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Ford Press Releases - Fifth District, 1971-1973
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Ford Press Releases - Fifth District, 1971-1973
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Grand Rapids (Mich.)
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The original documents are located in Box D7, folder "Ford Press Releases - Fifth District,
1971-1973" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D7 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 RELEASE AT 2:00 P.M. THURSDAY--
January 28, 1971
I am deeply disappointed that Grand Rapids, Mich., has not been included
in the Railpax System by the Department of Transportation as of this time, and I
am hopeful that it will be incorporated into the routings in the future.
In a letter to me, Transportation Secretary John Volpe declared: "I will work
very hard to be sure that the most paramount of considerations will be given to
the recommendations for service between Detroit and Chicago via Grand Rapids."
The Michigan Public Service Commission strongly favors rail passenger
service linking Grand Rapids with Chicago and Detroit, and local citizens are
vigorously supporting such service. I urge that they continue their efforts on
behalf of Grand Rapids service with the thought that we may yet prevail.
Secretary Volpe has assured me that changes in Railpax routings can be made
in the future. This gives reason to hope that Grand Rapids will be included in
the Detroit-Chicago run, which is definitely a part of the new system.
The Secretary has told me: "We are very aware of the extraordinary
reputation that Grand Rapids has had throughout its tradition and history as a
furniture manufacturing center, as well as being the second largest city in
Michigan. These very factors are being analyzed by my staff and will be considered
very carefully in putting together this final system."
###
QERALD FORD LIBRARY
all daily 5th Dict. News Media
affice Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON--
Friday, March 12, 1971
Rep. Gerald R. Ford last night challenged the Democratic-controlled
Congress to "ride the winds of change with the Republican Party."
Speaking at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Ionia, Ford said President Nixon
has laid before the Congress a blueprint for progress which would scrap what
has failed and have the Nation meet the needs of tomorrow in tomorrow's terms.
Ford urged that the Congress join with the President in seeking to meet
the six great goals set forth in the President's State of the Union Message--
prosperity in peacetime, welfare reform, the restoration of our environment,
the best possible health care for all Americans, strengthening of State and local
government through a sharing of Federal revenue, and complete reform of the
Federal Government through an overhaul of cabinet departments.
Ford pointed to recent Presidential messages to the Congress on health
care and law enforcement and manpower revenue sharing and declared: "President
Nixon has taken dramatic new initiatives on social legislation and on the
structure of government--and the response among the people makes it clear he
has captured the imagination of the nation."
Ford said the President is asking for a chance to prove that government
can work.
He said he is seeking to do this by replacing the present "scandalous"
welfare system, by bolstering state and local governments, by overhauling job
training and job placement programs, and by sharing Federal revenue with the
states and local communities.
Said Ford: "The President wants to reform government itself--so that
instead of sliding further into musclebound ineffectiveness it can at last
deliver the services it promises and bridge the gap between promise and performance."
Ford added: "Through Federal revenue sharing, by putting the money where
the problems are, we will be returning government to the people. And, as Abraham
Lincoln so well expressed it, "We hold to the true Republican position. In
leaving the people's business in their hands, we cannot be wrong. "
###
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
Distribution all daily 5th Diet. News media
3/8/26 Amoon air mail
Maffice Capy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON--
Friday, March 12, 1971
Rep. Gerald R. Ford last night challenged the Democratic-controlled
Congress to "ride the winds of change with the Republican Party."
Speaking at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Ionia, Ford said President Nixon
has laid before the Congress a blueprint for progress which would scrap what
has failed and have the Nation meet the needs of tomorrow in tomorrow's terms.
Ford urged that the Congress join with the President in seeking to meet
the six great goals set forth in the President's State of the Union Message--
prosperity in peacetime, welfare reform, the restoration of our environment,
the best possible health care for all Americans, strengthening of State and local
government through a sharing of Federal revenue, and complete reform of the
Federal Government through an overhaul of cabinet departments.
Ford pointed to recent Presidential messages to the Congress on health
care and law enforcement and manpower revenue sharing and declared: "President
Nixon has taken dramatic new initiatives on social legislation and on the
structure of government--and the response among the people makes it clear he
has captured the imagination of the nation."
Ford said the President is asking for a chance to prove that government
can work.
He said he is seeking to do this by replacing the present "scandalous"
welfare system, by bolstering state and local governments, by overhauling job
training and job placement programs, and by sharing Federal revenue with the
states and local communities.
Said Ford: "The President wants to reform government itself--so that
instead of sliding further into musclebound ineffectiveness it can at last
deliver the services it promises and bridge the gap between promise and performance."
Ford added: "Through Federal revenue sharing, by putting the money where
the problems are, we will be returning government to the people. And, as Abraham
Lincoln so well expressed it, "We hold to the true Republican position. In
leaving the people's business in their hands, we cannot be wrong."
###
Distribution: all 5th Diet. News media
p.m. 3/12/71
maffice
AMERICAN VETERANS
AMVET
Copy
OF WORLD WAR II
AMVETS
KOREA VIETNAM
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
1710 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
NEWS RELEASE
(202) 223-9550
RALPH E. HALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARTIN C. COY, PUBLIC RELATIONS
FOR RELEASE AT WILL ON OR BEFORE MARCH 27
REP. GERALD FORD TO RECEIVE AMVETS CONGRESSIONAL
SILVER HELMET AWARD
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Honorable Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich.), who in the
Congressional circle is considered "The Congressman's Congressman," will be pre-
sented the AMVETS Silver Helmet Congressional Award at their Fourteenth Annual
Awards Banquet to be held at the Mayflower Hotel here, March 27.
AMVETS National Commander Robert W. Showalter will make the presentation to
Rep. Ford in recognition of his enlightened service and leadership to the people
of the nation as an outstanding legislator, civic leader, athlete and American
citizen. Rep. Ford will receive his award along with several other distinguished
persons selected in light of their outstanding contributions to society.
Although Congressman Ford has had many awards bestowed upon him over the years,
including many for his continuing support of legislation beneficial to veterans and
their dependents, the most gratifying fact to AMVETS in reviewing his accomplishments
is that during twenty years of service to the Nation as a legislator, while ful-
filling all outside demands on his time, he still maintained an attendance record of
90.9% in the Congress, missing only 48 roll calls out of 5,346.
Past recipients of the Congressional Award include; Rep. William Jennings Bryan
Dorn, 1970; The Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House, 1967; and
Rep. Olin Teague, 1952.
Other persons to be honored with Representative Ford are: Actor Danny Thomas;
Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird; the late Paul Powell, Secretary of State for
the State of Illinois; Criss Cole, Texas Judge and President Pro-tem of the Texas
Senate; Irene Parsons, Personnel Director of the Central Office of the Veterans Ad-
ministration in Washington, D.C.; the United Service Organizations; the Dodge Divi-
sion of Chrysler Corporation; His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, who was already officially
presented his award in September during special ceremonies at his summer home in
Castel Gandolfo, Italy; and, Frank J. Scarane of Maspeth, New York, AMVETS Past
National Convention Co-chairman.
-30-
clf22471
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
5th District Only
AMERICAN VETERANS
AMVET
a office Copy
OF WORLD WAR II
WASHINGTON
KOREA VIETNAM
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
1710 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
NEWS RELEASE
(202) 223-9550
RALPH E. HALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARTIN C. COY, PUBLIC RELATIONS
FOR RELEASE AT WILL ON OR BEFORE MARCH 27
REP. GERALD FORD TO RECEIVE AMVETS CONGRESSIONAL
SILVER HELMET AWARD
WASHINGTON, D.C. The Honorable Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich.), who in the
Congressional circle is considered "The Congressman's Congressman," will be pre-
sented the AMVETS Silver Helmet Congressional Award at their Fourteenth Annual
Awards Banquet to be held at the Mayflower Hotel here, March 27.
AMVETS National Commander Robert W. Showalter will make the presentation to
Rep. Ford in recognition of his enlightened service and leadership to the people
of the nation as an outstanding legislator, civic leader, athlete and American
citizen. Rep. Ford will receive his award along with several other distinguished
persons selected in light of their outstanding contributions to society.
Although Congressman Ford has had many awards bestowed upon him over the years,
including many for his continuing support of legislation beneficial to veterans and
their dependents, the most gratifying fact to AMVETS in reviewing his accomplishments
is that during twenty years of service to the Nation as a legislator, while ful-
filling all outside demands on his time, he still maintained an attendance record of
90.9% in the Congress, missing only 48 roll calls out of 5,346.
Past recipients of the Congressional Award include; Rep. William Jennings Bryan
Dorn, 1970; The Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House, 1967; and
Rep. Olin Teague, 1952.
Other persons to be honored with Representative Ford are: Actor Danny Thomas;
Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird; the late Paul Powell, Secretary of State for
the State of Illinois; Criss Cole, Texas Judge and President Pro-tem of the Texas
Senate; Irene Parsons, Personnel Director of the Central Office of the Veterans Ad-
ministration in Washington, D.C.; the United Service Organizations; the Dodge Divi-
sion of Chrysler Corporation; His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, who was already officially
presented his award in September during special ceremonies at his summer home in
Castel Gandolfo, Italy; and, Frank J. Scarane of Maspeth, New York, AMVETS Past
National Convention Co-chairman.
-30-
clf22471
GERELD FORD LIBRARY
3/23/71 why
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
In a few days, the voters of Grand Rapids will have the opportunity
to demonstrate their support of the local schools. Thisealection
on April 13, 1971 is vital to the continued pregress and growth of
the Grand Rapids schools.
Permit me to add my name to the lengthy list of community leaders
and organizations of your neighbors who urge you to Keep Everyone
8 Winner - Vote "Yes" April 13.
########
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE IN THURSDAY PM's--
April 1, 1971
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced that he is inaugurating "hot line"
telephone service between his constituents and his Washington office.
Ford explained that any of his constituents in Kent and Ionia Counties may
talk with his Washington office without charge on urgent business matters simply
by calling his district office in Grand Rapids. The number is 456-9607.
Ford said two special lines have been installed in his Grand Rapids office.
If one line is busy, the call automatically will come in on the second line.
"When someone calls 456-9607, a staff member in my district office will put
the call through to my Washington office," Ford said. "I or one of my Washington
staff members then will take the call and handle the problem," he added.
Ford emphasized that the hot line service is primarily to expedite matters
of immediate concern. In most instances, he said, letter-writing is best because
then a constituent can explain all details of a problem.
###
1 GERALD LIBRARY FORD
5th District Only
Office Copy
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
April 22, 1971
News Release from the Office of Congressman Gerald R. Ford
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced that he and others will meet with
Federal Highway Administrator Francis C. Turner in the hope of expediting
construction of a four-lane divided US 131 from Cedar Springs to Cadillac.
Ford said he has set up a meeting Wednesday (April 28) in his office with
Turner, U.S. Rep. Elford A. Cederberg of Bay City, a group of State legislators,
and officials of the US 131 Area Development Association.
"A way must be found to expedite construction of a new US 131 from Cedar
Springs to Cadillac," Ford declared. "The State Highway Department and the State
Highway Commission obviously are not giving 131 any greater priority than US 31, if
as much. Their plan to build these two four-lane freeways at pretty much the same
pace smacks of nothing but politics to me. The facts show 81 fatalities on the
186-mile stretch from Grand Rapids to Petoskey on 131 as compared with 53 fatalities
on 31 from Muskegon to Petoskey. This situation cannot be tolerated any longer.
US 131 should definitely be speeded up."
State Rep. Thomas G. Ford Sr. of Grand Rapids, Congressman Ford's brother,
has been pressuring the State Highway Department for more than five years to
expedite construction of a new 131.
Those expected to attend the US 131 meeting in Congressman Ford's office
besides Turner and Cederberg are: State Rep. Ford, State Sen. Milton Zaagman of
Grand Rapids, State Sen. John F. Toepp of Cadillac, State Rep. Donald Holbrook of
Clare, State Rep. Michael Dively of Traverse City, US 131 Association Executive
Secretary Gordon Huizenga of Grand Rapids, and Association President Robert W.
Ransom of Cadillac.
Congressman Ford said the group will propose to Turner that 131 either be
taken into the Interstate Highway System or that U.S. highway funds be earmarked
specifically for the project because 131 is "a killer highway."
The US 131 freeway now ends at M 57 south of Cedar Springs. Bids are
scheduled to be taken this summer and next fall for the stretch from M 57 to M 46
north of Howard City. The State Highway Department says that 19-mile stretch should
be opened to traffic in 1973.
The section from Howard City to Reed City now is scheduled for contracting in
1975. Congressman Ford is hopeful that with Federal intervention the Howard City-
to-Reed City section can be advanced for contracting to at least 1973.
###
CORPS LEAGUE
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
*
*
JAMES E. MERNA
THE
NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR
5709 83RD PLACE
PHONE
NEW CARROLLTON, MARYLAND 20784
577-6642
WRINE CORPS LEAGUE
NEWS RELEASE
*
*
National Headquarters
STECIA
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
INCORPORATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS
933 NORTH KENMORE STREET, SUITE 317
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22201
PHONE 524-1137
For immediate release
WASHINGTON, D. C. (May 18, 1971) -- Two of the nation's foremost leaders in
military and governmental affairs, both former college football stars, will be in
Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, May 22 to pay honors at a Recruit Graduation
Ceremony of the Young Marines of Grand Rapids.
Four-star General Lewis W. Walt, USMC (Retired), former Assistant Commandant
of the Marine Corps and gridiron star at Colorado State University will arrive by
air from his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado to team up with Representative
Gerald R. Ford (R-Michigan), House Minority Leader and an ex-Big 10 gridder for the
graduation ceremonies to be held at 12 noon at the Navy-Marine Training Center in
Grand Rapids.
The Young Marines is an action training program for boys aged 8 to 17, sponsored
by the Marine Corps League, with emphasis on citizenship, leadership, physical fitness,
school, personal habits, and home and community activities directed to mental, moral,
and physical development.
Saturday's graduation will witness the completion of an intensive basic training
period for approximately 125 youngsters from Grand Rapids and the surrounding area
who will join the present 250 man Young Marines Unit.
Other distinguished guests who will be on hand for the ceremonies include Colonel
John Kleinhans from Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, Mr. Lou Caldara, National
Director of the Young Marines, Grand Rapids Mayor Robert Bolens, and Mayor Thomas
LIBRAR)
Eardley of Wyoming, Michigan.
- 1 of 2 -
Grand Rapids Young Marines
- 2 -
The Young Marine Recruits will pass in review under the ceremonial command
of Young Marine Major Tom Sokolowski of Grand Rapids and will receive their
Certificates of Graduation from Company Commander Charles Reintges.
Refreshments will be served and the public is cordially invited to attend.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held at Wyoming Park High
School.
- End -
For further information, contact:
James E. Merna
National Public Relations Director
Marine Corps League, Wash, D. C.
(202) 697-3722 (office)
(301) 577-6642 (home)
or
Paul J. Gilmet
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(616) 361-6691
(616) 363-3431 (after 5 p.m.)
GERALD
CORPS LEAGUE
NEWS RELEASE
*
*
National Headquarters
SEMPER FIDELIS
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
INCORPORATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS
933 NORTH KENMORE STREET, SUITE 317
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22201
PHONE 524-1137
For immediate release
MRS. MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST FETES WOUNDED VIETNAM VETERANS
WASHINGTON (May 17, 1971) -- In his Armed Forces Day message, President Nixon
called upon all Americans to pause on May 15 in honor and appreciation of the men and
women of our Armed Forces, "not only for their sacrifices but for their constant
guardianship of freedom and justice throughout the world."
One Washington resident, in a continued expression of her admiration and respect
for the American serviceman, quickly and quietly set forth to participate in this
celebration in her own way -- by hosting a lavish garden party for a large group
of Washington area hospitalized Vietnam Veterans.
The hostess was Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post, famed Washington socialite.
The May 12th garden party marked the fifth consecutive year that Mrs. Merriweather
Post has entertained hospitalized sailors, soldiers, and Marines from Bethesda Naval
Hospital and Walter Reed Army Hospital at her Hillwood estate.
The first social at Hillwood for servicemen was held on Flag Day, June 14, 1967.
This was Mrs. Post's initial "Welcome Home" to the heavy influx of wounded Vietnam
casualties returning to the Washington area, in conjuction with the Marine Corps
League's "Operation Appreciation" Program.
Mrs. Merriweather Post has ministered to the needs of many returning servicemen
from the battlefields of Vietnam and has taken an individual interest in several of
them. Over the years, she has sponsored a variety of entertainment and enjoyment FORD for
the recuperating servicemen ranging from concerts, stage shows, and musicals to
LIBRARY
-1 of 2 -
"ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE"
- 2 -
attendance at athletic events, Christmas parties and gifts, trips to local restaurants
and night clubs, etc.
In recognition and appreciation of her demonstrated concern and solid support
for the American hospitalized serviceman, and for her lifetime of philanthropy and
public service, the Marine Corps League, a Congressionally-chartered national veterans
service organization of active duty, retired, and honorably discharged U. S. Marines,
bestowed its top award, the "Dickey Chapelle Award" upon Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather
Post at their 1969 national convention in Miami Beach, Florida.
The Dickey Chapelle Award is presented annually in memory of newswoman Dickey
Chapelle who was killed by a Viet Cong booby-trap while on patrol with a Marine
Company on November 4, 1965.
- End -
For further information, contact:
James E. Merna
National Public Relations Director
Marine Corps League
524-1137
577-6642 (Home)
GERALD
5th R. FORD District media only
FIFTH DISTRICT, MICHIGAN
a affice 425 MICHIGAN CHERRY GRAND RAPIDS STREET Copy OFFICE: SE.
ZIP 49502
Congress of the United States
Office of the Minority Leader
house of Representatives
Mashington, D.C. 20515
May 22, 1971
Dear News Editor:
My 1971 congressional questionnaire has been mailed to the 147,000 residences
in the Fifth District.
Any help you can provide in calling attention to this survey would be
appreciated. I am hoping that as many people as possible will fill out the
questionnaire and return it to me.
This year I have done something different in formulating the questionnaire.
Since some people feel that any questions I personally put together may be
biased, I wrote to political science professors at every college in the
Grand Rapids Area and asked each of them to submit 10 suggested questions.
I drew upon responses from these professors in formulating my questionnaire.
I am sending you a copy of the questionnaire so that you might have informa-
tion regarding the questions in the survey. If you care to publish the
questionnaire, I would be most pleased.
The results of the questionnaire will be helpful to me in deciding how to
vote on the many bills which will be coming up in the 92nd Congress.
Best regards,
Jany Gerald Ford, Ford M.C.
GRF:pc
Enclosures
a Office Copy
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
-FOR USE ON RECEIPT--
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced he has sent out a 1971 question-
naire to the nearly 148,000 residences in the Fifth Congressional District to get
a sampling of opinion on current issues.
Ford said the questions contained in the survey form are based on sample
questionnaires prepared for him at his request by political science professors on
the faculties of colleges in the Grand Rapids Area.
"Invariably some people feel that questions I prepare myself are drawn so as
to invite a particular answer," Ford said. "For that reason I decided to base my
questionnaire on sample questions submitted to me by political science instructors.
This should set to rest any question of bias on my part."
Ford said he has used a format which permits husband and wife to answer the
questions individually--as was done last year.
"I find that husband and wife do not always agree in their thinking on issues
of the day," Ford said. "So I feel it is a good idea to offer them an opportunity
to express varying views in answer to my questionnaire."
Ford said the majority responses to questions in the survey will help him
decide how to vote on crucial questions in Congress in the months ahead.
"This 1971 questionnaire will provide me with valuable guidance," Ford said.
"Of course, I have the ultimate responsibility for deciding how to vote on any
particular question. But I would like the advice of the people of Kent and Ionia
Counties on important questions facing the Congress."
Seven of the 11 questions in the poll require yes or no answers. The other
four are multiple choice. There are two questions on Vietnam--a yes or no question
on whether to keep a residual force in Vietnam until all prisoners of war are
released, and a multiple choice question on withdrawal from Vietnam. ###
GERALD R. FORD
MICHIGAN OFFICE:
FIFTH DISTRICT, MICHIGAN
425 CHERRY STREET SE.
GRAND RAPIDS
ZIP 49502
Congress of the United States
Office of the Minority Leader
house of Representatives
Clashington, D.C. 20515
May 22, 1971
Dear News Editor:
My 1971 congressional questionnaire has been mailed to the 147,000 residences
in the Fifth District.
Any help you can provide in calling attention to this survey would be
appreciated. I am hoping that as many people as possible will fill out the
questionnaire and return it to me.
This year I have done something different in formulating the questionnaire.
Since some people feel that any questions I personally put together may be
biased, I wrote to political science professors at every college in the
Grand Rapids Area and asked each of them to submit 10 suggested questions.
I drew upon responses from these professors in formulating my questionnaire.
I am sending you a copy of the questionnaire so that you might have informa-
tion regarding the questions in the survey. If you care to publish the
questionnaire, I would be most pleased.
The results of the questionnaire will be helpful to me in deciding how to
vote on the many bills which will be coming up in the 92nd Congress.
Best regards,
Jarry R. Ford, Ford M.C.
GRF:pc
Enclosures
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR USE ON RECEIPT--
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced he has sent out a 1971 question-
naire to the nearly 148,000 residences in the Fifth Congressional District to get
a sampling of opinion on current issues.
Ford said the questions contained in the survey form are based on sample
questionnaires prepared for him at his request by political science professors on
the faculties of colleges in the Grand Rapids Area.
"Invariably some people feel that questions I prepare myself are drawn so as
to invite a particular answer," Ford said. "For that reason I decided to base my
questionnaire on sample questions submitted to me by political science instructors.
This should set to rest any question of bias on my part."
Ford said he has used a format which permits husband and wife to answer the
questions individually--as was done last year.
"I find that husband and wife do not always agree in their thinking on issues
of the day," Ford said. "So I feel it is a good idea to offer them an opportunity
to express varying views in answer to my questionnaire."
Ford said the majority responses to questions in the survey will help him
decide how to vote on crucial questions in Congress in the months ahead.
"This 1971 questionnaire will provide me with valuable guidance," Ford said.
"Of course, I have the ultimate responsibility for deciding how to vote on any
particular question. But I would like the advice of the people of Kent and Ionia
Counties on important questions facing the Congress."
Seven of the 11 questions in the poll require yes or no answers. The other
four are multiple choice. There are two questions on Vietnam-a yes or no question
on whether to keep a residual force in Vietnam until all prisoners of war are
released, and a multiple choice question on withdrawal from Vietnam. ###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON TUESDAY
June 15, 1971
(Note to Editors: A copy of Mr. Ford's letter is attached)
Rep. Gerald R. Ford today released the text of a letter to Grand Rapids
Mayor Robert Boelens and members of the Grand Rapids City Commission urging Federal
revenue sharing as an alternative to a local income tax increase.
Ford noted that the City Commission is considering an increase in the local
income tax in the event the State Legislature adopts a bill permitting Michigan
cities to raise municipal income taxes from 1 per cent to a maximum of 2 per cent.
Ford pointed out that the City of Grand Rapids allocation under the Nixon
Administration's general revenue sharing plan would be $2,215,551. This, he said,
would come close to bridging Grand Rapids' unmet revenue needs for fiscal year 1972.
Said Ford: "While the Grand Rapids revenue sharing allocation would not
totally bridge the dollar gap, it would go far toward doing it. It would seem
entirely possible to effect some economies and thus obviate the need for a municipal
income tax increase."
Ford said prospects are "bright" for a compromise between the Nixon
Administration's revenue sharing bill and a proposal by House Ways and Means
Chairman Wilbur Mills, D-Ark. He declared there "should be an area of reasonable and
responsible compromise."
Ford urged continued support by the Grand Rapids City Commission for Federal
revenue sharing.
#####
(The following is the text of the letter from Rep. Ford to Grand Rapids
Mayor Robert Boelens and members of the Grand Rapids City Commission.)
"I am deeply concerned about the pressure on state and local officials
to raise taxes to meet mounting public service needs.
"It has come to my attention that the City Commission of Grand Rapids is
considering an increase in the local income tax in the event that the
State Legislature adopts a bill permitting Michigan cities to raise
local income taxes from 1 per cent to a maximum of 2 per cent.
"We are all also aware that Governor Milliken has proposed an increase
in state income taxes and that the Grand Rapids Press has proposed a
County income tax in view of the property tax bind in which the County
Government finds itself.
"This prompts me to point out that- in my view--sharing of Federal income
tax revenue with the states and local units of government is the best
answer to the whole problem--the fiscal squeeze on the state and local
governments and the growing tax burden on the local taxpayer.
"Federal revenue sharing is very much to be preferred to continued increases
in state and local taxes. Revenue sharing would ease the pressure on state
and local officials to constantly raise taxes or, on the other hand, to
cut back services.
"Under the Nixon Administration's current plan to share roughly $5 billion
in Federal revenue with the states and local units of government, Michigan
would get $229 million. Of that sum, the State would keep $128,883,405
and the rest would go to local governments. Of the local allocations, the
City of Grand Rapids would receive $2,215,551, and the Kent County Govern-
ment would get $1,363,217.
"I note that City Manager Joseph Grassie has estimated municipal expenditures
of $26.2 million for fiscal 1972, as against anticipated revenue of $22.5
million. That leaves a gap of $3.7 million.
"While the Grand Rapids revenue sharing allocation would not totally bridge
the dollar gap, it would go far toward doing it. It would seem entirely
possible to effect some economies and thus obviate the need for a municipal
income tax increase--in the event Federal revenue sharing were enacted by
the Congress.
"Your continuing support for revenue sharing is needed now more than ever.
Prospects have become bright for a compromise between President Nixon and
the Democratic leaders in the Congress. House Ways and Means Chairman
Wilbur Mills, the chief foe of the Administration bill, has come up with
a modified revenue sharing proposal, and Senate Majority Leader Mike
Mansfield has said he would like to see an "accommodation" between the
Administration and Mills. I share the view of Senator Mansfield that
there should be an area of reasonable and responsible compromise.
"Federal revenue sharing is the answer to steadily increasing needs for
additional state and local revenue. Your support for the Federal legislation
is vital.
/s/ Gerald R. Ford, M.C."
Distribution : Fifth District
Wash. Newsmen
Q affice Capy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
July 22, 1971
A wild pony now roaming about on Assatesgue Island off the eastern shore of
Virginia will soon make his home in the Grand Rapids Municipal Zoo, courtesy of
Rep. Gerald R. Ford and the town of Chincoteague, Va.
The town of Chincoteague will make Ford a present of the pony, and Ford in
turn will give it to the City of Grand Rapids. City Recreation Director William
Pries has happily accepted the pony on behalf of the city.
Every year the members of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department go to
Assateague Island and round up the wild ponies there. There have been wild horses
on Assateague Island for hundreds of years. The firemen guide the ponies into the
water at low tide, and the ponies swim with their mothers to neighboring
Chincoteague Island. There they are auctioned off by the Town of Chincoteague to
raise money for the Volunteer Fire Department.
The ponies are brought through the sandy streets of Chincoteague to a
corral.
Next Wednesday, July 28, Ford will go to the Chincoteague corral and will
pick out a pony for Grand Rapids from among all those which swim over from Assateague.
The pony then will be taken to the presentation stand and turned over to Ford in a
formal ceremony. Rep. Thomas N. Downing, D-Va., will take part in the presentation.
The ponies' swim from Assateague to Chincoteague is in western roundup style,
with the volunteer firementon horseback guiding the ponies.
Grand Rapids Recreation Department officials will make arrangements to have
the gift pony transported to Grand Rapids.
Prior to the presentation ceremony, Ford and Downing will make a flying tour
of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, accompanied by J. C. Apple, refuge
superintendent. The plane will be provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
-FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
July 22, 1971
A wild pony now roaming about on Assatesgue Island off the eastern shore of
Virginia will soon make his home in the Grand Rapids Municipal Zoo, courtesy of
Rep. Gerald R. Ford and the town of Chincoteague, Va.
The town of Chincoteague will make Ford a present of the pony, and Ford in
turn will give it to the City of Grand Rapids. City Recreation Director William
Pries has happily accepted the pony on behalf of the city.
Every year the members of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department go to
Assateague Island and round up the wild ponies there. There have been wild horses
on Assateague Island for hundreds of years. The firemen guide the ponies into the
water at low tide, and the ponies swim with their mothers to neighboring
Chincoteague Island. There they are auctioned off by the Town of Chincoteague to
raise money for the Volunteer Fire Department.
The ponies are brought through the sandy streets of Chincoteague to a
corral.
Next Wednesday, July 28, Ford will go to the Chincoteague corral and will
pick out a pony for Grand Rapids from among all those which swim over from Assateague.
The pony then will be taken to the presentation stand and turned over to Ford in a
formal ceremony. Rep. Thomas N. Downing, D-Va., will take part in the presentation.
The ponies' swim from Assateague to Chincoteague is in western roundup style,
with the volunteer firementon horseback guiding the ponies.
Grand Rapids Recreation Department officials will make arrangements to have
the gift pony transported to Grand Rapids.
Prior to the presentation ceremony, Ford and Downing will make a flying tour
of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, accompanied by J. C. Apple, refuge
superintendent. The plane will be provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
# # #
Fifth District Media
a Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
July 29, 1971
Only three out of 10 Kent and Ionia County residents favor "withdrawal of all
U.S. forces from Vietnam by a fixed date regardless of the effect on negotiations,"
Rep. Gerald R. Ford's 1971 questionnaire results indicate.
Of those responding to Ford's questionnaire, 33.3 per cent said they favor
withdrawal by a date certain regardless of the consequences.
Nearly half--49.3 per cent--said they favor withdrawing U.S. troops on a
monthly basis while continuing negotiations aimed at a political settlement. This
is the policy President Nixon is pursuing.
A smaller number--13 per cent--favor increasing our military effort in hope
of achieving victory in Vietnam.
In answer to a related question, 65.5 per cent said they favor keeping a
residual force in Vietnam until all American prisoners of war are released, while
27.8 per cent said "no."
Ford's questionnaire drew nearly 16,000 responses. All replies were
tabulated, with the work done by a Washington computer firm at no cost to the
taxpayer. The yes and no responses and the multiple choice answers do not add up
to 100 per cent because some respondents did not answer some of the questions or
checked more than one choice.
An overwhelming number--81.6 per cent--favored the welfare reform legislation
already approved by the House of Representatives and now pending in the U.S. Senate.
On the question of what to do about State and local financial problems,
37.7 per cent said a percentage of Federal income tax revenue should be returned to
the States and local units of government; 25.5 per cent favored increasing State
and local taxes and cutting the Federal income tax; 13.9 per cent favored a Federal
takeover of all welfare costs; and 7.8 per cent favored increasing Federal grants
for local matching programs.
The balloting on mandatory wage and price restraints was fairly close, with
53.6 per cent favoring strict controls and 41.6 per cent opposed.
Nearly seven out of 10--68.7 per cent--favor President Nixon's plan to
reorganize the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and reduce the number of
cabinet departments from 11 to eight.
(more)
LIBRARY
-2-
A huge number-80.5 per cent--are opposed to making food stamps available to
strikers.
Nearly seven out of 10-68.3 per cent--are willing to pay more in increased
prices and taxes to expand efforts to control air and water pollution.
More than 60 per cent (66.4) were opposed to Federal deficit financing to
stimulate the economy.
Nearly eight out of 10--77.5 per cent -- favor Federal legislation requiring
"unit pricing" of food items so the cost per pound of various brands can be easily
compared.
Results of a question on national health insurance were not tabulated because
a typographical error invalidated the question. Since Congress is not expected to
act on health insurance until next year, this question will be repeated in correct
form in Ford's 1972 questionnaire.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
July 29, 1971
Only three out of 10 Kent and Ionia County residents favor "withdrawal of all
U.S. forces from Vietnam by a fixed date regardless of the effect on negotiations,"
Rep. Gerald R. Ford's 1971 questionnaire results indicate.
of those responding to Ford's questionnaire, 33.3 per cent said they favor
withdrawal by a date certain regardless of the consequences.
Nearly half--49.3 per cent--said they favor withdrawing U.S. troops on a
monthly basis while continuing negotiations aimed at a political settlement. This
is the policy President Nixon is pursuing.
A smaller number--13 per cent--favor increasing our military effort in hope
of achieving victory in Vietnam.
In answer to a related question, 65.5 per cent said they favor keeping a
residual force in Vietnam until all American prisoners of war are released, while
27.8 per cent said "no."
Ford's questionnaire drew nearly 16,000 responses. All replies were
tabulated, with the work done by a Washington computer firm at no cost to the
taxpayer. The yes and no responses and the multiple choice answers do not add up
to 100 per cent because some respondents did not answer some of the questions or
checked more than one choice.
An overwhelming number--81.6 per cent--favored the welfare reform legislation
already approved by the House of Representatives and now pending in the U.S. Senate.
On the question of what to do about State and local financial problems,
37.7 per cent said a percentage of Federal income tax revenue should be returned to
the States and local units of government; 25.5 per cent favored increasing State
and local taxes and cutting the Federal income tax; 13.9 per cent favored a Federal
takeover of all welfare costs; and 7.8 per cent favored increasing Federal grants
for local matching programs.
The balloting on mandatory wage and price restraints was fairly close, with
53.6 per cent favoring strict controls and 41.6 per cent opposed.
Nearly seven out of 10--68.7 per cent--favor President Nixon's plan to
reorganize the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and reduce the number of
cabinet departments from 11 to eight.
(more)
-2-
A huge number-80.5 per cent--are opposed to making food stamps available to
strikers.
Nearly seven out of 10--68.3 per cent--are willing to pay more in increased
prices and taxes to expand efforts to control air and water pollution.
More than 60 per cent (66.4) were opposed to Federal deficit financing to
stimulate the economy.
Nearly eight out of 10--77.5 per cent -- favor Federal legislation requiring
"unit pricing" of food items so the cost per pound of various brands can be easily
compared.
Results of a question on national health insurance were not tabulated because
a typographical error invalidated the question. Since Congress is not expected to
act on health insurance until next year, this question will be repeated in correct
form in Ford's 1972 questionnaire.
# # #
7/30/71 Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR ANYTIME USE--
Grand Rapids Junior College and Mercy Central School of Nursing will share in
a $1,253,243 Federal allocation of student loan and scholarship funds to Michigan
schools of nursing for fiscal 1972, Rep. Gerald R. Ford reported.
Mercy Central will receive $14,400 in loan funds and $10,000 in scholarship
money for a total of $24,400. Grand Rapids Junior College will get $7,200 for
loans and $8,000 for scholarships for a total of $15,200.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR ANYTIME USE--
Grand Rapids Junior College and Mercy Central School of Nursing will share in
a $1,253,243 Federal allocation of student loan and scholarship funds to Michigan
schools of nursing for fiscal 1972, Rep. Gerald R. Ford reported.
Mercy Central will receive $14,400 in loan funds and $10,000 in scholarship
money for a total of $24,400. Grand Rapids Junior College will get $7,200 for
loans and $8,000 for scholarships for a total of $15,200.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
August 5, 1971
Rep. Gerald R. Ford will tour the Fifth Congressional District in his mobile
office during the "August Recess" of Congress.
Ford will visit 18 locations in Kent and Ionia Counties during the periods
August 23-26 and August 30-Sept. 3. Morning hours will be from 9 to 11:30, and
afternoon hours from 2:30 to 5.
"I am looking forward to this opportunity to talk with my constituents," Ford
said in announcing his itinerary. "This will give me a chance to learn more about
their problems first hand."
Places where Ford will be available to constituents in his mobile office are
as follows, with the first community mentioned after each date the morning location
and the second the afternoon location:
August 23--Kent City, Township Hall; Sparta, East Division Parking Lot.
August 24--Cedar Springs, Main at Ash; Rockford, Don's Pharmacy. August 25--
Comstock Park, Lamoreaux Drugs; Standale, Plaza. August 26--Grandville, City Hall
Parking Lot; Rogers Plaza, Schensul's Sign.
August 30--Belding, City Hall; Ionia, First Security Bank. August 31--
Portland, City Parking Lot; Lyons-Muir, Tabor and Superior Streets. Sept. 1--
Saranac, 28 North Bridge; Lake Odessa, BraDee Parking. Sept. 2--Lowell, Main at
Lafayette; Caledonia, Main at Lake Avenue. Sept. 3--Byron Center, Harkema Parking;
and Cascade, Old Kent Bank Parking.
###
1-21-72
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
Rep. Gerald R. Ford today announced that his district office will be moved
to larger quarters in the building where it is presently located, 425 Cherry Street,
S.E., Grand Rapids.
The office will be moved from the second floor to the first floor, where it
will be more readily accessible to the public.
Ford commented:
"We've had occasions when people have had a hard time finding the office.
Now it's out in plain sight. The office space will be larger, so it will be
possible to accommodate bigger numbers of people at one time.
"This is a continuing effort on my part to be of greater service to my
constituents in the Fifth Congressional District (Kent and Ionia Counties). In that
connection, I would like to remind my constituents that they may call my Washington
office without charge during business hours by dialing 456-9607, my district office
number. The call will then be 'patched through' to Washington. I would simply
emphasize that these 'hot line' calls should only be carried out to expedite matters
of immediate concern. In most instances, it is best to write me a letter and
explain all the details of a problem."
Ford noted that his office relocation is an interim move, and that his
street address and district office phone number remain the same. Ford's district
office ultimately will be located in the new Federal Office Building, now under
construction in downtown Grand Rapids. The projected occupancy date for the new
building is December 1972. However, construction is running ahead of schedule.
###
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
5th Dist Wuklin Only
@ offie 1972 Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
Special to Weeklies publishing Feb. 23 and Feb. 24
This week the Future Farmers of America organization celebrates its 44th
birthday.
It is not an accident that FFA has picked this particular week to mark the
anniversary of its founding. This is also the week when we observe the birthday
of George Washington, who was not only the "father of our country" but one of
America's most famous farmers. George Washington loved farming. After all,
Mt. Vernon was a farm. And he made many significant contributions to agriculture.
So it is that this week the 430,000 members of FFA mark both FFA's birthday
and that of George Washington. FFA membership is made up of boys and girls,
14 through 21 years of age, who are studying vocational agriculture in 8,200 public
schools in 49 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The members are taught
agricultural skills by advisers of their local chapters.
The destiny of our country lies in the hands of its youth. We can all feel
encouraged by the fact that FFA is pointing all of its members in the right
direction.
FFA is moving ahead with a program called Building Our American Communities--
a program now in its third year. The program involves the promotion of physical
improvements in communities throughout the country, job placement help for students
and career counseling. The FFA has been extremely successful in getting the
cooperation of non-members who wish to improve their surroundings and better their
communities.
The theme of FFA Week this year is "Youth With A Purpose." This theme
certainly symbolizes the efforts that are being carried out by FFA members.
I am proud to have this opportunity to salute the FFA on this occasion and
to congratulate its members on their many outstanding achievements. I wish them
every success, now and in the future.
###
GERALD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
Special to Weeklies publishing Feb. 23 and Feb. 24
This week the Future Farmers of America organization celebrates its 44th
birthday.
It is not an accident that FFA has picked this particular week to mark the
anniversary of its founding. This is also the week when we observe the birthday
of George Washington, who was not only the "father of our country" but one of
America's most famous farmers. George Washington loved farming. After all,
Mt. Vernon was a farm. And he made many significant contributions to agriculture.
So it is that this week the 430,000 members of FFA mark both FFA's birthday
and that of George Washington. FFA membership is made up of boys and girls,
14 through 21 years of age, who are studying vocational agriculture in 8,200 public
schools in 49 states, the Virgin Islands end Puerto Rico. The members are taught
agricultural skills by advisers of their local chapters.
The destiny of our country lies in the hands of its youth. We can all feel
encouraged by the fact that FFA is pointing all of its members in the right
direction.
FFA is moving ahead with a program called Building Our American Communities--
a program now in its third year. The program involves the promotion of physical
improvements in communities throughout the country, job placement help for students
and career counseling. The FFA has been extremely successful in getting the
cooperation of non-members who wish to improve their surroundings and better their
communities.
The theme of FFA Week this year is "Youth With A Purpose." This theme
certainly symbolizes the efforts that are being carried out by FFA members.
I am proud to have this opportunity to salute the FFA on this occasion and
to congratulate its members on their many outstanding achievements. I wish them
every success, now and in the future.
###
GERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
Fifth District Media only
adffice Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY--
March 27, 1972
Rep. Gerald R. Ford today proposed that Kent and Ionia County 18-year-olds
attending high school be given school time to register to vote.
Ford made his proposal in a letter to all of the school superintendents in
Kent and Ionia Counties and sent copies to all of the principals.
"I just think we should make it as easy as possible for our 18-year-olds to
register to vote," Ford said. "Now that the 26th Amendment to the Constitution has
made 18-year-olds eligible to vote, I would like to see them become involved in the
democratic process immediately."
He said the best way to do that would be for school officials to arrange for
18-year-olds to register on school time, either by having an official Deputy come to
the school and register them in class or by busing the 18-year-olds to the nearest
voter registration office.
Informed by Ford of his proposal, Kent Intermediate School Supt. Albert L.
Deal said: "I think it's a tremendous idea. I subscribe to it wholeheartedly. We
want to get this age group involved in government."
Ford is a sponsor of a national program called "Released Time for
Registration," together with six other House Republicans and seven House Democrats.
Ford's letter is as follows:
"Dear Superintendent:
As you know, the 26th Admendment to the Constitution was enacted last
year, making all 18-year-olds eligible to vote.
I think the rest of us should make it as simple as possible for
18-year-olds to register to vote and should encourage them to do SO.
To that end, I am suggesting that school time be made available to
your eligible seniors for registration. This could be an important
civics project for your graduating class. To vote in this year's
Primary Election, your schools' 18-year-olds must register by July 7.
This project could be carried out on school time either by having an
official Deputy register the students in class or by busing all eligible
students to the nearest voter registration office on a field trip.
You probably will be contacted further by your local National Education
Association representative, League of Women Voters, Student Vote
Organization, or other group.
My Congressional Office pledges to you and your 18-year-olds my complete
cooperation in this effort. If I can assist you in any way, please let
me know.'
Best regards,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
###
LIBRARI
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY--
March 27, 1972
Rep. Gerald R. Ford today proposed that Kent and Ionia County 18-year-olds
attending high school be given school time to register to vote.
Ford made his proposal in a letter to all of the school superintendents in
Kent and Ionia Counties and sent copies to all of the principals.
"I just think we should make it as easy as possible for our 18-year-olds to
register to vote," Ford said. "Now that the 26th Amendment to the Constitution has
made 18-year-olds eligible to vote, I would like to see them become involved in the
democratic process immediately."
He said the best way to do that would be for school officials to arrange for
18-year-olds to register on school time, either by having an official Deputy come to
the school and register them in class or by busing the 18-year-olds to the nearest
voter registration office.
Informed by Ford of his proposal, Kent Intermediate School Supt. Albert L.
Deal said: "I think it's a tremendous idea. I subscribe to it wholeheartedly. We
want to get this age group involved in government."
Ford is a sponsor of a national program called "Released Time for
Registration," together with six other House Republicans and seven House Democrats.
Ford's letter is as follows:
"Dear Superintendent:
As you know, the 26th Admendment to the Constitution was enacted last
year, making all 18-year-olds eligible to vote.
I think the rest of us should make it as simple as possible for
18-year-olds to register to vote and should encourage them to do so.
To that end, I am suggesting that school time be made available to
your eligible seniors for registration. This could be an important
civics project for your graduating class. To vote in this year's
Primary Election, your schools' 18-year-olds must register by July 7.
This project could be carried out on school time either by having an
official Deputy register the students in class or by busing all eligible
students to the nearest voter registration office on a field trip.
You probably will be contacted further by your local National Education
Association representative, League of Women Voters, Student Vote
Organization, or other group.
My Congressional Office pledges to you and your 18-year-olds my complete
cooperation in this effort. If I can assist you in any way, please let
me know."
Best regards,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
###
Fifth District only
a office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON FRIDAY --
April 14, 1972
Rep. Gerald R. Ford has sent a questionnaire into the roughly 150,000
households in the Fifth Congressional District posing queries on everything from
the proposed moratorium on forced busing to a U.S. pullout from Vietnam.
In the question on busing, Kent and Ionia County residents are asked whether
they favor a national moratorium on forced busing to achieve racial balance,
coupled with special Federal aid to disadvantaged schools.
The question on Vietnam offers two alternatives--declaration of a ceasefire
in Vietnam and immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces; or, withdrawal of all
U.S. forces conditioned on release of American prisoners of war, a ceasefire
throughout Indochina and the holding of an internationally supervised presidential
election in South Vietnam.
Ford's last questionnaire made it possible for a husband and wife to vote
separately, so that each could express a view. His 1972 questionnaire continues
this feature but also offers new young voters, the 18-through-20-year-olds, an
opportunity to express their opinions in special balloting.
Ford said the questionnaire was printed at no cost to the taxpayer and said
compilation of the results also will be paid from private funds.
The complete questionnaire is as follows:
JERRY FORD 1972 QUESTIONNAIRE
HIS
HERS
18-20
(MULTIPLE CHOICE)
HIS
HERS
18-20
Yr. Old
Yr. Old
Yes No Yes No Yes No
1. Do you favor a moratorium on forced busing
8. On health insurance, which do you favor?
CHOOSE ONE -
to achieve racial balance, coupled with special
Federal aid to disadvantaged schools?
A. An improved nationwide private health
insurance system, with employers required to
2. Do you favor Federal legislation to prevent
pay 65 to 75 per cent of the premiums and
national amergency strikes in transportation
employees the rest, and with insurance com-
(railroads, airlines, shipping and trucking)?
panies placed under Federal regulation and
control.
3. Do you favor diverting some of the highway
user taxes to finance urban mass transit systems?
B. A Federal Government program financed
with special payroll taxes.
4. Do you faver sharing of Federal income tax
revenue with the cities and States on a fixed
9. On Vietnam, the United States Government
CHOOSE ONE
percentage basis?
should:
5. In the last four years the Soviet Union has
A. Declare a ceasefire within the nation of
increased its strategic missile capability and great-
Vietnam and immediately withdraw all Ameri-
by expanded its naval forces. Do you favor on
can military personnel therefrom.
increase in U.S. military spending to offset this?
B. Withdraw all American forces from South
6. Do you favor continuing wage and price con-
Vietnam, conditioned on release of U.S.
trols until inflation is curbed?
prisoners of war, a ceasefire throughout Indo-
7. Do you faver a substantial increase in Social
china and the holding of an internationally
Security benefits if this means higher Social
supervised Presidential election in South Viet-
nam,
Security taxes?
(SIMPLY DETACH THIS HALF OF CARD, AFFIX STAMP ON OTHER SIDE AND MAIL BACK)
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1972, AND THEREAFTER
Beginning this week, Kent and Ionia County students will have an opportunity
to "tell it to their congressman."
Rep. Gerald R. Ford Thursday will inaugurate a phone-a-school program which
will allow students in schools throughout the Fifth Congressional District to ask
him questions during half-hour conversations with him.
By previous arrangement, Ford will call a certain school at a designated time
via special telephone equipment which will allow students to respond with questions
or comments of their own. He usually will be calling from Washington.
Ford's call will be amplified by means of portable telephone equipment
plugged into a jack in one of the rooms at the school. The congressman will call a
number assigned to that jack, and his voice will be amplified to all the students
in the room.
The equipment will make it possible for students to speak into a microphone
and ask Ford questions. The students are expected to ask questions covering
everything from how government works to Ford's stands on specific issues.
The half-hour chat will begin with a five-minute review by Ford of what is
currently happening in the Congress. The rest of the session then will be devoted
to questions from the students.
"I am doing this to make myself as accessible as possible to the young people
in my Congressional district," Ford said in announcing the new program. "If some
student has a question to ask me or a bone to pick with me, this will give him a
chance to do it. I hope students will take advantage of my phone-a-class program
to talk or ask about whatever is on their minds."
The first phone-in will take place at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, May 11 at Calvin
Christian High School in Grandville. Ford will talk with William Haverkamp's
government class from his Washington office.
Under the phone-in program, the students may be members of a government or
history class, or the session may be opened up to any student with a free hour at
that particular time.
Schools interested in arranging for a Ford phone-in may do so by calling
Mrs. Marba Perrott at Ford's district office, 456-9607. Ford will accommodate such
requests on a first-ccre. first-served basis and to the extent that his time permits.
# # #
Fifth District
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1972, AND THEREAFTER
Beginning this week, Kent and Ionia County students will have an opportunity
to "tell it to their congressman."
Rep. Gerald R. Ford Thursday will inaugurate a phone-a-school program which
will allow students in schools throughout the Fifth Congressional District to ask
him questions during half-hour conversations with him.
By previous arrangement, Ford will call a certain school at a designated time
via special telephone equipment which will allow students to respond with questions
or comments of their own. He usually will be calling from Washington.
Ford's call will be amplified by means of portable telephone equipment
plugged into a jack in one of the rooms at the school. The congressman will call a
number assigned to that jack, and his voice will be amplified to all the students
in the room.
The equipment will make it possible for students to speak into a microphone
and ask Ford questions. The students are expected to ask questions covering
everything from how government works to Ford's stands on specific issues.
The half-hour chat will begin with a five-minute review by Ford of what is
currently happening in the Congress. The rest of the session then will be devoted
to questions from the students.
"I am doing this to make myself as accessible as possible to the young people
in my Congressional district," Ford said in announcing the new program. "If some
student has a question to ask me or a bone to pick with me, this will give him a
chance to do it. I hope students will take advantage of my phone-a-class program
to talk or ask about whatever is on their minds."
The first phone-in will take place at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, May 11 at Calvin
Christian High School in Grandville. Ford will talk with William Haverkamp's
government class from his Washington office.
Under the phone-in program, the students may be members of a government or
history class, or the session may be opened up to any student with a free hour at
that particular time.
Schools interested in arranging for a Ford phone-in may do so by calling
Mrs. Marba Perrott at Ford's district office, 456-9607. Ford will accommodate such
requests on a first-come, first-served basis and to the extent that his time permits.
LIBRARI
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1972, AND THEREAFTER
Congressman Gerald R. Ford has scheduled four more "phone-ins" at Fifth
Congressional District high schools.
In response to requests, Ford will speak from Washington via special
telephone equipment to government classes at Caledonia Community High School, East
Christian, Belding High School, and South Christian.
The half-hour chats are slated for 8:30 a.m. May 17 at Caledonia, 8 a.m.
May 18 at East Christian, 10:30 a.m. May 19 at Belding, and 1:30 p.m. May 25 at
South Christian.
Ford inaugurated his school phone-in program last week with a call to Calvin
Christian High School in Grandville. He spoke for a few minutes on legislation
being acted upon by the House at the moment and then answered a series of student
questions focusing primarily on the Vietnam War.
After the half-hour session, instructor William Haverkamp said: "We were
thrilled to be a part of this new program and very pleased to be the first school
involved."
Ford's call to the students is amplified by a piece of portable telephone
equipment which he is leasing from the telephone company. Students are expected
to ask questions covering everything from how government works to Ford's positions
on various issues.
Ford said the session with the Calvin Christian students was most enjoyable.
"I found my conversation with Bill Haverkamp's class very stimulating," Ford
said. "The students asked excellent questions. It made for a great rap session."
Fifth Dist.
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1972, AND THEREAFTER
Congressman Gerald R. Ford has scheduled four more "phone-ins" at Fifth
Congressional District high schools.
In response to requests, Ford will speak from Washington via special
telephone equipment to government classes at Caledonia Community High School, East
Christian, Belding High School, and South Christian.
The half-hour chats are slated for 8:30 a.m. May 17 at Caledonia, 8 a.m.
May 18 at East Christian, 10:30 a.m. May 19 at Belding, and 1:30 p.m. May 25 at
South Christian.
Ford inaugurated his school phone-in program last week with a call to Calvin
Christian High School in Grandville. He spoke for a few minutes on legislation
being acted upon by the House at the moment and then answered a series of student
questions focusing primarily on the Vietnam War.
After the half-hour session, instructor William Haverkamp said: "We were
thrilled to be a part of this new program and very pleased to be the first school
involved."
Ford's call to the students is amplified by a piece of portable telephone
equipment which he is leasing from the telephone company. Students are expected
to ask questions covering everything from how government works to Ford's positions
on various issues.
Ford said the session with the Calvin Christian students was most enjoyable.
"I found my conversation with Bill Haverkamp's class very stimulating," Ford
said. "The students asked excellent questions. It made for a great rap session.
Fifth Dirt. Media
Galleries Here
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY--
May 22, 1972
Fifth District residents responding to Rep. Gerald R. Ford's 1972 question-
naire reject an unconditional pullout from Vietnam and endorse the basic terms of
President Nixon's latest peace proposal.
Ford made this report today as he announced the tabulation of his question-
naire results. More than 20,000 Kent and Ionia County residents sent back completed
questionnaires, he said.
On Vietnam, Ford gave his constituents a choice between the referendum
question on the Nov. 2, 1971, Grand Rapids ballot and a withdrawal from Vietnam tied
to release of U.S. prisoners of war, an Indochina ceasefire, and the holding of an
internationally supervised election in Vietnam.
President Nixon's latest peace offer calls for withdrawing all American ground
troops from Vietnam within four months after an Indochina ceasefire and return of
U.S. war prisoners. He has dropped the election provision.
Fifth District residents voted 68 per cent in favor of withdrawal tied to an
Indochina ceasefire and return of American POW's and only 22 per cent for the
referendum proposal.
The referendum question, which had passed by a large margin, urged that the
U.S. "declare a ceasefire within the nation of Vietnam and immediately withdraw all
American military personnel therefrom."
Ford said he believes his questionnaire results show conclusively that Fifth
District residents prefer a withdrawal linked with return of American POW's and
declaration of an Indochina ceasefire by both sides.
Ford drew up his questionnaire so that newly eligible voters, 18 through
20 years old, could have their views tabulated separately from those of persons
21 years and older. On Vietnam, the 18-20-year-olds voted 53 per cent in favor
of the Administration's peace plan and 27 per cent for the referendum proposal.
The percentages do not add up to 100 because the remainder did not answer
the question one way or another.
(more)
GERALD FORD VIDRARY
-2-
Summing up the questionnaire results, Ford found that Fifth District
residents responding favor a moratorium on forced busing to achieve racial balance
coupled with special Federal aid to disadvantaged schools (64 per cent to 31), favor
Federal legislation to prevent national emergency strikes in transportation
(80 to 17), oppose diverting some of the highway user tax revenue to finance urban
mass transit systems (57 to 38), favor Federal revenue sharing with the states and
local units of government (63 to 28), favor an increase in military spending to
offset advances made by the Soviet Union (52 to 43), favor continuing price and
wage controls until inflation is curbed (82 to 13), favor--slightly--a substantial
increase in Social Security benefits if it means higher Social Security taxes
(49 to 47), prefer the Administration's health care proposal (requiring employers
to pay 65 to 75 per cent of health insurance premiums and placing health insurance
companies under Federal regulation) to Sen. Kennedy's plan for a Federalized health
insurance system paid for through Federal payroll taxes and the Federal treasury
(58 to 19).
On health care, Ford learned that many Fifth District residents are opposed
to both the Administration and the Kennedy plans. They want the Federal government
to stay out of health care altogether.
Because so many persons hold this view, more than 20 per cent of the Fifth
District respondents did not answer the health insurance question.
Ford is a primary sponsor of the Administration's health insurance bill,
but with an amendment providing Federal financial help for small businessmen who
would find it a heavy burden to pay the bulk of their employes' health insurance
premiums.
Ford also has cosponsored legislation which would prevent crippling strikes
in transportation. Under this bill, the President would have the option of
appointing a panel which could order a binding settlement. The panel could choose
the better of the final offers made by labor and management and use this as a
solution.
On busing, Ford favors legislation which would prevent forced busing to
achieve racial balance. He also is backing a proposed Constitutional amendment
which would ban forced busing altogether.
# # #
WASHINGTON
REWIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
(NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
May 22, 1972
MORE THAN 20,000 RESPOND TO QUESTIONNAIRE
I received a total of 20,184 responses to my 1972 questionnaire in time for tabulation by
a computer firm selected by me to add up the answers.
Quickly summing up the results, I find that those Fifth District residents responding to
my questionnaire reject an unconditional withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam, favor the
Administration's health care proposal over Sen. Kennedy's plan for federalizing national health
insurance, approve of President Nixon's proposals for a moratorium on busing to achieve racial
balance coupled with special Federal aid to disadvantaged schools, overwhelmingly favor Federal
legislation to prevent national emergency strikes in transportation, strongly favor a continua-
tion of price and wage controls until inflation is curbed, solidly approve of Federal revenue
sharing with states and local units of government, favor an increase in military spending by
slightly over 50 per cent, reject the idea of diverting a slice of Federal highway user tax
revenue for mass transit, and vote by less than 50 per cent for Social Security increases which
involve an increase in Social Security taxes.
DISTRICT WANTS CEASEFIRE, RETURN OF PRISONERS
In posing my Vietnam question, I offered constituents a choice between the referendum which
appeared on the Nov. 2, 1971, Grand Rapids ballot and a withdrawal of U.S. troops tied to return
of U.S. prisoners of war, an Indochina ceasefire and an internationally supervised election in
Vietnam.
The President's latest peace proposal calls for a pullout of all U.S. ground troops within
four months, conditioned on release of American prisoners of war and a ceasefire throughout
Indochina. He has dropped the election proposal.
The 1971 referendum question simply asked whether the U.S. should "declare a ceasefire with-
in the nation of Vietnam and immediately withdraw all American military personnel therefrom.'
Nothing was said about getting back our prisoners of war.
Balloting on my multiple choice Vietnam question showed 67.8 per cent favoring a withdrawal
tied to a ceasefire and return of prisoners and only 21.6 per cent for the referendum proposal.
At the time the referendum was voted on by Grand Rapids residents, I described the ballot
question as poorly drawn because it said nothing about getting back our prisoners of war. I was
later criticized for that by those advocating the proposal. Quite obviously, Fifth District
residents want both sides to enter into a ceasefire agreement, and they want our prisoners back.
HEALTH INSURANCE--BUILD ON PRESENT SYSTEM
A sizable majority--57.8 per cent of those responding--favor the Administration approach of
seeking to solve our health care problems by building on the present system of private health
insurance.
Fifth District residents obviously abhor what many respondents call "Federal interference"
in health matters.
This was indicated when only 19.3 per cent expressed a preference for Sen. Kennedy's
proposed Federal health insurance system financed from Federal payroll taxes and the Federal
treasury.
(over)
It was further pointed up by the fact that 22.86 per cent did not answer the question at
all--many people scrawling across the question the word, "neither."
The Administration plan would require employers to pay 65 to 75 per cent of private health
insurance premiums and would bring health insurance companies under Federal regulation.
I have sponsored the Administration bill but with an added provision or amendment which
gives small businessmen Federal assistance in paying the bulk of their workers' premiums.
DISTRICT OPPOSES FORCED BUSING
District respondents voted 64.4 per cent in favor of a moratorium on forced busing to
achieve racial balance, plus Federal financial assistance to disadvantaged schools. Of the rest,
30.9 per cent opposed the proposal, and 4.7 per cent did not answer.
Many Fifth District residents opposed to busing voted "no" on this question because they
want busing banned altogether, not just placed under moratorium.
I am supporting legislation to prevent forced busing and also a proposed Constitutional
amendment which would ban busing completely.
I do not believe forced busing of students out of their neighborhoods to distant schools is
the answer to quality education. I favor quality education, not racial quotas. The answer,
when it does come, will come through changes in housing patterns.
TRANSPORT STRIKE PREVENTION FAVORED
My questionnaire showed overwhelming support--79.6 per cent--for Administration legislation
which would prevent national emergency strikes in transportation.
One of the options given the President under the measure would be to appoint an arbitration
panel which would order a settlement based on the better of the final offers submitted by both
labor and management. I am a primary cosponsor of this legislation.
YOUTH, ELDERS DISAGREE ON DEFENSE SPENDING
I set up my questionnaire so that balloting by 18-through-20-year-olds could be counted
separately from the votes of those 21 years and older.
The views expressed by the special youth group--the new voters-were substantially the same
on all questions except defense spending. Asked if they favor increased defense spending to
offset advances made by the Russians, the youth group voted 60 per cent against and only
32.6 per cent in favor. By contrast, the 21-and-older respondents voted 53.5 per cent for more
military spending and 41.2 per cent against.
The complete results of the questionnaire voting are shown below, listed in percentages
rounded off to the nearest full digit. Percentages given do not add up to 100 per cent because
the remainder did not answer the question.
JERRY
FORD
1972
QUESTIONNAIRE
18-20
Overall
Yr. Old
Total
18-20
Overall
(MULTIPLE CHOICE)
Yr. Old
Total
Yes
No
Yes
No
1. Do you tavor o moratorium on forced busing
B. On health insurance, which do you favor?
to achieve racial balance, coupled with special
53
42
64
Federal aid to disadvantaged schools?
31
A. An improved nationwide private health
insurance system, with employers required to
2. Do you favor Federal legislation to prevent
pay 65 to 75 per cent of the premiums and
national emergency strikes in transportation
(railroads, airlines, shipping and trucking)?
61
31
80
employees the rest, and with insurance com-
17
panies placed under Federal regulation and
control.
47
58
3. Do you favor diverting some of the highway
user taxes to finance urban mass transit systems?
40
52
38
57
B. A Federal Government program financed
with special payroll taxes.
21
19
4. Do you favor sharing of Federal income tax
revenue with the cities and States on a fixed
percentage basis?
53
35
63
28
9. On Vietnam, the United States Government
should:
5. In the last four years the Soviet Union has
increased its strategic missile capability and great-
A. Declare o ceasefire within the nation of
ly expanded its naval forces. Do you favor an
Vietnam and immediately withdraw all Ameri-
increase in U.S. military spending to offset this?
33
60
52
43
can military personnel therefrom.
27
22
B. Withdraw all American forces from South
6. Do you favor continuing wage and price con-
68
23
82
trols until inflation is curbed?
13
Vietnam, conditioned on release of U.S.
prisoners of war, a ceasefire throughout Indo-
7. Do you favor a substantial increase in Social
china and the holding of an internationally
Security benefits if this means higher Social
supervised Presidential election in South Viet-
Security taxes?
36
54
49
47
53
68
nom.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY--
May 22, 1972
Fifth District residents responding to Rep. Gerald R. Ford's 1972 question-
naire reject an unconditional pullout from Vietnam and endorse the basic terms of
President Nixon's latest peace proposal.
Ford made this report today as he announced the tabulation of his question-
naire results. More than 20,000 Kent and Ionia County residents sent back completed
questionnaires, he said.
On Vietnam, Ford gave his constituents a choice between the referendum
question on the Nov. 2, 1971, Grand Rapids ballot and a withdrawal from Vietnam tied
to release of U.S. prisoners of war, an Indochina ceasefire, and the holding of an
internationally supervised election in Vietnam.
President Nixon's latest peace offer calls for withdrawing all American ground
troops from Vietnam within four months after an Indochina ceasefire and return of
U.S. war prisoners. He has dropped the election provision.
Fifth District residents voted 68 per cent in favor of withdrawal tied to an
Indochina ceasefire and return of American POW's and only 22 per cent for the
referendum proposal.
The referendum question, which had passed by a large margin, urged that the
U.S. "declare a ceasefire within the nation of Vietnam and immediately withdraw all
American military personnel therefrom."
Ford said he believes his questionnaire results show conclusively that Fifth
District residents prefer a withdrawal linked with return of American POW's and
declaration of an Indochina ceasefire by both sides.
Ford drew up his questionnaire so that newly eligible voters, 18 through
20 years old, could have their views tabulated separately from those of persons
21 years and older. On Vietnam, the 18-20-year-olds voted 53 per cent in favor
of the Administration's peace plan and 27 per cent for the referendum proposal.
The percentages do not add up to 100 because the remainder did not answer
the question one way or another.
(more)
-2--
Summing up the questionnaire results, Ford found that Fifth District
residents responding favor a moratorium on forced busing to achieve racial balance
coupled with special Federal aid to disadvantaged schools (64 per cent to 31), favor
Federal legislation to prevent national emergency strikes in transportation
(80 to 17), oppose diverting some of the highway user tax revenue to finance urban
mass transit systems (57 to 38), favor Federal revenue sharing with the states and
local units of government (63 to 28), favor an increase in military spending to
offset advances made by the Soviet Union (52 to 43), favor continuing price and
wage controls until inflation is curbed (82 to 13), favor--slightly--a substantial
increase in Social Security benefits if it means higher Social Security taxes
(49 to 47), prefer the Administration's health care proposal (requiring employers
to pay 65 to 75 per cent of health insurance premiums and placing health insurance
companies under Federal regulation) to Sen. Kennedy's plan for a Federalized health
insurance system paid for through Federal payroll taxes and the Federal treasury
(58 to 19).
On health care, Ford learned that many Fifth District residents are opposed
to both the Administration and the Kennedy plans. They want the Federal government
to stay out of health care altogether.
Because so many persons hold this view, more than 20 per cent of the Fifth
District respondents did not answer the health insurance question.
Ford is a primary sponsor of the Administration's health insurance bill,
but with an amendment providing Federal financial help for small businessmen who
would find it a heavy burden to pay the bulk of their employes' health insurance
premiums.
Ford also has cosponsored legislation which would prevent crippling strikes
in transportation. Under this bill, the President would have the option of
appointing a panel which could order a binding settlement. The panel could choose
the better of the final offers made by labor and management and use this as a
solution.
On busing, Ford favors legislation which would prevent forced busing to
achieve racial balance. He also is backing a proposed Constitutional amendment
which would ban forced busing altogether.
# # #
WASHINGTON REWIEW
Report
Serving
From Your Congressman
Kent and Ionia Counties
JERRY FORD
May 22, 1972
MORE THAN 20,000 RESPOND TO QUESTIONNAIRE
I received a total of 20,184 responses to my 1972 questionnaire in time for tabulation by
a computer firm selected by me to add up the answers.
Quickly summing up the results, I find that those Fifth District residents responding to
my questionnaire reject an unconditional withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam, favor the
Administration's health care proposal over Sen. Kennedy's plan for federalizing national health
insurance, approve of President Nixon's proposals for a moratorium on busing to achieve racial
balance coupled with special Federal aid to disadvantaged schools, overwhelmingly favor Federal
legislation to prevent national emergency strikes in transportation, strongly favor a continua-
tion of price and wage controls until inflation is curbed, solidly approve of Federal revenue
sharing with states and local units of government, favor an increase in military spending by
slightly over 50 per cent, reject the idea of diverting a slice of Federal highway user tax
revenue for mass transit, and vote by less than 50 per cent for Social Security increases which
involve an increase in Social Security taxes.
DISTRICT WANTS CEASEFIRE, RETURN OF PRISONERS
In posing my Vietnam question, I offered constituents a choice between the referendum which
appeared on the Nov. 2, 1971, Grand Rapids ballot and a withdrawal of U.S. troops tied to return
of U.S. prisoners of war, an Indochina ceasefire and an internationally supervised election in
Vietnam.
The President's latest peace proposal calls for a pullout of all U.S. ground troops within
four months, conditioned on release of American prisoners of war and a ceasefire throughout
Indochina. He has dropped the election proposal.
The 1971 referendum question simply asked whether the U.S. should "declare a ceasefire with-
in the nation of Vietnam and immediately withdraw all American military personnel therefrom."
Nothing was said about getting back our prisoners of war.
Balloting on my multiple choice Vietnam question showed 67.8 per cent favoring a withdrawal
tied to a ceasefire and return of prisoners and only 21.6 per cent for the referendum proposal.
At the time the referendum was voted on by Grand Rapids residents, I described the ballot
question as poorly drawn because it said nothing about getting back our prisoners of war. I was
later criticized for that by those advocating the proposal. Quite obviously, Fifth District
residents want both sides to enter into a ceasefire agreement, and they want our prisoners back.
HEALTH INSURANCE--BUILD ON PRESENT SYSTEM
A sizable majority--57.8 per cent of those responding--favor the Administration approach of
seeking to solve our health care problems by building on the present system of private health
insurance.
Fifth District residents obviously abhor what many respondents call "Federal interference"
in health matters.
This was indicated when only 19.3 per cent expressed a preference for Sen. Kennedy's
proposed Federal health insurance system financed from Federal payroll taxes and the Federal
treasury.
(over)
It was further pointed up by the fact that 22.86 per cent did not answer the question at
all--many people scrawling across the question the word, "neither."
The Administration plan would require employers to pay 65 to 75 per cent of private health
insurance premiums and would bring health insurance companies under Federal regulation.
I have sponsored the Administration bill but with an added provision or amendment which
gives small businessmen Federal assistance in paying the bulk of their workers' premiums.
DISTRICT OPPOSES FORCED BUSING
District respondents voted 64.4 per cent in favor of a moratorium on forced busing to
achieve racial balance, plus Federal financial assistance to disadvantaged schools. Of the rest,
30.9 per cent opposed the proposal, and 4.7 per cent did not answer.
Many Fifth District residents opposed to busing voted "no" on this question because they
want busing banned altogether, not just placed under moratorium.
I am supporting legislation to prevent forced busing and also a proposed Constitutional
amendment which would ban busing completely.
I do not believe forced busing of students out of their neighborhoods to distant schools is
the answer to quality education. I favor quality education, not racial quotas. The answer,
when it does come, will come through changes in housing patterns.
TRANSPORT STRIKE PREVENTION FAVORED
My questionnaire showed overwhelming support--79.6 per cent--for Administration legislation
which would prevent national emergency strikes in transportation.
One of the options given the President under the measure would be to appoint an arbitration
panel which would order a settlement based on the better of the final offers submitted by both
labor and management. I am a primary cosponsor of this legislation.
YOUTH, ELDERS DISAGREE ON DEFENSE SPENDING
I set up my questionnaire so that balloting by 18-through-20-year-olds could be counted
separately from the votes of those 21 years and older.
The views expressed by the special youth group--the new voters--were substantially the same
on all questions except defense spending. Asked if they favor increased defense spending to
offset advances made by the Russians, the youth group voted 60 per cent against and only
32.6 per cent in favor. By contrast, the 21-and-older respondents voted 53.5 per cent for more
military spending and 41.2 per cent against.
The complete results of the questionnaire voting are shown below, listed in percentages
rounded off to the nearest full digit. Percentages given do not add up to 100 per cent because
the remainder did not answer the question.
JERRY
FORD
1972
QUESTIONNAIRE
18-20
Overall
Yr. Old
18-20
Overall
Total
(MULTIPLE CHOICE)
Yr. Old
Total
Yes
No
Yes
No
1. Do you favor a moratorium on forced busing
8. On health insurance, which do you favor?
to achieve racial balance, coupled with special
53
42
64
Federal aid to disadvantaged schools?
31
A. An improved nationwide private health
insurance system, with employers required to
2. Do you favor Federal legislation to prevent
pay 65 to 75 per cent of the premiums and
national emergency strikes in transportation
61
80
employees the rest, and with insurance com-
(railroads, airlines, shipping and trucking)?
31
17
panies placed under Federal regulation and
control.
47
58
3. Do you favor diverting some of the highway
user taxes to finance urban mass transit systems?
40
52
38
57
B. A Federal Government program financed
with special payroll taxes.
21
19
4. Do you favor sharing of Federal income tax
revenue with the cities and States on a fixed
percentage basis?
53
35
63
28
9. On Vietnam, the United States Government
should:
5. In the last four years the Soviet Union has
A. Declare a ceasefire within the nation of
increased its strategic missile capability and great-
ly expanded its naval forces. Do you favor an
Vietnam and immediately withdraw all Ameri-
increase in U.S. military spending to offset this?
33
60
52
43
can military personnel therefrom.
27
22
B. Withdraw all American forces from South
6. Do you favor continuing wage and price con-
68
23
82
13
Vietnam, conditioned on release of U.S.
trols until inflation is curbed?
prisoners of war, a ceasefire throughout Indo-
7. Do you favor a substantial increase in Social
china and the holding of on internationally
Security benefits if this means higher Social
supervised Presidential election in South Viet-
Security taxes?
36
54
49
47
53
68
nam,
Fifth District media only
Office
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY, MAY 29, 1972, AND THEREAFTER--
Congressman Gerald R. Ford will leave the United States June 23 on a
two-week trip to the People's Republic of China which the State Department calls
"a pathfinder mission on the part of the House of Representatives."
Ford will be joined on the trip by House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, D-La.
The two congressmen's wives will accompany them. The House leaders are making the
trip at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and
the request of President Nixon.
William Brown, deputy director of the China Desk at the State Department,
said the Ford-Boggs trip will "continue the dialogue begun by President Nixon and
entered into by Senate leaders Mike Mansfield and Hugh Scott and will open wider
the door to China that was swung open by the President."
Brown, who will go to China with Ford and Boggs, said the House leaders'
trip to China "could lead to further exchanges in the medical, scientific, sports
and academic fields." It will, he said, contribute to further normalization of
Sino-American relations.
Ford and Boggs hope to meet with high-level Chinese leaders on their trip,
including Chinese Premier Chou En-lai. Plans also call for visits to industrial
plants and agricultural communes, as well as historical and cultural sites.
Ford and Boggs will depart from Andrews Air Force Base in a military jet at
10 a.m. June 23. They are scheduled to arrive in Shanghai June 26 after stopovers
at Hickam Field, Honolulu, and at Guam.
Their tentative itinerary in China includes Peking, Shanghai, Canton, and
various rural areas. They will leave Canton by rail for Hong Kong on July 4.
Ford and Boggs are due to arrive back at Andrews Air Force Base the evening of
July 7.
Ford and Boggs will report to the House of Representatives and to the
President after their return.
Ford will take three staff members with him: Administrative Assistant
Frank Meyer, Legislative Assistant Robert Hartmann, and Press Secretary Paul
Miltich.
###
Fifth District Midia only
Copy
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1972
All summer long Stephen Elkins of Grand Rapids will be literally rubbing
elbows with men and women who are making the Nation's laws.
Steven, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Elkins, 2550 Northville Drive, N.E.,
is a "summer page" in the U.S. House of Representatives by appointment of Rep.
Gerald R. Ford.
Pages serve primarily as messengers, carrying material between the Capitol
and congressmen's offices and congressional committees. The boys also prepare the
desks, seats or bench in the congressional chambers for the day's work. During the
daily sessions, they run errands for individual congressmen.
As the minority party, the Republicans are privileged to appoint only five of
the 51 pages who assist members of the House of Representatives. The Democrats name
the remaining 46 from among their own constituents. However, the Democrats permit
the Republicans to appoint temporary summer pages.
Last February, at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Grand Rapids, Steve and his parents
told Ford about Steve's ambition to serve as a page in Washington this summer.
Steve said he wanted to be a page because a page becomes part of U.S. history
in the making.
Ford moved to make Steve a page, his first such appointment.
"I feel Stephen's experience as a page will be not only educational but also
stimulating and inspiring," Ford said.
Steven has now been a page since June 1, just long enough to "get his feet
wet." His term as a page will run until August 18.
Asked how he likes his job, Steve said: "I'm quite impressed with it. It's
a lot of fun but it's also a lot of work. You see important people all the time,
and it's really interesting. To me, it's fascinating."
Steve currently is living in Arlington, Va., but will be moving shortly to a
boarding house on East Capitol Str-et where he will be living with F.B.I. men, law
students and other pages.
He believes his page experience will be invaluable because he is thinking
about going into law and perhaps eventually into politics. He will be a senior
next fall at Northview High School.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
September 11, 1972
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced six openings at the service academies
for interested young men from the Fifth Congressional District. One with the U. S.
Military Academy at West Point, another with the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis,
and four with the U. S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs are being offered to
high school seniors who are U. S. citizens, under 22 years of age, never married, and
able to pass the medical, physical, and scholastic requirements of the respective
academies.
Applications for these positions can be obtained from Jerry Ford's office at
425 Cherry Street, S.E. in Grand Rapids (telephone 456-9747) and from his Washington,
D.C. office. The deadline for filing the applications is September 25.
Appointments are also available to the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard Academies,
but the selection to those institutions is not limited to a Congressional district.
Michigan Congressmen may nominate up to ten candidates for the Merchant Marine
Academy at Kings Point, New York to compete state-wide for 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.
Selection of Fifth District candidates is based on the results of an open,
competitive Civil Service Examination. This examination will be given on Saturday,
September 30 in Grand Rapids and other cities throughout the nation, Make-up tests
for those candidates unable to attend the September 30 examination will be given on
Tuesday, October 31. Application for the make-up tests will be accepted as late as
October 27.
######
Office Copy- Please Save
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
September 11, 1972
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced six openings at the service academies
for interested young men from the Fifth Congressional District. One with the U. S.
Military Academy at West Point, another with the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis,
and four with the U. S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs are being offered to
high school seniors who are U. S. citizens, under 22 years of age, never married, and
able to pass the medical, physical, and scholastic requirements of the respective
academies.
Applications for these positions can be obtained from Jerry Ford's office at
425 Cherry Street, S.E. in Grand Rapids (telephone 456-9747) and from his Washington,
D.C. office. The deadline for filing the applications is September 25.
Appointments are also available to the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard Academies,
but the selection to those institutions is not limited to a Congressional district.
Michigan Congressmen may nominate up to ten candidates for the Merchant Marine
Academy at Kings Point, New York to compete state-wide for 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.
Selection of Fifth District candidates is based on the results of an open,
competitive Civil Service Examination. This examination will be given on Saturday,
September 30 in Grand Rapids and other cities throughout the nation. Make-up tests
for those candidates unable to attend the September 30 examination will be given on
Tuesday, October 31. Application for the make-up test will be accepted as late as
October 27.
These all-expense college scholarships at the Academies lead to a bachelor's
degree in science and a commission in one of the Services. "These appointments offer
a wonderful educational opportunity and an honorable career in the service of our
country," Ford said. "At the present time we have at the academies six young men
from Grand Rapids, three from Wyoming, two from Cedar Springs, and each each from
Ada, Ionia, and Sparta.
#######
DERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT--
September 26, 1972
Congressman Gerald R. Ford is resuming his highly popular program of
"phone-ins" to Fifth District high schools.
Under the program, Ford talks with government classes and other students
via special telephone equipment at high schools scheduling a "phone-in." He
usually calls from Washington.
Ford's call is amplified by means of portable telephone equipment plugged
into a jack in one of the rooms at the school. The equipment makes it possible
for students to speak into a microphone and ask Ford questions. Ford has been
spending up to an hour with groups of students in this fashion, engaged in spirited
and timely give-and-take.
Ford phone-ins which are upcoming in the near future are: Northview High
School, Ted Burba's class, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4; Godfrey-Lee High School, Jack
McKinley's class, 9 a.m. Oct. 9; and Central High, Dick Hoek's class, 10 a.m.,
Oct. 9.
Ford may also do some phone-ins from his district office during October
since he will be in Grand Rapids so much of the time that month.
Ford said he wants to make himself as "accessible as possible" to the young
people in his congressional district. He said he enjoys "rapping with the
students and helping them get things off their chests."
Under the phone-in program, the students may be members of a government or
history class, or the session may be opened up to any student with a free hour
at that particular time. The students may ask Ford any question they wish.
Schools interested in arranging for a Ford phone-in may do so by calling
Mrs. Marba Perrott at Ford's district office, 456-9607. Ford will accommodate
such requests on a first-come, first-served basis--to the extent his time permits.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY--
October 18, 1972
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced the formation of a Fifth
Congressional District Science Advisory Committee headed by Dr. Vernon J. Ehlers
of Calvin College.
Ford said the committee will advise him, on a permanent basis, on all
matters related to the environment, the sciences and technology.
Other members of the committee in addition to Dr. Ehlers are: Dr. Gordon L.
Van Harn of the Calvin Biology Department; Edwin H. Krug of Lear Siegler, Inc.;
Carl Jay Bajema of the Grand Valley State College Biology Department; and John
Van Zytveld of the Calvin Physics Department.
Areas of expertise of the committee members are as follows: Dr. Ehlers--
physics; Dr. Van Harn--physiology, medical and general environmental; Krug--
engineering; Bajema--population, ecology, environmental issues, and genetics; and
Zytveld--physical science and technology, energy resources, and natural product
resources.
Ford said the committee is Ehlers' brainchild, an idea he conceived early
this year. Ehlers sees the committee advising Ford on any scientific or technical
matters on which he requests such advice and alerting Ford to developments in
science and technology which will require his attention.
Ford urges that Fifth District citizens ..who want the committee to explore
any environmental, scientific or technical questions bring such matters directly
to his attention. Ford then will lay these questions before the committee for
study and a report. He will carefully weigh any advice the committee gives him.
Dr. Ehlers picked the members of the Fifth District Science Advisory
Committee. He said he employed two basic criteria in choosing the committee
members--that they be good scientists, and that they be socially aware of the
impact of scientific developments on the world.
###
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13, 1972, and THEREAFTER
Rep. Gerald R. Ford will move his district office from its present location
at 425 Cherry Street, S.E., Grand Rapids, to quarters in the new Federal Building,
110 West Michigan Avenue, on Dec. 20.
The office is staffed by District Assistant Gordon Vander Till, Mrs. Marba
Perrott, Therese Turkenberg, and George Ter Horst. Ter Horst, a recently
discharged veteran, is devoting much of his time to military and military-related
casework.
Congressman Ford's new office is located in the top southwest corner of the
new Federal Building--Room 720. The Ford district office phone number will remain
the same, 456-9607.
The Ford district staff hopes to resume full-scale activity the afternoon
of Dec. 21, after the Dec. 20 move to the Federal Building.
###
FORD & LIBRARY 938870
Fifth District only
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY--
December 20, 1972
Federal outlays in the Fifth Congressional District increased measurably
in fiscal 1972 over fiscal 1971, Rep. Gerald R. Ford reported today on the basis
of a report from the Executive Office of the President.
Federal dollars flowing into Kent County in the last fiscal year totalled
$252,867,655, Ford said, as compared with $238,495,734 in fiscal 1971. That is
a rise of $14,371,921.
Federal funds going into Ionia County totalled $26,356,405 in fiscal 1972,
as compared with $23,552,569 in the previous fiscal year--an increase of $2,803,936.
Ford also reported that Federal outlays in Barry County amounted to
$19,800,547 in fiscal 1972, up $1,890,681 from fiscal 1971; in Clinton County,
$24,730,507, greater by $7,747,693 than in fiscal 1971; in Eaton County, $26,452,365,
up $2,690,099 from fiscal 1971; and in Montcalm County, $30,417,119, up $8,371,276
over fiscal 1971.
The Fifth District includes all of Kent County but Bowne Township, all of
Ionia County but Sebewa Township, plus the townships of Thornapple and Yankee
Springs in Barry County; Roxand in Eaton; Lebanon and Dallas in Clinton; and Maple
Valley, Bushnell and Bloomer (except Carson City) in Montcalm.
Large sums going into Kent County from the Federal Government in fiscal
1972 included $130,857,285 from the Health-Education-Welfare Department; $36,281,000
from the Defense Department; $7,667,916 from the Labor Department; $15,330,772
from the Veterans Administration; and $5,647,354 from the Environmental Protection
Agency.
For Ionia County, the largest Federal outlays in fiscal 1972 included
$15,726,789 from HEW; $3,686,971 from the Agriculture Department; and $1,718,408
from the Veterans Administration.
# # #
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY--
December 20, 1972
Federal outlays in the Fifth Congressional District increased measurably
in fiscal 1972 over fiscal 1971, Rep. Gerald R. Ford reported today on the basis
of a report from the Executive Office of the President.
Federal dollars flowing into Kent County in the last fiscal year totalled
$252,867,655, Ford said, as compared with $238,495,734 in fiscal 1971. That is
a rise of $14,371,921.
Federal funds going into Ionia County totalled $26,356,405 in fiscal 1972,
as compared with $23,552,569 in the previous fiscal year--an increase of $2,803,936.
Ford also reported that Federal outlays in Barry County amounted to
$19,800,547 in fiscal 1972, up $1,890,681 from fiscal 1971; in Clinton County,
$24,730,507, greater by $7,747,693 than in fiscal 1971; in Eaton County, $26,452,365,
up $2,690,099 from fiscal 1971; and in Montcalm County, $30,417,119, up $8,371,276
over fiscal 1971.
The Fifth District includes all of Kent County but Bowne Township, all of
Ionia County but Sebewa Township, plus the townships of Thornapple and Yankee
Springs in Barry County; Roxand in Eaton; Lebanon and Dallas in Clinton; and Maple
Valley, Bushnell and Bloomer (except Carson City) in Montcalm.
Large sums going into Kent County from the Federal Government in fiscal
1972 included $130,857,285 from the Health-Education-Welfare Department; $36,281,000
from the Defense Department; $7,667,916 from the Labor Department; $15,330,772
from the Veterans Administration; and $5,647,354 from the Environmental Protection
Agency.
For Ionia County, the largest Federal outlays in fiscal 1972 included
$15,726,789 from HEW; $3,686,971 from the Agriculture Department; and $1,718,408
from the Veterans Administration.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 21, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced that he is offering a $1,000
scholarship for study and travel abroad this summer to one high school junior or
sophomore in the Fifth Congressional District.
The scholarship is made available through the American Institute for Foreign
Study. This is the fourth consecutive year that Ford has sponsored the scholarship,
with the cooperation of the AIFS.
The winner of the scholarship is selected by a panel of school officials from
among candidates nominated by each high school located in the Fifth District. Each
high school principal decides how his school's nominee will be selected.
The scholarship covers tuition for foreign study, fees, room and board,
compulsory medical insurance, a little pocket money, and travel arrangements from
New York to Europe and return. The winner of the scholarship must pay for
transportation to and from New York, passport and immunization fees, and items of
a purely personal nature.
The student may select a program in England, France, Spain, Italy, and
certain other countries. The Institute assigns the student to a particular campus
and chaperoned group.
Most of the programs consist of four weeks spent at school with an
additional 10 days spent sightseeing in various cities in Europe.
Each high school located in the Fifth District--and those others serving
Fifth District students--may nominate one person for the scholarship except that
schools having a combined total of 600 or more juniors and sophomores may nominate
two.
To be eligible, a student must be a resident of the Fifth District, which
includes all of Kent County except Bowne Township; all of Ionia County except Sebewa
Township; Thornapple and Yankee Springs Townships in Barry County; Dallas and Lebanon
Townships in Clinton County; Roxand Township in Eaton County; Bushnell, Maple Valley
and Bloomer Townships (except Carson City) in Montcalm County.
Each high school principal is to submit his school's nomination to Ford's
Grand Rapids office before April 1.
The scholarship winner will be selected by the following school officials or
persons representing them: The superintendents of the Grand Rapids public schools,
the schools of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Christian
Schools, the Ionia County Intermediate School District, and the Kent County
GERAL LIBRARY
Intermediate School District.
###
5th District Media only
office Copy
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 21, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today announced that he is offering a $1,000
scholarship for study and travel abroad this summer to one high school junior or
sophomore in the Fifth Congressional District.
The scholarship is made available through the American Institute for Foreign
Study. This is the fourth consecutive year that Ford has sponsored the scholarship,
with the cooperation of the AIFS.
The winner of the scholarship is selected by a panel of school officials from
among candidates nominated by each high school located in the Fifth District. Each
high school principal decides how his school's nominee will be selected.
The scholarship covers tuition for foreign study, fees, room and board,
compulsory medical insurance, a little pocket money, and travel arrangements from
New York to Europe and return. The winner of the scholarship must pay for
transportation to and from New York, passport and immunization fees, and items of
a purely personal nature.
The student may select a program in England, France, Spain, Italy, and
certain other countries. The Institute assigns the student to a particular campus
and chaperoned group.
Most of the programs consist of four weeks spent at school with an
additional 10 days spent sightseeing in various cities in Europe.
Each high school located in the Fifth District--and those others serving
Fifth District students--may nominate one person for the scholarship except that
schools having a combined total of 600 or more juniors and sophomores may nominate
two.
To be eligible, a student must be a resident of the Fifth District, which
includes all of Kent County except Bowne Township; all of Ionia County except Sebewa
Township; Thornapple and Yankee Springs Townships in Barry County; Dallas and Lebanon
Townships in Clinton County; Roxand Township in Eaton County; Bushnell, Maple Valley
and Bloomer Townships (except Carson City) in Montcalm County.
Each high school principal is to submit his school's nomination to Ford's
Grand Rapids office before April 1.
The scholarship winner will be selected by the following school officials or
persons representing them: The superintendents of the Grand Rapids public schools,
the schools of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Christian
Schools, the Ionia County Intermediate School District, and the Kent County
Intermediate School District.
###
full Distribution
0 OFFICE COPY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
Wednesday, March 7, 1973
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
I applaud the decision of the Cost of Living Council to impose
price controls on the largest oil companies.
This action, the first of its kind to be taken since Phase III
was inaugurated, should convince even the most skeptical that the
Administration means business with Phase III and that Phase III will
have teeth in it.
As for this particular price control decision, the impact of
petroleum product price increases is so far-reaching that the
imposition of price controls on this industry is unquestionably
justified.
# # #
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON-
Wednesday, March 14, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford announced today he has sent American flags
commemorating the signing of the Vietnam Peace Guarantee Agreement to each mayor
and village president in the Fifth District.
A total of 27 flags were mailed. The flags were flown over the Capitol on
the day the peace guarantee agreement was signed, March 2. The flags are to be &
symbolic link between Ford's constituents and the peace guarantee agreement.
"I had the great privilege of attending the formal signing in Paris of the
Vietnam Peace Guarantee Agreement," Ford said. "As I watched Secretary of State
Rogers sign on behalf of the United States, I felt that I was representing all
Americans who have prayed so long and earnestly for an honorable peace, and most
particularly the people of the Fifth District of Michigan who made it possible for
me to witness this impressive ceremony. I hope the flags will inspire the same
feeling of pride and faith in our country which I felt."
Foreign ministers who signed the peace guarantee agreement were those of
the United States, Britain, France, the Soviet Union, China, North and South
Vietnam, the Viet Cong, Canada, Hungary, Indonesia and Poland.
The declaration commits the 12 governments to total support for the Jan. 27
peace agreement and respect for the Vietnamese people's fundamental national rights
and the South Vietnamese people's right to self-determination.
###
Fifth District only
a office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON--
Wednesday, March 14, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford announced today he has sent American flags
commemorating the signing of the Vietnam Peace Guarantee Agreement to each mayor
and village president in the Fifth District.
A total of 27 flags were mailed. The flags were flown over the Capitol on
the day the peace guarantee agreement was signed, March 2. The flags are to be a
symbolic link between Ford's constituents and the peace guarantee agreement.
"I had the great privilege of attending the formal signing in Paris of the
Vietnam Peace Guarantee Agreement," Ford said. "As I watched Secretary of State
Rogers sign on behalf of the United States, I felt that I was representing all
Americans who have prayed so long and earnestly for an honorable peace, and most
particularly the people of the Fifth District of Michigan who made it possible for
me to witness this impressive ceremony. I hope the flags will inspire the same
feeling of pride and faith in our country which I felt."
Foreign ministers who signed the peace guarantee agreement were those of
the United States, Britain, France, the Soviet Union, China, North and South
Vietnam, the Viet Cong, Canada, Hungary, Indonesia and Poland.
The declaration commits the 12 governments to total support for the Jan. 27
peace agreement and respect for the Vietnamese people's fundamental national rights
and the South Vietnamese people's right to self-determination.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today pointed out he already has a bill pending
in the Congress to require that railroad freight cars be equipped with reflectors
or luminous material so they can be readily seen at night.
"I am informed," Ford said, "that a number of Ionia Area residents are
circulating petitions asking that the sides of trains be marked with reflectors
or fluorescent paint strips. I introduced a bill on April 3, 1973, that would do
exactly that."
In a followup to introduction of his bill, Ford on April 9 asked House
Commerce Committee Chairman Harley Staggers to request reports on the reflector
bill from all interested Federal departments and agencies. This is a necessary
first step in seeking enactment of legislation.
Ford said he has been trying to get railroad freight car reflector
legislation passed since 1957 but has run into strong opposition in every
administration.
"I am pressing hard for this legislation," Ford said. "I have read the
newspaper stories about the two recent fatal night-time accidents at railroad
crossings in Ionia County. As people in the Ionia Area have pointed out,
requiring reflectors or luminous material on freight cars would cost the railroads
money but the absence of this safety feature may be costing drivers their lives."
Ford said a report made on his bill in 1965 by the Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC) is typical of the reaction of previous administrations to the
legislation.
The report stated: "The ICC cannot at this time make a finding that the
net benefits to be derived from the use of these reflectors would be commensurate
with the expenditure required for their installation and maintenance."
# # #
Fifth District Media only
OFFICE COPY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
-FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY-
May 3, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today said he has mailed out copies of his 1973
questionnaire to the nearly 162,000 households in the Fifth Congressional District.
Ford said he is eager to take the pulse of the district on the subjects
covered by the questionnaire. The topics involved range from a congressional
spending ceiling to abortion and amnesty.
"As spokesman in Congress for the Fifth District, I have the responsibility
of representing as faithfully as possible the views of my constituents," Ford
said. "Consequently, it will be very helpful to me to get a good sampling of
the opinions held by the people in my district."
Ford said his questionnaire is based upon questions drafted by political
science professors at Grand Rapids Area colleges.
"There are always those who contend some of the questions are slanted,"
Ford commented. "I therefore have asked the help of the political science
professors in order to meet this criticism as best I can."
There are seven yes-or-no questions and two multiple choice. The multiple
choice questions deal with abortion and amnesty.
The yes-or-no questions ask whether Congress should adopt an annual spending
ceiling, whether Congress should give the President the power to raise or lower
tariffs, whether to allow the use of Highway Trust Fund money for mass transit
capital outlays, whether Congress should pass a law protecting the claimed right
of newsmen not to reveal the identity of confidential news sources, whether to
provide tax credits to parents to defray part of the cost of tuition paid to
nonprofit nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, whether to restore the
death penalty, and whether the U. S. should contribute to the postwar reconstruction
of North Vietnam.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
-FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY-
May 3, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today said he has mailed out copies of his 1973
questionnaire to the nearly 162,000 households in the Fifth Congressional District.
Ford said he is eager to take the pulse of the district on the subjects
covered by the questionnaire. The topics involved range from a congressional
spending ceiling to abortion and amnesty.
"As spokesman in Congress for the Fifth District, I have the responsibility
of representing as faithfully as possible the views of my constituents," Ford
said. "Consequently, it will be very helpful to me to get a good sampling of
the opinions held by the people in my district."
Ford said his questionnaire is based upon questions drafted by political
science professors at Grand Rapids Area colleges.
"There are always those who contend some of the questions are slanted,"
Ford commented. "I therefore have asked the help of the political science
professors in order to meet this criticism as best I can."
There are seven yes-or-no questions and two multiple choice. The multiple
choice questions deal with abortion and amnesty.
The yes-or-no questions ask whether Congress should adopt an annual spending
ceiling, whether Congress should give the President the power to raise or lower
tariffs, whether to allow the use of Highway Trust Fund money for mass transit
capital outlays, whether Congress should pass a law protecting the claimed right
of newsmen not to reveal the identity of confidential news sources, whether to
provide tax credits to parents to defray part of the cost of tuition paid to
nonprofit nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, whether to restore the
death penalty, and whether the U. S. should contribute to the postwar reconstruction
of North Vietnam.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY--
May 30, 1973
House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford today announced he has appointed
Katherine Siddall, 17, of East Grand Rapids, Mich., as the first Republican girl
page in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kathy will serve as a page during June and July. She actually is one of two
Republican girl pages coming on duty June 1, but she is technically the first
GOP girl page in the House because her appointment was approved by the House
Republican Personnel Committee before that of the other GOP girl. The other
Republican girl page is Nancy Sue Bailey of Birmingham, Ala., an appointee of
Rep. John Buchanan.
Ford said: "I am delighted to be able to appoint Kathy as a page. She is
obviously a very fine girl. I am sure this will be a great experience for her."
House Speaker Carl Albert recently appointed the very first House of
Representatives girl page.
Ford said Kathy is an outstanding student and an all-around athlete who has
won varsity letters at East Grand Rapids High School in basketball, softball, tennis
and volleyball. A pitcher on the softball team, Kathy has won the team's
most-valuable-player award for two years in a row.
The first House Republican girl page works in a women's apparel store after
school, and on weekends does dog-census work for the City of East Grand Rapids. She
hopes to become a lawyer. Kathy is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Siddall,
2715 Berwyck Rd., S.E.
Ford said the House GOP leadership plans to arrange for Republican pages to
attend committee meetings and otherwise become acquainted with House legislative
procedures this summer when they are not occupied with their regular duties.
###
Fifth District News Media
0 OFFICE copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON WEDNESDAY--
May 30, 1973
House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford today announced he has appointed
Katherine Siddall, 17, of East Grand Rapids, Mich., as the first Republican girl
page in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kathy will serve as a page during June and July. She actually is one of two
Republican girl pages coming on duty June 1, but she is technically the first
GOP girl page in the House because her appointment was approved by the House
Republican Personnel Committee before that of the other GOP girl. The other
Republican girl page is Nancy Sue Bailey of Birmingham, Ala., an appointee of
Rep. John Buchanan.
Ford said: "I am delighted to be able to appoint Kathy as a page. She is
obviously a very fine girl. I am sure this will be a great experience for her."
House Speaker Carl Albert recently appointed the very first House of
Representatives girl page.
Ford said Kathy is an outstanding student and an all-around athlete who has
won varsity letters at East Grand Rapids High School in basketball, softball, tennis
and volleyball. A pitcher on the softball team, Kathy has won the team's
most-valuable-player award for two years in a row.
The first House Republican girl page works in a women's apparel store after
school, and on weekends does dog-census work for the City of East Grand Rapids. She
hopes to become a lawyer. Kathy is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Siddall,
2715 Berwyck Rd., S.E.
Ford said the House GOP leadership plans to arrange for Republican pages to
attend committee meetings and otherwise become acquainted with House legislative
procedures this summer when they are not occupied with their regular duties.
# # #
Fifth distory
OFFICE COPY
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1973
Three out of five Fifth District residents responding to Congressman Gerald
R. Ford's 1973 questionnaire would like to see the Supreme Court ruling on abortions
reversed.
That became known today as Ford announced the results of his survey,
tabulated in a computerized count. Ford reported that 27,770 persons had filled
out his questionnaire, nearly one-third again as many as last year.
Offered three choices, only 31 per cent of those responding to Ford's
question on abortion said they favor allowing the Supreme Court decision legalizing
abortions to stand. Nearly half--45 per cent--favored a constitutional amendment
prohibiting abortions in all but extreme circumstances while 18 per cent want a
constitutional amendment restoring to the states the power to regulate abortions.
The combined vote for the proposed constitutional amendments, both now in the
House Judiciary Committee, was 63 per cent. The numbers do not add up to 100 per
cent because the remainder did not answer the question or voted for more than one
choice.
An overwhelming majority of those answering Ford's questions--a full
80 per cent--rejected the idea of U.S. aid for the postwar reconstruction of North
Vietnam. The Administration has not submitted any aid proposal to Congress, but in
the Paris Peace Agreement the United States agreed to provide North Vietnam with
economic aid.
Two out of three of the Ford questionnaire respondents (67 per cent) voted
against diversion of Highway Trust Fund monies for mass transit. The House on
April 19 defeated a move to give states and cities the option of using up to
$700 million in Trust Fund money for rail and bus systems. Ford fought the move.
The House last Wednesday appropriated $980 million for mass transit from general
revenues. Ford supported the legislation.
(more)
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
Pa 30 2
The questionnaire respondents divided sharply on the question of amnesty
for deserters and draft-dodgers. Ten per cent favored unconditional amnesty while
37 per cent were for giving amnesty to those willing to serve two or three years
in government service. Forty nine per cent opposed amnesty under any conditions.
Summing up the rest of the questionnaire results, Ford reported that the
respondents heavily favored restoring the death penalty for certain crimes, favored
Federal income tax credits for part of the cost of sending children to nonprofit
nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, endorsed giving President Nixon the
power to raise or lower tariffs as a tool in trade negotiations, strongly favored
having Congress adopt an annual spending ceiling even at the expense of existing
programs, and favored protecting the right of newsmen not to reveal the identity
of news sources.
Ford is the author of a bill which would provide a Federal income tax
credit of up to $200 per child for parents sending their children to nonprofit
nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. He said House Ways and Means Chairman
Wilbur Mills, D-Ark., has informed him the tax credit proposal "undoubtedly" will
be included in the omnibus tax reform bill to be written by Mills' committee.
Ford said this means the tax credit provision will pass the House. However,
he said he could make no prediction as to what will happen to it in the Senate.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1973
Three out of five Fifth District residents responding to Congressman Gerald
R. Ford's 1973 questionnaire would like to see the Supreme Court ruling on abortions
reversed.
That became known today as Ford announced the results of his survey,
tabulated in a computerized count. Ford reported that 27,770 persons had filled
out his questionnaire, nearly one-third again as many as last year.
Offered three choices, only 31 per cent of those responding to Ford's
question on abortion said they favor allowing the Supreme Court decision legalizing
abortions to stand. Nearly half--45 per cent--favored a constitutional amendment
prohibiting abortions in all but extreme circumstances while 18 per cent want a
constitutional amendment restoring to the states the power to regulate abortions.
The combined vote for the proposed constitutional amendments, both now in the
House Judiciary Committee, was 63 per cent. The numbers do not add up to 100 per
cent because the remainder did not answer the question or voted for more than one
choice.
An overwhelming majority of those answering Ford's questions--a full
80 per cent--rejected the idea of U.S. aid for the postwar reconstruction of North
Vietnam. The Administration has not submitted any aid proposal to Congress, but in
the Paris Peace Agreement the United States agreed to provide North Vietnam with
economic aid.
Two out of three of the Ford questionnaire respondents (67 per cent) voted
against diversion of Highway Trust Fund monies for mass transit. The House on
April 19 defeated a move to give states and cities the option of using up to
$700 million in Trust Fund money for rail and bus systems. Ford fought the move.
The House last Wednesday appropriated $980 million for mass transit from general
revenues. Ford supported the legislation.
(more)
DERALD FORD LIBRARY
Page 2
The questionnaire respondents divided sharply on the question of amnesty
for deserters and draft-dodgers. Ten per cent favored unconditional amnesty while
37 per cent were for giving amnesty to those willing to serve two or three years
in government service. Forty nine per cent opposed amnesty under any conditions.
Summing up the rest of the questionnaire results, Ford reported that the
respondents heavily favored restoring the death penalty for certain crimes, favored
Federal income tax credits for part of the cost of sending children to nonprofit
nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, endorsed giving President Nixon the
power to raise or lower tariffs as a tool in trade negotiations, strongly favored
having Congress adopt an annual spending ceiling even at the expense of existing
programs, and favored protecting the right of newsmen not to reveal the identity
of news sources.
Ford is the author of a bill which would provide a Federal income tax
credit of up to $200 per child for parents sending their children to nonprofit
nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. He said House Ways and Means Chairman
Wilbur Mills, D-Ark., has informed him the tax credit proposal "undoubtedly" will
be included in the omnibus tax reform bill to be written by Mills' committee.
Ford said this means the tax credit provision will pass the House. However,
he said he could make no prediction as to what will happen to it in the Senate.
###
Fifth District Media only
O OFFICE COPY
6/29/73
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford regarding Watergate and the Banking and Currency
Committee
(Memo to Fifth District News Media: I understand that an attempt will be made
by Bob Kleiner at a press conference Monday morning to tie me in with Watergate.
The following statement is my comment on any charges that might be made in
connection with the House Banking and Currency Committee vote last Oct. 3
against a committee investigation of the Watergate Affair.)
"On Oct. 3, 1972, the House Banking and Currency Committee voted 20 to 15
against conducting an investigation of the June break-in and bugging of Democratic
National Headquarters.
"All 14 Republican members of the committee voted against the proposed
investigation. So did six Democrats. Had these six Democrats voted with other
Democratic members of the committee to proceed with the investigation, the vote would
have been 21 to 14 to go ahead with the probe. It is therefore ridiculous for
Fifth District Democrats--or for that matter, for Democrats anywhere--to charge that
Republicans blocked an investigation of Watergate by the House Banking and Currency
Committee.
"The motivation of the committee Democrats who voted against the investigation
was the same as that of the Republicans. The investigation would have interfered
with the proper prosecution of the suspects arrested in connection with the
Watergate break-in and would have been interpreted as infringing on their
constitutional right to a fair trial.
"The White House did not even discuss this matter with me in advance of the
Oct. 3 meeting of the Banking and Currency Committee. The House Republican
Leadership did meet with Republican members of the committee on Sept. 26 and 27 in
the Office of the Republican Whip (Rep. Leslie Arends, R-Ill.) but these meetings
took place at the request--I emphasize, at the request--of the committee Republicans
and not on the initiative of the leadership or the White House. The Republican
committee members wanted to discuss with the leadership the problem that confronted
them--the fact that public committee hearings could jeopardize the rights of the
Watergate defendants. I never received a request from the White House that the
House Republican Leadership meet with Republican members of the House Banking and
Currency Committee. For anyone to try to tie me in with Watergate because of the
vote Oct. 3, 1972 in the Banking and Currency Committee against an investigation of
Watergate is utterly ridiculous. Such charges are a complete fabrication without
any basis in fact."
###
Fifth District news media Only
OFFICE COPY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
July 19, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford will tour the Fifth Congressional District in
his mobile office during the "August Recess" of Congress.
Ford will visit 19 locations in the district during the periods August 6-8
and August 23-September 1.
"I am looking forward to this opportunity to talk with my constituents,"
Ford said in announcing his itinerary. "It is always good to get together with
the folks at home. This tour in my mobile office will give me a chance to learn
more about their problems first hand."
Places and times when Ford will be available to constituents in his mobile
office are as follows:
August 6--Belding, in front of City Hall, 2:30 to 5 p.m.; August 7--Portland,
at City Parking lot side of Kent, two blocks from Grand River Avenue,
9 to 11:30 a.m., and Lake Odessa, Bradee's Drugs parking lot, 2:30 to 5;
August 8--Lowell, City parking lot on Main Street, 9 to 11:30, and Ada, Union Bank
parking lot, 2:30 to 5.
August 23--Kent City, in front of Township Hall, 9 to 11:30; August 24--
Fowler, southwest corner of Second and Main in front of former Fowler Hotel,
9 to 11:30; August 25--Middleville, northeast corner of High and Main in Standard
Service Station, 9 to 11:30; August 27--Byron Center, Byron Center Shoprite
parking lot, 9 to 11:30, and Rockford, Main Street near Don's Pharmacy, 2:30 to 5;
August 28-Caledonia, Main Street by Lake Avenue Eleanor House, 9 to 11:30; and
Sparta, on Main Street, 2:30 to 5; August 29--Ionia, in front of Ionia County Bank
on Main Street, 9 to 11:30, and Saranac, in front of McCarty Advertising, 2:30 to 5;
August 30--Cedar Springs, northwest corner of Ash and Main, by Lipperts, 9 to 11:30,
and Standale, at the Plaza, 2:30 to 5; August 31--Comstock Park, at Lamoreaux Drug
parking lot, 9 to 11:30, and Rogers Plaza, by the Schensul Sign, 2:30 to 5;
September 1--Grandville, City Hall parking lot, 9 to 11:30.
# # #
GERALD FORD LIBRAR)
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
July 19, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford will tour the Fifth Congressional District in
his mobile office during the "August Recess" of Congress.
Ford will visit 19 locations in the district during the periods August 6-8
and August 23-September 1.
"I am looking forward to this opportunity to talk with my constituents,"
Ford said in announcing his itinerary. "It is always good to get together with
the folks at home. This tour in my mobile office will give me a chance to learn
more about their problems first hand."
Places and times when Ford will be available to constituents in his mobile
office are as follows:
August 6--Belding, in front of City Hall, 2:30 to 5 p.m.; August 7--Portland,
at City Parking lot side of Kent, two blocks from Grand River Avenue,
9 to 11:30 a.m., and Lake Odessa, Bradee's Drugs parking lot, 2:30 to 5;
August 8--Lowell, City parking lot on Main Street, 9 to 11:30, and Ada, Union Bank
parking lot, 2:30 to 5.
August 23--Kent City, in front of Township Hall, 9 to 11:30; August 24--
Fowler, southwest corner of Second and Main in front of former Fowler Hotel,
9 to 11:30; August 25--Middleville, northeast corner of High and Main in Standard
Service Station, 9 to 11:30; August 27--Byron Center, Byron Center Shoprite
parking lot, 9 to 11:30, and Rockford, Main Street near Don's Pharmacy, 2:30 to 5;
August 28-Caledonia, Main Street by Lake Avenue Eleanor House, 9 to 11:30; and
Sparta, on Main Street, 2:30 to 5; August 29--Ionia, in front of Ionia County Bank
on Main Street, 9 to 11:30, and Saranac, in front of McCarty Advertising, 2:30 to 5;
August 30--Cedar Springs, northwest corner of Ash and Main, by Lipperts, 9 to 11:30,
and Standale, at the Plaza, 2:30 to 5; August 31-Comstock Park, at Lamoreaux Drug
parking lot, 9 to 11:30, and Rogers Plaza, by the Schensul Sign, 2:30 to 5;
September 1--Grandville, City Hall parking lot, 9 to 11:30.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
August 2, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford will make 14 public appearances in
the Fifth Congressional District during the August recess of Congress.
Ford will give talks to eight luncheon groups, the first before
the Belding Rotary Club August 6. The other appearances, all at
noon, will be: August 7, Portland Kiwanis; August 8, Lowell Rotary;
August 27, Grand Rapids Downtown Kiwanis; August 28, Middleville
Rotary; August 29, Ionia Rotary; August 30, Grand Rapids Downtown
Rotary; August 31, Grand Rapids Roundtable.
Additional Ford appearances include a speech at 7:30 p.m.
August 6 at Sparta High School cafeteria before the Peach Ridge
Fruit Growers Association, a tour August 7 of the Emerging Arts
Forum at 206 Wellington, S.E., Grand Rapids, and talks at 7:30 a.m.
August 8 at the Pantlind Hotel before the Breakfast Club and at
6:30 p.m. August 28 before the Sparta Lions Club.
On Sept. 3, Ford will take part in the Labor Day Parade at
Belding and will crown the queen chosen at the Sparta Rodeo.
These public appearances will be part of a busy schedule of
Ford activities which will include a tour of the Fifth Congressional
District in his mobile office August 6-8 and August 23-Sept. 1.
###
DERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
Fifth District Only
OOFFICE COPY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON THURSDAY--
August 2, 1973
Congressman Gerald R. Ford will make 14 public appearances in
the Fifth Congressional District during the August recess of Congress.
Ford will give talks to eight luncheon groups, the first before
the Belding Rotary Club August 6. The other appearances, all at
noon, will be: August 7, Portland Kiwanis; August 8, Lowell Rotary;
August 27, Grand Rapids Downtown Kiwanis; August 28, Middleville
Rotary; August 29, Ionia Rotary; August 30, Grand Rapids Downtown
Rotary; August 31, Grand Rapids Roundtable.
Additional Ford appearances include a speech at 7:30 p.m.
August 6 at Sparta High School cafeteria before the Peach Ridge
Fruit Growers Association, a tour August 7 of the Emerging Arts
Forum at 206 Wellington, S.E., Grand Rapids, and talks at 7:30 a.m.
August 8 at the Pantlind Hotel before the Breakfast Club and at
6:30 p.m. August 28 before the Sparta Lions Club.
On Sept. 3, Ford will take part in the Labor Day Parade at
Belding and will crown the queen chosen at the Sparta Rodeo.
These public appearances will be part of a busy schedule of
Ford activities which will include a tour of the Fifth Congressional
District in his mobile office August 6-8 and August 23-Sept. 1.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON FRIDAY--
August 3, 1973
It has come to my attention that some of my constituents
mistakenly believe I have reversed my position regarding release of
the Presidential tapes dealing with Watergate. I have not changed my
position one iota. I believe the White House could have selected out
those portions of the tapes relating to Watergate and that the
President should have made those portions of the tapes available to
the Ervin Committee and to Mr. Cox, the Special Prosecutor. I
subsequently said I believed the Supreme Court on constitutional
grounds would uphold the President's right to withhold the tapes. I
simply meant to say that I think the President is on sound legal
ground in withholding the tapes. I still believe he should have
released them.
###
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
September 5, 1973
Two appointments to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and four
appointments to the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis are available to young men of
the Fifth Congressional District, Congressman Gerald R. Ford announced today.
These all-expense college scholarships are open to high school seniors and
graduates who are interested in careers in the armed services of the United States.
In addition, applicants must be U. S. citizens, under 22 years of age, unmarried,
and able to pass the physical and scholastic requirements.
Applications for these positions may be obtained from Jerry Ford's office at
720 Federal Building, 110 Michigan Avenue,N.W., in Grand Rapids (telephone 456-9607)
and from his Washington, D.C. office. The deadline for filing the applications is
September 25.
Ford suggested that boys interested in the Air Force Academy also fill out
applications in the event openings develop.
Appointments are also available to the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard
Academies, but the selection to those institutions is not limited to a Congressional
district. Michigan Congressmen may nominate up to ten candidates for the Merchant
Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York to compete state-wide for 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.
Selection of Fifth District candidates is based, on the results of an open,
competitive Civil Service Examination. This examination will be given on Saturday,
September 29 in Grand Rapids and other cities throughout the nation. Make-up tests
for those candidates unable to attend the September 29 examination will be given on
Saturday, November 3. Such applications will be accepted as late as October 30.
"The opportunities for training and a career offered by the United States
Military, Naval, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard Academies should be
seriously considered by many young men in the Fifth Congressional District," Rep.
Ford said. "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 leading to a bachelor's degree in
science and a commission in one of the Services, to obtain further information and
an application form as soon as possible."
*****
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
September 12, 1973
Two appointments to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, four appoint-
ments to the U. S. Naval Academy to Annapolis, and one appointment to the U. S. Air
Force Academy at Colorado Springs are available to young men of the Fifth
Congressional District, Congressman Gerald R. Ford announced today.
These all-expense college scholarships are open to high school seniors and
graduates who are interested in careers in the armed services of the United States.
In addition, applicants must be U. S. citizens, under 22 years of age, unmarried,
and able to pass the physical and scholastic requirements.
Applications for these positions may be obtained from Jerry Ford's office at
720 Federal Building, 110 Michigan Avenue, N. W., in Grand Rapids (telephone 456-9607)
and from his Washington, D.C. office. The deadline for filing the applications is
September 25.
Appointments are also available to the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard
Academies, but the selection to those institutions is not limited to a Congressional
district. Michigan Congressmen may nominate up to ten candidates for the Merchant
Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York to compete state-wide for 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.
Selection of Fifth District candidates is based on the results of an open,
competitive Civil Service Examination. This examination will be given on Saturday,
September 29 in Grand Rapids and other cities throughout the nation. Make-up tests
for those candidates unable to attend the September 29 examination will be given on
Saturday, November 3. Such applications will be accepted as late as October 30.
"The opportunities for training and a career offered by the United States
Military, Naval, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard Academies should be
seriously considered by many young men in the Fifth Congressional District," Rep.
Ford said. "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 leading to a bachelor's degree in
science and a commission in one of the Services, to obtain further information and
an application form as soon as possible."
####
DERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
Congressman Gerald R. Ford today made public a General Accounting
Office report of findings based on an investigation into certain aspects
of the Grand Rapids, Mich., Model Cities Program.
Ford, who had initiated the GAO investigation, said he felt the GAO
probe was "most thorough and very far-reaching."
As for the GAO findings regarding the Economic Development program,
Ford commented:
"I found those portions of the report dealing with loan delinquency
and consulting services very disturbing. I am encouraged by the fact that
corrective action is provided for in the third-year action contract given
the EDC. I believe the GAO investigation which I requested was instrumental
in bringing about these remedial measures."
The GAO investigated charges involving EDC's handling of questionable
loan transactions and consultant contracts, alleged conflicts of interest,
and alleged kickbacks of funds to obtain loans.
Comptroller General Elmer B. Staats informed Ford that the GAO
probe showed the EDC "did not always adhere to its loan guidelines" in
deciding whether recipients might be in a position to repay loans.
However, Staats also said GAO found no basis for four of five charges
concerning questionable grants and consultant contracts--although the
services provided by one consultant were "of poor quality."
GAO said there was "no evidence" of any kickbacks.
GAO referred questions involving possible conflict of interest to
the City Attorney, who ruled that "the situations were either not conflicts
or were conflicts not contrary to the public interest."
########
UNITED STATES
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
Review Of Certain Aspects Of
The Grand Rapids, Michigan,
Model Cities Program
B-171500
Department of Housing and
Urban Development
BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL
OF THE UNITED STATES
NOV. 1 1973
COMPROLLER GENERAL
COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548
OF THE UNITED STATE
B-171500
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
Minority Leader
House of Representatives
Dear Mr. Ford:
By letter dated February 27, 1973, you requested GAO to
investigate the Model Cities Program in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
During subsequent discussions with your office, we agreed to
review certain activities of the Economic Development Corpora-
tion (EDC), contractor for the economic development project
of the Grand Rapids Model Cities Program, and to obtain informa-
tion on Freedom Homes, Inc., contractor for a home construction
and rehabilitation project of the program. You gave us various
documents containing charges of improprieties in EDC's handling
of funds, which we agreed to review. The charges were catego-
rized as
**questionable loan transactions,
--questionable grants and consultant contracts,
--conflicts of interest, and
--kickbacks of funds to obtain loans.
Our review of the charges concerning questionable loan
transactions disclosed that EDC did not always adhere to its
loan guidelines which required it to evaluate the potential
recipients' abilities to repay loans. As of May 31, 1973,
payments on the loans we reviewed were as much as 13 months
delinquent. EDC has since taken legal action to recover the
amounts outstanding on certain loans. (See appendix, p. 4.)
We found no basis for four of five charges concerning ques-
tionable grants and consultant contracts. We found evidence,
however, that part of the fifth charge was correct--services
provided to EDC by a consultant were of poor quality. (See
appendix, p. 9.)
The contract between EDC and the city of Grand Rapids pro-
vides that possible conflict-of-interest situations are to be
referred to the Grand Rapids city attorney for a final
B-171500
determination. We gave the information we had obtained
concerning possible conflict-of-interest situations to the city
attorney to examine. He ruled that the situations were either
not conflicts or were conflicts not contrary to the public
interest. An official of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), which is responsible for administering the
Model Cities Program at the Federal level, concurred with these
rulings. (See appendix, p. 17.)
We found no evidence to support the three charges that loan
recipients had made kickbacks to obtain loans from EDC. In two
instances, the individuals named in the charges had not received
EDC loans. The third individual had received a loan from EDC,
but we found no evidence that a kickback had been made. (See
appendix, p. 20.)
We are recommending to the Secretary of HUD that the Depart-
ment follow up to evaluate the adequacy of the actions taken by
the city and EDC to correct the problems noted in EDC's adminis-
tration of the economic development project. (See appendix,
p. 25.)
The information we obtained concerning the home construction
and rehabilitation project operated by Freedom Homes, Inc., showed
that little had been accomplished for the amount of funds spent.
During the project's 2-year existence, Freedom Homes, Inc., spent
$193,300 and only partially completed the construction of two
homes. (See appendix, p. 26.) Details of our findings are con-
tained in the appendix to this letter.
At your request, we discussed with the mayor of Grand Rapids
the results of our review and our tentative conclusions. The city
manager and a representative of your office also attended this
briefing.
As agreed with your office, we have not given the officials
of HUD; the city of Grand Rapids; EDC; or Freedom Homes, Inc.;
or the individuals named in the report the opportunity to examine
and comment on the matters in this report. However, we have dis-
cussed our observations with them and have considered their views
in finalizing this report.
2
B-171500
Also as agreed with your office, we will provide the
Secretary of HUD with copies of the report. We will also pro-
vide copies to the Senate and House Committees on Appropria-
tions and Government Operations.
We do not plan to distribute this report further unless
you agree or publicly announce its contents.
Sincerely yours,
Times B. Abouts
Comptroller General
of the United States
3
Contents
Page
BACKGROUND
1
EDC
2
Questionable loan transactions
4
Questionable grants and consultant contracts
9
Conflicts of interest
17
Kickbacks
20
Prior reviews of EDC
22
Audits by CPA firm
22
Conclusions
24
Recommendation to the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development
25
FREEDOM HOMES, INC.
26
CDA evaluation of Freedom Homes, Inc.
27
Adequacy of accounting systems
27
CDA Director's comments
28
ABBREVIATIONS
CDA
city demonstration agency
CPA
certified public accountant
EDC
Economic Development Corporation
FHA
Federal Housing Administration
HUD
Department of Housing and Urban Development
TMA
technical and management assistance
USI
Urban Systems, Incorporated
REVIEW OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE GRAND RAPIDS,
MICHIGAN, MODEL CITIES PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
By letter dated February 27, 1973, Congressman
Gerald R. Ford requested us to investigate the Model Cities
Program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During subsequent dis-
cussions with his office, we agreed to review certain activi-
ties of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), con-
tractor for the economic development project of the Grand
Rapids Model Cities Program, and to obtain information on
Freedom Homes, Inc., contractor for a home construction and
rehabilitation project of the program. Mr. Ford gave us
various documents containing charges of improprieties in
EDC's handling of funds, which we agreed to review. The
charges were categorized as
--questionable loan transactions,
--questionable grants and consultant contracts,
.conflicts of interest, and
-kickbacks of funds to obtain loans.
The Model Cities Program was established by title I of
the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of
1966 (42 U.S.C. 3301). A local Model Cities Program consists
of (1) a 5-year comprehensive demonstration plan describing
the needs of the city in terms of projects required to make
a substantial impact on social, economic, and physical prob-
lems of the city and (2) annual "action" plans which outline
projects to be implemented each year. The Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) responsible for adminis-
tering the Model Cities Program at the Federal level allocates
funds to the cities for these plans.
The development and implementation of the Model Cities
Program at the local level is the responsibility of a city
demonstration agency (CDA) which, in Grand Rapids, is an
administrative unit of the city. The Grand Rapids program
was initiated in October 1970. As of June 30, 1973, CDA had
incurred costs of about $4.7 million.
Although CDA has local responsibility for the program,
the various projects are usually contracted out.
1
EDC
In July 1973 CDA approved a third action-year contract
with EDC amounting to $544,000 for January 1, 1973, through
CDA awarded a contract on July 27, 1971, to EDC--a
June 30, 1974.
private, nonprofit corporation--to develop, assist, and coor-
dinate economic efforts and improve the economic base of the
In analyzing EDC activities, we reviewed loans, expendi
Grand Rapids Model Neighborhood citizens and area. Specif-
tures for professional and consultant services, special proj
ically, EDC's major objectives-- stated in its first action-
ects, and other administrative items. We also analyzed
year contract and carried over to its second-year contract--
results of (1) reviews by the HUD Office of Audit and a firm
were to
of certified public accountants (CPA) engaged by CDA and (2)
CDA evaluations. (See p. 22.) The detailed results of our
--provide residents with a source of investment capital,
review of EDC's activities are discussed in the following
expert business assistance, and management training;
sections.
--coordinate business development programs in the Model
Neighborhood area;
--create plans for new investment in the Model Neighbor-
hood area;
--increase resident ownership and employment in Model
Neighborhood businesses; and
--provide consumer education.
EDC received and used funds through the second action
year ended December 31, 1972, as follows:
Source of funds:
Model Cities grants
$630,857
Interest from loans and
repayment of principal
16,465
Total
$647,322
Application of funds:
Loans
$221,006
Grants and contracts
for special projects
53,433
Contracts for profes-
sional consulting
services
151,576
Operating costs
217,092
Excess receipts over
disbursements
4,215
Total
$647,322
3
2
It is taking legal action to recover $17,316
Questionable loan transactions
outstanding on 3 of the 16 loans delinquent over 2
months and $1,004 on 1 of the 2 delinquent guaranteed
One of EDC's major objectives is to provide a source of
loans.
investment capital to businesses and residents of the Model
Neighborhood area. The resources to accomplish this objec-
We were informed that legal action has been initiated
tive were provided through three funds:
on the remaining guaranteed loan-- for which it has
a $2,017 liability-- to secure from the loan recipient
Seed Money Revolving Trust Fund- to be used only for
the musical instruments acquired with the loan funds
loans on projects requiring additional funding from
and pledged as collateral for the loan.
public and/or private business development sources.
Funds were to be used for projects in the Model Neigh-
One recipient with a loan balance of $5,798 has gone
borhood area or for projects employing Model Neighbor-
through bankruptcy proceedings. According to EDC of-
hood citizens.
ficials, EDC will write off this amount.
Discretionary Revolving Trust Fund to be used to
EDC's Executive Director informed us that as of July 23, 1973,
finance projects, special studies, or research proj-
EDC had no plans to take legal action on the remaining delin-
ects and to make low-interest loans to Model Neighbor-
quent loans.
hood area businessmen when funds from other sources
were not available.
Our review primarily evaluated the charges relating to
certain loans. As agreed with Congressman Ford's office,
Special Projects Fund--to be used for business develop-
we also reviewed a limited number of loans not related to
ment ventures relating to youths aged 13 to 21.
the charges to determine whether EDC was complying with its
loan guidelines. We analyzed EDC loan files and certain
During the first 2 action years (a 17-month period), EDC
loan recipient records and discussed pertinent matters with
made 29 loans totaling about $221,000 and guaranteed 2 bank
EDC officials and the loan recipients.
loans totaling $3,021. Additional amounts provided under
these loans after January 1, 1973, brought the total loans
The results of our review of individual charges are
as of May 31, 1973, to about $250,000. Their status as of
discussed below.
May 31, 1973, follows.
CHARGE--EDC granted Mrs. Thelma Frakes a loan in-
Loan
Loan
sufficient to meet the financial needs of her
Status
Loans
amount
balance
business. In addition, EDC required Mrs. Frakes
to sign two security agreements.
Paid in full
1
$
600
-
Payments current
7
118,792
$ 95,253
EDC loaned Mrs. Frakes $5,825 as partial financing for
Payments delinquent:
a restaurant without obtaining assurance that the remainder
2 months or less
5
22,772
20,535
of her financial needs--$6,802--could be obtained through a
Over 2 months
16
108,209
104,928
bank and/or the Small Business Administration. Mrs. Frakes
was unable to obtain the additional financing needed, and
Total
29
$250,373
$ 220,716
her business failed after 7 months. EDC's Executive Director
stated that Mrs. Frakes' business failed because it was under-
In addition, payments were delinquent on the guaranteed loans
capitalized and that EDC acted prematurely in approving her
as of May 31, 1973.
loan without first obtaining assurance that additional fi-
nancing could be obtained. As of May 31, 1973, Mrs. Frakes
EDC has taken action on several of the delinquent loans.
had repaid $291 but was 6 months delinquent in her payments.
For example:
5
4
EDC did require Mrs. Frakes to sign two security
contract to entertain for an indefinite time at $140 a week.
agreements. The purpose of the second agreement was to list,
by serial number, specific items of equipment used as col-
Loan payments are $94 a month. Also, EDC had a copy of a
lateral because the first security agreement did not contain
note and security agreement between the group and the bank
on which the musical instruments were listed as collateral.
such a complete list of the collateral.
CHARGE--EDC made loans to two musical groups--the
The leader of the Mississippi River group, Glen Gray
Patterns and the Mississippi River--and a
(whose address was used on the loan documents), subsequently
painter-- Ed Wilson & Sons--that were question-
moved. However, Mr. Champion stated that he has contacted
able because the residences or places of business
him about repaying the loan. In addition, EDC has the names
cited in the loan applications appeared to be un-
and addresses of the other members of the group. On Au-
occupied or occupied by other than the loan
gust 27, 1973, Mr. Champion advised us that legal action had
been initiated to secure from the group the collateral for
recipients.
the loan.
EDC loaned $1,100 to the Patterns to finance a tour. As
of May 31, 1973, the group had repaid $228 and was, according
On April 5, 1972, EDC loaned Ed Wilson $5,421 to finance
to EDC records, 3 months delinquent in its repayments. On
his painting and decorating business. Wilson, however, had
August 27, 1973, however, EDC told us that the Patterns would
not made any payments on the loan as of May 31, 1973, and,
be given credit for musical performances at EDC events in the
at that time, was 13 months delinquent in his payments.
Model Cities area and that this credit would, in effect, bring
them up to date on their payments.
Our review indicated that before approving the loan EDC
obtained data on the financial feasibility of Wilson's busi-
EDC's loan guidelines provide that before a loan is ap-
ness and how the loan proceeds would be used. During our
proved, EDC is to evaluate the potential recipient's ability
review, we visited the address given by Wilson in his loan
to repay by obtaining and analyzing information on his
application and found it unoccupied. We were unable to
projected income. We noted, however, that EDC did not ad-
locate Wilson to determine why he had not made any payments
here to these guidelines when it approved the loan to the
on his loan or to ascertain his views as to why the business
Patterns.
venture apparently failed. EDC subsequently contacted him
in connection with the legal action it was taking to obtain
Mr. Champion, EDC's Executive Director, stated that the
repayment of the loan.
address shown on the Patterns' application apparently was
accurate, as he recently corresponded with them using that
address. On July 31, 1973, we contacted a member of the
Our review of other loans disclosed one outside of the
Patterns at that address.
scope of EDC's program. In April 1972 EDC loaned $600 to
Although EDC initially approved a loan of $2,017 to the
an individual to pay his tuition at a local college.
Mississippi River group for purchasing musical equipment, the
Although recognizing that this loan was improper, an EDC of-
group subsequently obtained an EDC-guaranteed loan through a
ficial stated that it was approved for humanitarian reasons.
local bank. The group defaulted on the bank loan, and as of
The loan has been repaid in full.
May 31, 1973, EDC had paid the bank $188 under its loan
guarantee. At the time of our review, EDC was attempting to
In addition to using the revolving trust funds to make
repossess the group's musical instruments.
loans to businesses, EDC was authorized to use these funds
to develop projects. The charges relating to one of these
EDC's loan files indicated that before guaranteeing the
projects and our evaluation follow.
loan EDC obtained information to show that the group had a
6
7
CHARGE--EDC improperly used loan funds to establish the
Questionable grants and consultant contracts
Multi-Plex Development Corporation to purchase
an interest in local businesses. In addition,
In addition to providing a source of investment capital
there was a question as to what happened to the
through the revolving funds, EDC was authorized to award
difference ($6,000) between the $15,900 purchase
contracts to third parties and fund special projects to
price for the Varsity Grill and the $21,900
accomplish its objectives, such as
received from EDC for this purchase.
--providing expert business assistance and management
In March 1972 EDC did establish the Multi-Plex Develop-
training,
ment Corporation--a wholly owned profit corporation--to pur-
chase an interest in local businesses. EDC considered this
--coordinating business development programs, and
a desirable means for perpetuating and expanding business
development after the conclusion of the Model Cities Program.
--providing consumer education.
Multi-Plex received $71,900 from EDC--$50,000 from the Dis-
cretionary Revolving Trust Fund in May 1972 and $21,900 from
As of December 31, 1972, EDC had awarded 13 contracts and
the Seed Money Revolving Trust Fund in July 1972. With these
had spent about $192,000 under them. In addition, EDC spent
funds, Multi-Plex purchased the Varsity Grill and a 51-percent
about $12,000 on three special projects.
interest in the Grand Rapids Times weekly newspaper.
We reviewed the award and administration of contracts
According to HUD guidelines, a profit corporation may be
and special projects for which there were charges of im-
established to acquire equity in individual businesses to
proprieties. We also reviewed contracts on which there were
stimulate economic growth, if a substantial number of Model
no such charges to determine whether any problems existed.
Neighborhood residents own stock in the corporation and
We evaluated contracting procedures used by EDC; analyzed
thereby control its operations. However, because Multi-Plex
contractor records; evaluated services provided, when
had not implemented its plan to sell stock to the residents,
possible; and discussed such matters with EDC, CDA, and
the city of Grand Rapids required EDC to give up its equity
contractor officials.
interest in the two businesses. To accomplish this, late in
1972 all of Multi-Plex's assets were transferred to EDC which,
The charges and the results of our analysis follow.
in turn, sold the Varsity Grill and converted its interest in
the newspaper into a loan to the former owner.
CHARGE--EDC paid between $2,700 and $3,700 to
Mrs. Patricia Mathis to conduct business
Multi-Plex originally had an option to purchase the
training seminars, even though she did
Varsity Grill for $15,900 and a lot adjacent to it for
not have any special training or experi-
$6,000 for a total of $21,900--the amount received from EDC.
ence. Further, EDC did not terminate or
However, Multi-Plex purchased only the Varsity Grill. On
change Mrs. Mathis' contract despite the
October 10, 1972, while EDC was assuming the assets of Multi-
disappointing attendance at her classes.
Plex, the $6,000 for the purchase of the vacant lot was re-
turned to EDC by Multi-Plex.
Our analysis did not disclose any information to ques-
tion Mrs. Mathis' qualifications to teach a course in record-
keeping and business management. However, we found that the
Grand Rapids school system offered a similar course for sub-
stantially less than the $3,700 paid to Mrs. Mathis. For
example, the school system could have provided the course
for 10 students at a maximum cost of $200.
GERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
8
9
As charged, Mrs. Mathis' classes had very limited
under his contracts for January 3, 1972, through December 31,
attendance. Available records for 15 of her 20 classes
1972. According to the Michigan Bar Association, Lewis had
showed that no one attended 10 and only 1 to 7. attended the
been continually licensed to practice law in Michigan since
other 5. The contract did not require Mrs. Mathis to guar-
at least January 1, 1971.
antee a specific level of attendance at her classes and
allowed EDC to terminate the contract only if Mrs. Mathis
CHARGE--Rode11a Horton, an EDC loan recipient,
did not perform satisfactorily.
catered numerous luncheons for EDC and
was paid by EDC for more meals than
We discussed this matter with the CDA Director, who
actually served.
admitted that it would have been good business practice to
include a provision in the contract whereby EDC could termi-
According to both Rodella Horton and EDC's Executive
nate or reduce payments to Mrs. Mathis under these condi-
Director, EDC had an informal agreement to pay for the
tions. He stated it was an administrative oversight on his
number of meals ordered even though the number of guests
part for not recommending such a provision before contract
attending the luncheons was less. Records were not avail-
approval. The EDC Executive Director-told us that future
able to determine the number of meals ordered or served.
contracts will include proper controls.
The records did show that she received about $1,700 for
catering meals in calendar year 1972.
CHARGE--EDC approved a contract or grant to
Consultants and Counseling, Inc. a
CHARGE--EDC awarded noncompetitive contracts to
nonexistent corporation--to prepare a
Urban Systems, Inc. (USI) contrary to CDA
directory of minority businesses. Also,
regulations. Further, EDC paid USI
EDC directly paid Mrs. Samson Gary rather
substantial sums-possibly as much as
than Consultants and Counseling, Inc.
$120,000--for consulting services
performed sloppily.
On November 1, 1971, EDC awarded a $9,448 contract to
Grand Rapids Consultants and Counseling, Inc., which--
We found that EDC had noncompetitively awarded USI two
contrary to the charge--was a registered Michigan corpora-
contracts with a total value, as amended, of $99,220. How-
tion as of May 10, 1971. The contract, awarded 5 months
ever, at the time--September 1971 and April 1972--CDA had
after the company was incorporated, required the contractor
not adopted its policy that contracts over $1,000 should be
to obtain information necessary to establish a management
awarded competitively. CDA did not adopt this policy until
information system useful to the Model Cities Program. The
July 1972, and such contractors as EDC were not required to
corporation was not required to and did not prepare a minor-
implement the policy until late 1972.
ity business directory. EDC's records showed that payments
were made directly to the corporation, not to Mrs. Gary, and
USI, a Maryland corporation, was organized in 1966 to
that the corporation paid Mrs. Gary a weekly salary of $150.
provide research and consulting services to private and
Governmental organizations involved in finding solutions to
CHARGE--EDC paid Alphonse Lewis $19,950 for legal
the social and economic problems of our cities.
services rendered during 1972 while he
may have been suspended from professional
EDC initially awarded a contract to USI in September
practice because of a conviction of income
1971 to provide technical assistance in
tax evasion.
--preparing and negotiating portions of the contract
According to Lewis, he billed EDC $17,700 for legal
between EDC and CDA,
services performed in 1972, However, EDC paid Lewis
$13,000--the maximum amount allowed for services provided
--planning and developing an orientation and procedures
manual,
10
11
--preparing EDC's work program,
The TMA system, as designed by USI, was to provide EDC
loan recipients with a wide range of technical and manage-
--establishing the initial economic development
ment assistance needed to establish businesses and assist
strategy,
them in dealing with day-to-day operating problems. The
broad design of the system called for "project managers" to
--developing management and staff training programs,
work closely with businesses to determine their needs and
then bring in specialists to provide the technical assistance
--designing a management information system and
needed.
consumer service program, and
Although a broad range of services was to be provided,
--developing detailed guidelines for spending trust
a CDA evaluation report dated March 12, 1973, showed USI
funds.
rarely performed more than bookkeeping service for most EDC
loan recipients. According to 27 businesses polled by CDA
Under the contract, EDC paid USI $20,833 for services pro-
evaluators, 17 had been given help with their bookkeeping
vided which, according to EDC's Executive Director, were
and 7 had received assistance in advertising and.promotion.
satisfactorily completed.
According to the CDA evaluation, these businesses did not
use the USI assistance in other management areas, primarily
To evaluate the types of expenditures charged, we
because they felt they knew more about managing their own
attempted to obtain USI's records relating to this contract
businesses than the USI staff did.
from John Huffner, USI's president. However, Huffner ad-
vised us that these records were stored at his residence in
In evaluating the quality of the USI services, we re-
the Washington, D.C., area. Huffner left Grand Rapids after
viewed the accounting records of several businesses whose
closing his office on March 31, 1973. We contacted him at
records were maintained by USI personnel. We found that
his residence in Maryland on June 7, 1973, and he agreed to
they contained numerous weaknesses, including the following,
give us the records on the first contract. However, Huffner
in applying generally accepted accounting practices.
failed to provide the records and we have been unable to
contact him again.
Improper computation of owners' capital and deprecia-
tion accounts.
Before leaving Grand Rapids, Huffner did furnish us
records on the second contract awarded by EDC in April 1972.
-Erroneous journal entries.
Under this contract, valued at $77,378, USI was to design,
organize, and administer a technical and management assist-
.-Improperly stated asset and liability accounts.
ance (TMA) delivery system to support EDC-designated
projects--loan recipients and other businesses.
--Numerous computation errors.
According to our review of the services provided and
In addition, EDC personnel stated that for loan recipients
the costs incurred by USI under the second contract:
served, USI had not
--USI did not provide the full range of services
--provided EDC with required profit-and-loss statements
required by its contract and, as charged, those
on a timely basis,
services provided were of poor quality.
--prepared records in accordance with EDC guidelines,
EDC paid USI without verifying whether the billed
and
amounts under this cost-reimbursable contract
represented actual costs incurred in performing the
--closed books at the end of the year, thus requiring
contract.
the EDC accountant to perform this function.
12
13
In commenting on the quality of services provided,
matter to the Detroit District Office of the Internal
Huffner stated that his employees made many mistakes because
Revenue Service. The Detroit Office was unable to
they came from the Model Cities Neighborhood and had little
locate Huffner in Michigan and on June 29, 1973,
experience in providing TMA services. He stated that he
requested their Baltimore District Office to pursue
believed his employees' identification with the area and
the matter further since Huffner apparently lives in
with businessmen were important factors which offset the
Brinklow, Maryland.
disadvantage of being unskilled.
--USI purchased and recorded as an asset of the corpora-
Under its second contract, USI was to maintain account-
tion a motorcycle costing $1,600 for the personal use
ing and expense records to document and support all costs
of Huffner. Huffner agreed the transaction was
incurred. Requests for payment to EDC under the contract
recorded incorrectly. He stated the purchase price
were to be submitted for actual costs incurred. Mr. Huffner
should have been charged to his salary account.
stated that USI's requests to EDC for payment were based on
the EDC Executive Director's advice as to the amount EDC had
--USI loaned $444 to an EDC board member. Huffner
available to pay USI rather than on the basis of costs in-
stated he made the loan as a personal favor and had
curred. The Executive Director stated that he had not asked
not received repayment as of May 7, 1973. This ap-
for data to support the costs incurred because no one at CDA
pears to be an ineligible cost for reimbursement
had asked for it and he assumed USI had such data on file at
under the contract.
its office, as required by its contract.
Huffner agreed that records supporting expenditures
Our review of USI records showed certain accounting
under this TMA contract were poor. He stated that he was
records had not been posted since August 1972, and at the
unaware of their condition until he examined the books in
time of our review invoices were unavailable to support all
January 1973. (USI's records were maintained by an account-
the transactions in the records. As a result, we were un-
ant on his staff.) Huffner also stated that he had worked
able to verify all the costs incurred by USI under the
more hours than he had been paid for under the contract and
contract.
that entries in his books would support this. His records
showed about $8,900 was due him for hours worked from in-
However, our review did show several questionable
ception of the contract in April 1972 through August 1972
transactions, as follows:
and that he had been paid about $6,000 for his services for
the period. However, his records showed no entries of hours
--USI received a $15,000 check from EDC; however, Huffner
worked to support payments of $6,400 from September through
deposited $13,900 in USI's bank account. In tracing
December 1972.
the disposition of the remaining $1,100, we found it
had been recorded in USI's books as expenditures for
According to EDC records, EDC still owes USI $4,900
travel and supplies. Huffner advised us that the
under this contract. EDC's Executive Director stated on
$1,100 was not deposited because he used it to pay
July 23, 1973, that before making final payment EDC will
personal expenses. He stated the entries in USI's
thoroughly review USI's records to insure that all costs are
books were in error and that the amount should have
properly supported and allowable under terms of the contract.
been charged to his salary account.
He specifically stated that he would disallow reimbursement
of the $444 loan to an EDC Board member.
USI deducted Federal income tax from its employees'
salaries but did not deposit the money to the credit
of the Government. Huffner stated USI owes over
$5,000 in back taxes because it did not have suffi-
We identified two other instances where contracts were
cient funds to make the payments. We referred this
awarded for services that could have been obtained free or
at less cost from other sources. In addition, one of the
14
15
contracts was for services outside the scope of EDA's
objectives.
Conflicts of interest
EDC awarded a contract for $3,700 to provide Model
Under conflict-of-interest provisions incorporated in
Neighborhood businessmen instructions and materials to in-
EDC's contracts, members of EDC, CDA, and the city's govern-
scribe an identifying mark on their equipment so that it
ing bodies or their employees are not allowed to receive any
could be identified if stolen. This service could have been
benefit, directly or indirectly, from the contracts. Neither
obtained free from the Independent Insurance Agents of Grand
are they allowed to own or acquire any personal interest in
Rapids. EDC's Executive Director, Mr. Champion, stated
any property, contract, or proposed contract which would con-
that, although he was aware of the free service, he favored
flict with the performance of their duties. Any interest on
award of the contract because the service would be taken to
the part of EDC or its employees must be disclosed to CDA.
the businesses rather than the businesses having to take the
The contract provides, however, that the conflict-of-interest
initiative to obtain the services.
provisions shall be interpreted so as not to impede the stat-
utory requirement that maximum opportunity be provided for
EDC also awarded a contract for $5,500 to a community
employment of and participation by residents of the Model
center to purchase typewriters and teach typewriter repair
Neighborhood area. HUD guidelines require CDA to take ap-
and related skills. The center, however, did not teach the
propriate action to insure compliance.
course in typewriter repair because after the award of the
contract the center determined that the Grand Rapids area
Seven conflict-of-interest situations related to EDC's
had little or no demand for typewriter repairmen. Instead,
activities were alleged. EDC's Executive Director stated
since typewriters had been purchased, the center taught
that, although he did not formally ask for CDA's opinion on
typing courses. We found that the Grand Rapids school system
whether the situations constituted conflicts of interest, he
taught such courses at little or no cost. In our opinion,
had discussed most of the instances with the CDA Director.
such training would more appropriately be sponsored by the
Model Cities Comprehensive Manpower Program--responsible for
CDA's Director stated he was aware of the possible con-
providing job assistance and training to Model Neighborhood
flict-of-interest situations. Further, he stated the cases
residents.
were not referred to the city attorney or HUD for a legal
determination because he had determined that they were not
Mr. Champion stated that a typewriter repair course
contrary to the public interest. He stated that he had dis-
would have been within the scope of EDC's objectives, since
cussed several of the situations with the HUD official re-
it would have prepared individuals to go into the typewriter
sponsible for administering the Grand Rapids Model Cities
repair business. However, he stated that after the contract
Program and that the HUD official concurred with his posi-
was awarded, the decision to go ahead with the typing
tion.
course-which was outside the scope of EDC's objectives--was
made to make use of the typewriters.
We discussed the possible conflicts with a HUD official
who advised us that the CDA Director followed the normal
procedure for resolving possible conflict-of-interest situa-
tions. She stated that CDA is responsible for insuring that
the Model Cities Program is administered according to HUD
and city guidelines and that HUD does not require possible
conflict-of-interest situations to be submitted to it for
legal determinations. She also stated that she concurred
with the city attorney's opinions we requested regarding the
cases described below.
On July 23, 1973, we requested an opinion from the
Grand Rapids city attorney on situations which were charged
16
17
to be conflicts of interest. The charges, the facts con-
cerning each situation, and the city attorney's opinions
that neither HUD nor city conflict-of-interest provisions
follow.
preclude awarding contracts to relatives of staff members
if the staff members have no responsibility for administer-
CHARGE--EDC Board members served as members of the Board
ing contracts. Services under this $9,448 contract were
of Directors of the Multi-Plex Development Cor-
completed in May 1972.
poration, a wholly owned subsidiary of EDC.
CHARGE--Severa1 people in responsible positions--Samson
Although EDC Board members had served in the dual ca-
Gary, EDC's business analyst; Alphonse Lewis,
pacity, as charged, the Grand Rapids city attorney concluded
under contract to EDC for legal services; and
that this did not constitute a conflict of interest since
Wilbur Warren, board member of the Model Neighbor-
EDC wholly owned Multi-Plex. He stated that interlocking
hood Citizen Committee--were on the board of di-
directorships between a parent company and a subsidiary are
rectors of Telecommunications Actions Committee
common and do not create conflict situations. Multi-Plex--
when it received a grant of $2,665 from EDC.
no longer a functioning organization--was required by the
city to return all its assets to EDC. (See p. 8.)
The above-named individuals were involved with both
organizations. Gary subsequently resigned from the Tele-
CHARGE--Mr. Champion, EDC's Executive Director, was affil-
communications Actions Committee- a nonprofit corporation
iated with Action Unlimited, an EDC contractor.
whose purpose is to encourage radio and television industries
to become constructively involved in meeting the communica-
CDA awarded a contract to EDC on July 27, 1971. In ac-
tions needs of minorities. As of July 1973 the other indi-
cordance with HUD guidelines, Champion resigned from Action
viduals were still affiliated with both organizations. Of
Unlimited on August 1, 1971, to avoid any conflict of interest.
the $2,665 received, the Committee's expenditures as of
June 15, 1973, were $1,380 for administrative costs and reim-
CHARGE--EDC awarded a $3,700 contract to Mrs. Patricia
bursement of some travel expenses.
Mathis, the wife of EDC's accountant, to teach a
course in recordkeeping and business management.
The Grand Rapids city attorney stated that, since the
Committee was a nonprofit organization and the individuals
As charged, this contract was awarded to the wife of an
involved received no salary, this would not constitute a
EDC staff member, Mr. Mathis. However, the Grand Rapids city
conflict of interest under HUD or city guidelines.
attorney stated that neither HUD nor city conflict-of-interest
provisions were violated by awarding contracts to relatives
CHARGE--EDC's Executive Director is affiliated with the
of staff members who have no control over contractual matters.
Small Business League which is renting office
The attorney also stated that the most this would represent
space to EDC for $650 per month.
is nepotism, which is not illegal. Services under this con-
tract were completed, and final payment was made by EDC in
The Executive Director of EDC is President of the Small
late 1972.
Business League, and EDC does rent space from that nonprofit
corporation. In May 1973 EDC was paying $400 a month rent
CHARGE--Under an EDC contract with the Grand Rapids Con-
to the League. The CPA firm engaged by CDA found that the rent
sultants and Counseling, Inc., Mrs. Ledora Gary,
paid by EDC was reasonable for the space occupied. The Grand
wife of EDC's business analyst, was employed as
Rapids city attorney stated that, since the League was a
project director.
nonprofit organization with goals similar to EDC's and since
the rent paid was reasonable, HUD and city conflict-of-
Mrs. Gary was employed as the project director. However,
interest provisions were not violated.
as in the case above, the Grand Rapids city attorney stated
18
19
CHARGE--Rodella Horton- a business associate of EDC's
Fisher had repaid him $2,700 in cash. However, both Fisher
Executive Director, Mr. Champion--received an
and Champion stated that there was no truth to Conaty's
EDC loan.
charge. Because documentation was lacking, we were unable
to determine whether the alleged $5,000 payment had actually
EDC did loan $13,354 to Rodella Horton in March 1972.
been made to obtain a loan from EDC. We noted, however, that
Although Miss Horton's records were incomplete, we were in-
as of July 23, 1973, neither Conaty nor Fisher had received
formed that she used the loan proceeds for (1) payment of
a loan from EDC.
outstanding debts, (2) a downpayment on some business property,
and (3) working capital.
CHARGE A member of EDC's loan review committee told
Luther Von Miller his loan would be approved
She is a business associate of Champion, as she is on the
if he gave her a table and two chairs.
board of directors of the Small Business League, of which
Champion is President. In addition, she holds a real estate
In November 1972 Von Miller requested the EDC loan re-
license under Champion Real Estate, owned by Champion.
view committee to approve a loan for about $36,000 to expand
Miss Horton did not become a League board member until May
his furniture manufacturing business. The committee, after
1972--3 months after receiving her loan--and her real estate
discussing Von Miller's proposal, requested the EDC staff to
license was not transferred to Champion Real Estate until
obtain additional information. Von Miller informed us that
August 1972--5 months after receiving her loan. The Grand
the charge concerning the gift of a table and two chairs to
Rapids city attorney stated that, under the circumstances,
obtain a loan misrepresented the facts. He stated that for
neither HUD nor city conflict-of-interest provisions were
promotional purposes he offered to sell, at a discount, furni-
violated by this loan.
ture which he manufactured to several Grand Rapids citizens,
including an EDC board member. In retrospect, Von Miller
Kickbacks
believed he should not have offered his furniture for sale to
such people because his intentions could have been misinter-
Our review of the three specific charges did not disclose
preted. As of July 23, 1973, Von Miller had not received a
any kickbacks. When possible, we analyzed receipts and dis-
loan from EDC.
bursements of selected businesses, reviewed and compared
checks written by EDC to the accounting records of various
CHARGE--EDC's Executive Director told Silas Deans that
loan recipients, and discussed with loan recipients the pos-
he could obtain a larger loan if he would make
sibility of kickbacks. To determine whether any potential
EDC a partner in his business.
kickback situations, other than the three charged, existed, we
also reviewed loan application files and talked to applicants
EDC's Executive Director told us that neither he nor
who had not received loans. We found no evidence that any
anyone at EDC had made such a statement to Deans. Deans ap-
kickbacks had occurred.
plied to EDC for a loan of $75,000 to start a business of
making and distributing posters. EDC's Business Research
The specific charges and the results of our review follow.
Analyst told us that EDC approved a loan for $9,930 because
(1) Deans could not support the need for the proposed $75,000
CHARGE--Jerry Conaty claimed that in April 1971 he gave
loan, (2) Deans had only limited collateral to secure the
Lessley Fisher $5,000 to give to Champion in re-
loan, and (3) a single loan of $75,000 would have rapidly
turn for a loan from EDC. Also, Conaty charged
depleted EDC's loan funds. As of May 31, 1973, Deans was
that five other individuals were to receive kick-
8 months delinquent in his loan payments. EDC took legal
backs when the money from the loan was received.
action to recover the balance due from him in December 1972.
Deans was incarcerated because of another matter at the time
During discussions with Conaty, we were informed that
of our review, and, as agreed with Congressman Ford's office,
the alleged $5,000 cash payment was made to Fisher to be given
we did not attempt to contact him for clarification or any
to Champion in return for a loan. Conaty also stated that
additional details on this charge.
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21
Prior reviews of EDC
"Some of the projects undertaken, because of the
The HUD Office of Audit reviewed the Grand Rapids Model
costs involved, have seriously impaired the
Cities Program for the 3 years ended September 30, 1972.
Agency's [EDC's] ability to grant loans to neigh-
The HUD audit concentrated on evaluating CDA activities and
borhood businesses. The [EDC] Board should be
operations. At the request of CDA, a CPA firm reviewed
encouraged to establish priorities for the use of
EDC's financial transactions for June 17 through December 31,
available funds and systematically develop a pro-
gram that will maximize benefits to those for whom
1971, and for the year ended December 31, 1972. CDA also
evaluated EDC operations for both the first and second action
the entire program was initiated."
years.
CDA evaluations
Audits by CPA firm
CDA's first-year evaluation report of EDC's activities
The CPA firm's February 24, 1972, report on EDC's fi-
was dated June 20, 1972. In this report, the CDA Evaluation
Task Force concluded
nancial condition as of December 31, 1971, stated that all
costs incurred by EDC were eligible and in accordance with
contractual terms. The report pointed out that some of
too many of the loan recipients were non-Model Neigh-
EDC's accounting procedures generally failed to comply with
borhood residents,
HUD regulations. The auditors noted that at the completion
of their review some corrective action had been taken and
too many of the businesses assisted by loans were
the problems with the remaining accounting procedures could
located outside the Model Neighborhood area,
be readily resolved.
the type and amount of technical assistance given to
The auditors' report covering EDC's financial condition
businesses needed to be reevaluated, and
as of December 31, 1972, was issued on March 14, 1973. A1-
loan procedures needed to be shortened and made more
though stating that EDC's accounting policies and procedures
flexible.
substantially met all HUD requirements, the auditors
Its second-year evaluation report, dated March 12,
--questioned the propriety of using loan funds for
1973, pointed out that EDC committed a major part of its
purposes other than granting loans;
three funds to a series of transactions which strained the
guidelines established for the use of these funds, including
--made observations concerning possible conflicts of
interest;
loaning money to non-Model Neighborhood residents or
to businesses outside the Model Neighborhood area
--suggested EDC try to reduce travel costs; and
and
-recommended advertising be done on a planned, selec-
financing contracts for professional services, con-
tive basis.
sumer services, and other projects.
The auditors mentioned three possible conflict-of-interest
The report concluded that resources which could have been
situations in their report which are also discussed in our
available for loans were put to other uses and spent in
report. In summary, the auditors stated:
ways which would not return the resources to the revolving
funds.
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23
contract. The mayor stated that he would fully consider our
findings and the recommendations in the other reports. After
EDC officials' comments
we completed our fieldwork, the city awarded EDC a third
action-year contract for $544,000. According to the CDA
Mr. Champion stated that actions had been or would be
Director, provisions of this contract, and a closer monitor-
taken to overcome problems identified as a result of evalua-
ing of EDC activities by CDA, should preclude many of the
tions of EDC activities. He stated that EDC's third action-
past problems. For instance, he stated that the contract
year contract had been revised to specifically limit the
language on use of loan funds is much more specific and
use of loan funds for anything but loans and business devel-
that other actions were being taken, such as training the
opment activities.
EDC staff and loan review committee and requiring EDC to
obtain CDA approval before incurring travel costs in some
Under business development activities, the contract
instances. He added that the contract allows greater city
allows up to $40,000 to be used for market analysis and
involvement earlier in EDC's decisionmaking process.
feasibility studies for large commercial and industrial
ventures. Also, under the contract EDC will be required to
Recommendation to the Secretary of
develop new loan guidelines establishing preference criteria
Housing and Urban Development
for using loan funds, including insuring that Model Neigh-
borhood residents and businesses are given preference on
We recommend that HUD follow up to evaluate the adequacy
loans. The guidelines require also that EDC act on loan ap-
of the actions taken by CDA and EDC to correct the problems
plications within 30 days after receipt.
noted in EDC's administration of the economic development
Mr. Champion stated that most technical assistance
project.
given to businessmen will be provided by EDC staff rather
than under consultant contracts, as previously done.
Mr. Champion stated also that the CDA policies and proce-
dures manual now requires advance CDA approval for certain
travel and that he is reevaluating and revising EDC's ad-
vertising policy.
Conclusions
Our review disclosed several problems in EDC's adminis-
tration of the Grand Rapids Model Cities economic develop-
ment project and confirmed the validity of certain aspects
of charges made against EDC. Additional questions were
raised concerning EDC's operations in reports on reviews
made by other review groups.
On May 23, 1973, as requested by Congressman Ford's
office, we briefed the mayor of Grand Rapids on the results
of our review. The city manager also attended this briefing,
at which we pointed out that many of the problems with EDC's
loan and contracting practices had previously been reported
to the city in CDA's evaluation report and in the CPA firm's
report on its financial audit of EDC. We stated that the
reports contained many recommendations which should be care-
fully considered in arriving at EDC's third action-year
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24
CDA evaluation of Freedom Homes, Inc.
FREEDOM HOMES, INC.
The CDA Evaluation Task Force report on Freedom Homes,
CDA awarded Freedom Homes, Inc., a contract in March
issued in January 1973, pointed out that, as of December
1971--with maximum allowable expenditures of $125,000--to
1972, Freedom Homes had not built or rehabilitated any homes,
improve housing in the Model Neighborhood. The major ob-
although it had begun construction on two new homes during
jectives of the Freedom Homes project during its first ac-
December. The report cited two major reasons for this lack
tion year were to
of activity:
--construct at least 20 new single-family homes,
CDA did not release money for the revolving funds
until November 1972 because Freedom Homes did not
--rehabilitate for sale at least 24 homes, and
have an adequate accounting system.
--provide employment and on-the-job training for at
--Freedom Homes did not take the basic steps necessary
least 6 Model Neighborhood residents.
to get a construction program underway.
The city subsequently awarded Freedom Homes a contract
Adequacy of accounting systems
for the second action year--January 1, 1972, through Decem-
ber 31, 1972--with maximum allowable expenditures of $187,000.
Before CDA awarded the first action-year contract, a
The contract period was later extended through February 28,
CPA firm evaluated Freedom Homes' accounting, reporting, and
1973. Under the second-year contract, Freedom Homes was to
internal control systems to determine whether they met city
construct at least 50 homes, rehabilitate at least 50 homes,
and HUD requirements. In a December 18, 1970, letter to
and employ and train at least 12 Model Neighborhood resi-
CDA, the firm reported that Freedom Homes' systems and pro-
dents.
cedures did not comply with HUD regulations and made specific
recommendations on the changes needed.
According to CDA records, Freedom Homes had spent
$193,300 as of June 13, 1973, under the two contracts, as
In March 1971--when the first action-year contract was
follows:
awarded--CDA instructed Freedom Homes to implement the CPA
firm's recommendations to improve its financial control sys-
Salaries
$ 84,550
tem. In July 1971 Freedom Homes submitted to CDA proposed
Administrative expenses
45,200
guidelines for using construction and rehabilitation funds.
Construction expenses
63,550
These guidelines were approved by the city in November 1971
and by HUD in mid-December 1971.
Total
$193,300
In December 1971 Freedom Homes requested an advance of
The CDA Director advised us that the city did not award
funds from CDA to begin construction and rehabilitation.
Freedom Homes a contract for the third action year because
However, before releasing any money for these purposes, CDA
it believed Freedom Homes had not satisfactorily achieved
requested Freedom Homes to insure that its fiscal control
its objectives under the first two contracts.
system met HUD standards. In January 1972 Freedom Homes
wrote to CDA describing the improvements in its system.
Our review of the activities of Freedom Homes was lim-
ited to examining CDA's files and evaluation reports and
Subsequently, CDA asked the CPA firm to certify that
discussing them with CDA officials. In April 1973 we re-
Freedom Homes' accounting system now met HUD requirements.
quested CDA to obtain Freedom Homes' records--reportedly
The CPA firm, however, could not certify the system because
held by the Chairman of Freedom Homes. However, as of
essential bookkeeping had not been done for 6 months.
June 14, 1973, CDA was unable to obtain these records.
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26
Freedom Homes did not finish updating its accounting records
and implementing the recommended improvements in the fiscal
control system until October 1972. The CPA firm subsequently
certified the system as complying with HUD regulations. CDA
released funds to Freedom Homes on November 28, 1972-20
months after awarding the first contract--and construction
was started on two homes in December 1972. As of Septem-
ber 14, 1973, the two homes had been completed by CDA and
were available for sale for $17,500 and $18,000.
Mortgage financing
One of the more important tasks preliminary to construc-
tion or rehabilitation was to obtain a Federal Housing Admin-
istration (FHA) commitment to insure the full amount of the
mortgages for the proposed units. Freedom Homes did not con-
tact FHA until August 1972. FHA would not make a commitment
to insure the full amount of the mortgages for the proposed
homes because the value of the needed mortgages substantially
exceeded the market value of the homes in the neighborhood.
This problem was substantially overcome when CDA obtained an
FHA commitment to insure the mortgages for up to $17,500 for
each home. CDA agreed to use its funds to underwrite the
difference between the amounts insured by FHA and the selling
price of the homes.
CDA Director's comments
The CDA Director stated that he continued funding Freedom
Homes through February 1973 because enough progress was being
made or promised to justify a certain amount of optimism. He
stated that he had believed that, given additional time, the
contractor would accomplish some tangible benefits. However,
he later concluded that the program would have to be re-
evaluated and a new contractor found if any benefits were to
be derived.
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