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Newspaper: Gerald R. Ford: A Special Report, The Grand Rapids Press, 09/13/1981
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Newspaper: Gerald R. Ford: A Special Report, The Grand Rapids Press, 09/13/1981
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The Grand Rapids Press
Sept. 13, 1981
wonderland
Gerald R. Ford
A Special Report
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
Scanned from Box 1 of the Frederica Pantlind Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
A CITY IS ONLY
A PLACE.
IT'S THE PEOPLE
WHO MAKE IT
A GREATPLACE.
Congratulations, people.
From your city.
The City of Grand Rapids wishes to acknowledge
its All-America citizens on the occasion of the
dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
1980-1981
Grand Rapids
All-America City
STURE
LIBRA
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
3
T
hough he was born in Nebraska, spent
most of his public life in Washington,
D.C., and retired to California, it is with Grand
Our
Rapids that Gerald R. Ford is most closely
identified.
He spent his youth in the Furniture City and
represented it in Congress for 25 years.
38th
And this week, when the Ford Presidential
Museum on the downtown west riverbank is
dedicated, the city will witness an affair sel-
dom matched anywhere in the nation.
The stories in this expanded edition of Won-
derland Magazine, written by Press political
reporter Ed Hoogterp, look at Jerry Ford from
President
a Grand Rapids perspective.
Hoogterp pored through newspaper files and
other sources, visited the former president in
Palm Springs, Calif., and interviewed Ford as-
sociates and opponents.
Other source materials included: Bud Ves-
tal's "Jerry Ford Up Close"; Jerald terHorst's
"Gerald R. Ford and the Future of the Presi-
dency"; Ford's memoir "A Time To Heal"; and
Jerry Ford was a sports hero, an All-
"Gerald R. Ford, 1913- a collection of Ford
speeches and important dates and other docu-
American boy and a congressman's
ments edited by George J. Lankevich.
congressman. Then fate put him in
Photographs on inside pages are from Press
files and the Ford Presidential Library and Mu-
the White House.
seum collections.
The color photograph on the cover of this
edition is by David LaClaire, Copyright 1981
Gerald R. Ford in the White House Oval Office just after becoming president In 1974.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
LIBRARY
Young Jerry, left, with brother Thomas.
The 38th President:
Growing into power
The football hero: Ford In 1934 wearing University of Michigan uniform.
"In all my public and private acts as your presi-
man, anti-Joe Martin, anti-Halleck - I was always
major part, his voice is tinged with dismay as he
dent, I expect to follow my instincts of openness
in that group that was stirring the pot."
talks about his old neighborhood.
and candor with full confidence that honesty is al-
In 1965 Ford took over as GOP leader in the
"Some of it has unfortunately deteriorated very
ways the best policy in the end.
House and held that post nine years, dreaming all
badly," he says. "The old high school I went to is
"My fellow Americans, our long national night-
the time of becoming speaker of the House. In the
closed. First it went to a junior high school, then it
mare is over."
early '70s, seeing he would never realize that
was closed, and now I understand it's a Job Corps
dream, he began to think about leaving public life.
center.
G
But while Ford contemplated retirement, fate
"Unfortunately, that's one of the areas of the city
erald R. Ford Jr. spoke those words Aug.
had other plans for him. Political scandals were
where population shifts have had an adverse im-
12, 1974, when he took office as the 38th
president of the United States.
rippling through Washington, sweeping Vice Presi-
pact. But 1 think gradually they'll take the necessary
While other presidents used inaugural addresses
dent Spiro Agnew and then President Richard Nix-
steps to rehabilitate it.
on out of office.
"The old Madison Square area, I'm told, is really
to proclaim new frontiers or call America to scale
In a supreme irony, the dishonesty, bribe-taking
a tragic area
1 used to go down there to the
the heights of greatness, Ford offered a simple
and cover-ups in the Nixon White House helped ele-
Madison Theater. It was one of the best community
promise of honest, decent leadership.
That moment, as Ford began what has been
vate Ford, a congressman noted for his honesty and
theaters in the city."
called his "accidental presidency," was the culmi-
diligence, to the presidency.
Gerald Ford Sr. was a salesman in the early
nation of an odyssey that had started more than a
Jerry Ford's ascension to the White House to a
years, then opened his own firm, the Ford Paint &
position where the former South High School foot-
Varnish Co., just weeks before the 1929 stock mar-
quarter-century earlier in Grand Rapids.
ball star stood shoulder-to-shoulder with such world
ket crash that signaled the beginning of the Depres-
He began as a rebel - though admittedly a gen-
leaders as Leonid Brezhnev and Anwar Sadat - is a
sion.
tlemanly one - championing the rights of World
War II veterans, battling the local political machine
story that could have happened only in America.
The business operated through those difficult
and challenging an incumbent congressman who
It actually began not in Grand Rapids but in Oma-
years, and the future president spent school vaca-
ha, Neb., where the future president was born to Mr.
tion time working there. Two of his younger broth-
was a member of his own party.
Then for nearly 25 years he was "a congressman's
and Mrs. Leslie Lynch King on July 14, 1913.
ers later managed the firm, which was sold in the
The baby was christened Leslie Lynch King Jr.
early '70s.
congressman" hard-working and influential as he
rose to lead the Republican Party in the House of
Soon afterward his parents divorced and Dorothy
Representatives, but little recognized by people out-
King returned with her son to her home town of
A
Ithough young Jerry was a Boy Scout, a
side the government.
Grand Rapids.
popular high schooler and a good stu-
In 1916 she remarried. Her new husband, Gerald
dent, it was as an athlete that he gained
Many observers saw Ford as a congressman who
Rudolf Ford, adopted the boy as his own, changing
the most attention.
simply bided his time, taking care not to rock the
his name to Gerald R. Ford Jr. The child was known
He was a star center on South High School football
boat as he moved gradually into his party's inner
circle. Ford disagrees with that assessment.
as "Junior" or "Junie." Childhood mementos such
teams in 1929 and 1930, then attended the Universi-
ty of Michigan where, as a senior, he was named
"I keep reading that I'm a plodder, that I'm not
as Scout awards displayed in the Ford Presidential
one who shakes up the establishment," he said in a
Museum which opens this week in Grand Rapids list
most valuable player on the Wolverine squad. He
recent interview at his home in the California desert
his name as Junior Ford.
played in the 1935 College All-Star game and turned
down professional football offers from the Detroit
near Palm Springs. "That's not true
The family that helped shape the future president
Lions and Green Bay Packers, accepting instead a
"When I got down to the House of Representatives
lived in a succession of houses in Grand Raplds and
chance to work as an assistant coach at Yale, where
at the outset I was looked upon as a rebel, having
East Grand Rapids. During most of young Jerry's
he hoped to galn an education in the law.
beaten Mr. Jonkman. (Ford unseated Republican
grade school and high school years, his home was at
Rep. Bartel Jonkman in the 1948 election.) I was in
649 Unlon Ave. SE - in an area that was then solid-
Six years later he graduated from Yale Law
ly middle class but has since fallen on hard times.
School and returned to Grand Raplds to open his
the forefront of those who helped get rid of Joe
practice in partnership with Philip Buchen who
Martin and elected Charlie Halleck (as House Re-
Though he speaks with pride about the city's "su-
would later serve as an adviser.
publican leader)
I don't care if It was anti-Jonk-
per" downtown, of which the Ford Museum is a
continued on page 7
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
5
'When I got down to the
House of Representatives
I was looked upon as a
rebel.'
Newlyweds Jerry and Betty Ford leave Grace Episcopal Church in 1948.
Handsome young congressman in the 1950s.
What do you remember about
1976
The tall ships sailed into New York harbor. Fireworks
burst through the air everywhere. And our Jerry Ford
was President of the United States.
We in Grand Rapids felt proud and patriotic. Thank
you, President Ford. And congratulations. For we feel just
as proud and patriotic today.
We are honored to sponsor the Ford Presidential
UNION BANK
Parade float, "Spirit", commemorating Gerald R.
Ford's presidency during the American Bicentennial.
AND TRUST COMPANY, N.A. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
DAMIAN
SHOP CO-ORDINATOR
Damian has 15 years exper-
ience in the jewelry industry.
He attended both the Coo-
per School of Art, and the
Cleveland Institute of Art,
winning numerous art
awards. Prior to joining Ran-
WEST MICHIGAN'S
dy Disselkoen Ltd. Damian
was O designer for E.L. Har-
vey in Cleveland, Ohio.
CUSTOM
JEWELER
CHRIS NYENHUIS
BRUCE NYENHUIS
Chris is a graduate of Gem
Bruce is our newest design
City College, with an em-
shop member. Bruce attend-
phasis on jewelry design. He
ed Calvin College, and is
has 7 years experience and
currently studying coins and
is close to finishing the
precious metal.
G.I.A. class in gemology.
KAREL ENGSTROM
Karel began apprenticing at
the age of 13 with her fa-
ther, the head jewelry pro-
fessor at Western Michigan
University. She is o graduate
of Interlochen Arts Acade-
my, and also has a B.A.
from Western. Karels spe-
cialty is raising vessels. She
has done work for the presi-
dent of A.T.T. She's also
won the David T. Marvel
Award for metal smithing.
GLENN SIRONEN
Glenn is the former assistant
to the vice-president of
Wide Band Corp. He has 12
years experience in the New
York diamond district.
Glenn alsa worked with
Charles Perrella Inc. NY,
NY. Many of his designs are
Ken
in the current Perrella cata-
log.
being a our staff
joined KEN BRAMELL
Member of
ANA, MSNA
CSNA, GRCC
Grand Rapids
Chamber
of Commerce
Serving
Grand Rapids
for 8 Years.
circle.
HOURS:
DAVE SILLS
10 A.M. 9 P.M. 10 A.M. 5 P.M.
Dave has a B.F.A. degree
WEDNESDAY
versity. Focused in metal
R
MONDAY
Timeless investments in elegance
TUESDAY
SATURDAY
from Western Michigan Uni-
THURSDAY
CLOSED
FRIDAY
SUNDAY
work and jewelry design.
Dave has 5 years exper-
ience, with work of his being
RANDY
942-2990
accepted into the Kalama-
zoo area art show the past 2
DISSELKOEN,Ltd.
years. During his years at
Western, Daves designs
2866 Radcliff S.E. Grand Rapids 49508
were shown at Miller Audi-
TIMELESS INVESTMENTS IN ELEGANCE
torium.
The Grand Rapids Press. Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
7:
38th President
VerMeulen set out to break the back of the McKay
was assassinatedby two Detroit hit men who were
machine. VerMeulen figured he would need 10
secretly released from Southern Michigan Prison at
continued
hard-working men to wrest Republican party con-
Jackson just long enough to accomplish the murder.
trol from McKay.
"There was never any evidence that McKay oΓ-
The first man he chose was Paul Goebel, who
dered the killing," chuckles VerMeulen, "but a lot of
The partnership lasted less than a year. On Dec. 7,
later became mayor and forced the McKay ma-
people thought he did, which was pretty near as
1941, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor and
chine out of City Hall. The second was Jerry Ford,
good."
the United States entered World War II. The follow-
then fresh from Yale Law School.
VerMeulen attributes McKay's influence largely
ing April, Ford joined the Navy.
The dentist warned Ford he could lose clients by
to his hold over the ethnic Polish and Lithuanian
Before he left for the service, however, the young
allying himself with the rebellious group, called the
communities in Grand Rapids.
attorney joined a group mounting a frontal attack on
Republican Home Front.
McKay owned a private bank, and as the dentist
the scandal-plagued political machine that ran
To that warning, young Ford responded: "What do
recalled in an "oral history" interview for the Ford
Grand Rapids politics with an iron hand in the 1930s
you mean? I haven't got any clients. All I've got is an
Presidential Library: "Whenever (immigrants)
and '40s.
office."
wanted to send money to the old country, (McKay)
A person unfamiliar with the history might think
World War II quickly intervened in the group's
took care of it. If they wanted a mortgage to buy a
Grand Rapids was a tame, sleepy place in the 1940s.
plans. Ford, Goebel and many other members
house, he saw they got it. And when they became
But in politics at least, it wasn't that way.
joined the service, decimating the Home Front
citizens, he saw that they knew how to vote."
City Hall, and indeed much of state government,
ranks. In 1942, VerMeulen put up a slate of GOP
In 1946, Lt. Cmdr. Gerald R. Ford Jr. came home
was run by a Republican Party machine under the
precinct delegates in an attempt to gain control of
from the Navy, and other Home Front soldiers were
iron hand of local businessman Frank D. McKay.
the local party. He lost to McKay's group.
also back in the city.
But two years later, even with many members off
M
cKay controlled the local Republican
at war, the Home Front candidates won a majority
committee and his lieutenants held
on the county GOP committee.
B
y 1948 the group was ready for a final as-
sault on McKay. VerMeulen's allies al-
similar sway over GOP organizations
VerMeulen recalls wanting Gerald Ford Sr. as
ready had control of the county GOP com-
in Detroit and Flint.
county chairman. The elder Ford declined the hon-
mittee, but McKay's friends were clinging to most
His influence in the GOP gave him effective con-
or at first but changed his mind after receiving a
elective governmental offices, from coroner to con-
trol over Michigan politics since, as Will Rogers re-
letter from Jerry Jr., serving as a naval officer on
gressman.
portedly said on a visit to Grand Rapids: "I find
the carrier U.S.S. Monterey in the Pacific Ocean.
In the primaries in September, 1948, the Home
Democrats are SO scarce around here they had to
Ford's letter urged his father to help the Home
Front challenged those officials. John B. Martin, a
close the season on 'em."
Front with whatever the group asked. "When I come
military veteran and Rhodes Scholar, ran for the
McKay was state treasurer from 1925 to 1931.
back, I'll take your place," he promised.
state Senate; Louis Schooley, a war hero who had
Later he was reported to have ties with Detroit mob-
During the early and mid-'40s McKay was con-
lost both legs and an arm in action in the South
sters. He used his political connections to make a
stantly hounded by law-enforcement agencies. He
Pacific, challenged an incumbent state representa-
fortune by dealing with the government in such di-
was indicted by a grand jury investigating kickbacks
tive, and Jerry Ford opted to try for the congression-
verse businesses as meat, tires, financial services,
from liquor purchases by the State Liquor Control
al seat held the previous eight years by Bartel Jonk-
construction, beer and liquor.
Commission, but was never convicted.
man, a Republican with a reputation as an
His cronies could count on getting government
jobs as long as they did his bidding.
Most damaging politically was a grand jury inves-
isolationist and arch-conservative.
tigatlon into reports of bribery involving state law-
All the challengers won, and to many, the Ford
In 1941, a local dentist named Willard B. "Doc"
makers who were rewriting rules for horse-racing
victory was most surprising.
and pari-mutuel betting.
"I didn't think he had a chance to win," VerMeu-
Three grand jury witnesses committed suicide un-
len recalls. "But Jerry thought he did."
der suspicious circumstances, and a fourth, state
In the summer of 1948, after young Ford an-
Sen. Warren Hooper of Albion, was forced off a
nounced his intention to run for Congress against the
lonely stretch of state highway and machine-gunned
incumbent, his father resigned the county Republi-
to deatb in January, 1945.
can chairmanship.
No one was convicted but police believed Hooper
continued next page
The Fords pack their bags for Washington in 1948.
FORD
for CONGRESS
Quonset hut was 1948 campaign headquarters.
After winning 1948 election, Ford returns as promised to Paris Township farm to help with work.
8
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
38th President
continued
That action was due partly to Jonkman's protests,
Gerald Ford Sr. said in a July 27, 1948, resignation
statement that hinted at the close relationship be-
tween stepfather and son.
"I accepted this job as chairman while my son
was fighting in the South Pacific," Ford said in the
statement. "I guess we all had tears in our eyes in
those days and we all wanted to do a good job at
home.
"My reasons for resigning are these:
"I met Jonkman at Philadelphia and he charged
me with having placed my son in the race against
him.
As a rising
"I
told him this was not true. I told him
Jerry Jr. was 35 years old, had a mind
young con-
of his own and the right to run for of-
fice if he wanted to.
gressman,
"Jonkman told me I could have drawn my son out
Ford
of the race. I told him every man has a right to seek
was
office and, in my son's case, all I could do to help
close to his
him would be done.
"Jonkman then said I was taking unfair advan-
family, close
tage of my position as county Republican chairman.
to his district.
"
Rather than have my son's campaign embar-
rassed, I think it best that I ask you to accept my
resignation."
Congressman and wife celebrate Michael's first birthday.
Pat Loomis was the senior Ford's vice chairman
on the county Republican committee. She later be-
came acting chairman and describes her role as
"girl in the middle" between the Home Front and
the McKay camp.
She liked the young Ford, she recalls, but gave
him little chance of unseating Jonkman.
"I tried to convince him to run for a state office,"
she says, laughing at the memory. "I just didn't think
he had a chance of winning." When Ford won the
CONGRESSMAN
seat, "I was very pleased but very surprised," she
says.
Ford recalls that not even McKay and Jonkman
JERRY
took him seriously at first:
"They sort of kissed me off as a guy who couldn't
win. They didn't wake up until it was too late. I
was not the real threat to them at that time. Doc
VerMeulen was. Paul Goebel was. I was sort of the
FORD'S
next generation and not really considered a chal-
lenge."
On election day - Sept. 14, 1948 - Ford walked
off with an impressive victory, outpolling Jonkman
nearly 2-1 and winning even in Ottawa County
where the incumbent had counted on his Dutch
MOBILE OFFICE
name to carry the ethnic vote. Ford then easily de-
feated Fred Barr, his opponent in the November
general election.
The young Jerry Ford who went to Washington in
January, 1949, to represent Kent and Ottawa Coun-
Ford's trailer-office was a common sight in Zeeland, Kent City and other communities.
ties was actually something of a progressive. When
he challenged Jonkman in the 1948 GOP primary,
he had the support of such prominent Western
Michigan Democrats as A. Robert Kleiner and
Leonard Woodcock.
K
leiner, now a Grand Rapids attorney, re-
calls Jonkman as "a political hack put in
(Congress) by Frank McKay."
Jonkman was an isolationist, an ally of the local
Republican machine, and a Red-baiter who started
attacking "Communists" in the State Department
even before Wisconsin's Sen. Joseph McCarthy
picked up that issue.
Many Democrats preferred Ford, the young law-
yer and war veteran, and since they knew they had
no hope of electing one of their own back in those
years, they helped Ford oust Jonkman.
"There were a bunch of us who went away to war
and came back with stars in our eyes," Kleiner says.
"We were gonna make the world a better place."
He recalls that he and other veterans "worked
harder than hell" for Ford's election. It was a spin-
off of the local "good government" movement that
The Ford family in 1960: Michael, Steven, Betty, Susan, Jerry and Jack.
swept McKay out of city politics and led to Goebel's
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
9
election as mayor.
views on the issues of the day, but he also won the
important to have a congressmen who cared about
While Jonkman tried to stay above the fray, refus-
hearts of thousands of district residents who saw
such human problems as to have one who shared
ing even to debate the young challenger, Ford spent
him as a friendly, smiling man willing to listen to
their political beliefs.
their concerns.
As soon as he went to Washington, Ford and his
his time campaigning tirelessly. He met the district
"one-on-one," stumping through farms and small
Those concerns were often similar to the frustra-
aide, John P. Milanowski, set about building a "con-
towns; shaking hands in dairy barns before sunrise;
tions facing voters today: taxes, inflation, unemploy-
stituent service" network that became the envy of
greeting voters at factory gates, fairs and picnics,
ment, the vagaries of weather, the post office and
Congress.
and speaking to any group that would listen.
late income tax refunds.
Maury DeJonge, now Kent County clerk, followed
continued next page
He won votes from those who agreed with his
To thousands of West Michigan voters, it was as
We Mean Business!
You
8
Yes! We're very serious about preparing people for
Can Sell
careers in business. In fact, 98% of our recent graduates
are employed in the business community. You too
can start this fall to learn marketable skills for re-
Anything
davenport college
warding employment and job promotion oppor-
tunities. Whether your interest is in Day or
415 East Fulton
Evening College, you will find a "we mean
Fast
Grand Rapids. MI 49503
business" degree program or course that
will fit your needs.
When
Day College Starts September 28
You Use
Evening College - September 21
Off-Campus Classes Start Sept. 14
Press
Day College
Accounting/Computer Programming
Classified
Emergency Medical Services Systems Management
Marketing and Promotion/Hospitality
Fashion Merchandising/Retail Management
Evening
Ads
Business Management
Accounting/Hospitality
College
Advanced EMT (Paramedic)
459-1511
Accounting Assistant
Transportation/Distribution Management
Hospitality Management
Receptionist/Typist
Continuing
Executive Secretarial
Word Processing Operator
Education
Word Processing Specialist
Medical Secretarial
Prin. of Bank Operations
Executive Office Assistant
College English I, II
Medical Assistant
Prin. of COBOL Programming
Computer Programming
Sales and Marketing
Management I Supervision
Fashion Merchandising
Management 11 Small Business Mgt.
Business Comm. (Bank Letters & Reports)
Retail Management
Industrial Traffic Mgt.
Legal Secretarial
General Business
Business Applications Programming
Political Science I-Federal
EMT Specialist
Stenographic
Prin. of Accounting I, II, III
Accounting
Inter. Typewriting I
Basic EMT
Money & Banking
Purch/Inv. Control
Interpersonal Communication
Intro. to Data Processing
Intro. to Business
Leadership Attitudes
Human Relations Mgt.
Inter. Accounting I
Intro. to Commercial Lending
Freight Rates 1
Accounting for Managers
Federal Taxation I
Prin. of Marketing
Installment Lending
Business Math.
Intro. Cont. Lit.
The American Profile
Typewriting I, II, III, IV
Stenoscript
Prin. of Retailing
Macroeconomics
TDM Typewriting
Personnel Mgt.
The Business Environment
Salesmanship Fund
Typing Lab
General Psychology
Math. of Finance
Business Law
Davenport College
admits students of
any race, color, religion,
Davenport College
SEX, age and national or
ethnic origin to all rights,
THE
privileges, programs and RC-
tivities generally accorded or
"We Mean Business - Since 1866"
GRAND RAPIDS
made available to students at the
PRESS
college. Equal opportunity (M-F),
Phone 451-2595 or 451-3511
We've got you covered
affirmative action, Section 504.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
10
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
38th President
continued
Ford's career nearly three decades as political re-
porter for The Press. DeJonge recalls the Ford
aides were "amazing" in their ability to get action
for district residents or simply to keep track of
birthdays, anniversaries or other important dates.
"I don't know how those guys did it," DeJonge
says, but it was common for 5th District residents to
receive cards or letters signed by Ford on those
occasions.
In his second congressional term, Ford became a
member of the House Appropriations Committee, a
powerful body that has a hand in funding every
federal agency.
Though he earned little notice outside govern-
ment for his work, federal-agency officials were
well aware of his clout. That made it possible for
him to expect quick and effective action when he
contacted an agency about a constituent's problem.
Ford himself believes the biggest issue of the 1948
campaign was neither Jonkman's ties with McKay
nor his inability to relate with the voters.
Says Ford: "McKay
was an issue but not the
principal one. The fundamental issue was in foreign
policy, my support for an international point of view
(and) for the Marshall Plan, and Jonkman's
rather extreme isolationism, his formidable opposi-
tion to the Marshall Plan and to foreign aid general
ly.
"T
hat was a very gut issue in tha
campaign. Plus the fact that I repre
sented the younger generation, i
more moderate Republicanism across the board
while he represented the Republicans of the 1920
and '30s."
Jonkman's aloofness from the district and his re
fusal to debate the challenger also became impor
tant, particularly when contrasted with Ford's gusto
in meeting the public and discussing large or smal
problems.
"That all became an issue," Ford says, smiling
broadly at the memory. "We certainly sought to ex
ploit it. I challenged him to a debate, took off two 0
three months from my law practice and covered the
district on a massive basis.
"Mr. Jonkman, on the other hand, had become :
little indifferent as to getting out to see his constitu
ents. It was a case of a younger fella being more
energetic against a person who was 30-some year
older, who had gotten a little - maybe - lazy abou
how he dealt with his constituent problems.
"
The new vice president walks In Red Flannel parade: Cedar Springs, 1973.
I was very mindful of that problem (in late
years). Fortunately I never succumbed to being in
different to the constituents. As a matter of fact,
worked our district very hard, even when I wa:
minority leader. I ran a good office which was very
Ford had little ambi-
responsive
to
requests for help."
It took Ford 16 years to work up from freshmar
tion for political jobs
congressman to minority leader. He made the slov
outside the House of
rise in part on the basis of his seniority and good
nature, and in part by "stirring the pot.
Representatives. He
preferred to remain
H
e was one of the first GOP congressme
to back a Dwight Eisenhower presider
and pursue his goal of
tial candidacy. In 1959 he helpe
Charles Halleck of Indiana take over the minorit
becoming its speaker.
leadership from Joseph Martin. He was himsel
elected to the No. 3 House GOP post in 1963, and 1
1965 he defeated his old friend Halleck to take ove
the party leadership.
Robert Griffin, Michigan's 9th District congress
man at the time, was a leader in the coup that ur
seated Halleck and made Ford minority leader. H
remembers Ford as a low-key leader who got wha
he wanted without ruffling feathers.
"Often times Jerry Ford knew where he wante
to get, but he wasn't the kind of leader who'd say
'We should do it this way'," Griffin said in an inter
view in his Traverse City law office. "He was ver
adroit and adept at getting people to support th
position he wanted in the first place.
Ford meets Richard Nixon at Kent County Airport in 1968.
"He didn't rub people the wrong way. That wa
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
11
true not only of Republicans but Democrats, too
It shouldn't have been that much of a surprise to the
people of Michigan when Jerry became minority
leader."
Ford had little ambition for political jobs outside
the House of Representatives. He refused on several
occasions to be considered as a candidate for the
WELCOME HOME
vice presidency, U.S. senator or governor of Michi-
gan. He preferred to remain in the House of Repre-
sentatives and pursue his goal of becoming speaker
of the House.
MR. VICE ESIDENT
To become speaker, however, a man had to be a
member of the majority party. And during the 10
years he served as minority leader, Ford worked
relentlessly to increase the number of Republicans
in Congress.
Though he never was able to put together a Re-
publican majority in the House, his single-minded
pursuit of that goal helped keep the party strong
during one of its darkest periods.
Ford broke with earlier GOP practice of cooper-
ating with conservative southern Democrats, and
instead set about trying get Republicans elected to
those seats. In one year he delivered more than 200
speeches across the nation in support of Republican
House candidates.
In 1965, when Ford was named minority leader,
the GOP was at its lowest ebb, says Griffin.
"T
hat was a debacle - we were real-
Back in Grand Rapids, January 1974.
wiped out," says Griffin, recalling
the 1964 election in which a number
of GOP congressmen were swept out of office by
because "he was electable," Griffin recalls. Ford
"We were down to 140 seats (after the Johnson-
Lyndon Johnson's landslide victory over Barry
had few enemies among Democrats or Republicans
Goldwater. "They were even talking about the end
Goldwater election)," Ford says. "And in the first
in the House and was regarded as "extremely capa-
of the two-party system."
election after 1964 we made a net gain of 47, one of
ble" and "a hard worker," Griffin says.
Griffin, Charles Goodell of New York, and others
the largest swings in history. I campaigned all over
decided the party needed a change. Ford - who
the country for Republican candidates."
Ford set to work quickly, creating a committee to
remembers that he "subtly" made himself available
come up with Republican alternatives to Johnson's
For the remainder of Ford's tenure as GOP lead-
for the minority leadership - was elected over Hal-
programs and personally campalgning for Republi-
er, the Republican strength stayed around 185 to 190
leck in January, 1965.
cans across the nation. By one estimate he made 200
seats - far short of the 216 needed for a majority
Ford was chosen as the candidate In that coup
speeches outside Washington in 1966.
continued on page 14
Congratulations
Grand Rapids!
Every member of the community is proud that
Grand Rapids will be the home of the Gerald R. Ford
Museum. None is more proud than the Yamaha
Musical Products Division of Yamaha International
Corporation.
Yamaha has been making musical instruments since
1887, but the brightest days of our history have come
since we began manufacturing in Grand Rapids. We are
headquartered here now, and we know how welcome
Grand Rapids can make an institution feel. The people at
the Gerald R. Ford Museum will soon know that
feeling.
YAMAHA
MUSICAL PRODUCTS
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
STATES
12
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
The
Ford
Years
1913
The future president is born to Dorothy and
Leslie Lynch King on July 14 in Omaha, Neb. He
is named Leslie Lynch King Jr. Soon after his
birth, his parents are divorced and Dorothy and
the baby move back to Grand Rapids.
1915
Dorothy King remarries and her new husband,
Gerald Rudolf Ford, adopts her son, renaming
him Gerald R. Ford Jr.
1931
Ford graduates from South High School, after
having been an all-star football player in his jun-
ior and senior years. He enters the University of
Michigan.
The vice president and Mrs. Ford draw a crowd in July 1974 visit.
1935
Ford graduates from the University of Michi-
sign a letter urging Dwight D. Eisenhower to run
gan with a B average, placing him in the top third
1964
of his class.
for the presidency. Ford decides against running
for the U.S. Senate after the death of Sen. Arthur
Johnson wins a landslide victory over Republi-
He had been named most valuable player on
Vandenberg. He defeats Vincent E. O'Neill, win-
can nominee Barry Goldwater. The election cuts
the U-M football team his senior year, after play-
ning 66 percent of the votes to take 3rd term in
GOP strength In the House to its lowest level.
ing as a substitute center on undefeated teams as
Congress.
Reapportionment changes district lines. Otta-
an underclassman.
1954
wa County becomes part of the 9th District,
He plays in the 1935 College All-Star game but
served by Robert Griffin, and Ionia County is add-
declines professional contract offers from the
After declining to run for the U.S. Senate seat
ed to Kent to make up Ford's 5th District.
Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Instead, he
vacated by GOP Sen. Homer Ferguson, Ford is re-
accepts a coaching position at Yale University,
elected to the House with 63 percent of the vote;
Ford is re-elected, again over Reamon, with 61
his opponent this time is Robert S. McAllister.
percent of the vote. The election shows that
hoping to enter its Law School.
Ford's personal popularity transcends party con-
1941
1956
siderations, since Johnson defeated Goldwater
even in the 5th District.
Ford receives a law degree from Yale, graduat-
Ford receives a 58.5 percent rating from the
ing in the top third of his class.
liberal Americans for Democratic Action. He
1965
He returns to Grand Rapids, opens law practice
wins re-election over George R. Clay with 67 per-
Ford is elected House minority leader; again
in partnership with Philip Buchen, and joins the
cent of the vote.
Griffin and Goodell are engineers of a coup
Republican Home Front, an organization dedi-
1958
against established leadership. Over the next four
cated to toppling political boss Frank D. McKay,
years Ford will lead a battle, usually without suc-
who controlled much of state government from
Richard Vander Veen, the man who eventually
cess, against Johnson's "Great Society" pro-
his Grand Rapids office.
replaced Ford as 5th District congressman, Is
grams.
Ford's opponent in the election. Ford wins hand-
1942
ily, carrying 63 percent of the vote.
During nine years as minority leader he will
After joining the Navy, Ford serves on the USS
consistently deliver 85-95 percent of the GOP
Monterey in the Pacific. He is discharged in 1945
1960
House vote for Republican positions.
as a lieutenant commander with 10 battle stars.
John F. Kennedy defeats Richard M. Nixon in
He works to weaken civil rights bills, but re-
the presidential race. Ford wins re-election over
fuses to appear before a whites-only audience in
1948
William J. Reamon with 67 percent of the 5th
Natchez, Miss.
Until he became president, this may have been
District vote.
1966
the most important and active year of Ford's life.
Ford becomes the ranking Republican on the
He challenges incumbent GOP Congressman Bar-
With 68 percent of the vote, Ford wins his big-
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and sup-
tel Jonkman whom he defeats in the primary, and
gest re-election majority. His opponent is attor-
ports Kennedy's foreign aid initiatives.
goes on to win election to the House of Represen-
ney James M. Catchick.
tatives over Democrat Fred J. Barr Jr. He was to
1962
The Vietnam War is occupying more and more
be re-elected to the same post another 12 times.
The American Political Science Association
of the nation's attention, and Ford blasts Johnson
Shortly after defeating Jonkman, the future
designates Ford "A Congressman's Congress-
for mismanaging it.
president marries Elizabeth Bloomer Warren, a
man." Republicans fare poorly in elections and
He believes the United States should make
divorcee and former dancer.
lose strength in the House of Representatives, but
more use of air power. He will remain a "hawk"
1949
Ford wins by his customary 2-1 margin, defeating
on the war issue.
Ford's first year in Congress. He impresses ob-
Reamon again.
1968
servers with his hard work, but his votes against
1963
Richard M. Nixon is elected president after a
public housing and minimum wage laws antago-
In January, Ford is named House Republican
divisive three-way campaign against Democrat
nize some liberals who had supported him back
Conference chairman, the No. 3 post in the House
Hubert Humphrey and Independent George, Wal-
home.
GOP organization, as a result of a "young Turks"
lace. Ford is re-elected, beating Laurence. E.
1950
revolt led by Robert Griffin and Charles Goodell.
Howard with some 63 percent fo the vote.
Ford defeats James H. McLaughlin to win 2nd
On November 22, John F. Kennedy is assassi-
nated in Dallas and Lyndon B. Johnson becomes
1970
term in the House.
president. Ford is named to the Warren Commis-
In Congressional sessions of 1969-70, Ford at-
1952
sion, assigned to investigate the Kennedy assassi-
tempts to limit the Voting Rights Act and reduce
Nineteen GOP congressmen, including Ford,
nation.
federal aid to education.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
He calls for the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice
William O. Douglas and terms the Nixon Administration's
THE ATHLETES SHOP
military invasion of Cambodia a "tremendous success."
All that adds up to controversy, but he is re-elected after
a long and bitter campaign, garnering some 61 percent of
Commemorates
the vote to defeat Jean McKee.
1972
THE CELEBRATION ON THE GRAND
An eventful year. On June 17, burglars break into the
Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Office
Building in Washington. This marks the beginning of the
scandal that will make Ford president more than two
by co-sponsoring the
years later.
CELEBRATION ON THE GRAND
As minority leader, Ford helps head off an early Water-
gate investigation by convincing congressmen to deny sub-
TEAM 10 K
pena powers to the House Banking Committee and its
chairman, Wright Patman.
Ford tours Communist China during the summer and
admits he's impressed. Nixon is re-elected in a landslide
WE'RE PROUD TO BE A PART
over liberal, anti-war Democrat George McGovern. The
OF
GOP does not come close to a majority in the House, how-
ever. Ford wins easily, again defeating McKee with more
GRAND RAPIDS
than 60 percent of the vote, but is convinced he can never
be speaker of the House. He contemplates retirement.
1973
The All American City
As the Watergate scandal unfolds, Ford walks a tight-
rope, strongly supporting Richard Nixon but at the same
THE
OPEN DAILY 10:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
time calling for administration officials to testify before a
SUNDAYS 12:00 NOON 5:00 p.m.
Senate committee.
ATHLETES
WOODLAND MALL GRAND RAPIDS
942-5380
He is convinced Nixon is not guilty of any wrongdoing,
SHOP
and says the president should make Watergate tapes avail-
able to special prosecutor Archibald Cox and to the Senate
committee headed by Sen. Sam Ervin of North Carolina.
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, under investigation for
alleged bribe-taking while he was Baltimore County execu-
tive and governor of Maryland, resigns on Oct. 10.
On Oct. 12, Nixon announces that Ford is his choice as
the new vice president. On Dec. 6, after being confirmed
by the House and Senate, Ford takes the oath of office as
vice president.
He still maintains Nixon is innocent of Watergate wrong-
doing, and remains loyal to the president through the next
The Management and Staff of Johnson Carpet Inc. and
eight months.
Johnson's Carpet Workshops, is Extremely Proud of Our
1974
26 Year History as One of the Communities Most Reputa-
Richard VanderVeen, a liberal Democrat who calls re-
ble Floor Covering Dealers.
peatedly for Nixon's resignation, wins a February special
election to replace Ford as 5th District congressman.
Ford visits 40 states during the summer, speaking in
We are equally as proud to be part of this Great and
support of the president. During the same time, his advis-
Historic Salute to President Ford and the opening of the
ers quietly begin planning the transition to a Ford presi-
Presidential Museum.
dency.
At the end of July, the House Judiciary Committee votes
three counts of impeachment against Nixon - the first
step toward forcing him from office.
On Aug. 8, Nixon goes on national television to announce
he will resign effective at noon the next day. Ford becomes
the "accidental president." He tells America, "Our long
national nightmare is over."
A month later, on Sept. 8, Ford grants Nixon a full par-
don.
Congratulations!
1975
During Ford's first full year in the White House, he
battles Congress constantly over spending bills and contin-
ues to face public anger over the Nixon pardon.
JOHNSON CARPET INC.,
1976
4034 Chicago Dr.
Ford loses the presidential election to Jimmy Carter
Grandville 531-3100
after a long campaign that features the first televised de-
bate between major candidates since 1960.
1977
Ford leaves the White House after serving about 30
KHNOGARPET WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
months as president.
3060 Pine St., S.W.
1980
2715 29th, S.E.
After long consideration, Ford decides against seeking
Grandville 531-3480
Kentwood 957-3320
the presidency again. He also turns down an offer to be
vice-presidential candidate on the ticket headed by Ron-
ald Reagan.
1981
The Ford Presidential Library opens in Ann Arbor and
the Presidential Museum opens in Grand Rapids.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
14
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
New portrait replaces Nixon's In U.S. Embassy at Bonn.
Aug. 9, 1974: Chief Justice Burger administers the oath as Ford becomes 38th president.
38th President
continu
that could have elected the Grand Rapids cong
man speaker.
Ford remembers that with a whimsical smil
never got to be speaker," he says, "which was
disappointment of my political life." Then, ch
ling, he adds: "But if I couldn't be speaker I gu
came out all right."
During those years he also was first saddled
an image that plagued him the rest of his public
President Johnson, upset by Ford's constant :
ing at Democratic programs, performed what (
fin calls a "hatchet job" on the minority leader
Johnson's most oft-quoted slur was a humo
observation that "Jerry Ford is a nice young fel
but he played too much football without a heln
The president also wondered aloud whether ]
could walk and chew gum at the same time.
Both Ford and Griffin trace Ford's "stumbleb
image at least in part to the Johnson comments.
years, comedians and cartoonists portrayed For
a dim-wit, constantly bumping into things or fa
down.
Ford remains good-natured about that im
though it clearly nettled him.
"I
never understood that," he says
was in the upper 15 to 20 percent of
graduating class at the University
Michigan. I was in the upper third of a very br
Law School class at Yale University, I was a g
competitive athlete and I've kept up my athl
activity.
"I've never understood why the press refuse
recognize the facts. Frankly, it never bothered
but it was an unfair distortion
I bumped my b
and you'd think everybody thought I couldn't y
straight."
Calling the image "a triviality," Ford says a p
cian can't let such things trouble him.
He believes his public image is favorable, bu
still recalls the "unfair" press treatment:
"I think I'm a pretty good skier, but the only
tures they took of me were when I fell down. V
every skier falls down
I'm a fairly aggres
skier - you're taking certain chances and ine'
bly you're going to fall. Even Olympic skiers fa
The three men who occupied the oval office
Ford as president: alone in the Oval Office.
fore Ford were among the most powerful perso
continued on pa
Our pride in
Gerald Ford
shows in our
craftsmanship
The Gerald R. Ford
Museum
ADVERTISEMENT
THE
PETIPED FOR PRESERVATION
LERANT GERALDA FORD
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
DEWINTER ASSOCIATES, INC.
OWEN-AMES-KIMBALL CO.
Architecture & Interior Design
Construction Manager
FAIRBROTHER & GUNTHER INC.
NEWHOF & WINER INC.
6090 E. Fulton, Ada
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CONCRETE WORK GLASS & ALUMINUM CURTAIN
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GENERAL CONTRACTOR
BAZEN ELECTRIC COMPANY
1695 Service Rd. N.E., Grand Rapids
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
DAVE COLE DECORATORS
DYKEMA EXCAVATORS INC.
40 Lexington N.W., Grand Rapids
1730 THREE MILE Rd., N.E., Grand Rapids
INTERIOR DECORATING & WALLCOVERING
EXCAVATION & SIGHTWORK
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400 32nd St., S.E., Grand Rapids
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DESIGN & INSTALLATION OF AUDIO-VIDEO
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OLMSTED HEATING COMPANY
1721 Buchan S.W., Grand Rapids
INSTALLATION HEATING & AIRCONDITIONING
SOBIE COMPANY INC.
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5563 Broadmoor S.E, Grond Rapids
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ACOUSTICAL DRYWALL, METAL STUDS
PLUMBING FIXTURES & INSTALLATION
PLASTERING THROUGHOUT BUILDING
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3680 Michigan N.E., Grand Rapids
FURNISHING & INSTALLING LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS
UNISTRUT CORPORATION
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35005 Michigan Ave., Wayne, MI
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-A Division of GTE Products Corp.
STEEL ERECTORS
MANUFACTURED & INSTALLED SPACE
FRAME SYSTEM USED TO SUPPORT THE ROOF
VANDERWALL FIRE PROTECTION
539 New S.W., Grand Ropids
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER FIRE PROTECTION
VANLAAN CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION INC.
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6875 Dutton Industrial Dr. S.E., Dutton, MI
3060 Breton Rd. S.E., Grand Rapids
SITE & CONCRETE WORK ON CRYPTS, & WALKWAYS
EXCAVATING & SIGHTWORK
LIBRARI
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
43
38th President
continued
ities of the 20th century - John F. Kennedy, the
aristocratic charmer who became a legend after his
assassination; Johnson, the Texas rancher who tried
to battle American poverty and Vietnamese com-
munism at the same time, and Nixon, the tragic
figure destroyed by the abuse of power.
Gerald Ford's personality could never outshine
those men. Because he made a point of getting along
with both friend and foe in Congress, he inspired
neither the devoted following nor the bitter enemies
that often latch onto political leaders.
When he rocketed to national prominence by be-
coming vice president in 1973, news organizations
from around the nation descended on Grand Rapids
to dissect the man and his town.
They found a district that is a microcosm of mid-
western America - a collection of city, suburb and
farms. It was a city that held closely to traditional
beliefs, where churches prospered and people still
aspired to own a nice home on a quiet street.
And they found a man who closely reflected the
conservative economics and traditional social val-
ues of middle America.
W
hat he was, in fact, was a bright young
man who came to Washington in 1949
with firm beliefs about America's social,
economic and foreign needs. And he was a man who
held to virtually those same beliefs as a senior citi-
zen when he left the White House 28 years later.
"I don't think his basic philosophy changed very
much," says Griffin, who served 22 years in the
House and Senate. "The perception of what's con-
servative has changed."
Ford was a man not of simple mind, but of simple
values. He owned up to a straightforward view of
the world that said hard work and American ingenu-
ity could solve just about anything.
From the beginning he distrusted government
policies that handed out money to people, but he
supported the nation's grand engineering projects
- whether water systems or the space program.
He liked to describe himself as a liberal on for-
eign affairs, a moderate on domestic issues and a
conservative on economics.
That description is apt, particularly applied to the
political realities of the '40s and '50s, when Ford was
a strong supporter of such progressive foreign-af-
fairs measures as the Marshall Plan, among other
foreign-aid initiatives.
Ford was the candidate of an America that had
just won World War II - a nation convinced of its
own righteousness and destiny.
His earliest supporters were veterans who had
returned after fighting together on three continents
and believed America could show the world the way
to peace and prosperity.
President and First Lady wave from steps of plane at Kent County Airport.
In the giddy optimism of those postwar days, it
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
seemed America could do anything. Federal gov-
ernment policies helped thousands of returning vet-
erans to build new homes in what was the beginning
of suburbia as we know it today.
E
ven before becoming a congressman, Ford
worked with local veterans groups to
make land and financing more available
for veterans' homes. But he opposed plans for pub-
licly owned housing.
Industry boomed in those postwar years, there
were plenty of jobs and the federal government be-
gan pouring billions of dollars into the interstate
highway system that would stretch to virtually ev-
ery sizable town in America. The American Dream
changed from "40 acres and a mule" to "two cars
and a home in the suburbs."
Meanwhlle the Marshall Plan used American
money to help rebuild the shattered economies of
the European and Asian allies that had borne the
worst damage from the world war.
Though suspicious of welfare-style programs,
GERALD
continued next page
Confett! greets Ford in first trip home as president.
44
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
rural northern Kent County. That plan was later
dropped.
All that was consistent with Ford's position in the
mainstream of postwar America. It was a period in
which America was clearly the most powerful na-
tion in the world, a time when most Americans as-
sumed other nations also aspired to the kind of de-
cent, clean, open society that appeared to exist here.
From the vantage point of the 1980s, those times
seem far away and hopelessly unsophisticated. In
this "age of limits," some find it difficult to imagine
the hopes for unlimited growth and prosperity that
dominated America after the war.
S
ome journalists and political liberals object-
ed to the conservative views Ford still held
in the 1980s, and some doubted his capacity
for creativity. A New York Times reporter found
Ford himself more conservative than the district
that sent him to Washington. The implication was
that Ford had not advanced as far as his community
in the years after the war.
But the virtually unanimous appraisal was that
Ford was decent, honest and trustworthy - in di-
rect contrast to the popular perception of the man
who made him vice president.
Ford ascended to the summit of government only
because financial and political scandals toppled the
previous administration, forcing both President
Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew
Thanksgiving 1974: Silas McGee shows his style as 1930 South High teammates, including Ford, look on.
from office.
When Agnew resigned after being accused of ac-
cepting bribes, Ford was Nixon's choice for the vice
38th President
cago and announced his concern about high Lake
presidency. While the choice surprised much of the
Michigan water levels, with a tacit suggestion that
nation, Nixon apparently felt he needed a man with
the government should do what it could to control
a reputation for integrity and strong party loyalty -
continued
those levels.
and a man who would be confirmed in Congress
He also spoke of the need for flood-control mea-
without controversy.
Ford didn't oppose the huge engineering projects
sures along the Grand River watershed. He held
Ford filled that bill largely because of the reputa-
of the day.
those views well into the '60s, favoring for a time an
tion he had built up in his years of working the
Early in his first campaign for the 5th District
Army Corps of Engineers plan to build a mile-long
House floor. When Nixon himself resigned under
congressional seat, he attended a conference in Chi-
dam on the Rogue River, creating a huge lake in
continued on page 47
Congratulations
PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD
On The Dedication
Of The
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The City Of
EAST GRAND RAPIDS
Home of the 38th President
of The United States
GERALD R. FORD
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
11
Congratulations
GRAND RAPIDS
Home Of The Gerald R. Ford Museum
AGINA
TO AND NO.
JACKSON
ANN ARBOR
In 1979 we moved our headquarters from Ann Arbor to downtown Grand Rapids. As the city
takes another stride forward, we congratulate all those who have made this an "All-American
City."
All Booth Newspapers are committed to community service through a free and responsible
press. We look forward to sharing in the renewed pride and growth of Grand Rapids.
1980-198
Grand Rapids
booth
All-America City
ann arbor news jackson citizen patriot flint
journal saginaw news bay city times muskegon
chronicle . grand rapids press kalamazoo gazette
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
46
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
Somehow, he
remained just
'Jerry Ford' to
millions of
Americans.
A quiet moment In the presidential office.
At home in the White House living quarters.
Arriving in Washington after first assassination attempt
Congratulations Grand Rapids
on the opening of the Gerald R. Ford Museum. Once again you have risen to the occasion and made us proud to be a part of this fine community.
Kelvinator
18
INTERNATIONAL COMPANY®
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
47
continued
pressure 10 months later, the former congressman
from Grand Rapids - still little known to much of
the country — became president.
He came to the office with experience and abili-
ties far beyond those of common men, but somehow
he remained just Jerry Ford to millions of Ameri-
cans.
TV crews filmed him picking up the morning pa-
per off his porch in Alexandria Va., and buttering
his toast for breakfast. Ford came across as a hus-
band and father from suburbia, which in fact he
was, and his simple, down-to-earth manner became
continued on page 50
75, the president is greeted by Betty, Jack and Steve.
Ford and Liberty In the Oval Office.
Leon
plastics
Dining&Drink
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GRAND RAPIDS
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Home of The
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48
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
They couldn't
Thirteen times Gerald R. Ford
Howard and Jean McKee.
asked voters in the Grand Rap-
"It was like being over-
ids area to send him to Washing-
whelmed," VanderVeen says of
ton as their congressman, and 13
his '58 campaign. "We worked
times the voters did as he asked.
very hard, raised what - for
During that time, the Demo-
then - was a fairly big amount
cratic Party put up 10 different
of money, but it didn't seem to
candidates to challenge Ford.
make much difference in terms
They worked hard, but on elec-
of the percentage of votes we
tion night each was left to pon-
got."
der the wisdom of battling for a
He recalls that Ford did not
lost cause.
shy away from debate. "He was
In the 5th District, it seemed,
always willing to appear on the
you just couldn't beat Jerry
same platform. He was never
Ford.
personally vindictive; he was al-
Attorney Richard F. Vander-
ways gracious to opponents."
Veen lost to Ford in 1958, then
VanderVeen, a liberal Demo-
became Ford's successor by win-
crat, declines to assess Ford's
ning a special election for the
service as a congressman, how-
post in 1974, after Ford became
ever, saying there is nothing to
vice president.
be gained from raising "counter-
The other challengers were:
point."
Fred Barr, James McLaughlin,
VanderVeen's victory in the
Vincent O'Neill, Robert McAllis-
1974 special election, and re-
ter, George Clay, William Rea-
election in general balloting lat-
The golfer: Ford keeps his eye on the ball.
mon, James Catchick, Laurence
er that year, marked the only
People
PRESIDENT
HCAL
PAYNE
MIKE
Cartoonists had difficulty caricaturing Ford's face. These drawings are among a set presented to him in 1975.
Come look into our
Grand Rapids
"Mirror on the Mall.
is really
going great.
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The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
49
The local attorney was staying
Reamon doesn't begrudge
beat Jerry Ford
with a friend on Mackinac Island
Ford the national attention he's
at the same time Ford, Gov. Wil-
getting this week during "Cele-
liam Milliken and Sen. Robert
bration on the Grand," which
Griffin were attending a judicial
marks the opening of the Ford
conference there.
Presidential Museum.
Reamon was sitting on a porch
"I'm certain he's getting rec-
drinking a cup of coffee, and
ognition that he's entitled to," he
time in more than 50 years that a
ters of social welfare he could be
impressed by his personality and
when a carriage bearing the
says.
Democrat has held the 5th Dis-
unresponsive to the needs of the
his obvious genuineness the
three VIPs clopped past, he
But Reamon's mind will be on
trict seat. He figures he won be-
people en masse."
fact that he always presented a
called out to the president.
football that week rather than on
cause he made an issue of Wa-
Ford's down-to-earth style
very pleasant demeanor and
The carriage stopped, the men
politics, and for once he and fel-
tergate and Richard Nixon.
and his sophisticated "constitu-
generally came across in a posi-
chatted briefly about the cam-
low University of Michigan
One of VanderVeen's major
ent service" network - made
tive way if you didn't pay too
paigns, and Reamon recalls tell-
alumnus Gerald Ford will be on
campaign themes that year was
him untouchable in the 1960s.
much attention to his philos-
ing the president something like,
the same side.
that Ford, not Nixon, should be
"Ford was at the height of his
ophy," the three-time challenger
"Look how it all turned out -
"What I will be thinking about
president.
popularity and undoubtedly re-
adds.
now you're down there in the
that whole week is how badly
Jean McKee, another local at-
ceived many, many votes from
Reamon recalls an incident
White House."
Michigan is going to beat Notre
torney, lost to Ford in 1970 and
people who were not much con-
during the Ford presidency that
Ford responded with a smile:
Dame on the 19th," Reamon
'72. She ran against him chiefly,
cerned about bis philosophy,"
pointed up Ford's gentlemanly
"Yes, and here you are mak-
says. "I wish the attendance at
she says, because she opposed
says Réamon.
attitude toward political oppo-
ing all that money at the practice
the gala well, but I shall not be
his hawkish stand on the Viet-
Local voters "were very much
nents.
of law."
there."
nam conflict.
McKee and Ford debated
each other on several occasions,
she recalls, and "generally the
feedback was that, at least in a
couple of cases, I held my
own."
McKee, who describes herself
dc
Congratulations,
as a "liberal," differed with Ford
on social programs and environ-
President Gerald R. Ford!
mental issues as well.
Ford's positions on those ques-
davenport college
tions, she says, "while not as ex-
treme, were not unlike those of
the Reagan administration."
She was regarded as a strong,
you helped us celebrate
articulate candidate but never
was able to garner even 40 per-
cent of the vote against Ford.
our centennial in '66!
The futility champion that
is, the person who ran the most
and now we are most
times against Ford was Wil-
liam G. Reamon, an attorney
who was Ford's Democratic op-
honored to share this special
ponent in 1960, '62 and '64.
Reamon kept his sense of hu-
museum dedication with you!
mor despite the election losses.
Running against Ford, he chuck-
les, was "sort of like trying to
climb Mount Everest carrying a
blacksmith's anvil."
Yes
Mr. Ford, you visited Davenport College on a number of occasions
Reamon knew he had little
when you were Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
chance of beating the popular in-
cumbent, but says: "I thought it
A personal friend of Mr. M. E. Davenport, you spoke at our Founder's Day
was important that the Demo-
ceremony in January of 1966, recognizing the 100th year of business education
cratic position be articulated.
for the College.
Mr. Ford's conservatism was
certainly well-recognized, and I
In your address, Mr. Ford, you said, in part:
felt there was a need to express
"This is a wonderful moment in the history of Davenport College. It marks
an opposite point of view."
100 years of service to business, industry and the community; 100 years of pro-
Reamon isn't impressed with
viding educational and career opportunities to tens of thousands of young men
Ford's record. "Gerald R. Ford's
and women seeking places in the world of work; 100 years of providing training
name, so far as I'm aware, is not
attached to a single significant
and education for employed adults whose advancement in their jobs depended
piece of legislation," he charges,
upon increased skills and knowledge; 100 years of contributing to the economic
adding that Ford displayed "a
and social growth of this community through strengthening of human resources.
In January of 1966, Minority
kind of a sit-tight, caretaker, do-
This is a proud record. I join in marking this day as a most significant one for our
Leadar of the House Gerald Ford
nothing type of attitude."
Supporters say Ford did not
city, community and state."
visited with Davenport officials
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
and spoke at the Founder's Day
author legislation because his
Responding to the inspiration and vision
program commemorating the
jobs in Congress, as a member of
you suggested 15 years ago when you
Centannial Year of the College.
the Defense Appropriations Sub-
committee and later as minority
were our Congressman, Mr. Ford, Daven-
leader, allowed him to make his
port College is now the largest private two-year College in Michigan and the
mark in other ways. That, says
16th oldest independent business school in the country-serving more than
Reamon, "is a lame excuse."
3500 students.
Reamon holds no personal bit-
terness against Ford, however.
Mr. Ford, as you have dedicated your life to a free and glorious America, we,
"I don't see how you could say
too, at Davenport are committed to the special mission of preparing people to be
anything negative about Gerald
effective participants in our free-enterprise way of life.
Ford unless you get into the area
of political philosophy. Other
Thank you. President Ford!
than that he was the All-Ameri-
can boy.
"In a personal sense he had
great empathy for people, I'm
An annual visitor to the Daven-
Main Campus
Lansing Branch
Kalamazoo Branch
sure, but in a political sense he
port campus, Congressman
415 East Fulton
220 East Kalamazoo
4123 West Main Street
was in some ways insensitive to
Ford Is shown hare talking to
Grand Rapids
Lansing
Kalamazoo
individual problems. It's a clas-
students and faculty at a
Michigan 49503
Michigan 48933
Michigan 49007
sic example of the conservative
College assembly.
(616) 451-3511
(517) 489-5767
(616) 382-2835
attitude.
"In matters of personal char-
ity he could be generous. In mat-
50
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981.
38th President
continued
both his greatest strength and his worst failing.
Supporters stressed that Ford's basic decency
helped heal the wounds of a nation torn apart by
years of undeclared war in Southeast Asia, and by
the scandals that riddled the Nixon-Agnew adminis-
tration. They noted that his image as a "regular"
American helped dispel the imperial trappings that
had grown up around the White House.
Others charged, however, that the new presi-
dent's lack of ruthless political instincts contributed
to organizational problems in the White House early
in his administration.
His attempts to mobilize public opinion - particu-
larly the ill-fated Whip Inflation Now, or WIN cam-
paign - were dismal failures, critics point out, and
he was never really able to pull his administration
from under the cloud of the Watergate scandals that
put him in office.
Soon after he became president, polls showed 7
out of 10 Americans approved of his actions. A
month later, he gave Nixon a full pardon and his
stock in the polls dropped by 22 percent.
Ford bumps head entering helicopter in 1974.
"A decent person who makes terrible mistakes" is
the way Ford is described by A. Robert Kleiner of
continued on page 52
Emotional crowds greet Ford on Mo
Congratulations, Grand Rapids
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ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
ALIBRADI
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
51
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52
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
38th President
continued
VELCOME
Grand Rapids, who supported him until 1956 and
later became one of the state's most prominent
Democrats.
"He has a very big heart. If he saw a hungry kid
on the street, Jerry would give the kid his own lunch.
OOD LUCK - ALL YOUR FRIENDS
Yet he can't see that when he votes against hot-
lunch programs, he's taking lunches away from mil-
lions of kids."
Kleiner contends Ford lacks the sensitivity to see
how government actions affect people at the bottom
of the ladder. And he says Ford is too easily swayed
by "people who have amassed great wealth."
Y
et even he - and Kleiner headed a local
Democratic party that lived for decades in
the shadow of Jerry Ford - is convinced
of Ford's personal honesty and intelligence.
"He's an intelligent man," Kleiner acknowledges.
"He's not stupid.
Ford's years in Congress had two main phases: his
years on the Appropriations Committee and his
years as minority leader.
He was ranking Republican on the Defense Ap-
propriations Subcommittee and was quoted regular-
ly as an "expert" on defense spending.
During those years he consistently supported de-
fense outlays and backed foreign-aid plans laid out
by President Kennedy.
When Ford took over in 1965 as House Republican
leader, he kept up his support of the defense estab-
Election eve 1976 is a happy night In Grand Rapids for Jerry and Betty Ford
lishment. A "hawk" during the Vietnam war, he of-
ten irritated his Senate colleague, Minority Leader
Everett Dirksen, by calling on the Johnson adminis-
one he ultimately lost - the fight over Johnson's
cans. Many are the same programs being cut back
tration for stronger tactics and more use of air pow-
social programs dubbed the "War on Poverty"
by the Reagan administration.
er in Southeast Asia.
Most of that program became law in the mid-'60s
The war on poverty raised a classic argument
Ford's biggest battle in Congress may have been
despite opposition from Ford and other Republi-
continued on page 54
Congratulations Grand Rapids!
The dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Museum
will be a day long-remembered. We salute the
people of Grand Rapids and Gerald R. Ford on
this momentous occasion.
GUARDSMAN
CHEMICALS. INC.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
A part of Grand Rapids since 1915.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
53
JERR
His image as a 'regular' American
helped dispel the imperial trappings
the PANT
that had grown up around the White
House.
But faces are grim in the Oval Office the next night as Ford prepares to concede.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
REA
George Bush, Ford and Ronald Reagan campaign together.
CLEATO
ALIBRADI
54
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
38th President
in part by the 1980 election in which Reagan won
stances in Congress. I wasn't sure these programs
the presidency and conservatives made huge gains
were going to do everything the promoters prom-
in the House and Senate.
ised. We spent countless billions of dollars in a well-
continued
"In reflection, that (the War on Poverty) was an
motivated effort, but the record shows a lot of those
experiment,' Ford says. "A costly one in dollars and
programs didn't work."
between conservative and liberal thinkers.
a major effort philosopically. I always had reserva-
Ford acknowledges that some good came from
Liberals, led by Johnson, contended the programs
tions about it. I supported some of the programs and
the poverty battle, however. The Johnson programs
were needed to relieve the suffering of the poor and
I fought others.
"did develop an awareness of the problem
there
give them a chance to rise into the mainstream of
had even been some lack of a recognition of the
the economy. They charged that their opponents
were racially motivated, since many of the poverty
"B
ut you know, the election of 1980
problem."
was sort of a referendum on those
He believes the Reagan administration must find
agencies and related programs were targeted spe-
programs. And my appraisal of the
new ways to help the disadvantaged.
cifically to aid blacks.
1980 election IS as follows: A majority of voters in
"We have to experiment. We have to try some
Conservatives on the other hand contended the
1980 were not being less compassionate to the peo-
new things to help people who are less fortunate
programs were too expensive, would result in bloat-
ple who are less well off, but the majority of voters
educationally, socially and otherwise."
ed, inefficient government, would harm the nation's
said those so-called poverty programs were not solv-
Ford tried to reduce the growth of government
free enterprise economic system and wouldn't work
ing the problem.
while he was president, but failed. Now the Reagan
to solve the original problem anyway.
"And the voters in 1980 said we have to try some-
administration is succeeding in many of the same
Ford, an outspoken leader of the conservative op-
thing different to solve the problem. To a degree
areas, including tax and spending cuts.
position, believes his position was vindicated at least
that's a support for the position I took in many in-
"There was a totally different political environ-
38" SIDENT
OF THE STATES
OF AMERICA
Michigan National Corporation Banks
FORD
Welcome
the Gerald R. Ford
GERALD
Presidential Museum
as yet another
Commemorate his rise to the Presidency with the official
example of what
Gerald R. Ford Presidential and Vice Presidential Inaugural
Medals. This mintage is a serially numbered, limited edition
for which production has ceased. The Presidential Medal in
keeps Grand Rapids
Proof Silver is $250., or in Antique Silver, $200. The Vice
Presidential Medal in Antique Silver is $200., or in Bronze,
$25. Purchase these valuable collectors items at
Herkner Jewelers, downtown since 1867.
going great.
HERKNER
Member F.D.I.C.
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IN
The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1981
55
'It has to be a thrill' to walk
through a building dedicated to
your own life.
Ford Presidential Museum's mirrored-glass front faces the Grand River.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
eum display: The Fords accept cheers at 1976 GOP convention.
The museum features a replica of Ford's White House office.
it," says the former president. "We were coming
When he reflects on his public life, there are no
of the trauma and the tragedy of Watergate and
prime interest rate to 61/4. I hope they do as well."
regrets "only wonderful memories."
ts sad ramifications. The Reagan administration
With his political career over, Ford has been able
"I hope people remember me as a person who
ies in on the wings of a significant political elec-
to sit back and enjoy life. His home in Rancho Mi-
was dedicated to trying to make government work
where the public
gave them a mandate.
rage outside Palm Springs, Calif., overlooks the fair-
to the benefit of individuals. I want them to think of
Boy, my inheritance was much different from
way of a private golf course. From his office window
me as an honest, forthright, hardworking friend who
of President Reagan. I think in many respects
he can look out across the grass and palm trees to
chose public service as a career."
economic policies reduction in the rate of
mountains rising beyond.
This week, with the opening of the Presidential
wth of federal spending, tax reductions to stimu-
He has more money than ever. He and his wife
Museum, Ford will be able to see his own life story
revival out of an economic slump - - the con-
have each written a book; he is a much-sought-after
told in a building constructed specifically for that
ts are virtually identical."
speaker who commands fees as high as $15,000, and
purpose. He's not sure how he'll react to that honor.
nable to resist, he adds: "I hope they do as well
he serves on a number of corporate boards of direc-
"It has to be a thrill," he says. "It's really over-
we did. I don't say this to be critical, but we
tors.
whelming to see what has been done. It's just shock-
uced the rate of inflation to 4.8 percent and the
At 68, he remains in vigorous good health.
ing in one sense, but satisfying in another."
on the
Grand
Have a grand celebration!
congratulations
on the completion of
the magnificent Ford Museum.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
ROGERS
DEPARTMENT STORE
SW
W. 28th St., OPPOSITE ROGERS PLAZA
GERBLUK
WE'RE BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE TOO (NEW IN '82)
BUT PAUSE TO ADMIRE THE COMPLETION OF THE FORD MUSEUM.