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Ford Press Releases, May - December 1966
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D4, folder "Ford Press Releases, May -
December 1966" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File 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. The Council 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D4 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR USE IN MONDAY P.M.'s, MAY 2, 1966
WASHINGTON--House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids
Sunday night was honored here as a national political leader who has made
outstanding contributions to good government.
Ford, along with Sen. Sam J. Ervin Jr., D-N.C., received the annual
George Washington Award of the American Good Government Society in
ceremonies at the Sheraton Park Hotel.
The Good Government Society each year gives its George Washington
Awards to a Republican and a Democrat considered to have furthered
constitutional government and to have aided greatly in strengthening the
American society.
Rep. George Mahon, D-Tex., in presenting Ford's award on behalf of
the Good Government Society, spoke of Ford's "distinguished career" and
described him as "one of our leading public men."
Said Mahon of Ford:
"His attributes and his accomplishments epitomize much that is good
for good citizenship and good government of a free people."
Mahon, who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, noted
that Ford as a recipient of a George Washington Award finds himself in
company with such figures as the late Sen. Robert A. Taft, the late
President Herbert Hoover, former Treasury Secretary George M. Humphrey,
former Gov. Allan Shivers of Texas, Senate Armed Services Committee
Chairman Richard B. Russell of Georgia, Sen. John L. McClellan of Arkansas,
former Commerce Secretary Lewis L. Strauss, Rep. Charles A. Halleck of
Indiana, House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur D. Mills of Arkansas, and
Senate Republican Leader Everett M. Dirksen of Illinois.
Pointing out that he and Ford had served together on the Appropriations
Committee since 1951, Mahon said:
"I have found him to be honorable, a man of unimpeachable integrity.
He is fair and he is honest. He is blessed with an abundance of that great
Christian virtue of kindness.
(MORE)
-2-
GOOD GOVERNMENT FOLLOW-UP
"When and if his party should assume control (of the House), he is,
today, standing on the threshold of the third highest elective office in
the land"--that of speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives."
Mahon said Ford "combines something of the wisdom of age with the
drive of youth" and termed him "one of the most articulate men in the
Congress.'
In accepting the award, Ford said:
"There is no fixed formula for good government. It is really something
of a miracle that we have fared as well as we have. That miracle has been
shaped from the dreams of people who fled from the old world to the new in
quest of something precious called freedom.
"Freedom is still the essential ingredient today, the never-to-be-
forgotten element that pervades the constitutional form of government which
has made us a proud republic. It is the hallmark of a system designed to
make government the servant and not the master of the people."
Those witnessing the awards ceremony included Rep. Ford's mother,
Mrs. Dorothy Ford, who came here from Grand Rapids for the event.
Ford was elected minority leader of the House January 4, 1965. In
1963-64 he served as chairman of the House Republican Conference. He has
been a member of the House Republican Policy Committee for eight years and
of the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership since January, 1963. In
November, 1963, he was named to the seven-member Warren Commission which
investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The American Political Science Association presented Ford with its
"Distinguished Congressional Service Award" in 1963.
In 1959 "Sports Illustrated" magazine gave Ford a "Silver Anniversary
All-American Award" as one of 25 football players of 25 years before who
had contributed the most to their fellow citizens over that quarter century.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE IN TUESDAY P.M.'s, MAY 3, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN
It is very disturbing to me that mid-April automobile sales were 10 per cent
below the 1965 level and that this was the second consecutive 10-day period in
which car sales ran under the year-ago pace.
This slump in car sales is an unhealthy sign, and it is not reassuring to me
to hear continuing forecasts that car sales this year will be close to last year's
total. I think the forecasts need updating, and the late-March and early-April
sales figures are cause for alarm.
The annual rate of retail auto sales slipped from 9 million in March to less
than 8 million in April. Dealers' unsold stocks totalled 1.6 million on May 1.
This was a record high and equal to more than a 53-day supply at the recent rate
of sales. Stocks had been averaging a 40-day supply.
In my view, there definitely has been a slump in car sales, and this is a
danger signal.
The auto industry is the bellwether of the entire American economy. Millions
of jobs depend on it.
If this decline in car sales continues, it could be the forerunner of a
recession which would overtake us in late 1966 or early 1967.
Certainly the sensational nature of the auto safety hearings in the U.S.
Senate has not helped car sales.
This and the high price of credit appear to be having an adverse effect on
the economy,
It seems clear to me that the Johnson-Humphrey Administration waited until
too late to cool off an economy that became overheated as a result of excessive
government spending.
The
President
now
has
applied
the
brakes
too
this
tallopin.
Nobody can flatly predict that a recession will result, but the threat is
there. I think the drop in car sales is an indicator of potential trouble.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 5, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN
I am confident that the House will uphold the recommendation of its
Committee on Appropriations and defeat the Rent Subsidy Appropriation
when it comes to the Floor next week.
"The cat is out of the bag." Secretary Weaver this week reaffirmed
his intention to make rent subsidies available to middle income families,
those with incomes from $6,000 to $11,000 annually, just as Republicans
have been warning for the past year.
The American people simply are not in favor of the Federal government
paying an unlimited percentage of the rent for middle income families, and
never will be.
###
TORARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 10, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Lt. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, director of the National Selective Service
System, today has informed me that the mixup in which hundreds of Michigan
college students have been directed to take draft deferment tests hundreds
of miles away from their campuses or hometowns will be "straightened out."
"They may not get the exact date they want, but they'll be able to take
the tests in their own areas," Gen. Hershey told me.
Referring to the fact that instructions went out to the Michigan
students telling then to report to test sites in Mississippi and Massachusetts,
the General said "nobody from Michigan is going to Mississippi or to
Massachusetts, either." "We'll get this thing straightened out," he added.
I called Con. Hershey when X learned of the mismp and heard that
Col. Arthur D. Holmes, the Michigan selective service director, was unable
to get any satisfaction from Science Research Associates, the Chicago firm
conducting the tests for National Selective Service Headquarters. Science
Research had told Col. Holmes it was "too late" and there was "nothing they
could do about it at this late date."
Gen. Hershey had a few unkind things to say about computers.
"I don't know how it happened," he said. "I'm just an old peneil-pusher,
myself."
...
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 10:30 A.M.
MAY 11, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Governor Romney has acted wisely in naming my colleague, Rep. Robert P.
Griffin, to the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Patrick V.McNamara.
Mr. Griffin is an excellent choice. I know he will serve the people of Michigan
well and with the greatest of dedication. Mr. Griffin is intelligent and
capable and imbued with the highest ideals a public servant can bring to the
office of United States senator. He is fully deserving not only of Gov. Romney's
trust but that of all the people of Michigan.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR FRIDAY P.M.'s RELEASE--MAY 13, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
The Americans for Democratic Action are opposing President Johnson's plan to
sell shares in government-owned loans. This may be the one and only time the ADA
has ever subscribed to an official position of the Republican Party. In any case,
I am pleased to say that the ADA is right on this issue.
It is significant that the ADA is against Mr. Johnson's financing scheme for
several of the reasons I cited in declaring my opposition to it when the President
first sent his loan pool bill to Congress.
The ADA points out, as I did, that this plan will provide a windfall for
banking interests and that it will cost the taxpayer millions more a year because
it is an expensive way for the government to borrow needed funds.
It should be added that this move to channel private investors' funds to
various government agencies is a devious device to permit greater government
spending without having it show up in Mr. Johnson's demonstrably fictitious budget.
Groups which have previously come out against this bill include the National
Farmers Union, the Grange, and the National Association of Home Builders. The
latest from AFL-CIO President George Meany is that his organization has not taken
a position on it as yet.
It has been said that GOP opposition to this bill flies in the face of
traditional Republican philosophy. This is utter nonsense.
Republicans favor getting the government out of business. But this phoney
financing plan does not accomplish that objective. On the contrary, it is a
scheme to get business into government in order to promote bigger government
through deficit spending cloaked with the high-interest-cost use of private funds.
Under this loan pool proposal, the taxpayer will suffer and suffer grievously.
This is why Republicans oppose it. This is why it should be defeated if it comes
to the House Floor next week.
If it is not defeated, it will be because the taxpayer has no lobby in
Washington.
###
FOR RELEASE WEEK OF JUNE 5, 1966
IN 5TH DISTRICT WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON--This supposedly blase and sophisticated city really is a small
town with a big heart.
Its heart went out recently to Michigan's "egg lady," Mrs. Della Lankfer
of Muskegon, who dropped in on Washington to spread a gospel of love with a
basketful of decorated eggs and a talk at the Congressional Club.
Della spoke before the wives of members of Congress, Supreme Court justices,
cabinet members and ambassadors in an appearnace arranged by Mrs. Betty Ford,
wife of House Republican leader Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids.
The women marveled at the products of her art--duck, goose and turtle eggs
decorated with such beguiling artifacts as feathers, tulle and artificial
butterflies and attractively suspended from languidly twisted driftwood.
They marveled, too, at the missionary fervor that makes Della's personality
a shining thing--the spirit with which she sells her art object eggs to raise
funds for the new West Michigan Center for Handicapped Children.
Della Lankfer calls her crusade "Project Love." She began it in memory of
a granddaughter who had worked with handicapped children and had planned to
become a nurse specializing in their care. The granddaughter was killed in a
traffic accident.
Della is a deeply religious person, but her religion is not heavy and
moralistic. The wives of official Washington found her warm and amusing.
Mrs. Lankfer followed such previous and prominent speakers before the
Congressional Club as Muriel Humphrey, wife of the Vice President, and opeΓa star
Rise Stevens.
Through Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Lankfer sent the First Family a basket of eggs
decorated with pictures of the President, the First Lady, Luci Johnson and
Pat Nugent, Lynda Johnson and George Hamilton. She received a thank-you note
from Mrs. Johnson after her return to Muskegon.
Mrs. Ford sent Mrs. Lankfer, a former Grand Rapids resident, a personal
contribution of $25 for the West Michigan Center for Handicapped Children.
The Fords have a fascinating memento of Mrs. Lankfer's Washington visit--
a decorated egg with a color photo inside of Ford sitting at his desk in the
minority leader's office. The egg has an oval opening cut in it so that the
viewer can peek inside, as through a picture frame.
Other prominent Washington figures who received Della's eggs with their
pictures on them include Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield, Mont.,
Senate Republican Leader Everett M. Dirksen, Ill., and House Speaker John W.
McCormack, D-Mass.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
# # #
FOR RELEASE WEEK OF JUNE 5, 1966
IN 5TH DISTRICT WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON--This supposedly blase and sophisticated city really is a small
town with a big heart.
Its heart went out recently to Michigan's "egg lady," Mrs. Della Lankfer
of Muskegon, who dropped in on Washington to spread a gospel of love with a
basketful of decorated eggs and a talk at the Congressional Club.
Della spoke before the wives of members of Congress, Supreme Court justices,
cabinet members and ambassadors in an appearnace arranged by Mrs. Betty Ford,
wife of House Republican leader Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids.
The women marveled at the products of her art--duck, goose and turtle eggs
decorated with such beguiling artifacts as feathers, tulle and artificial
butterflies and attractively suspended from languidly twisted driftwood.
They marveled, too, at the missionary fervor that makes Della's personality
a shining thing--the spirit with which she sells her art object eggs to raise
funds for the new West Michigan Center for Handicapped Children.
Della Lankfer calls her crusade "Project Love." She began it in memory of
a granddaughter who had worked with handicapped children and had planned to
become a nurse specializing in their care. The granddaughter was killed in a
traffic accident.
Della is a deeply religious person, but her religion is not heavy and
moralistic. The wives of official Washington found her warm and amusing.
Mrs. Lankfer followed such previous and prominent speakers before the
Congressional Club as Muriel Humphrey, wife of the Vice President, and opera star
Rise Stevens.
Through Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Lankfer sent the First Family a basket of eggs
decorated with pictures of the President, the First Lady, Luci Johnson and
Pat Nugent, Lynda Johnson and George Hamilton. She received a thank-you note
from Mrs. Johnson after her return to Muskegon.
Mrs. Ford sent Mrs. Lankfer, a former Grand Rapids resident, a personal
contribution of $25 for the West Michigan Center for Handicapped Children.
The Fords have a fascinating memento of Mrs. Lankfer's Washington visit--
a decorated egg with a color photo inside of Ford sitting at his desk in the
minority leader's office. The egg has an oval opening cut in it so that the
viewer can peek inside, as through a picture frame.
Other prominent Washington figures who received Della's eggs with their
pictures on them include Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield, Mont.,
Senate Republican Leader Everett M. Dirksen, I11., and House Speaker John W.
McCormack, D-Mass.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--JUNE 8, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH, RE CALIF. PRIMARY .
The tremendous vote for Ronald Reagan in the California primary tells me
that Pat Brown will be looking for a new job after the ballots are counted in
November. Reagan is a most attractive, hard-working and dedicated candidate.
I feel sure the people of California will prefer him to Brown. The need now is
for California Republicans to unite behind Reagan. This will happen because
California Republicans as well as Republicans throughout the country are paying
heed to the 11th commandment as enunciated by California GOP Chairman Gaylord
Parkinson, "Thou shalt not speak ill of any Republican." I say amen to that
and predict that California's rank and file Republicans will, also.
###
GERAL
LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--JUNE 9, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN
RE: CALIFORNIA 14th DISTRICT
I repeat what I have said many times before the balloting in California's
14th congressional district last Tuesday. Republicans will pick up at least
40 House Geats this fall.
We will have an uphill battle in the 14th district of California in
November but the loss of the late Rep. John Baldwins's seat there to a
Democrat for the short term is not at all indicative of what is happening
nationwide. Not only was that contest a battle of personalities but the
14th district of California is 3 to 2 Democratic, as borne out by
registration figures. Any Democrat who reads the California 14th District
results as a sign there will not be substantial Republican gains nationally
is just dreaming.
John Baldwin first won the California 14th District seat in 1954 in
a squeaker. His plurality was 2,560 votes--he got 50.9 per cent of the
total votes-and he had been beaten in an initial try for the seat in 1952.
The fact that Republicans held on to that seat from 1954 to the present
was primarily a tribute to Mr. Baldwin, who became so beloved by the people
in his district that his victory margins increased steadily over the years.
That is why he won by the amazing plurality of 53,000 votes--getting 64.9
per cent of the total vote--in 1964 in a normally Democratic district. The
answer is that Democrats were voting for John Baldwin.
In Tuesday's voting in California's 14th District, voters were picking
party candidates for the November 8 election and were filling the Baldwin
seat for the rest of this year at the same time. This was a device employed
by Gov. Pat Brown to give an advantage to the Democratic favorite, Jerry
Waldie. Waldie's only Democratic opponent was a nonentity. The leading
Republican candidate, Frank Newman, is highly attractive and most capable.
But Newman was not well known, and Waldie is majority leader of the state
assembly.
I am reliably informed that Waldie never ran against Mr. Baldwin
because he knew he couldn't beat him, and that he publicly said as much.
(MORE)
-2-
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD
The Republican vote Tuesday was split among three candidates. Waldie will
have a fight on his hands this fall when 14th district Republicans unite
behind Frank Newman and it becomes a two-man race.
Contrary to what the House majority leader has said about the election
in California's 14th district, it is the Democrats who are engaging in
wishful thinking if they are concluding from that race that Republicans will
not make sizable gains in November. To use a football term, we'll rock
them back on their heels.
# # # #
GERAL
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE IN WEDNESDAY P.M.'s
JUNE 22, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN
WASHINGTON--House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford today pointed to
Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District as one of the targets the GOP will
zero in on most vigorously in November.
"I believe the Connecticut Fourth will be one of the 40 or more seats we
will add to our present strength on November 8," Ford said.
Ford made the comment preliminary to going to Connecticut this Saturday
for two speaking appearances.
He will deliver the keynote speech at the Republican Fourth District
congressional convention Saturday afternoon at Bridgeport and also will speak at
a GOP fund-raising dinner-dance Saturday evening at Westport. The dinner-dance
is sponsored by the Connecticut GOP State Central Committee and the Norwalk GOP
Town Committee.
It is virtually certain that Abner W. Sibal, two-term congressman who was
defeated in 1964 by Democrat Donald J. Irwin, will be nominated by the GOP
convention as the Republican challenger this year.
Ford said he was glad to see Sibal seeking reelection because during his
four years in Congress Sibal proved to be "a skilled legislator, knowledgeable,
imaginative and blessed with a sturdy independence of spirit."
Ford said the Fourth District of Connecticut is a dynamic area that deserves
forward-looking representation in Congress.
"In Washington," Ford said, "we expect something special from the legislator
who represents Connecticut's Fourth District." "We expect him to make a
meaningful contribution to the solution of the problems that confront our nation
while remaining alert to the special requirements of his constituency."
"The Fourth District had that kind of representation during Ab Sibal's two
terms in Congress," Ford declared. "If Ab is nominated, he can be sure of all
possible support to bring him back to the House, where he belongs."
###
June 28, 1966
FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. GERALD R. FORD:
Death has ended the long and distinguished career of former
Rep. Louis C. Cramton of Lapeer and Saginaw, Michigan. This is
cause for mousning not only in Michigan but in the nation's capital
because Mr. Cramton was a most unusual man. He was a man held in
deep respect and affection by all who knew him, regardless of their
own personal political loyalties.
Congressman, judge, state legislator, newspaper publisher,
attorney, Republican--Louis Cramton was all of these. But he was
much more. He was a champion of the Negro before the term civil
rights was ever coined. He was prominent in the development of
Howard University in Washington, D. C., and the auditorium there
bears his name. As Congressman from the old Michigan 7th Congressional
District from 1913 to 1931, Mr. Cramton also earned the title of
"godfather of American national parks."
The name of Louis Cramton lives in Washington as well as
Michigan, a monument to all those who serve their nation and their
fellow man with selfless devotion. The country has lost a rare
individual, a splendid human being.
...
FORD is LIBRARY 9ERALD
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
JUNE 29, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
For many, many months the National Republican Coordinating Committee of which
I am a member has advocated more effective use of conventional U.S. air and sea
power in Vietnam in the firm belief this would shorten the Vietnam War.
Finally the President has seen fit to order air strikes against oil supply
depots near Hanoi and Haiphong. This raises the question. Why were these raids not
carried out much earlier in the war?
Defense Secretary McNamara failed to answer this question satisfactorily at his
news conference this morning. Yet McNamara himself said the raids on the oil depots
will make it "far more difficult and far more costly for the North to continue the
infiltration" of men and material which is the basis for continued fighting in the
South.
The American people should demand to know of the Johnson Administration why the
attacks on the petroleum depots were not made months ago. American casualties during
this period have increased sharply.
The people also should ask the Administration why it continues to allow the
shipping of military supplies into North Vietnam through the port of Haiphong.
The National Republican Coordinating Committee has backed basic Administration
policy in Vietnam--that of helping South Vietnam thwart Communist aggression and
terror.
But as long ago as last December 13 the GOP Coordinating Committee urged full
use of conventional U.S. air and sea power against significant military targets in
North Vietnam and recommended a Kennedy-type quarantine of Haiphong.
The Republican Coordinating Committee made these recommendations to minimize
American and South Vietnamese casualties, to shorten the war, and to achieve a
secure peace in Vietnam. The Johnson-Humphrey Administration has been tardy in
adopting these obviously sound military tactics,
###
Re: Election Reform
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Last January 17, in our Republican Appraisal of the State of the Union, I
said we of the minority were "surprised and pleased that the President touched on
the subject of political campaigns and elections" in his message to the Congress.
I also said, "His recommendations do not go far enough."
This turned out to be equally true of the legislative proposals which
President Johnson sent up to us at the end of May. Republicans promised then to
give the Administration's suggestions serious study, and we have, as my colleagues
will explain in greater detail.
It would seem that when the Democrat in the White House and the Republican
leaders in the Senate and House agree in January on the need for an election
reform bill, the public might be entitled to expect one before the elections in
November. This may still be possible if the Administration and the Democratic
Majority in Congress really mean business.
Here I might read you the opinion of The Detroit News in my home State of
Michigan. In a May 31, 1966, editorial headed: LBJ's Reform Campaign Financing--
Too Little and Too Late, The News said:
"Let us remember first that Lyndon B. Johnson had it within his
power for many years to do something meaningful about reforming
congressional campaign spending. But when he was majority leader of
the Senate (and his 'good right arm,' Robert G. 'Bobby' Baker, staffed
the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee), exactly nothing was
done.
"And let us remember further there is virtually no chance
Congress will take the time to work on the complex and touchy problem
of campaign spending reform in the few months remaining in this
session. Had not Capitol Hill Republicans made their own proposals
earlier last week and goaded the President to send up his bill, there's
no telling when he would have gotten around to, as he said, 'urge its
prompt enactment. 111
(MORE)
-2-
ELECTION REFORM STATEMENT
"Finally, the President cannot avoid the responsibility for
leading a national political party which, by its dedicated exploitation
of loopholes in existing law, has seriously undermined public confidence
in the integrity of government."
That was The Detroit News speaking. Personally, I prefer to think the
President is sincere about campaign and election reforms and full disclosure of
contributions. Here is a story in the Washington Post about Mr. Johnson's
appearance at one of his President's Club $1,000-a-plate dinners in New York last
month "The President Shakes the Hands That Write Big Checks for the Party."
I'm sure he feels the public has a right to know who wrote those checks. Although
the affair was closed to reporters, the Associated Press reported that portions
of his Waldorf-Astoria remarks were overheard, and quoted them as follows:
"The Democratic Party was $4 million in debt when I took office,"
the President said. "Since I took office the debt has been reduced to
about $1.5 million so far, and a few more dinners like this should put
the Democratic Party in the black."
When President Johnson sent his election reform proposals to the Congress
last May, I commented that he could demonstrate his interest in full disclosure
by having his President's Club explain how, according to the reports then on file
with the Clerk of the House, it had apparently managed to spend nearly half a
million dollars more than it took in since 1963.
I am happy to report that this has been done, and that the President's Club
listed contributions of $917,253.57 during the second reporting period of this
calendar year, bringing the President's Club's total receipts for 1966 to
$1,042,853.57 thus far reported. So at least one Democratic deficit appears to
have been eliminated.
We Republicans are serious about campaign reforms. In this Congress we're
only Number Two, but we try harder. Some observers (like The Detroit News) don't
think Number One is really trying at all, but if the majority wants reforms before
November, we're ready to cooperate. This bill, which we are introducing today, is
proof of our serious purpose.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
Wednesday, July 13, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
The Office of Economic Opportunity has charged that its "answers" to
statements in House Republican Poverty Memos "are shrugged off and ignored."
The truth is that OEO has not controverted one major fact in any of the
House GOP Poverty Memos. Not only that, but almost all of the Memos have gone
unanswered. The statement made by OEO regarding Republican Party criticisms of
the Johnson-Humphrey Administration's War on Poverty is therefore downright
ridiculous.
The House GOP Poverty Memos are documented through careful, independent
investigations.
In all, 31 House GOP Poverty Memos have been issued to date. In only
one instance -- the scandalously costly leasing of the Kanawha Hotel in Charleston,
West Virginia, from a prominent Democrat for a Women's Job Corps Center--did OEO
officials dispute GOP Poverty Memo facts. They disputed the facts only to find
all the major facts proved out exactly as stated by House Republicans.
OEO would have the American people believe House Republicans have simply been
sniping at the Johnson-Humphrey Administration's anti-poverty program. The truth
is that House Republicans have sought to improve the program but have been shut
out completely by the administration and by Democratic members of the House
Education and Labor Committee.
These and other charges are made by OEO in a press release of July 8 entitled
"Comment by OEO Spokesman On Republican National (Coordinating) Committee Report."
We question the use of public funds for a partisan attack on the Republican
Party by a government agency.
There is no proper place in Washington for an executive agency that would
stoop so low as to charge that "the Republican Party will conveniently forget them
(the poor) when election day is over." I think OEO Director R. Sargent Shriver
owes the Republican National Coordinating Committee an apology for allowing his
"spokesman" to make such a despicable and totally unfounded statement.
Instead of giving careful consideration to GOP recommendations for improvements
in the anti-poverty program, the OEO has made a direct attack on the Republican
Party.
(MORE)
-2-
OEO STATEMENT
OEO officials have blithely sought to dismiss all GOP-produced evidence of
anti-poverty program weaknesses and abuses and have concentrated on turning out
expensive, slick-paper brochures with which to impress members of Congress.
OEO recently declined an opportunity given them by Education and Labor
Committee Democrats to answer Republican views on the 1966 Economic Opportunity
Act Amendments. The majority held up the report on the bill to give OEO time to
comment, but OEO officials passed up the chance.
OEO claims to be achieving coordination in the anti-poverty program. Yet
the Administration is seeking to divide responsibility for the Work Experience
Program (Title V) between three agencies--HEW, OEO, and the Labor Department.
And procedures for distribution of Head Start funds are so confused that some
school superintendents are asking if the program is worth all the trouble.
OEO says the poor already are strongly represented in War on Poverty planning.
Are they properly represented in Chicago? In Cleveland? In Atlanta? In
Los Angeles? In Bedford-Stuyvesant? They are not.
OEO says Republicans are not paying attention to the facts when they speak
of prodigal spending for Job Corps staff and salaries. Where do they think the
information for these GOP charges came from if not from official records? Are
they denying the validity of material from official OEO and Job Corps documents?
It is kind of OEO to capsulize so neatly and accurately in its recent news
release the Republican approach to poverty: "Whatever is good in the poverty
program, we thought of first. The rest, we can do better." This summing up that
OEO has done for us happens to be true.
Operation Head Start, for instance, is based on a pre-school and early-school
proposal advanced by Reps. Albert H. Quie, R-Minn., and Charles E. Goodell, R-N.Y.,
in 1961. And it was four years ago that Quie, Goodell and Rep. Alphonzo Bell,
R-Calif., proposed experimental job corps camps.
As for doing the job better, we have offered the people our Opportunity
Crusade as a complete substitute for the Johnson-Humphrey Administration's
faltering, mismanaged War on Poverty.
Mr. Shriver has cited the anti-poverty program in Grand Rapids, Michigan,
my home town, as one of the three outstanding programs in the nation. It is a
tribute to the local leaders in Grand Rapids that they have been able to produce
good results despite the chaotic administration of the War on Poverty at the
national level.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
According to this morning's Washington POST, the Vice President of the United
States went into one of our largest Southern cities last night, while major outbreaks
of lawlessness were deeply scarring several other of our big cities, and expressed
what seemed to be sympathy for mob disregard of law and order.
May I quote from the article, datelined New Orleans, July 18, in this morning's
Washington POST:
"Vice President Hubert Humphrey said today that if he had to live
in a city ghetto with rats nibbling on his children's toes, he might
'lead a mighty good revolt' himself.
"Addressing the National Association of Counties conference here,
he called for a national drive to wipe out slum housing.
"Without rent supplements or rent subsidies for the poor, he said,
'We will have open violence in every major city and county in America
'
"I'd hate to be stuck on a fourth floor of a tenement with rats
nibbling on the kids' toes--and they do--with garbage uncollected--and
it is--with the streets filthy, with no swimming pools, with little or
no recreation.'
"Humphrey told the county officials that if he were forced to live
under such conditions, 'I think you'd have more trouble than you have
had already, because I've got enough spark left in me to lead a mighty
good revolt under those conditions. "
Every member of the House deplores slum conditions, and every member--
regardless of party--deplores riot, revolt and rebellion. I sincerely hope that this
almost incredibly irresponsible statement by the Second Highest Official in our
nation, the man who stands one heartbeat from the White House, was incorrectly
reported by the Washington POST.
If not, I sincerely hope that President Johnson, who I understand is holding a
news conference tomorrow, will repudiate such inflammatory statements by his Vice
President before more tragic damage is done.
The golden virtue of silence would be helpful in this crisis. The Vice President's
verbal spark is well known. I hope this latest spark, which did not shed much light,
will not ignite conflagrations which even he cannot blow out. This is not time for
incitement to riot from any source, and certainly not from the Vice-President of the
United States.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR THURSDAY P.M.'S RELEASE
JULY 21, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
The federal deficit for fiscal 1967 will run between $10 and $15 billion
because President Johnson and the Democrats have refused to make allowances for
the cost of the Vietnam War.
Last January we Republicans asked that the President assign priorities to
federal spending in view of the war's tremendous cost. We were appalled when
Mr. Johnson chose instead to ask Congress for an additional $3.2 billion for
Great Society programs. We were amazed when Mr. Johnson told Congress the nation
could afford both ruffles and rifles.
It is because the President let them loose last January that the spendthrift
Democrats in the House and Senate have gone wild with the people's money and that
of American children still unborn.
My prediction of a $10 to $15 billion deficit this fiscal year is not
something picked out of the air. It is based on the Democrats' own figures.
The President originally predicted a $1.8 billion deficit. He says
Democrats in Congress already have added a billion dollars to his non-defense
budget requests and threaten to add on a total of $6 billion. Now comes House
Appropriations Chairman George Mahon, D-Tex., with the statement that the Defense
Department will ask for as much as $10 billion extra for the Vietnam War in
January.
Even if we were charitable with the Democrats and figured there would be
no add-ons to non-defense spending besides the billion dollars, the projected
(OVER)
-2-
LBJ AND ECONOMY STATEMENT
deficit for this fiscal year would run to nearly $13 billion. This assumes that
the supplemental appropriation for the Vietnam War is $10 billion and is charged
entirely to the fiscal 1967 budget.
Mr. Johnson's pose as a champion of economy would be believable if he had
assumed it last January when he sent his 1966-67 budget to Congress and had acted
accordingly. But it is only now that the big-spending Democrats in Congress have
added a billion to his non-defense spending requests that the gentleman from
Texas says whoa. It is Lyndon Johnson and the Democrats who have put the
federal government on a wild spending spree. Is the President now to be hailed
as a hero for applying the checkrein to his Democratic foremen--straw bosses who
have threatened to inflate his spending requests by $6 billion?
If the President were sincere about spending cutbacks, he would veto one of
the appropriations bills in excess of his budget and toss it back at Democrats
in Congress. He also could freeze federal spending in various non-defense
categories.
At the opening of this session of Congress, we Republicans sought priorities
on federal spending. Now that the cost of the Vietnam War is approximating
$2 billion a month, the President is belatedly admitting we were right by tardily
trying to hold back free-spending Democrats in Congress.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Congress may have to act to restore airline service while collective
bargaining between the union and the airlines resumes.
But this crisis in labor-management relations and in airline service should
make clear to the American people that there has been a neglect in White House
leadership for too long a time. In January President Johnson promised a
legislative proposal that would tackle national emergency labor-management
problems. No such White House recommendation has come to the Congress in this
seven-month period.
Because the Johnson Administration has allowed inflation to get out of hand,
the machinists have rejected the latest settlement offer emphatically. Members
of the Machinists Union have emphasized that the proposed settlement was defeated
because steadily rising prices and increased taxes will wipe out the offered pay
increase before they can spend it. Because the cost-of-living is continuing to
rise so drastically, there will be still more perilous times ahead in labor-
management relations and still other crises involving the national interest.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Congress may have to act to restore airline service while collective
bargaining between the union and the airlines resumes.
But this crisis in labor-management relations and in airline service should
make clear to the American people that there has been a neglect in White House
leadership for too long a time. In January President Johnson promised a
legislative proposal that would tackle national emergency labor-management
problems. No such White House recommendation has come to the Congress in this
seven-month period.
Because the Johnson Administration has allowed inflation to get out of hand,
the machinists have rejected the latest settlement offer emphatically. Members
of the Machinists Union have emphasized that the proposed settlement was defeated
because steadily rising prices and increased taxes will wipe out the offered pay
increase before they can spend it. Because the cost-of-living is continuing to
rise so drastically, there will be still more perilous times ahead in labor-
management relations and still other crises involving the national interest.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Discerning Democrats in Michigan who supported Detroit
Mayor Jerome P. Cavanagh for the Democratic Senate nomination still
have an opportunity to vote for a man who is better equipped to serve
Michigan in the U.S. Senate than is ex-Governor G. Mennen Williams.
For good reasons a great number of Mr. Cavanagh's supporters will
decide they prefer Sen. Robert P. Griffin to Soapy Williams on
November 8. Sen. Griffin has exhibited his fine qualifications for
the office he holds. He fully deserves to continue in that office.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--AUG., 9, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
The Johnson Administration has failed to deal effectively with inflation. Now
Administration officials are conceding that the existing 3.2 per cent wage-price
guidelines are dead.
The cost-of-living rose 2 per cent in 1965 and is climbing at a 3 to 4 per cent
rate this year. All Americans are victims of higher prices; the poor and those on
fixed incomes are hurt the most. The frightening aspect of this situation is that
it is certain to become worse.
President Johnson has tried to talk prices into remaining stable. He has
failed. The Democrat-controlled Congress has continued to pursue heavy spending
policies which have added to inflationary pressures in the economy and have helped
to make a mockery of the Administration's wage-price guidelines.
Johnson Administration officials now say they want to make the guidelines
more flexible in the light of the steel price increase and the airline machinists'
rejection of a 4.3 per cent wage boost.
What they really are saying is that they want to loosen the guidelines to
accommodate an inflation which the Administration is unable to stop. They want to
continue the pretense that the guidelines are meaningful as a coverup for the
Democrats' failure to take timely fiscal and monetary actions to halt inflation.
I have said it before and I say it again. The guidelines are dead.
For Treasury Secretary Fowler to say that "the demise of the guidelines is
greatly exaggerated" is for a high government official to whistle in the dark over
inflation. For Mr. Fowler to add that he doesn't know "whether there should be
any particular figure" set in the guidelines he insists are still alive is to show
how really unrealistic he is about the situation.
When Commerce Secretary Connor suggests that the wage-price guideposts might
better be applied industry by industry, he is conceding that the wage-price guide-
lines as we have known them are dead.
The guidelines concept follows the theory that increases in wages and prices
are not inflationary as long as they do not exceed the average increase in
industrial productivity each year.
To shift the guidelines to an industry-by-industry approach is to discard the
present guidelines and to turn to an entirely new concept designed to deceive the
public regarding inflationary developments.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
It is most reassuring to have the White House announce that President
Johnson "is disappointed that the election reform proposal he sent to Congress
has not, at this date, received thorough consideration and adequate hearings."
When Mr. Johnson wants the two-to-one majority he commands in this Congress
to take action, it usually does so, following either his renowned "reasoning
together" or his Texas-style arm twisting.
I am gratified the House Administration elections subcommittee will continue
the one day of hearings previously given the President's proposal and the various
Republican bills, including my own, which substantially improve upon it. These
hearings are scheduled to reopen August 17.
The public wants action on campaign reforms by this Congress. Republicans
in the House are happy to join President Johnson in pressing for a prompt and
exhaustive public airing of the subject.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP, GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
There is good reason to believe the airline strike is practically settled on
a purely voluntary basis. This is a victory for collective bargaining for which
all Americans can be thankful.
It apparently will be unnecessary for the House to act on strike legislation
dealing specifically with the airline strike. I am most happy at this turn of
events. The right to strike is labor's only real weapon, and it should not be
taken away except in a national emergency which specifically affects the public health
and welfare. President Johnson declined to label the airline strike a, national
emergency.
I think it is significant that the Machinists Union insisted upon a cost-of-
living provision in the settlement package. This reflects the fact that the
Johnson Administration has failed to halt inflation and simply seeks to minimize
a steadily worsening situation.
The Congress can and must make a proper approach to the problem of national
emergency strikes now that the airline strike seems to be settled.
Since the President has failed to send recommendations to Congress for
improved handling of national emergency strikes, the Congress should quickly
begin formulating such legislation.
The best beginning point I have seen in that connection is Sen. Robert P.
Griffin's bill to set up a Joint Committee of Congress to study national emergency
strikes and prepare recommendations for congressional action on a general basis.
It has long been obvious that existing machinery for handling nationwide
strikes of long duration is inadequate. The Congress must act to remedy this
deficiency. It does not make sense for Congress to deal with national emergency
strikes on an individual basis.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
There is good reason to believe the airline strike is practically settled on
a purely voluntary basis. This is a victory for collective bargaining for which
all Americans can be thankful.
It apparently will be unnecessary for the House to act on strike legislation
dealing specifically with the airline strike. I am most happy at this turn of
events. The right to strike is labor's only real weapon, and it should not be
taken away except in a national emergency which specifically affects the health
and welfare. President Johnson declined to label the airline strike a national
emergency.
I think it is significant that the Machinists Union insisted upon a cost-of-
living provision in the settlement package. This reflects the fact that the
Johnson Administration has failed to halt inflation and simply seeks to minimize
a steadily worsening situation.
The Congress can and must make a proper approach to the problem of national
emergency strikes now that the airline strike seems to be settled.
Since the President has failed to send recommendations to Congress for
improved handling of national emergency strikes, the Congress should quickly
begin formulating such legislation.
The best beginning point I have seen in that connection is Sen. Robert P.
Griffin's bill to set up a Joint Committee of Congress to study national emergency
strikes and prepare recommendations for congressional action on a general basis.
It has long been obvious that existing machinery for handling nationwide
strikes of long duration is inadequate. The Congress must act to remedy this
deficiency. It does not make sense for Congress to deal with national emergency
strikes on an individual basis.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
Unless the Johnson Administration acts to check the current rate of inflation,
the cost of living for all Americans will rise by more than 4 per cent this year.
The 0.4 per cent increase in the consumer price index for July resumed a
trend that prevailed from February through April, when monthly increases in the
index hit 0.4 per cent or more.
If President Johnson fails to curb the inflationary spiral during the remaining
months of 1966, simple arithmetic points to a total cost of living climb for the
year of between 4 and 5 per cent.
The blame for this sharp and continuing rise in the cost of living rests
squarely on the Johnson Administration and the big-spending Democrats in Congress
who have fueled inflationary fires by following an excessively expansionary course.
The Administration has relied on tight money to restrain the economy instead
of a judicious and timely application of both fiscal and monetary curbs. The
lopsided Democratic majorities in Congress have continued spending the taxpayer's
money as though it comes from a bottomless well.
If Americans are wondering why their real income is dropping, they need look
no farther then the White House and the Democratic majorities in the Congress.
Workers at the bottom of the wage ladder are being hurt most by inflation,
along with the pensioners and others on fixed income. I applaud the fact that
minimum wage increases now being voted by Congress will be given early effect, a
move the Administration has opposed. The Administration should not be taking
inflation out on the lowest paid workers in this country.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R_MICHIGAN.
Housewives, pensioners, all Americans having trouble making today's
inflated dollar stretch to cover their budgets now have gotten the word from the
Texas summit.
In a telephoned message Saturday from his ranch to the Western Democratic
Conference, President Johnson advised everyone who has "nothing better to do than
complain about inflation" to "gerjoin the Republican Party."
We Republicans welcome the President and his inflation gang as recruiters
for the GOP. We join with him in inviting all Americans disturbed by the fright-
eningly steady rise in the cost of_living to join the Republican Party. If
Mr. Johnson is implying that the current increase in the cost of living--at an
annual rate of 4 per cent or better--is nothing for the American people to be
alarmed about, then I disagree completely. And I am sure the people do, too.
Would Mr. Johnson also advise that all Americans who have nothing better
to do than complain about high interest rates go join the Republican Party?
Is that his advice to couples who are being forced to pay 61, 7 or even
as much as 8 per cent interest in order to buy a home?
Is that his advice to patriotic Americans who buy U.S. Savings Bonds
paying 4.15 per cent interest and then are disgruntled because big investors
receive 5-and-3/4ths per cent interest or more on the Johnson Administration's
Participation Sales Certificates?
Is that his advice to former President Harry S. Truman, who has warned
that high interest rates could bring on a serious depression?
By failing to apply a combination of timely fiscal and monetary restraint.s,
the Johnson Administration is taking this nation down the path to recession and
inflation.
perhaps depression. The problem is that the Administration has depended exclu-
sively on the tightening of credit to contain inflation.
When Mr. Truman was in the White House, he never ducked the big decisions.
Heraever resorted to buck-passing. Mr. Johnson not only has failed to come to
grips with inflation, he has evaded the responsibility for doing so, His White
House motto apparently is not "the buck stops here" but "slip, slide and duck."
#H
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1966
Six weeks ago, at a press conference called to acquaint you with details of
our Republican-sponsored election reform bill, I reported having heard disturbing
rumors about The President's Club and political favors for its members. I suggest-
ed that the press, as well as we of the minority, had an obligation to look into
this and see if there were any connection between such things as lucrative govern-
ment contracts, anit-trust actions or important executive decisions and large
contributions to the President's Club.
I may have made a mistake. In the excitement that followed, Mr. Goodell's
disclosure of the Anheuser-Busch affair, in which the Justice Department dropped
its suit against the company after $10,000 had been contributed by its executives --
following which the Vice President and everybody concerned flew out to the ballgame
in the Anheuser-Busch company plane -- our election reform legislation got very
little attention. But, on the other hand, the need for such legislation -- right
now, at this session, to police the remaining days of the 1966 campaign and, even
more urgently, the 1968 Presidential contest -- has been convincingly demonstrated
in the past six weeks.
First, we had the Anheuser-Busch case, $10,000.
Next, a million dollar poverty contract won by a President's Club
executive's firm over more qualified contenders.
Then, Mr. Rumsfeld revealed the curious combination of $25,000 from a
big contractor's family and the White House's unusual interest in Project Mohole --
all of which the Johnson-Humphrey Administration brushed off as coincidences and
partisan politics.
I believe that where there is smoke, there must be fire. And I think
the smoke is getting so thick in the inner sanctum of the President's Club that
it must be quite uncomfortable for many members.
Now Mr. Goodell and Mr. Rumsfeld have reported to the House additional
evidence of political favoritism and skullduggery involving heavy donors to the
President's Club and the virtually unaudited spending of billions - not millions
but billions -- of the people's money. I have also received scores of communi-
cations from citizens, many of whom frankly say they are good Democrats, who are
shocked and sickened by what they know has been going on.
-2-
In baseball you get three strikes. The President's Club doesn't deserve
more than four. It was a mistake from the outset, as I am sure President Johnson
now realizes, to mix money and honor under the symbol of the White House, which
belongs to all the people.
I agree with the editorial in last Monday's New York Times which stated
that President Johnson's press conference denials won't do. "The concern is not
narrowly partisan," The Times said. "Basically, it derives from respect for Mr.
Johnson's name and office. Both are placed in needless jeopardy by a political
fund-raising operation that provides a nexus for influence seekers and carries the
constant risk of scandal."
7121
I therefore respectfully call upon President Johnson to suspend the opera-
tion of The President's Club without further delay. He should declare plainly
and publicly that no more contributions will be accepted by the President's Club
and that any received will be returned. The accounts of the President's Club
should be frozen. Its books should be thrown open to the press without further
transfers of funds in or out, until such time as a thorough and impeceably
independent audit can be conducted and its findings fully disclosed.
This step, if undertaken promptly and in good faith, will spare both
President Johnson and those who support him politically and financially from
further embarrassment. There are ample opportunities for citizens to make
political contributions through the traditional national, state and local com-
mittees of their chosen party. We certainly are not discouraging this, the life-
blood of our two-party system. But the Presidency, whoever may occupy this
high office, should stand at least an arm's length from the counting table.
Unfortunately, the 2-to-1 Democratic majorities in this Congress seem
extremely reluctant even to proceed with fullscale hearings on the election
reform bill President Johnson himself proposes. It isn't very realistic to think
ing
that the kind of thorough investigation which the scandals surround/the President's
Club demand will be conducted by any of its standing committees. I therefore
call upon the Congress, and will introduce appropriate legislation as soon as it
can be carefully drafted, to create a select committee, completely bipartisan in
character, to explore all of the evidence and allegations of favoritism and
possible corruption clouding the President's Club to date. They will continue
rises above partism ( still
to unfold unless President Johnson, and President Johnson alone, finally decides
that what's a good thing for the Democrats isn't good for the country.
If the President and this Democratic-controlled Congress fail to act, the
American people have one other choice - electing a Republican majority to the
House of Representatives this November. Then we can really start cleaning things
up.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., based on remarks prepared for
insertion in the Congressional Record of Friday, Sept. 2, 1966--
On Monday we will pay tribute to the American worker. We will honor him
for the tremendous contribution he has made to America, the building of this
great land of ours, the fruits of his labor which have made life rich in this
nation for all Americans,
It is most appropriate that Labor Day should be a national holiday, for
in the words of the man who originated the observance, Carpenters' Union founder
and American Federation of Labor co-founder Peter McGuire, it honors "those who
from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we know."
We must be ever mindful of the contribution the American worker makes
to the nation-not just on this Labor Day but throughout the year. Nobody
who has not earned his daily bread by the sweat of his brow can know what it
means to work in a paper mill, an automobile factory, an iron, copper or coal
mine, to toil at one of the many jobs that make the wheels of industry turn in
America.
Although the leaders of organized labor have chosen in most instances to
support the Democratic Party, rank-and-file workers know that Republicans have
championed many of their causes.
As we observe Labor Day this year, let the working man be assured that
Republicans in Congress mean to see that he shares equitably in the fruits of
his labors. The goal of all America should be that its workers live their
lives in dignity, accorded their full share of America's abundance.
####
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, SEPT. 12, 1966
The large turnout of voters in Vietnam's election of a constitutional
assembly lays the first stone in building a foundation for representative
democracy in that war-torn land. Americans should be most gratified.
We may now expect that next year there will be elections in Vietnam to
establish a representative government to run the country in place of the military
junta which now controls it. This would be a most healthy development. It would
serve to undercut the standing of the Vietcong with the people and likely would
promote genuine support for the central government.
Meantime the writing of a new constitution for Vietnam is a matter of
greatest importance. Some of the proposals being considered include land reform
aimed at granting all peasants the land they are presently working, a section
restoring to villages the self-governing power which provincial chiefs have taken
from them, and a provision giving the to-be-elected parliament the right to
investigate activities of the executive branch of government.
The activities of the Vietnam constitutional assembly over the next six
months should be quite constructive. If performance bears out promise, the
people of Vietnam will be the gainers and the cause of world freedom will advance.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE IN TUESDAY P.M.'s,
Sept. 13, 1966
WASHINGTON--House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., today introduced
legislation which would permit the two professional football leagues to combine but
would protect high school football by restricting the televising of "pro" games on
Friday nights and Saturdays.
Ford said merger of the National and American pro football leagues would
"improve competition on the field and assure more and better football games for
millions of fans across the country."
High school games would be fully protected under his bill, Ford said. He
noted that the legislation would bar televising of pro contests on any Friday night
after 6. Pro football also would be blacked out on Saturdays after the second
Friday in September, and ending on the second Saturday in December, from any TV
station within 75 miles of a regularly scheduled interscholastic or intercollegiate
football game.
Pro football's plan to merge the two leagues is "beclouded by confusion and
uncertainty under our antitrust laws," Ford said. He said the antitrust statutes
are "inappropriate for professional team sports where teams must get together in
leagues and develop coordinated practices."
Ford noted that the Senate last year passed "an excellent and comprehensive"
bill to meet this problem but the House has failed to act. There no longer is time
during this session of Congress for the House to take up so far-reaching a measure,
he said.
Ford said his bill would simply permit the merger of the two leagues to
proceed and would leave the larger issues for later consideration. He said the
merger plan "might well flounder" in the absence of such legislation.
###
(sent to 5th Dest Papers)
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1966
WASHINGTON--Kent and Ionia County high school leaders are receiving
invitations from Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Michigan) to attend a Teen Age Republican
(TAR) Leadership Conference on Saturday, September 24.
The House Republican Leader is sending personal letters to some 300 high
school students inviting them to take part in the conferences, one of which will
be held in Grand Rapids at the Pantlind Hotel, and the other in Ionia at the
Ionia High School. Ford will give the keynote address at both meetings.
The conference in Grand Rapids, held for Kent County students, will begin
at 1:00 p.m. The Ionia Conference, for Ionia County Students, will begin at
3:00 p.m. A reception attended by County officials, State legislators, and GOP
officials will follow both conferences.
In his letter of invitation Ford said, "The Republican Party, nationwide,
is placing increased emphasis on programs that involve young people. We believe
that a high school student who becomes active in a major political party takes a
giant step toward accepting his responsibilities as a citizen in our nation."
The conferences are organized by the Fifth District Teen Age Republican
Advisory Council. Paul Yhouse, a senior at East Grand Rapids High School is
Chairman.
####
Possibly
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1966
Congressman Gerald R. Ford announced today that four all-expense college
scholarships with a career in the armed services of our country are available to
young men of Kent and Ionia Counties.
"The Fifth District in 1967 will be entitled to one appointment to the
Military Academy at West Point, two to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and one to
the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs," Ford said.
In addition, appointments are also available to the Merchant Marine and Coast
Guard Academies, but the selection to these institutions is not limited to a
Congressional district. Michigan Congressmen may nominate ten candidates for the
Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York to compete state-wide for the 12
available scholarships. The Coast Guard makes its own selection of cadets to attend
the Academy at New London, Connecticut from a nation-wide competition.
Appointments will be based on the results of an open, competitive Civil Service
examination. The examination will be held on Saturday, November 5th, and will be
given at Grand Rapids, Lansing, and many other cities in the United States and
abroad for those residing temporarily away from home.
Ford said that young men who will have graduated from high school by June, 1967,
are unmarried, and under 22 years of age at time classes begin are eligible for
consideration of appointment to one of the Service academies. Those he appoints
must have a legal residence in the 5th District.
Applications may be obtained from Ford's Grand Rapids office at 425 Cherry
Street, (telephone GLendale 6-9747) and from his Washington office in the
Capitol Building. The deadline for filing is October 20th.
Rep. Ford emphasized that the opportunities offered qualified young men who
choose these four-year courses lead not only to a bachelor's degree in science but
also to a commission in one of the Services. "Young men in Kent and Ionia Counties,"
Congressman Ford stated, "should seriously consider the opportunities for training
and a career offered by the United States Military, Naval, Air Force, Merchant
Marine, and Coast Guard Academies. These appointments offer a wonderful educational
opportunity and an honorable career in the service of our country. I urge all
qualified young men who are interested in this worthwhile profession to obtain
further information and an application form as soon as possible."
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, SEPT. 20, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, (R-MICHIGAN) HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.
The Republican Leadership of the House of Representatives and the Minority
Members of the Education and Labor Committee believe that the scheduled meeting
of the committee this Thursday, September 22, should be open to the public and
the press.
Without prejudging the important questions involving the rules of the
committee, which are primarily in the hands of the Democratic majority, WE feel
that decisions must not be taken behind closed doors in an atmosphere of "smoke
filled room." The questions at issue are not matters of national security, but
directly relate to public confidence in the conduct of Congressional business.
They must not be resolved by anything remotely smacking of a "deal" but should
be debated and decided with the full knowledge of the American people through
representatives of press, radio and television.
Unless the Democratic majority agrees to this sensible procedure, as we
hope it will, the ranking Republican member of the committee, Rep. William H.
Ayres of Ohio, will move at the outset of the meeting to put the question to
a vote of the committee.
####
STATEMENT BY REPRESENTATIVE GERALD R. FORD (R-Mich.), MINORITY LEADER,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, September 20, 1966.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The report of the House Republican Planning and Research Committee, "The
United States and the War in Vietnam," is being released at a time when this
war is becoming as big for the United States as the Korean War ever was.
This report is a factual and objective recital of the relationship of
our nation with Vietnam since 1950.
The facts which it contains raise questions which are on the minds of
the public. Even as staunch a Democrat as Richard N. Goodwin, foreign policy
adviser to both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, recognized public concern
about the aspects of Vietnamese policy criticized in this document when he said,
11
there has never been such intense and widespread deception and confusion
as that which surrounds this war."
What Mr. Goodwin calls "deception and confusion" in relation to Vietnam
is an issue of the 1966 campaign.
At the mid-term election, the voters will decide whether they want the
Congress to exercise its responsibilities in the field of foreign policy more
vigorously or want the Congress to be a docile instrument of the President --
neither effectively questioning, nor investigating, nor checking and restrain-
ing the executive branch.
The decision of the voters on these matters will have an important effect
on future policy.
#
#
#
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
I hope the October meeting between President Johnson and a few Asian
leaders improves prospects for peace in Vietnam, but I am inclined to doubt it.
There is far more reason to believe that an all-Asian peace conference in which
no western power would participate--including the United States--would have a
far better chance to succeed.
The meeting as now planned has definite political overtones. It was
announced by Philippine President Marcos. Yet it was Marcos who on September 21
urged an all-Asian peace conference in an appearance before the General Assembly
of the United Nations. The Marcos peace proposal was focused on an all-Asian
Peace Conference, with the Soviet Union to act as chief mediator in arranging
U.S. - North Vietnamese peace talks. Now President Marcos has announced a
U.S. - Asian Conference. It would be interesting, indeed, to learn the basis
for this change in Mr. Marcos' position.
I had hoped Mr. Johnson would not mix domestic politics and honest endeavors
for peace in Vietnam.
But I also expected that the President would make some gesture aimed at
taking the heat off the Democrats on the Vietnam issue just prior to the Nov. 8
election.
It is ironic that the State Department spoke favorably of the all-Asian
Peace Conference as espoused by Republican leaders but said it could not push
the idea because this might kill it. The current move by Mr. Johnson undercuts
the Republican peace proposal.
Since I do not believe the Manila meeting will lay the groundwork for
peace talks with North Vietnam, I suggest the President use that opportunity
to ease the U.S. burden in Vietnam. President Johnson might well use the
occasion to persuade more of our Asian allies to increase their troop commitments
in Vietnam so we will not be carrying so disproportionate a military load.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN REGARDING WARREN COMMISSION REPORT.
It is becoming urgent that the American people ask themselves one key
question concerning the criticism currently being leveled at the Warren
Commission report: In all of the critiques, has any new evidence been introduced
which would cast doubt on the findings of the Warren Commission? There is only
one answer to that question, and that answer is "no."
There has been much speculation about the Commission's report in recent
months. What touched it off? Primarily it was triggered by a student's thesis
and by the writings of an attorney whose services were rejected by the mother
of Lee Harvey Oswald at the time of the Warren Commission hearings.
That speculation of this kind should be used to undermine the conscientious
and thorough work of the Warren Commission and members of its staff is to do a
disservice to all of the American people and to the memory of the late President
Kennedy.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN, RE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
House Republicans have been urging for months that Social Security benefits be
increased to ease the blow inflation has dealt to older Americans. Mr. Johnson's
proposal for an increase in benefits is a belated admission that Republicans have
been right. But Mr. Johnson is still behind the times.
President Johnson is holding out to the nation's aged the hope that they will
receive an average increase of 10 per cent in benefits as of January 1, 1968. Our
old folks desperately need help now--not in 1968.
Republicans have proposed action in this session of Congress on an automatic
increase in Social Security benefits tied to the cost of living. This plan does not
involve a tax increase. The time to increase Social Security benefits is now--not
in 1968. Unfortunately, Democrats in the House Ways and Means Committee have refused
to take up the Republican Social Security cost-of-living plan.
Action now on Social Security is made imperative by Johnson inflation. The
President's Social Security proposal is an admission that the President and Democrats
in Congress have been unable to stop inflation. Further, it underscores the fact
that the President and Democrats in Congress have been feeding the fires of inflation
through excessive and unnecessary government spending.
The Social Security benefit increase of 7 per cent enacted by Congress in 1965
failed to bring the aged abreast of living costs at the time. The cost of living had
risen 8 per cent between 1958--the date of the previous Social Security increase--and
1964, when Congress began working on the benefit boost legislation. This means the
increased benefits already were lagging 3 per cent behind the cost of living pace in
1965. Johnson inflation this year is shoving them another 5 points behind. When
you crank in continuing Johnson inflation, the President's Social Security proposal
likely will be inadequate by 1968.
The President is vague about how his Social Security plan will be financed. But
he admits some increase in payroll tax will be necessary. This is the most regressive
of all taxes. Mr. Johnson is going to finance this latest political promise right
out of the hides of America's wage-earners. This will come on top of already
scheduled payroll tax increases for Medicare. It also will be piled on top of the
personal income tax increase we can expect the President to ask for after the
election.
###
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1966
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN
Virginia has produced many great Ameridans--from Washington to
Wilson and from Jefferson to Harry Flood Byrd. The Nation has lost a
great patriot and a distinguished public servant in the death of Senator
Byrd. It is hard to believe Senator Byrd's half-century of service to
his State and Nation has come to a peaceful close. His devotion to the
fundamentals of free government will remain an inspiration to us all.
####
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN, REGARDING 2ND SESSION, 89TH CONGRESS.
The 89th Congress had some successes in its second session, but it will be most
remembered for one glaring failure.
That failure was the refusal of this Democratic Congress, this Congress with
greater than 2-to-1 Democratic majorities, to come to grips with inflation and thus
strike a blow for the little people and the aged.
The destructiveness of the inflation now plaguing this country is worsening.
The cost of living is continuing its sharp and steady climb. Yet this Democratic
Congress refused to help hold down prices by cutting several billions in unnecessary
federal spending. This Democratic Congress instead insisted on further inflating
President Johnson's already-inflated budget.
The Nation has just suffered through a nearly-10-month legislative session with
the "spendingest" President and Congress in our country's history. Together this
combination spells Johnson-Democrat inflation, and that is the story of the second
session, 89th Congress.
This Democratic Congress recorded another failure closely related to Johnson-
Democrat inflation. The Congress did not increase Social Security benefits this year.
Johnson-Democrat inflation demanded that there be action. Republicans urged passage
of Social Security legislation at this session and introduced bills providing for
automatic increases in benefits tied to the cost of living without a payroll tax
increase.
President Johnson and Democrats in Congress ignored Republican pleas. Then
Mr. Johnson suddenly--near the end of the session--called for congressional action
next year on a benefits increase effective not now but in January, 1968. It was an
increase to be financed by a payroll tax boost. When Republicans then demanded an
immediate 8% across-the-board increase in Social Security benefits without a payroll
tax increase, Democratic leaders shrugged it off.
Please note the answer Republicans received when Rep. John W. Byrnes, R-Wis.,
proposed a $1.6 billion benefits boost without a payroll tax increase. HEW Under-
secretary Wilbur J. Cohen said this could be done but it might contribute substan-
tially to present inflationary pressures. The circle came right back to Johnson-
Democrat inflation--the inflation which had created the need for a Social Security
benefits increase in the first place.
(MORE)
-2-
RE: 2ND SESSION, 89TH CONGRESS
Repeatedly during this session of Congress, President Johnson himself has hung
a spender tag on his lopsided Democratic majorities. Yet in a recent campaign speech,
Mr. Johnson said the historians would rate the 89th as "the great Congress." The
President really ought to make up his mind. He can't have it both ways.
At the end of the last session, Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield said the
89th Congress in its second session ought to "spend less time on new legislation and
more time correcting oversights in legislation we have just passed."
Instead the Congress busied itself this year rushing through a whole new batch
of legislation proposed by Mr. Johnson. Whatever loophole plugging and remedial
action was taken resulted primarily because of Republican pressure.
You might call the tiny band of Republican Congressmen in the 89th the mighty
minority because they:
*
Helped write into the foreign aid bill a strict prohibition against aid to
any free world nation trading with North Vietnam or Cuba.
*
Helped hold the mass transit authorization to the $150 million figure asked
by the President, reducing it from the $175 million sought by House Democratic leaders.
*
Gained a change in the investment tax credit suspension bill to let business
firms take the 7 per cent credit for investments in air and water pollution control.
Exerted pressure which resulted in a $7,500 ceiling on expenses for training
a Job Corps enrollee.
Won approval of Poverty War amendment requiring one-third participation by
the poor in local community action programs.
*
Led a successful fight to include in the Food for Freedom Act a ban on
subsidized food sales to countries trading with North Vietnam.
Succeeded in keeping the Federal Maritime Administration out of the new
Transportation Department so that there can be a concerted effort in the years ahead
to rebuild the U.S. merchant fleet.
*
Kept constant pressure on big-spending Democrats and thus kept their spending
fever from getting worse than it was.
These were among the accomplishments of the 89th Congress, second session--
improvements promoted by the mighty minority.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN, REGARDING 2ND SESSION, 89TH CONGRESS.
The 89th Congress had some successes in its second session, but it will be most
remembered for one glaring failure.
That failure was the refusal of this Democratic Congress, this Congress with
greater than 2-to-1 Democratic majorities, to come to grips with inflation and thus
strike a blow for the little people and the aged.
The destructiveness of the inflation now plaguing this country is worsening.
The cost of living is continuing its sharp and steady climb. Yet this Democratic
Congress refused to help hold down prices by cutting several billions in unnecessary
federal spending. This Democratic Congress instead insisted on further inflating
President Johnson's already-inflated budget.
The Nation has just suffered through a nearly-10-month legislative session with
the "spendingest" President and Congress in our country's history. Together this
combination spells Johnson-Democrat inflation, and that is the story of the second
session, 89th Congress.
This Democratic Congress recorded another failure closely related to Johnson-
Democrat inflation. The Congress did not increase Social Security benefits this year.
Johnson-Democrat inflation demanded that there be action. Republicans urged passage
of Social Security legislation at this session and introduced bills providing for
automatic increases in benefits tied to the cost of living without a payroll tax
increase.
President Johnson and Democrats in Congress ignored Republican pleas. Then
Mr. Johnson suddenly--near the end of the session--called for congressional action
next year on a benefits increase effective not now but in January, 1968. It was an
increase to be financed by a payroll tax boost. When Republicans then demanded an
immediate 8% across-the-board increase in Social Security benefits without a payroll
tax increase, Democratic leaders shrugged it off.
Please note the answer Republicans received when Rep. John W. Byrnes, R-Wis.,
proposed a $1.6 billion benefits boost without a payroll tax increase. HEW Under-
secretary Wilbur J. Cohen said this could be done but it might contribute substan-
cially to present inflationary pressures. The circle came right back to Johnson-
Democrat inflation--the inflation which had created the need for a Social Security
benefits increase in the first place.
(MORE)
-2-
RE: 2ND SESSION, 89TH CONGRESS
Repeatedly during this session of Congress, President Johnson himself has hung
a spender tag on his lopsided Democratic majorities. Yet in a recent campaign speech,
Mr. Johnson said the historians would rate the 89th as "the great Congress." The
President really ought to make up his mind. He can't have it both ways.
At the end of the last session, Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield said the
89th Congress in its second session ought to "spend less time on new legislation and
more time correcting oversights in legislation we have just passed."
Instead the Congress busied itself this year rushing through a whole new batch
of legislation proposed by Mr. Johnson. Whatever loophole plugging and remedial
action was taken resulted primarily because of Republican pressure.
You might call the tiny band of Republican Congressmen in the 89th the mighty
minority because they:
*
Helped write into the foreign aid bill a strict prohibition against aid to
any free world nation trading with North Vietnam or Cuba.
*
Helped hold the mass transit authorization to the $150 million figure asked
by the President, reducing it from the $175 million sought by House Democratic leaders.
*
Gained a change in the investment tax credit suspension bill to let business
firms take the 7 per cent credit for investments in air and water pollution control.
*
Exerted pressure which resulted in a $7,500 ceiling on expenses for training
a Job Corps enrollee.
*
Won approval of Poverty War amendment requiring one-third participation by
the poor in local community action programs.
*
Led a successful fight to include in the Food for Freedom Act a ban on
subsidized food sales to countries trading with North Vietnam.
*
Succeeded in keeping the Federal Maritime Administration out of the new
Transportation Department so that there can be a concerted effort in the years ahead
to rebuild the U.S. merchant fleet.
*
Kept constant pressure on big-spending Democrats and thus kept their spending
fever from getting worse than it was.
These were among the accomplishments of the 89th Congress, second session--
improvements promoted by the mighty minority.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
OCTOBER 21, 1966
It is no comfort that the emphasis in continually rising
consumer costs shifted from food to clothing in September. The
only conclusion that can be drawn from the September cost-of-living
figures is that more inflation is in prospect.
The Johnson Administration has promised to cut federal
spending as a weapon against inflation. But promises are meaningless
unless translated into action. I have yet to see any evidence of
government spending cuts since President Johnson announced his in-
tentions last month. Meantime the Democrats in the Congress have
further inflated the President's budget with increased federal ex-
penditures.
The cost-of-living figures for September indicate a consumer
price rise for the entire year of roughly 4 per cent or more. That
is twice the increase for 1965 and a shocking blow for all Americans,
particularly those on fixed incomes. We are supposedly engaged in a
war on poverty. Inflation is truly a war against the poor.
####
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich.
Oct. 26, 1966
The reelection of Ed Reinedke is vital to the future of the California's
27th District and important to the Nation. Ed is a congre ssman devoted to
serving the best interests of his district and the country. Unlike the *******
Johnson Democrate in Congress, he is independent-minded and interested in
economy. As an engineer and a businessman, Ed is superbly @quipped by training
and b askground to fulfill the needs of his district in Congress. One
of California's most serious concerns is water, and Ed is most knowledgeable
in the field of water supply. He is demonstrating that concern and using that
knowledge EB a member of the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee (and
on its mines and mining, irrigation and reclamation, and national parks and
recreation subcommittees) and the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee (and its
subcommittees on fisheries and wildlife, conservation and oceanography). The
27th District of California needs Ed Reinecke, and 50 does the Nation.
####
[Nov. 1966]
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford re: effect of the 1966 congressional elections--
This election reestablishes the House as an independent x legislative
body. R means that the House will be more deliberative. It will give all
legislative proposals more thorough consideration and analysis--in committeesx
and on the floor.
####
FOR RELEASE our MOVEMBER 4. 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD RE LBJ ATTACK ON NIXON
It is most regrettable that the President should make such a vicious
personal attack on Dick Nixon. All Mr. Nixon did was to raise legitimate
questions about our foreign policy.
Even more serious questions were raised about the Manila Conference
by the highly respected NEW YORK TIMES columnist, James Reston. In a
column of November 3rd, Mr. Reston wrote, "The tragedy of the Manila
Conference is that the President and his associates at Manila really
made concessions that were not only generous but from the allied point of
view even dangerous."
The American people should have forthright answers from the White
House.
# # #
FOR RELEASE ON : NOVENBER 4, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD RE LBJ ATTACK ON NIXON
It is most regrettable that the President should make such a vicious
personal attack on Dick Wixon. All Mr. Nixon did was to raise legitimate
questions about our foreign policy.
Even more serious questions were raised about the Manila Conference
by the highly respected NEW YORK TIMES columnist, James Reston. In a
column of November 3rd, Mr. Reston wrote, "The tragedy of the Manila
Conference is that the President and his associates at Manila really
made concessions that were not only generous but from the allied point of
view even dangerous."
The American people should have forthright answers from the White
House.
# # #
Released now. 8, 1966
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH., RE 1966 ELECTIONS
The voters Tuesday took a sizable step forward--toward Responsible
Government. The Republican gains registered throughout the country were
a victory not only for the Republican Party but for the American people.
The election results are particularly meaningful for the House of
Representatives. The forces of moderation will be measurably strengthened
in the next Congress. Republicans will have greater representation on
congressional committees and will be able to take a hand in writing the
nation's laws. This means Republicans can concentrate on building a
record in the 90th Congress and on pointing the nation's course toward
more responsible government. This promises a healthy choice for the
voters in 1968.
Perhaps the most salutary effect of the 1966 elections is that there
may be more prudent and frugal use of the taxpayers' money by the 90th
Congress because of the increase in Republican numbers. This could serve
as a brake on inflation and help to steady the economy.
The voters made some wise choices on Tuesday. I only hope the good-
government process begun in the 1966 elections is completed in 1968.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
FRIDAY, NOV. 18, 1966
STATEMENT BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICHIGAN.
In the war against poverty the President and the Congress intended that
federal funds be used to eradicate poverty, not to incite unrest against
responsible local authorities.
Local anti-poverty organizations which receive federal funds through the
Office of Economic Opportunity should use those funds to fight poverty. No
federal money should be used to print pamphlets distributed during protests
and demonstrations.
Employees of such organizations, acting in an official capacity, should
not be engaged in activities entirely unrelated to the War on Poverty. Such
employees, acting in an official capacity, should not take part in activities
aimed at undercutting the authority of responsible governmental officials.
Neither should they, in their official capacity, take part in organizing
or supervising picket lines at any school.
If a local anti-poverty organization supported to any extent with federal
funds persists in such activity, then the Washington officials of OEO should
launch an immediate investigation to determine whether federal assistance should
be terminated.
####
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
THURSDAY, DEC. 15, 1966
--FOR - IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford, Mich., today urged that Federal
officials meet quickly with auto industry representatives to avoid any possible
shutdown of automobile plants due to the new auto safety law.
Ford said he was "deeply concerned" about a statement by Henry Ford II,
declaring that some of the federal government's proposed safety standards for
1968 model cars are absolutely impossible to meet. The Ford Motor Co. president
said these standards must be changed or some Ford plants may have to be closed.
"There already have been cutbacks in 1967 auto production which have
resulted in worker layoffs in Michigan and elsewhere," Ford said. "I am deeply
concerned that there will be further cutbacks and layoffs next fall unless the
government and the auto industry can come to a meeting of the minds about 1968
automobile safety standards."
Ford said he has called the office of Dr. William Haddon, director of
the National Highway Safety Agency, to ask whether a meeting between Haddon and
auto industry officials can be set up quickly to explore the Ford Motor Co.
grievances.
The automobile manufacturers have until Jan. 3 to comment on the
proposed safety standards. The standards as adopted will be published Jan. 31
and will take effect with the start of the 1968 model run.
Ford Motor Co. safety director Will Scott has said several of the
proposed standards cannot be met. He specifically mentioned one that requires
the inside of a car to be made of energy-absorbing material.
Congress may have to act dont believe Congrestwould
I feel sure Dr. taddon ml co perate, sport,
change The standards but Congress might postpone the
effer date until 1969.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Dec. 20 [1966]
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., House Minority Leader --
The thinking of some of the best brains in the country on the knottiest
problems of the day will be reflected in the Republican State of the Union Message
to be delivered in mid-January.
That will be the follow-through in connection with four seminars -- just con-
cluded -- at which experts in various fields have shared their ideas on the major
issues facing this Nation with the House Republican Leadership.
The last of these seminars, one dealing with economic matters, took place Mon-
day afternoon. The others involved crime and law enforcement, defense, and federal-
state relations.
House Republicans will demonstrate in the months ahead that theirs is a party
of ideas, a party dedicated to problem-solving and the good of the Nation. The
views of experts, sifted over by the House Republican Leadership, will be employed
as an idea bank from which withdrawals will be made from time to time.
In the economic sphere, the experts we have consulted agree with me that an
income tax increase at this time might trigger a recession. At the same time, they
are alarmed by gigantic deficits which may result this fiscal year and next from
the Johnson Administration's failure to cut back on federal domestic spending in
January, 1966, and to propose a tax increase at that time. The feeling of the ex-
perts was that the economy then could have adjusted to a tax increase as a counter
to inflation but that it might now go down with the punch.
Suggestions in the area of crime and law enforcement were broad and far-rang-
ing. They included such proposals as a state-oriented National Academy of Justice
aimed at improving the quality of local police forces and achieving better coordina-
tion among all law enforcement agencies, attempts to strengthen the ability of
police to cope with organized crime and other criminal elements, and a nationwide
program for the rehabilitation of criminal "repeaters."
Experts on military matters discussed with the House GOP Leadership such ques-
tions as the rate of development of a U.S. anti-ballistic missile system in the
light of Soviet deployment of ABM's, the ramifications of the U.S.-Soviet agreement
banning the deployment of missile systems in outer space, the level of effort in the
entire military research and development field, and the quality of Defense Depart-
ment management as related to the combat-readiness of U.S. forces and their ability
to meet various contingencies.
The Federal-State Relations seminar was devoted chiefly to proposed sharing of
federal tax revenue with states and cities.
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