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Address by the President to a Joint Session of the Congress [Ford Speech or Statement]
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Address by the President to a Joint Session of the Congress [Ford Speech or Statement]
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Digitized from Box 1 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 12, 1974
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE CONGRESS
THE HOUSE CHAMBER
9:06 P.M. EDT
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished guests
and my very dear friends:
My fellow Americans, we have a lot of work to
do. My former colleagues, you and I have a lot of work
to do. Let's get on with it.
Needless to say, I am deeply grateful for the
wonderfully warm welcome. I can never express my gratitude
adequately.
I am not here to make an inaugural address. The
Nation needs action, not words. Nor will this be a formal
report on the State of the Union. God willing, I will
have at least three more chances to do that.
It is good to be back in the People's House. But
this cannot be a real homecoming. Under the Constitution,
I now belong to the Executive Branch. The Supreme Court
has even ruled that I am the Executive Branch, head, heart,
and hand.
With due respect to the learned Justices -- and
I greatly respect the Judiciary -- part of my heart will
always be here on Capitol Hill. I know well the co-equal
role of the Congress in our constitutional process. I
love the House of Representatives. I revere the traditions
of the Senate despite my too short internship in that great
body. As President, within the limits of basic principles,
my motto towards the Congress is communication, conciliation,
compromise and cooperation.
This Congress, unless it has changed, I am confident,
will be my working partner as well as my most constructive
critic. I am not asking for conformity. I am dedicated
to the two-party system, and you know which party I
belong to.
I do not want a honeymoon with you. I want a good
marriage.
I want progress and I want problem-solving which
requires my best efforts, and also your best efforts.
I have no need to learn how Congress speaks for
the people. As President, I intend to listen.
MORE
(ever)
Page 2
But I also intend to listen to the people them-
selves -- all the people -- as I promised last Friday. I
want to be sure that we are all tuned in to the real voice
of America.
My Administration starts off by seeking unity in
diversity. My office door has always been open, and that
is how it is going to be at the White House. Yes, Congressmen
will be welcomed -- if you don't overdo it. (Laughter)
The first seven words of the Constitution and the
most important are these: We the people of the United States.
We, the people, ordained and established the Constitution
and reserved to themselves all powers not granted to Federal
and State Governments. I respect and will always be conscious
of that fundamental rule of freedom.
Only. eight months ago, when I last stood here, I
told you I was a Ford, not a Lincoln. Tonight I say I am still
a Ford, but I am not a Model T.
I do have some old fashioned ideas, however. I
believe in the very basic decency and fairness of America. I
believe in the integrity and patriotism of the Congress.
And while I am aware of the House rule that no one ever speaks
to the galleries, I believe in the First Amendment and the
absolute necessity of a free press.
But I also believe that over two centuries since
the First Continental Congress was first convened, the
direction of our Nation's movement has been forward. I am
here to confess that in my first campaign for President -- of
my senior class in South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan --
I headed the Progressive Party ticket, and lost. Maybe that
is why I became a Republican. (Laughter)
Now I ask you to join with me in getting this
country revved up and moving.
My instinctive judgment is that the State of the
Union is excellent. But the state of our economy is not so
good. Everywhere I have been as Vice President, some 118,000
miles in 40 States and some 55 press conferences, the
unanimous concern of Americans is inflation.
For once all the polls seem to agree. They also
suggest that the people blame Government far more than either
management or labor or for the high cost of everything they
have to buy.
You who come from 50 States, three territories,
and the District of Columbia, know this better than I do.
That is why you have created, since I left, your new Budget
Reform Committee. I welcome it, and I will work with its
members to bring the Federal budget into balance in fiscal
year 1976.
MORE
Page 3
The fact is that for the past 25 years that I had
the honor of serving in this body, the Federal budget has
been balanced in only six.
Mr. Speaker, I am a little late getting around to
it, but confession is good for the soul. I have sometimes
voted to spend more taxpayer's money for worthy Federal
projects in Grand Rapids while I vigorously opposed
wasteful spending boondoggles in Oklahoma. (Laughter)
Be that as it may, Mr. Speaker, you and I have
always stood together against unwarranted cuts in national
defense. This is no time to change that nonpartisan policy.
Just as escalating Federal spending has been
a prime cause of higher prices over many years, it may take
some time to stop inflation. But we must begin right
now.
For a start, before your Labor Day recess, Congress
should reactivate the Cost of Living Council through
passage of a clean bill, without reimposing controls, that
will let us monitor wages and prices to expose abuses.
Whether we like it or not, the American wage
earner and the American housewife are a lot better economists
than most economists care to admit. They know that a
Government big enough to give you everything you want, is a
Government big enough to take from you everything you have.
If we want to restore confidence in ourselves
as working politicians, the first thing we all have to do is
to learn to say, "No."
The first specific request by the Ford Administra-
tion is not to Congress but to the voters in the upcoming
November election. It is this, very simple: Support
your candidates, Congressmen and Senators, Democrats
or Republicans, conservatives or liberals, who consistently
vote for tough decisions to cut the cost of Government,
restrain Federal spending and bring inflation under
control.
I applaud the initiatives Congress has already
taken. The only fault I find with the Joint Economic
Committee's study on inflation, authorized last week, is
that we need its expert findings in six weeks instead of
six months.
A month ago, the distinguished majority leader
of the United States Senate asked the White House to
convene an economic conference of Members of Congress,
the President's economic consultants and some of the best
economic brains from labor, industry and agriculture.
MORE
Page 4
Later, this was perfected by resolution to assemble
a domestic summit meeting to devise a bipartisan action
for stability and growth in the American economy. Neither
I nor my staff have much time right now for letter writing.
So, I will respond. I accept the suggestion and I will
personally preside.
Furthermore, I propose that this summit meeting
be held at an early date, in full view of the American
public. They are as anxious as we are to get the right
answers.
My first priority is to work with you to bring
inflation under control. Inflation is domestic enemy
number one. To restore economic confidence, the Government
in Washington must provide some leadership. It does no
good to blame the public for spending too much when the
Government is spending too much.
I began to put my Administration's own economic
house in order starting last Friday.
I instructed my Cabinet officers and counsellors
and my White House staff to make fiscal restraint their
first order of business, and to save every taxpayer's
dollar the safety and genuine welfare of our great Nation
will permit. Some economic activities will be affected
more by monetary and fiscal restraint than other activities.
Good government clearly requires that we tend to the economic
problems facing our country in a spirit of equity to all
of our citizens in all segments of our society.
MORE
Page 5
Tonight, obviously, is no time to threaten you with
vetoes. But I do have the last recourse, and I am a veteran
of many a veto fight right here in this great chamber. Can't
we do a better job by reasonable compromise? I hope we can.
Minutes after I took the Presidential oath, the
joint leadership of Congress told me at the White House
they would go more than half way to meet me. This was
confirmed in your unanimous concurrent resolution of
cooperation, for which I am deeply grateful. If, for my
part, I go more than half way to meet the Congress, maybe
we can find a much larger area of national agreement.
I bring no legislative shopping list here this
evening. I will deal with specifics in future messages
and talks with you, but here are a few examples of how
seriously I feel about what we must do together.
Last week, the Congress passed the elementary
and secondary education bill, and I found it on my desk.
Any reservations I might have about some of its provisions --
and I do have -- fade in comparison to the urgent needs
of America for quality education. I will sign it in a few
days.
I must be frank. In implementing its provisions,
I will oppose excessive funding during this inflationary
crisis.
As Vice President, I studied various proposals
for better health care financing. I saw them coming closer
togethér and urged my friends in the Congress and in the
Administration to sit down and sweat out a sound compromise.
The Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan goes a long ways
toward providing early relief to people who are sick.
Why don't we write -- and I ask this with the
greatest spirit of cooperation -- why don't we write a good
health bill on the statute books in 1974, before this Congress
adjourns.
The economy of our country is critically dependent
on how we interact with the economies of other countries.
It is little comfort that our inflation is only a part of a
world-wide problem, or that American families need less of
their paychecks for groceries than most of our foreign
friends.
As one of the building blocks of peace, we have
taken the lead in working toward a more open and more
equitable world economic system. A new round of inter-
national trade negotiations started last September among
105 nations in Tokyo. The others are waiting for the United
States Congress to grant the necessary authority to the
Executive branch to proceed.
MORE
Page 6
With modification, the trade reform bill passed
by the House last year would do a good job. I understand
good progress has been made in the Senate Committee on
Finance. But I am optimistic as always that the Senate
will pass an acceptable bill quickly as a key part of our
joint prosperity campaign.
I am determined to expedite other international
economic plans. We will be working together with other
nations to find better ways to prevent shortages of food and
fuel. We must not let last winter's energy crisis happen
again. I will push Project Independence for our own good and
the good of others. In that, too, I will need your help.
Successful foreign policy is an extension of the
hopes of the whole American people for a world of peace
and orderly reform and orderly freedom. So, I would say
a few words to our distinguished guests from the governments
of other nations where, as at home, it is my determination to
deal openly with allies and adversaries.
Over the past five and one-half years in Congress,
and as Vice President, I have fully supported the outstanding
foreign policy of President Nixon. This policy I intend to
continue.
Throughout my public service, starting with wartime
Naval duty under the command of President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, I have upheld all our Presidents when they spoke
for my country to the world. I believe the Constitution
commands this. I know that in this crucial area of inter-
national policy, I can count on your firm support.
Now, let there be no doubt or any misunderstanding
anywhere, and I emphasize anywhere. There are no opportunities
to exploit, should anyone so desire. There will be no
change of course, no relaxation of vigilance, no abandonment
of the helm of our Ship of State as the watch changes.
We stand by our commitments and we will live up
to our responsibilities, in our formal alliances, in our
friendships, and in our improving relations with potential
adversaries.
On this, Americans are united and strong. Under
my term of leadership, I hope we will become more united.
I am certain America will remain strong.
MORE
Page 7
A strong defense is the surest way to peace.
Strength makes detente attainable. Weakness invites war as my
generation, my generation knows from four very bitter
experiences.
Just as America's will for peace is second to
none, so will America's strength be second to none.
We cannot rely on the forebearance of others to
protect this Nation. The power and diversity of the Armed
Forces, active guard and reserve, the resolve of our fellow
citizens, the flexibility in our command to navigate
international waters that remain troubled, are all essential
to our security.
I shall continue to insist on civilian control
of our superb military establishment. The Constitution
plainly requires the President to be Commander-in-Chief
and I will be.
Our job will not be easy. In promising continuity,
I cannot promise simplicity. The problems and challenges of the
world remain complex and difficult. But we have set out on a
path of reason, of fairness, and we will continue on it.
As guideposts on that path, I offer the following:
To our allies of a generation in the Atlantic
community and Japan, I pledge continuity in the loyal
collaboration on our many mutual endeavors.
To our friends and allies in this hemisphere, I
pledge continuity in the deepening dialogue to define
renewed relationships of equality and justice.
To our allies and friends in Asia, I pledge a
continuity in our support for their security, independence,
and economic development. In Indochina, we are determined
to see the observance of the Paris Agreement on Vietnam
and the cease-fire and negotiated settlement in Laos.
We hope to see an early compromise settlement in Cambodia.
To the Soviet Union, I pledge continuity in our
commitment to the course of the past three years. To our
two peoples, and to all mankind, we owe a continued effort
to live, and where possible to work together in peace;
for in a thermo-nuclear age there can be no alternative to a
positive and peaceful relationship between our nations.
To the People's Republic of China, whose legendary
hospitality I enjoyed, I pledge continuity in our commitment
to the principles of the Shanghai Communique. The new
relationship built on those principles has demonstrated
that it serves serious and objective mutual interests and has
become an enduring future of the world scene.
MORE
Page 8
To the nations in the Middle East, I pledge continuity
in our vigorous efforts to advance the progress which has
brought hopes of peace to that region after 25 years as
a hotbed of war. We shall carry out our promise to promote
continuing negotiations among all parties for a complete, just
and lasting settlement.
To all nations, I pledge continuity in seeking
a common global goal, a stable international structure of
trade and finance which reflects the interdependence of all
peoples.
To the entire international community -- to the
United Nations, to the world's non-aligned nations, and to
all others -- I pledge continuity in our dedication to the humane
goals which throughout our history have been so much of
America's contribution to mankind.
So long as the peoples of the world have
confidence in our purposes and faith in our word, the
age-old vision of peace on earthgrows brighter.
I pledge myself unreservedly to that goal. I
say to you in words that cannot be improved upon: Let
us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear
to negotiate.
As Vice President, at the request of the President,
I addressed myself to the individual rights of Americans
in the area of privacy. There will be no illegal tappings,
eavesdropping, buggings, or break-ins by my Administration.
There will be hot pursuit of tough laws to prevent
illegal invasion of privacy in both Government and private
activities.
On the higher plane of public morality, there is no
need for me to preach tonight. We have thousands of far
better preachers and millions of sacred scriptures to guide
us on the path of personal right-living and exemplary official
conduct. If we can make effective and earlier use of moral and
ethical wisdom of the centuries in today's complex society, we
will prevent more crime and more corruption than all the
policemen and prosecutors governments can ever deter. If
I may say so, this is a job that must begin at home, not
in Washington.
MORE
Page 9
I once told you that I am not a saint, and I
hope never tosee the day that I cannot admit having made a
mistake, so I will close with another confession.
Frequently, along the tortuous road of recent
months from this chamber to the President's House, I
protested that I was my own man. Now I realize that I was
wrong.
I am your man, for it was your carefully weighed
confirmation that changed my occupation.
The truth is I am the people's man, for you acted
in their name, and I accepted and began my new and solemn
trust with a promise to serve all the people and do the best
that I can for America.
When I say all the people, I mean exactly that.
To the limits of my strength and ability, I will
be the President of black, brown, red and white Americans,
of old and young, of women's liberationists and male
chauvinists (Laughter) and all the rest of us in between, of
the poor and the rich, of native sons and new refugees,
of those who work at lathes or at desks or in mines or in the
fields, or of Christians, Jews, Moslems, Buddhists and
Atheists, if there really are any Atheists after what we
have all been through.
Fellow Americans, one final word:
I want to be a good President.
I need your help.
We all need God's sure guidance.
With it, nothing can stop the United States of
America.
Thank you very much.
END
(AT 9:38 P.M. EDT)