Dir.
NEWS RELEASE
(727-3452)
17 February 1976
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary Stevens Carroll, for 25 years a reporter for the United Press,
has been named Montana Senior Citizens Chairman for the President Ford Committee.
The appointment was announced by State Ford Chairman, Kenneth R. Neill.
Mrs. Carroll currently authors a column in the Republican party's stat
newspaper TRUNK LINE titled "A Carroll Line." She is a member of the Cascade County
Republican Central Committee and editor of "Woman Talk," a monthly county GOP publication.
In accepting the appointment Mrs. Carroll said, "I feel President Ford
deserves our support for the way in which he has tried to stem this tide of deficit
spending. Our paychecks have had more and more withholding and the dollars left buy
less and less.
It took courage for the President to try with his vetos to stop this.
People of every party should vote for a "common sense" man such as Gerald Ford. "
Mrs. Carroll currently is a board member of the College of Great Falls
Guild, and the Cascade County Republican Women's Club. She is an active member in
the Salvation Army Auxillary and the Travel Club.
She is a former school teacher. During WW II she was Chairman of the
American Committee for the Greek War Relief, public relations chairman for the British
War Relief and the Cascade County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
She and her late husband, Walker B. Carroll, have two children, a son,
Dr. Joseph M. Carroll, Superintendent of Schools of Palm Beach County, Florida, and a
daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Allen, Gig Harbor, Washington.
&
GERALD
FORD
########
LIQUIRA
THE
President
Committee,
How
at
the Federal Tertion
SUGGESTED TARGET AREAS, OLDER
1970
AMERICANS
COUNTY
POPULATION
CITY
POPULATION
Adams
13,672
Quincey
9,778
Champaign
13,935
Champaign
5,431
Urbana
3,208
Cook
755,206
Chicago
516,353
Suburbia (Cook County)
(a)
Berwyn 12,769
(b) Maywood 3,568
Cicero 12,293
Evergreen Park 4,419
Elgin 10,381
Niles 3,176
Evanston 15,518
Harvey 3,827
Des Plaines 5,618
Elmwood Park 4,297
Oak Park 14,088
Arlington Heights 4.547
Oak Lawn 6,709
Blue Island 4,098
Skokie 8,367
Chicago Heights 4,296
Park Ridge 6,243
DuPage
42,548
Bensenville
1,194
Glen Ellyn
2,221
Hinsdale
2,094
Lombard
2,829
Villa Park
3,208
Wheaton
3,102
Elmhurst
6,353
Downers Grove
3,590
Naperville
1,921
Kane
32,013
Aurora
10,102
St. Charles
1,604
Kankakee
15,177
Kankakee
5,208
Knox
11,638
Galesburg
7,121
Lake
35,947
Waukegan
7,732
Highland Park
3,470
Lake Forest
1,978
Zion
1,608
North Chicago
2,097
LaSalle
19,208
Ottawa
3,337
LaSalle
2,383
Peru
1,962
Streator
2,964
McLean
14,485
Bloomington
6,725
Normal
1,949
&
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
COUNTY
POPULATION
CITY
POPULATION
Macon
18,804
Decatur (Urbanized
Area)
15,689
Madison
(See St. Clair
34,410
Alton
7,437
County)
Collinsville
2,921
Granite City
5,180
Wood River
1,724
Edwardsville
2,155
Peoria
30,317
Peoria
19,958
Urbanized area
35,085
Rock Island
23,962
Rock Island
8,328
Moline
7,591
Ill. Urban Balance
10,880
Davenport, Ill. portion
14,455
St. Clair
37,760
E. St. Louis
10,736
Belleville
8,326
Remainder in Ill. portion
of SMSA
33,713
Saugmon
26,721
Springfield
17,015
Tazewell
13,832
East Peoria
2,125
Pekin
4,344
Vermilion
16,449
Danville
7,665
Will
26,142
Joliet
12,448
Winnebago
30,385
Rockford
21,664
Rockford Urbanized
Area
26,179
Total Rockford SMSA
33,540
Total population 60 and over for these twenty counties:
1,212,611
Total population 60 and over statewide:
1,571,497
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
March 12, 1976
7:00
FROM: TO: JIM BOB MARIK MILLS
RE:
OAD STATUS REPORT
Thanks very much for your update of March 11. Your progress
in on track in all of the relevant primary states, and should
also provide good continuity for the general election
campaign.
I did comment on your Wisconsin advertising plan (see margin
of Page One). We can discuss upon your return, as wekk as
the items you raise on Page Three.
CC: Ed DeBolt
FORD is 070830 LIBRARY
President Ford Committee
1828 L STREET, N.W., SUITE 250, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 (202) 457-6400
March 11, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: BOB MARIK
FROM:
JIM MILLS
SUBJECT:
O.A.D. Status Report
Field Activities:
1. Illinois:
Walter Parker has been performing excellently according to Holt and
state staff. He has provided manpower support to telephone banks,
distributed 25,000 brochures, corresponded with 158 senior citizen
organizations, identified older Americans chairmen in key communities,
and will commence the home telephone campaign today.
He is to submit a report early next week attaching copies of pertinent
material.
2. Wisconsin
After meeting with Governor Knowles, Charlie Davis, and Jon Holt the
following activities were identified for the purposes of accomplishing
a heavy turn-out of elderly on April 6th.
a. Transportation: Given the increased lead time, the person calling
for implementation of this program, and the Wisconsin P.F.C.'s
interest in elderly voter turn-out this program should be very
successful (details per our discussion).
b. Field Activities: Davis is attempting to secure an O.A. volunteer
coordinator. This person, will be responsible for brochure
distribution and committee expansion in the post primary period.
It is possible that we will recommend an older Americans campaign
oriented visibility event.
about
C.
Advertising: Given the overwhelming support of Wisconsin's senior
Republicans, no newspaper is contemplated at this time.
The radio spot will be scheduled by C-76.
d. Advocacy/Scheduling: Wisconsin staff believe it will be easy
identify elderly events for advocate participation. A letter to
to FORD LIBRARY
RHM
all appropriate senior clubs and organizations has been sent calling
for among other things, invitations for spokesmen. Copies of this
correspondence will be forwarded to my office next week. This letter
was signed by the two newly appointed Chairpersons.
The President Ford Committee, Howard H. Callaway, Chairman, Robert Mosbacher, National Finance Chairman, Robert C. Moot, Treasurer. A copy of our
Report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. 20463.
-2-
e. Chairpersons/Press: Two prominent non-controversial senior citizens
have accepted the appointment of Co-Chairperson, Wisconsin Older
Americans for President Ford.
A press release is to be issued, a copy of which is to be forwarded
to O.A.D.
3. North Carolina:
a. Chairpersons: Mr. Jeder Haynes and Mrs. Jean Muller, two prominent
non-controversial Republicans have been appointed as N.C. Older
Americans Chairmen.
Mr. Haynes will work organizationally as a volunteer throughout
the campaign.
A press release announcing their appointment is to be issued prior
to the primary (pending 3/11).
b. Brochure distribution: 25,000 O.A. brochures were ordered for N.C.
at the time the direct mail proposal was developed.
Given budget cutbacks, Russell can no longer use this method of
distribution.
I will be investigating the possibility of inserting the brochure
for those of 65 in the general mailing. (pending 3/11)
C. Advertising: Aside from the radio spot no advertising directed at
seniors is recommended.
d. Transportation: Attempts are currently underway to identify a
friendly Democrat to initiate this program. (Pending.)
4. Texas:
I have been in contact with Roger Wallace and explained our overall
approach is other states. Where applicable these primary actions will
be useful in brochure distribution and Committee expansion.
I will be in Austin to finalize activities on Tuesday, March 16th.
FORD is LIBRARY OFRALD
-3-
OLDER AMERICANS FOR PRESIDENT FORD, NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The blueprint submitted to you earlier needs to be reviewed and approved
as soon as possible. A budget for this activity will be developed in
the explication. However, a ballpark figure is $40,000 to cover travel
and convention expenses for the Executive Board.
I would appreciate your keepoing track of this while I am out.
PLANNING:
It is my objective to have a general model campaign plan packet together by
March 18. This packet would be accompanied by a letter ( to be submitted to
you on 3/15) from Bo Callaway introducing the Older Americans effort and
calling for their response on appointments no later than April 30th.
I have asked Mary to reserve the MIST (type) machine for Friday, March 19th,
should Bo approve the letter. The letter will not go out until the packet
contents is approved.
POLICY:
Attached is a copy of a memorandum with attachments discussing the forum
and catastrophic health issues. This memorandum is in draft form with
maximum distribution indicated.
Done
Please review and amend as appropriate and reduce distribution if deemed
advisable. Betsey Bellows will type and distribute upon your returning to
me.
IN-HOUSE
a. Mrs. Ann Miller: Ann is a volunteer functioning as my research
assistant. Currently she is investigation (1) the issue of
Congressional action on the Catastrophic Health issue and (2) Gallup/
Harris trial heat polls and the elderly.
b. Betsey Bellows: Betsey will be very busy doing targeting research and
daily tasks while I am gone. In addition she will be getting
assignments from me while I am in the field. You need not worry,
she has more than she can do.
BUDGET:
During my travels I will among other things be developing a revised budget
through June with projections thereafter.
Currently we are approximately $4,000 below the 45 day projection
March 17th.
ending FORD LIBRARY
ATTACHMENTS
President Ford Committee
1828 L STREET, N.W., SUITE 250, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 (202) 457-6400
April 20, 1976
Dear
I am writing to you on a most important and serious
matter.
Senior Americans care a great deal about our country's
future and its leadership. We know the importance of
maintaining the dignity and integrity of the Office of the
President.
We are aware of the values of hardwork, straightforward-
ness, knowledge and strong confident character. We also know
how to distinguish political rhetoric from fact. This is
why so many of us are supporting President Ford.
The President has proven himself to be a most honest,
capable and level-headed leader. When he became President
he had gigantic problems to confront. Among them were the
leadership crisis and lack of confidence in government,
a spiraling inflation rate, and the worst recession since
the Great Depression.
President Ford underwent the most thorough investigation
of one's life history and record for honesty and good judgment
ever conducted in the United States. As our 38th President,
Gerald Ford has restored public confidence in the nation's
highest office, quickly winning the trust and faith of the
American people for his dedication, his candor, and his
principled actions.
He has turned the problems of growing inflation and
recession around. Inflation has been cut almost in half and
continues to decrease. The economy is now in genuine recovery,
creating more jobs and opportunities for investment than ever
in our history. Quietly and firmly he has pursued the
proper solutions.
FORDO civeao LIBRARY
The President Ford Committee, Howard H. Caliaway, Chairman, Robert Mosbacher, National Finance Chairman, Robert C. Moot, Treasurer. A copy of our
Report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. 20463.
It is my hope that we, as experienced voters, can
help President Ford continue to restore pride in our country.
Those of us who have the wisdom of experience have an
obligation to use it. Therefore I hope that you will join
h th me in gaining the active support and involvement of
Older Americans on behalf of President Ford both in the
voting booth and in the overall campaign.
I am enclosing information relating to the President's
overall accomplishments and those of special interest to
older persons. I look forward to hearing from you on this
important matter of mutual concern.
Sincerely yours,
Bernard S. VanRensselaer
Honorary Chairman
OLDER AMERICANS FOR PRESIDENT FORD
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FORD is LIBRARY 079830
Dear
:
I am writing to you on a most important and serious matter.
Senior Americans care a great deal about our country's future
and its leadership. We know the importance of maintaining the
dignity and integrity of the Office of the President.
We are aware of the values of hard work, straightforwardness,
knowledge and la strong, confident character. We also know how
to distinguish political rhetoric from fact. This is why 80 many
of us are supporting President Ford.
The President has proven himself to be an honest, capable
and level-headed leader. When he became President he was confronted
by gigantic problems. Among them were the leadership crisis and lack
of confidence in government, as well as a spiraling inflation rate,
and the worst recession since the Creat Depression.
As Vice President, Gerald Ford underwent the most thorough in-
vestigation of one's life history and record for honesty and good
judgment ever conducted in the United States. As our 38th President,
he has restored public confidence in the nation's highest office, quickly
winning the trust and faith of the American people for his dedication,
his candor, and his principled actions.
President Ford has turned the problems of growing inflation and
recession around. Inflation has been cut almost in half and continues
to decrease. The economy is now in genuine recovery, creating more
jobs and opportunities for investment than ever in our history. At
the same time, President Ford has worked to insure that America
maintains a strong national defense. Quietly and firmly he has
pursued the proper solutions.
It is my hope that we, as experienced voters, can help President
Ford continue to restore pride in our country. Those of us who have
the wisdom of experience have an obligation to use it. Therefore
1 hope that you will join with me in gaining the active support and
involvement of Older Americans on behalf of President Ford both in the
voting booth and in the campaign.
I am enclosing information relating to the President's accomplish-
ments and in particular, those of special interest to older persons.
I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter of mutual
concern.
Sincerely,
Bernard Van Renssaelaer
Chairman
Older Americans for President Ford
National Advisory Council