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10/16/74 - South Dakota Republican State Central Committee Rally (Draft only, no reading copy)
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10/16/74 - South Dakota Republican State Central Committee Rally (Draft only, no reading copy)
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
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The original documents are located in Box 2, folder "10/16/74 - South Dakota Republican
State Central Committee Rally (Draft only, no reading copy)" of the President's Speeches
and Statements: Reading Copies 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 2 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN STATE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE RALLY
STOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, OCTOBER 16, 1974
IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
I ESPECIALLY
ENJOY IT HERE BECAUSE OF MOUNT RUSHMORE.
THERE ARE FOUR FACES
SCULPTED ON THAT GREAT NATIONAL MONUMENT.
ONE IS A FEDERALIST.
ONE IS A DEMOCRAT.
AND TWO ARE HISTORICAL PILLARS OF THE
screend
REPUBLICAN PARTY. THIS IS THE KIND OF POLITICAL BREAKDOWN THAT
I LIKE IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
DON'T YOU AGREE?
- 2 -
I AM MOST PLEASED TO BE ON THE SAME PLATFORM WITH
SOME TRULY FINE PEOPLE WHO FIT THE TRADITION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
AND TEDDY ROOSEVELT - -- PEOPLE LIKE JIM ABDNOR, LEO THORSNESS,
JOHN OLSON, AND LARRY PRESSLER.
- 3 -
LEO THORSNESS MENTIONED TO ME EARLIER THAT THE
HUNTING SEASON OPENED HERE IN SOUTH DAKOTA LAST SATURDAY - --
AND, BY COINCIDENCE, YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWSPAPERS AND
ON TV, THE WHITE HOUSE HAS A NEW ADDITION. MY DAUGHTER, SUSAN
AND OUR WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER, DAVE KENNERLY, GOT TOGETHER
AND SURPRISED ME WITH AN EIGHT-MONTH OLD GOLDEN'RETRIEVER.
AND I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF HOW SUSAN AND DAVE BOUGHT
THIS DOG.
- 4 -
THEY CALLED UP A VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED KENNEL AND
SAID THEY WANTED TO GET A GOLDEN RETR IEVER.
THE OWNER OF THE
KENNEL SAID FINE. WHO WILL THE OWNER BE? AND THEY SAID,
IT'S A SURPRISE -- THEY'D LIKE TO KEEP IT A SECRET. WELL, THE
KENNEL OWNER SAID HE DIDN'T SELL DOGS THAT WAY.
HE WOULD HAVE
TO KNOW THE DOG WAS GOING TO A GOOD HOME.
- 5 -
SO SUSAN AND DAVE ASSURED HIM THAT IT WOULD BE.
THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE PARENTS ARE FRIENDLY, MIDDLE-AGED, AND
LIVE IN A BIG WHITE HOUSE WITH A FENCE AROUND IT.
THE KENNEL OWNER SAID, "GOOD.
DO THEY OWN OR
RENT?" SUSAN AND DAVE THOUGHT A MOMENT AND SAID, "WELL, YOU
MIGHT SAY IT'S PUBLIC HOUS ING."
-6-7-
THE KENNEL OWNER SAID, "OKAY.
NOW THIS IS A BIG DOG
WHO'S GONNA EAT A LOT.
DOES THE FATHER HAVE A STEADY JOB?"
WELL - -- THERE THEY WERE STUCK FOR AN ANSWER.
- 8 -
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONFER WITH JIM ABDNOR AS
WE FLEW OUT HERE ON AIR FORCE ONE -- AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT
SOUTH DAKOTA IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIM IN CONGRESS.
HE IS A
FIGHTER - -- FOR THE FARMERS AND FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
HE STANDS
FOR HIGH PRINCIPLES AND ENERGETIC EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF
SOUTH DAKOTANS.
I'M GLAD TO BE IN HIS CORNER.
I KNOW HE IS IN
MINE.
I URGE YOU TO SEND HIM BACK TO WASHINGTON.
- 9 -
ONE THING WE KNOW ABOUT LEO THORSNESS.
HE IS NOT
ONLY A FIGHTER - -- HE IS A STRONG MAN WITH A STRONG BACKGROUND TO
SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATE.
AND I KNOW THIS, TOO:
I CAN COUNT ON HIM TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE WAY YOUR MONEY WILL BE
SPEN
IN WASHINGTON -- TO BE A FULL-TIME FIGHTER AGAINST INFLATION
ON A YEAR-IN AND YEAR-OUT BASIS INSTEAD OF ONCE EVERY SIX YEARS --
AT ELECTION TIME.
- IO -
THERE'S ANOTHER SOUTH DAKOTAN WE NEED IN CONGRESS --
LARRY PRESSLER, YOUR CANDIDATE FOR THE HOUSE FROM THE FIRST
DISTRICT.
THE ELECTION OF LEO AND LARRY WILL BRING
TO FULL
STRENGTH THIS STATE'S REPUBLICAN CONTINGENT IN THE CONGRESS.
- II -
AT THE STATE LEVEL, JOHN OLSON WILL MAKE
AN
OUTSTAND ING GOVERNOR.
HIS EXPERIENCE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE SOUTH DAKOTA RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION AND
EARLIER AS STATE HIGHWAY DIRECTOR HAS PROVIDED HIM WITH A
KNOWLEDGE AND KNOW-HOW THAT MAKES HIM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO LEAD
THIS STATE FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
I URGE YOU TO ELECT HIM.
- I2 -
NOW LET ME GET INTO WHY I AM HERE TODAY.
I AM HERE
TODAY FOR TWO REASONS: FIRST, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A
RIGHT TO SEE THEIR PRESIDENT OUI DEFEND ING WHAT HE BELIEVES IN
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO SEE HIM EXPLAINING TO THE PEOPLE OF
SOUTH DAKOTA IN SOUTH DAKOTA WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON, D. C.
I CAN ASSURE YOU IT IS REFRESHING FOR ME TO SEE THE NATION
OUT OF SOME OTHER WINDOW THAN THE ONE IN WASHINGTON.
- 13 -
THE SECOND REASON THAT + AM HERE IS CONNECTED WITH
THE FIRST REASON.
I AM PROUD TO DEFEND MY PROGRAMS AND TO
MEET THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA.
BUT I NEED
HELP.
I NEED THE
HELP OF INFLATION-CUTTERS LIKE JIM ABDNOR.
I NEED THE HELP OF
TOUGH-MINDED MEN LIKE LEO THORSNESS WHO WILL HELP BRING A
BIPARTISAN TONE TO AMERICA'S FOREIGN POLICY.
AND so I AM HERE
TO ASK YOU -- AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH DAKOTA -- TO HELP OUR
CANDIDATES THIS YEAR.
- I4 -
I NEED HELP IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH PRICES,
OF UNEMPLOYMENT, OF ASSURING ADEQUATE ENERGY SUPPLIES.
THAT IS WHY I ADDRESSED THE CONGRESS JUST OVER A WEEK AGO AND
SUBMITTED A DETAILED 31-POINT PROGRAM WHICH REPRESENTS
COMBINATIONS OF THE BEST THINKING THAT AMERICA HAS TO OFFER.
- 15 -
I NEED ASSISTANCE TO GET THESE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE
CONGRESS.
EVERY DAY THAT WE WAIT IS JUST ONE MORE DAY THAT
WE HAVE ALLOWED INFLATION TO CREEP AHEAD.
THERE IS so MUCH TO DO.
I HAVE ASSURED THE
FARMERS OF THIS AND EVERY STATE THAT THEY WILL HAVE ALL THE FUEL
AND FERTILIZER THEY NEED TO HARVEST THEIR BOUNTIFUL FARM CROPS.
- 16 -
I WOULD LIKE TO REASSURE YOU ON ANOTHER POINT:
I AM VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED TO ANY ADDITIONAL FEDERAL TAX ON
GASOLINE. WE WANT TO KEEP THIS COUNTRY ROLLING -- NOT PARKED
ON A DEAD-END STREED.
This proposed would have handreoped
all of you who have to travel dealer. many mils to n DN.
or/ to a from emplement
some of our theorited thankers.
some" " " environments
Dont understand you problems. practical
I do
Thato = why - 2 sand no
new gas Tah
- 17 -
WE ALL KNOW THAT PRODUCTIVITY IS THE KEY TO GETTING
A STRANGLE-HOLD ON INFLATION.
IF ALL ASPECTS OF OUR ECONOMY
FUNCTIONED WITH THE EFFICIENCY AND ALMOST MIRACULOUS OUTPUT
OF THE AMERICAN FARMER, I AM CONVINCED THAT INFLATION WOULD
BE A PROBLEM OF MUCH SMALLER PROPORTIONS.
- 18 -
RURAL AMERICA HAS BLAZED THE WAY TO A HIGHER STANDARD
OF LIVING FOR THE UNITED STATES, IF NOT THE ENTIRE WORLD.
AND YET, THIS GREEN REVOLUTION HAS NOT SPREAD ITS BENEFITS
EVENLY ACROSS THE VAST FARMLANDS OF AMERICA.
THERE MUST BE
ANOTHER GREEN REVOLUTION FOR THE MEN. AND WOMEN WHO DRAW
THEIR LIVELIHOOD FROM THE SOIL -- A GREEN REVOLUTION THAT
a AN fully
PROMISES THEM ADEQUATE RETURN AND A FAIR PROFIT ON THEIR TIME,
LAND, INVESTMENT AND LABOR.
1
- 19 -
I PROMISE YOU THAT THE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS OF
THE PEOPLE OF RURAL AMERICA WILL NOT BE BURIED UNDER THE CONCRETE
OF BIG-CITY INTERESTS.
I AM PARTICULARLY DISTURBED BY THE WASTEFUL PROTEST
SLAUGHTERING OF CALVES IN WISCONSIN AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE TRYING
TO INCREASE THE FOOD SUPPLY.
YET I RECOGNIZE THE FRUSTRATION
THAT PROMPTED THIS SHOCKING DEMONSTRATION. BUT THEIR ACTIONS
CONTRIBUTE NOTHING TOWARD A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM OR TO THE
PROBLEM OF INFLATION WHICH WE ALL FACE.
- 19A -
I AM AWARE OF THE COST-PRICE SQUEEZE IN WHICH
LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS AND FEEDERS FIND THEMSELVES. I HAVE
REQUESTED A FULL REPORT ON THIS SITUATION.
I WILL MEET withing
THE shorthy NEXT TWO WEEKS AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH FARMERS AND
RANCHERS TO SEEK THEIR SOLUTION.
- 19B -
I AM DISTURBED BY THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE REDUCED
EARNINGS OF THE CATTLE GROWERS AND THE HIGHER PRICES CHARGED
TO CONSUMERS THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
I AM ASKING THE NEW
COUNCIL ON WAGE-PRICE STABILITY TO EXAMINE THE REASONS BEHIND
THIS GAP BETWEEN WHAT IS PAID TO THE FARMER AND WHAT MUST BE
PAID ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE BY THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER.
SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG.
I INTEND TO DO WHAT I CAN TO
RESOLVE THIS SITUATION.
- I9C -
THE LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS OBVIOUSLY CANNOT TOLERATE
A SITUATION IN WHICH CALVES COST MORE TO RAISE THAN THEY BRING
AT THE MARKET.
BUT THERE IS CERTAINLY A BETTER WAY OF
REDRESSING GRIEVANCES THAN BY THE DRASTIC AND WASTEFUL
DESTRUCTION OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY.
- 19D -
THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM WHICH CONCERNS ME GREATLY --
THE TREMENDOUS COST-PRICE SQUEEZE IN WHICH AMERICA'S DAIRYMEN
FIND THEMSELVES.
I MET LAST FRIDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH A
REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF DAIRY FARMERS AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
WHO OUTLINED THE PROBLEM VERY EFFECTIVELY.
- 19E -
I AM VERY SYMPATHETIC WITH THEIR PROBLEM.
I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN OF DOMESTIC DAIRY PRODUCERS THAT
THE UNITED STATES DAIRY SUPPORT PRICE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE
ALLOWED TO BE UNDERMINED BY EFFORTS OF FOREIGN DAIRY PRODUCERS --
SOME OF WHOM ARE SEEKING TO SHIFT THE BURDEN OF THEIR OWN
COST-PRICE PROBLEMS ONTO THE U. S. MARKET, AIDED BY ARTIFICIAL
INCENTIVES FROM THEIR GOVERNMENTS.
- 19F -
BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN ABOUT THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
DAIRYMEN ARE FACING, I AM TODAY ANNOUNC ING THAT NO ACTION WILL
BE TAKEN TO CHANGE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF DAIRY IMPORT QUOTAS
WITHOUT A THOROUGH REVIEW OF MARKET CONDITIONS AND FULL
OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR DAIRY PRODUCERS TO BE HEARD AT THAT TIME.
- 19G -
I AM CONVINCED THAT OVER THE LONG HAUL THE AMERICAN
FARMER CAN COMPETE AGAINST ANY FARM PRODUCER IN THE WORLD
I LOOK FORWARD TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS WHICH WILL
ACHIEVE AN UNDISTORTED AND FAIR DAIRY MARKET WORLD-WIDE.
- 20 -
THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS I AM HERE -- TO
LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY AND TO DISCUSS MY VIEWS WITH YOU.
I AM ALSO HERE TO ENLIST YOU IN THE WIN PROGRAM.
ISN'T IT TIME
TO WHIP INFLATION NOW?
THE PEOPLE OF THE PLAINS HAVE ALWAYS
BEEN STRONG. YOUR EFFORTS HELPED PULL AMERICA OUT OF A
DEPRESSION, HELPED DEFEND IT IN WAR, HELPED TO KEEP THE PEACE THAT
WE HAVE NOW ATTAINED AFTER so MANY YEARS OF CONFLICT.
THAT IS
WHY I AM CONVINCED WE ARE GOING TO WIN AGAIN.
- 2I -
THIS IS NOT ANY EASY TIME FOR AMERICA.
GREAT
CHALLENGES HAVE NEVER BEEN EASY.
LET ME SHARE ANOTHER CONCERN OF MINE WITH YOU --
THE EROSION OF THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY.
THERE MUST
BE BALANCE.
THERE MUST BE PERSPECTIVE.
THERE MUST BE
COOPERATION AND SHAR ING.
AND ABOVE ALL, THERE MUST BE A
STRONG TWO PARTY SYSTEM.
- 22 -
THAT'S ANOTHER REASON I CAME TO SOUTH DAKOTA --
TO HELP PRESERVE 200 YEARS OF AMERICAN TRADITION, TO HELP
MAINTAIN INTACT OUR SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AND TO HELP
MAKE SURE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA STAYS
REPRESENTATIVE.
- 23 -
LET ME CONCLUDE TODAY BY JUST REMINDING REPUBLICANS,
DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS ALIKE: CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS ARE
WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT.
IT IS THE TIME TO ACCOUNT FOR THE
STEWARDSHIP OF THOSE WHO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
THERE IS NO GUN SO
MIGHTY NOR FORCE so POWERFUL AS THE QUIET SYMBOLIC VOICE SPOKEN
IN THE PRIVACY OF THE VOTING BOOTH.
IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY, AND
INDEED THE RESPONSIBILITY, OF EVERY CITIZEN TO BALANCE THE LEDGER
SHEETS OF GOOD GOVERNMENT.
- 24 -
I KNOW WE WILL GET THE JOB DONE.
WE WILL LICK
INFLATION. WE WILL STRENGTHEN THE GREAT TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN
THE UNITED STATES.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD THE INTERNATIONAL
PEACE WHICH WILL COME FROM BIPARTISAN COOPERATION IN THE HIGHEST
COUNCILS OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
MAY'S WITY AM HERE TODAY.
AM GLAD CAME
THANK YOU.
- 25 -
AND TO HELP ACCOMPLISH ALL THIS, WE NEED A STRONG,
RESPONS IVE CONGRESS.
AS ONE COMMENTATOR PUT IT ON
TELEVISION LAST WEEK -- "I'M LOOKING FOR A CONGRESS THAT'LL
PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE LEGISLATION!"
#
# #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Extras
GEORGIA R. FORD LIBRARY
LEO THORSNESS MENTIONED TO ME EARLIER THAT THE
HUNTING SEASON OPENED HERE IN SOUTH DAKOTA LAST SATURDAY --
AND, BY COINCIDENCE, YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWSPAPERS AND
ON TV, THE WHITE HOUSE HAS A NEW ADDITION.
MY DAUGHTER, SUSAN
AND OUR WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER, DAVE KENNERLY, GOT TOGETHER
AND SURPRISED ME WITH AN EIGHT-MONTH OLD GOLDEN RETR IEVER.
AND I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF HOW SUSAN AND DAVE BOUGHT
THIS DOG.
-
-
THEY CALLED UP A VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED KENNEL AND
SAID THEY WANTED TO GET A GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
THE OWNER OF THE
KENNEL SAID FINE.
WHO WILL THE OWNER BE?
AND THEY SAID,
IT'S A SURPRISE -- THEY'D LIKE TO KEEP IT A SECRET.
WELL, THE
KENNEL OWNER SAID HE DIDN'T SELL DOGS THAT WAY.
HE WOULD HAVE
TO KNOW THE DOG WAS GOING TO A GOOD HOME.
-
-
so SUSAN AND DAVE ASSURED HIM THAT IT WOULD BE.
THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE PARENTS ARE FRIENDLY,
MIDDLE-AGED,
AND
LIVE IN A BIG WHITE HOUSE WITH A FENCE AROUND IT.
THE KENNEL OWNER SAID, "GOOD.
DO THEY OWN OR
RENT?"
SUSAN AND DAVE THOUGHT A MOMENT AND SAID, "WELL, YOU
MIGHT SAY IT'S PUBLIC HOUS ING."
- B -
THE KENNEL OWNER SAID, "OKAY.
NOW THIS IS A BIG DOG
WHO'S GONNA EAT A LOT.
DOES THE FATHER HAVE A STEADY JOB?"
WELL -- -- THERE THEY WERE STUCK FOR AN ANSWER.
- 7 -
NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY GOT THE DOG AND, VERY
APPROPRIATE TO THE SPIRIT OF THE BICENTENNIAL, WE'VE NAMED HER
LIBERTY. A REPORTER ASKED MY DAUGHTER SUSAN WHO'S GOING
TO TAKE CARE OF LIBERTY? WHO'S GOING TO FEED HER AND GROOM HER
AND TAKE HER OUT IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT?
AND SUSAN DIDN'T
HESITATE A MINUTE
SHE SAID, "DADDY!"
so I HAVE A FEELING THIS IS ONE LIBERTY THAT'S GOING TO
COST ME SOME OF MINE.