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1069270
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1976/12/19 - University of Michigan Commencement, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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document
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1
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id
1069270
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
1976/12/19 - University of Michigan Commencement, Ann Arbor, Michigan
citationUrl
collections
Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Speech Reading Copies
subjects
Michigan
President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
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Universities and colleges
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1069270
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19
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1976-12-19
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12
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1976
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19
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1976-12-19
month
12
year
1976
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1
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The original documents are located in Box 4, folder "University of Michigan
Commencement, Ann Arbor, Michigan, December 19, 1976" of the Frances K. Pullen
Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 4 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
ELIZABETH BLOOMER FORD, First Lady of the United States.
Shakespeare said 11
.some are born great, some achieve greatness, and
some have greatness thrust upon them." All of these circumstances are
appropriate to the life of Betty Ford.
Your friends regard your courage and compassion as unfailing. They admire
your outspoken commitment to the highest standards of personal and community
life. These qualities testify to an inborn greatness of spirit.
That you achieved greatness is unquestioned. With Terpsichore your muse,
you mastered the demanding art of dance to the satisfaction of no less a
taskmaster than Martha Graham. Your flair for art led to other successes in
modeling and fashion display. Characteristically, you have shared these
abilities with the young, the handicapped, and all who are interested.
Few people have greatness thrust upon them with more dramatic suddenness
than that which marked your ascendancy with Gerald R. Ford to Presidential
responsibilities. Seldom have such awesome duties been in more earnest hands.
Your style and substance have earned the admiration of a nation. The delightful
fact that you could be simultaneously the First Mama of the radio channels and
First Lady of the United States is testimony to your gift of grace and personal
democracy.
The University of Michigan is delighted to receive a great lady and to
confer upon you the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws.
President Fleming: "I now confer upon you, Elizabeth Bloomer Ford, the degree
Doctor of Laws, and admit you to all its rights, honors and privileges."
gg/hj
12/3/76
ORIGINAL RETIRED TO
SPECIAL DOCUMENTS FILE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN COMMENCEMENT
DECEMBER 19, 1976
THANK YOU, DR, FLEMING,
THIS IS THE SECOND NICEST TITLE I'VE EVER RECEIVED,
THE FIRST WAS MRS. GERALD FORD,
WITH THIS WONDERFUL NEW DEGREE, I CERTAINLY HOPE I
WILL BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT I'VE
ALWAYS CHAMPIONED.
2
THE PRESIDENT AND I ALSO FEEL LIKE GRADUATES TODAY.
WE TOO BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR LIVES, AND WE LOOK
TO THE FUTURE WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION.
WE BELIEVE "THE BEST IS YET TO BE" FOR US AND FOR THIS
COUNTRY. AND WE WILL BE WORKING TO ACHIEVE THAT HOPE FOR
ALL AMERICA.
-0-
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN COMMENCEMENT
DECEMBER 19, 1976
Fees,
THANK YOU, DRA FLEMING.
THIS IS THE SECOND NICEST TITLE I'VE EVER RECEIVED.
THE FIRST WAS MRS. GERALD FORD.
WITH THIS WONDERFUL NEW DEGREE, I CERTAINLY HOPE I
which
WILL BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT I'VE
ALWAYS CHAMPIONED.
2
THE PRESIDENT AND I ALSO FEEL LIKE GRADUATES TODAY.
WE TOO BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR LIVES, AND WE LOOK
TO THE FUTURE WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION.
WE BELIEVE "THE BEST IS YET TO BE" FOR US AND FOR THIS
will continue
COUNTRY.
AND WE
WILL BE
WORKING TO ACHIEVE THAT HOPE FOR
ALL AMERICA.
-0-