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7339015
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Text of Remarks by the President at the Swearing in of Rogers C. B. Morton as Secretary of Commerce [Ford Speech or Statement]
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7339015
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document
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Text of Remarks by the President at the Swearing in of Rogers C. B. Morton as Secretary of Commerce [Ford Speech or Statement]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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7339015
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1975-05-01
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1975
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Digitized from Box 10 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
MAY 1, 1975
UNTIL 12:15 P.M. (EDT)
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT THE SWEARING IN OF
ROGERS C. B. MORTON AS SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
It is a pleasure to be here this afternoon to pay my respects to a vital de-
partment of the government and to a devoted public servant I have worked
with and respected for many years.
This is a very special day for Rogers Morton. In addition to becoming
Secretary of Commerce, with its attendant duties and responsibilities--
I have also asked him to continue as Chairman of the Energy Resources
Council, with all its attendant duties and responsibilities.
I have known "Rog" Morton as a Congressman, as a party chairman, and
as a Cabinet member. In each of thes capacities, he has done an out-
standing job. I know he will continue this string of successes as Secretary
of Commerce.
With the end of the Vietnam era, tragic as it was, it is time for America
to look ahead--to move forward with a new agenda for the future--an
agenda designed to solve this nation's problems as we move into its
third century.
A top item on that agenda is the restoration of a dynamic and effective
economy and a revitalized free enterprise system. And the Secretary
and staff of the Department of Commerce must play a key role in bringing
this about.
Let us not kid ourselves. Despite the enormous material progress and
individual freedom we have attained in America through the free enter-
prise system, confidence in the system is today considerably lower than
it should be.
One reason is inadequate education and lack of understanding of the free
en(erprise system which has produced for our citizens the highest standard
of living in the world today. Because it has worked so well for so long for
so many, we have tended to take it for granted. We can do so no longer.
We must make sure we do not lose this legacy of freedom and progress
and prosperity through apathy or indifference--or even ignorance.
And that is where this department and this man who is about to be sworn
in as its new Secretary come in.
Rog Morton, it is up to you and your Department--along with the business
community--to get the facts to the people, to re-sell Americans on the most
productive and most responsive economic system the world has ever seen.
It will also be your task to help restore the confidence of the business
community in government and the public confidence in the business world.
I will do my part. As you take over these new and vast responsibilities, Rog,
I want to wish you success in pursuing this vital new goal. I am fully con-
fident that this department, and its new Secretary, have the energy, the
ability, the character and the integrity to do this important job.
Thank you very much.
###