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7335792
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President's Speech at Signing Ceremony for S. 3066 Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [Ford Speech or Statement]
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7335792
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document
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President's Speech at Signing Ceremony for S. 3066 Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [Ford Speech or Statement]
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collections
White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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U.S. Senate. (03/04/1789 - )
Legislation
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7335792
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22
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1974-08-22
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1974
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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 22, 1974
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY FOR S. 3066
THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974
THE EAST ROOM
2:15 P.M. EDT
Secretary Lynn, my former colleagues in the
House and Senate, distinguished guests:
It is a great privilege to be here on this landmark
day in the field of housing legislation. It is landmark
in that it has a new impact on community development and
housing legislation generally. I think it was Chairman
Sparkman who said that this new legislation is the most
significant community development legislation since
the 1949 act. He added, however, that this legislation is
the most significant in the field of housing legislation
since the 1934 act.
There seems to be almost universal agreement that
very significant progress has been made. I think we can
say without any reservation that the move from the narrow
programs of the past in community development to programs
that are very broad gauged, a consolidation of programs such
as model cities and urban development, will give a real
impetus to local decision making, local action and local
responsibility, and I am confident that the mayors, the
Governors, the other local officials will assume that
decision making, that action and that responsibility.
In the field of housing, there are some innovative
efforts. There are some extensions of existing programs.
The housing industry needs a shot in the arm and this bill,
I think, can be extremely helpful in this area.
I would be very remiss if I did not pay tribute
to the long and, I think, skillful efforts of those both
in the Executive branch and those in the Congressional
field for what has been accomplished.
I know how hard Jim Lynn has worked, how hard Jim
Mitchell has worked, but I think those in the Congress,
particularly those who were on the conference, deserve a
very special tribute.
MORE
Page 2
I know at times it seemed like an impossible
obstacle to overcome the vast differences between the
House and Senate version, but by patience, by under-
standing, by the kind of give and take and compromise we --
not just myself and a few -- but we the American people,
are the beneficiaries.
I think Chairman Patman, Bill Widnall, Chairman
Sparkman, Senator Tower, deserve very special commendation.
We are very grateful for what they did, but if I might be
a little provincial or parochial, it seems to me that
the Middle West, from which some of us come, deserves
a little pat on the back.
Congressman Lud Ashley did a fine job. My
former colleague from Michigan, Garry Brown, did a superb
job, and then in addition, Jim Lynn and Jim Mitchell.
So, when we add it all up, that document right
there will, I think, write new pages of history in community
development and housing production. I said a moment ago,
we are all the beneficiaries of the dedication, the
service, the patience, the understanding of this group of
men and many others.
I thank them on behalf of all of you and many,
many millions of others throughout our country. Congra-
tulations.
I should add a postscript. I have shaken hands,
I think, in the last 24 hours with virtually every Member
of the House and Senate, not once, but several times. We
are going to have a reception, and I won't feel offended
in the least if the Members of the Congress avoid me and
go to the State Dining Room, and we will have a reception
when this breaks up.
It is real nice to see you all.
END
(2:20 P.M. EDT)