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Ford Newsletter, June-Oct. 1970
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Ford Newsletter, June-Oct. 1970
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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Michigan
Department of Defense. 9/18/1947-
Agriculture
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This document scanned from Box D2 of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 8, 1970
The House of Representatives has strengthened its rules relative to financial
disclosures by its members and top employees. Beginning next year Congressmen must
report the source of any honorariums of $300 or more as well as the identity of any
creditors to whom $10,000 or more was owed for 90 days or longer on an unsecured loan.
Honorariums are received for speeches, magazine or newspaper articles, or for other
services on which no fee is set or legally obtainable. For an elective official it
is neither an outright gift nor a campaign contribution.
Two theories exist as to the purpose of financial disclosure. One is that
there is a simple obligation on any person in public office to disclose every detail
of his financial affairs. The other is that there should be disclosure of only those
matters which conceivably could affect the performance of his official duties. The
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct feels (and most House members agree) that
the latter is the only justifiable reason for invading the privacy of any office
holder.
With the knowledge of these honorariums, voters may be able to determine
whether the actions of their Congressman are in any way affected by the payment of
these fees. They can judge whether a conflict-of-interest is involved. The same
reasoning applies to the disclosure of debts. It seems to me that this reasoning is
sound and I supported the adoption of the more stringent rule.
CAMBODIAN FACTS UPDATED: In the newsletter 3 weeks ago, I listed the amount
of enemy war materiel captured in Cambodia. Here is a report as of 8:00 A.M., June 4
showing also the change from May 14, the date of the previous report:
June 4
Increase over May 14
Rifles
15,260
7,720
Machine Guns
2,126
1,055
Rounds Small Arms Ammunition
11,214,722
2,740,297
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
137,831
133,759
Mortar Rounds
49,640
36,256
Grenades
39,851
27,008
Large Rocket Rounds
1,761
892
Smaller Rocket Rounds
26,191
17,655
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
22,292
12,874
Vehicles
359
181
Boats
40
unchanged
Rice (lbs.)
11,146,000
6,148,000
Man Months
245,212
135,256
In addition 8,387 bunkers and other structures have been destroyed. The rice
captured would have fed a Communist Army of over 245,000 for a month, or an army of
81,600 for three months.
As of May 28 President Nixon had reduced the number of American troops in
Vietnam by 104,450. When he took office we had 532,500 men there; the number now is
428,050. In his address to the nation Wednesday evening, Mr. Nixon reiterated his
promise to withdraw 260,000 troops by next April. He also pointed out that 17,000 of
the 31,000 Americans who entered Cambodia had already returned to Vietnam and that all
would be out by the end of this month.
PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT: The House has also voted to increase the permanent na-
tional debt limit from $365 to $380 billion, with a temporary increase from $377 to
$395 billion for the next fiscal year.
In February the Administration estimated a unified budget surplus of $1.5
billion for this fiscal year. By May 19 this surplus had become an estimated deficit
of $1.8 billion. By May 19 a February estimated surplus of $1.3 billion for fiscal
year 1971 had turned into a deficit of $1.3 billion. One may well ask, why?
First, estimated income for this year is down $3 billion due primarily to a
decline in corporate income tax collections. The estimated income for next year rose
by $2.2 billion but the estimated expenditures went up $4.8 billion.
It is significant that $2.3 billion of this increase in estimated expenditures
for next year are for items over which the President has no control: interest on the
public debt ($1 billion), unemployment insurance benefits ($500 million), farm price
supports ($300 million), veterans compensation and pension ($200 million), cash
assistance grants, medicaid and medicare ($200 million), and disaster relief ($100
million). The single highest increase of $1.4 billion results from the postal and
other federal pay increases. Anti-pollution programs added $200 million to the
expense estimate.
One may also ask: Why such a huge increase in the debt limit when the esti-
mated deficit for next year is only $1.3 billion? That gets us into the question of
what budget we are talking about. The 1971 deficit for the unified budget is $1.3
billion but the deficit in the federal funds budget is estimated at from $10 to $13
billion. The unified budget, generally presented to the public, takes into account
the various trust funds held by the federal government. But the debt limitation, in
most respects, is based on the federal funds budget. With a potential deficit in
this budget of $13.2 billion at one or two times next year, the limit must be high
enough to cover any contingency. Government expenditures may be spread relatively
evenly over the year but receipts vary with tax payments. So the debt ceiling must
be high enough to permit flexibility to the Treasury at all times.
To not increase the debt limit could mean that the Treasury might not be able
to sell its bonds or pay its bills on time. I supported this increase as I have done
before under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Assistant will be at the Cascade Township
Administration Building on Friday, June 12, from 2:30 to 5:00.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 15, 1970
The Postal Reform bill is the most significant legislation scheduled for con-
sideration by the House of Representatives this week. Designed to take the Post
Office out of politics, the bill establishes a United States Postal Service to be
governed by an ll-man Commission on Postal Costs and Revenues. Nine Members (not
more than five from each political party) will be appointed by the President; they in
turn will appoint the tenth member who would be the full time Postmaster General. He
selects the 11th member to be a full-time Deputy Postmaster General.
The Commission would be required to provide efficient postal service at fair
and reasonable rates. It would set the rates for each class of mail and be under
mandate to eliminate the postal deficit by January 1, 1978. Wages, salaries, and
working conditions will be set through collective bargaining between postal manage-
ment and postal unions. Strikes are prohibited but binding arbitration is provided
for in the event of a bargaining impasse between the parties.
Each class of mail will be expected to pay its own way, and rates will be so
adjusted. But the Postal Service is and must remain a public service giving parti-
cular attention to the needs and desires of its customers. Rates are to be increased
gradually to ease the financial impact on affected users. Mail which now goes free
or at reduced rates (books, films, material for the blind, mailings of certain non-
profit organizations, etc.) shall continue to enjoy preferential rates until changed
by Congress or until Congress fails to appropriate funds sufficient to cover the
lost revenue.
The demand for a change in the operation of the present postal system comes
largely because of four basic weaknesses: with an enormous increase in the volume of
mail, the system operates the same as it did decades ago; working conditions are
often poor, career prospects bleak, and morale unacceptably low; the Department
chronically operates at a high deficit, expected to exceed $1.4 billion this year;
postal rates and salaries are set by Congress where too often political considerations
rather than good management and economics are a deciding factor.
The postal reform bill, H.R. 17070, is not without its critics. Some fear
that service to postal patrons will be forgotten in the effort to promote efficiency
and eliminate the deficit. Others feel that Congress and the President are giving
away too much authority. The single most controversial issue is the provision which
permits management and the union to bargain over a union shop. The bill authorizes,
but does not require, a management-union contract which could force all employees to
be members of the union or pay an equivalent of union dues, except in those states
having "right-to-work" laws. In other words, the new Postal Service management would
be in the same position as a private employer in regard to union membership. The
union shop would be a negotiable issue to be resolved between the parties at the bar-
gaining table.
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION: Last Tuesday the House approved a $7.4 billion
money bill for the Department of Agriculture and related agencies in 1971. This is 8.
net reduction of $631 million under the appropriations for the current year. The bill
provides $2.4 billion for food assistance programs to the needy, including the
special milk program, the food stamp program, and the child nutrition program. Over
$690 million in the bill will go for pollution control.
It is interesting to note that today only about five percent of our people pro-
duce the food and fiber for the remaining 95 percent. Fewer and fewer of our people
are remaining on the farm. An average of nearly 800,000 people have left the farms
in each of the last five years. Farm population has decreased to about 10 million
today (5 percent of the total) as compared with more than 25 million in 1950.
The total land in farms in 1950 was 1.2 billion acres as compared with 1.1
billion acres in 1965, a reduction of 100 million acres. The average size of a farm
increased from 213 acres to 377 acres in that same period. As a business venture
farming is becoming less attractive. The average farm investment has increased from
$6,158 in 1940 to $85,402 in 1969. But the average return on farm equities has
dropped more than 50 percent during this period, from 7.1 percent in 1945-49 to 3.1
percent in 1968. As I am sure we all recognize, the farmer or agricultural producer
can afford to quit, but the consumer cannot afford to have him do SO.
FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATION: The House approved recently the smallest foreign
aid spending bill since the program began. The amount approved for 1971 is $1.6
billion compared with $3.7 billion in 1961 and $1.6 billion this year. While I have
supported our mutual security program under Democrat and Republican Presidents, I
endorse the reduction in our dollar contribution. Developing nations must assume
more responsibility for their own welfare and our wealthy allies can be expected to
do more in our mutual support of the free world.
Through June 30, 1970, it is estimated that the U. S. will have provided
economic and military assistance, in one form or other, amounting to a net total of
$131.5 billion of which only $28 billion is in the form of loans. The balance of
$103.5 billion is in the form of grant aid.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Assistant will be in the Council Room at BELDING
on Friday, June 19, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 22, 1970
The House of Representatives has accepted the Senate amendment to the Voting
Rights Act lowering the voting age to 18. On a crucial procedural motion the vote
was 224 to 183.
I vigorously opposed the motion because I believe the result is unconstitu-
tional. (I favor establishing a lower voting age by state action or a federal
constitutional amendment.) We know if the President signs the bill that the matter
will go to the Supreme Court for final determination. This will take from five to
ten months after the effective date of the amendment, January 1, 1971. So from
January 1 until the Supreme Court renders its verdict, any election will be of
doubtful legality. This is particularly serious in the case of school and municipal
revenue bond proposals, and special millage votes.
The Senate amendment permits 18 year-olds to vote not only in federal but
also in all state and local elections. Many authorities insist that the Constitu-
tion does not authorize the Congress by legislative action to set the voting age for
federal elections, to say nothing of state and local elections. A leading firm of
bond attorneys in Detroit states that school or municipal bonds cannot be issued or
taxes levied on the basis of the results of an election in which those under 21 have
voted until the constitutionality of the congressional action has been settled by
the Supreme Court. This could mean a long delay on essential local water pollution
and school projects. These bond attorneys, who serve many communities in Michigan,
will not approve a bond or millage proposition unless the votes of those over 21 and
under 21 are kept separate and the bonding or millage is approved by both groups.
All of this, combined with the fact that the citizens of Kent and Ionia Counties in
1966 (referendum) and 1969 (questionnaire) demonstrated their opposition to lowering
the voting age, influenced my vote against the Senate Amendment.
After losing on the procedural motion we who opposed lowering the voting age
by a federal law as opposed to a constitutional amendment had to vote "yes" or "no"
on the Voting Rights Act as amended. It seemed to me on balance that the benefits
and advantages of the Voting Rights Act outweighed the weaknesses of the Senate
amendment lowering the voting age. I, therefore, voted for the bill on final
passage when it was approved 272 to 132.
I had supported the Voting Rights bill when it originally passed the House on
December 11. Briefly, the legislation extends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for five
more years. The purpose of that Act was to banish racial discrimination in voting.
The law has been effective during the past five years but it is apparent that its
provisions must be continued for an additional five years in order to safeguard the
gains in Negro voter registration thus far achieved, and to prevent future infringe-
ments of voting rights based on race or color. To have voted against the bill
because of objections to one provision would not, it seemed to me, have properly
reflected the views and desires of the citizens of the Fifth District of Michigan.
POSTAL REFORM: Last week I mentioned that the single most controversial
issue in the postal reform bill permitted management and the union to bargain over a
union shop. If an agreement were reached between the managers of the new postal
service and the union negotiators to establish the union shop, postal employees would
have been required to join the union or pay an equivalent of union dues, except in
those states having "right-to-work" laws. Last Wednesday the House voted 179 to 95
to strike out this provision. The House approved an amendment guaranteeing each
employee of the postal service the right to join or refrain from joining a labor
organization. This amendment simply carries out- the Executive Order issued by
President Kennedy and continued by both Presidents Johnson and Nixon. I voted for
the amendment. I do not believe that a federal employee, found qualified by the
Civil Service Commission, and prohibited by law from striking, should be forced to
join a union in order to keep his job with Uncle Sam.
The postal reform bill with this and other amendments was approved by a vote
of 359 to 24.
SERVICEMEN'S LIFE INSURANCE: Last Monday the House sent to the President a
bill increasing from $10,000 to $15,000 the top amount of Servicemen's Group Life
Insurance available to men in the armed forces. For $3. a month a serviceman will
automatically be insured for $15,000. He may, however, request no insurance, or
$5,000 at $1 per month, or $10,000 at $2 per month. The low cost is possibly
because most servicemen are covered under the group plan and the government makes a
contribution toward the "extra hazard cost." In 1969 servicemen's premiums amounted
to $83 million with the government contributing $112 million. Proceeds are paid
either in a lump sum or in 36 equal monthly installments.
AVAILABLE: We have in the Grand Rapids office about 500 copies of a 68-page
pamphlet entitled, "Environmental Health Problems." It contains information on the
effects of many types of pollution on human health and welfare. Copies may be
requested by calling 456-9747 or dropping a note to 425 Cherry Street, S.E.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Assistant will be in the City Hall at IONIA on
Friday, June 26, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 29, 1970
I am deeply grateful to the 34,500 folks in Kent and Ionia Counties who
answered my annual questionnaire which was sent to all postal patrons in both counties.
The response was significantly above the average on similar questionnaires distrib-
uted by other Congressmen. This indicates the deep concern our citizens have for
current issues. These responses are extremely helpful to me in analyzing and voting
on legislation. I'm sure you will be interested in the results which follow:
Yes
No
Unanswered
1. Should the Post Office Department be placed on a
pay-as-you-go basis?
73%
16%
11%
2. Do you believe the U. S. can rely on agreements
reached with the Soviet Union?
20
75
5
3. Should the U. S. gradually expand its diplomatic
and trade relations with Red China?
41
50
9
4. Do you favor President Nixon's multi-billion-
dollar program to fight water pollution?
80
15
5
5. President Nixon has recommended strong anti-crime
legislation. Do you favor:
a. Allowing federal officers with a warrant issued
by a federal court to enter private premises
without knocking if drugs and other evidence of
illegal narcotics traffic might otherwise be
destroyed?
79
19
2
b. Keeping a criminal defendant in "preventive detention"
if his record indicates he might commit a serious
crime if freed on bond while awaiting trial?
90
8
2
6. Do you favor busing school children out of their neigh-
borhood school areas to achieve better racial balance in
classrooms?
7
91
2
7. Should balancing the federal budget to curb inflation
be given priority over greater spending on government
programs?
82
12
6
8. Should undergraduate college students be given temporary
draft deferments?
43
52
5
9. Federal farm controls and subsidies should be:
a. Phased out within five years, or
70%
b. Continued as is, or
9
C. Made permanent, with the subsidies reduced
9
d. Others
12
10. What is the single most important problem in the country
today? Pick one.
a. Air and water pollution
9
b. Crime and violence
45
C. The Vietnam War
25
d. Inflation (rise in the cost of living)
13
e. Others
8
GOLDEN EAGLE PASSPORT: The Golden Eagle passport is an annual permit which
admits tourists to all national recreational areas. Instituted five years ago, the
program expired on March 31. Last Monday the House approved a bill to extend the pro-
gram until Dec. 31, 1971 and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to increase the
cost of the permit from $7 to $10 per year. The permit allows the purchaser and any-
one in his automobile to enter federal recreational areas without additional fees.
The program although strongly endorsed by many has not been as popular as antic-
ipated. It was hoped that about 36 million annual permits would be issued. But
sales leveled off at between 600,000 and 700,000 per year. Revenue is exclusively
used to expand the nation's outdoor recreational opportunities; this earmarked money
is needed to improve our national parks. During the extended life of the program, it
is to be completely. reviewed and revamped to see how it can be made more popular.
RESOURCES RECOVERY ACT OF 1970: This is a good title given to a constructive
bill on trash disposal. I was an original sponsor of a similar proposal. Each year
this nation is generating about 360 million tons of solid waste (trash). We spend
$4.5 billion annually to have it collected and hauled to where it can be dumped or
burned. Most of the time these dumps are among the worst blights in our environment.
Practically every community is experiencing difficulties in disposing of its
trash and garbage. The bill approved by the House last Tuesday provides funds to
assist in the construction of solid waste disposal facilities and to carry on research
to improve the means for such disposal. One technology which holds the greatest
promise is the generating of electric power from solid wastes.
A recent analysis of city dumps showed that paper products, food wastes, and
glass and metal products in that order are the most common items among our solid
wastes. Rubber and leather goods were the least common items.
PUBLIC WORKS AND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION APPROPRIATION: Also approved last
week was a $5.2 billion public works and AEC appropriation bill for 1971. The amount
is $467 million above this year's spending. Included in the bill is $1 billion for
the construction of waste treatment facilities. With $440 million left over from
this year, there will be available for local water pollution control in fiscal 1971
about $1.44 billion. Since the inception of this program 13 years ago, more than
10,000 grants have been made to local communities serving about 78 million persons.
The total federal cost has been $1.6 billion with state and local investments totaling
over $5.5 billion.
AT HOME: On Saturday, July 4, I plan to participate in the Hollyhock Lane and
American Legion parades in Grand Rapids. Later in the day I will be in Portland to
take part in the celebration there. Last Tuesday afternoon I met with the Kent County
Farm Bureau at Fallasburg Park and addressed the Michigan Sheriffs Association in
Grand Rapids in the evening.
INDEPENDENCE DAY RECESS - No newsletter next week.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
July 13, 1970
Since our last report the House has approved a three-year $3.1 billion program
for continuing law enforcement assistance to the state and local governments. The
purpose is to assist these governments in the control of crime and violence and to
improve the quality of criminal justice. This is the program under which Kent County
recently received $35,000 for jail improvement and the Grand Rapids Police Department
obtained $5100 for improving recruitment and training.
During the next three years there will be an emphasis through this program to
improve correctional facilities. Many experts feel that of all the activities within
the criminal justice process, corrections appear to contain the greatest potential
for reducing crime.
PEACE CORPS: The House of Representatives last week authorized $98.8 million to
operate the Peace Corps for another year. Greater use is to be made of volunteers who
are experienced in farming, industry and other fields, the services of which are re-
quired by less developed countries. During 1969 about half of the Peace Corps
activity was in education, 11 percent in agriculture, 10 percent in health, and 22
percent in community development.
The size of the Peace Corps has declined from an average overseas strength of
10,229 in 1969 to 7,703 for the current fiscal year. The Peace Corps is not trying
to expand. It is redirecting its program to give greater emphasis to volunteers with
practical experience and technical skills. I endorse this policy and supported the
bill as recommended by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In all likelihood there will
be some cutback in the actual appropriations because of the financial problems facing
the federal government.
TO CONFERENCE: By a vote of 237-153 the House last Thursday refused to
instruct its conferees to support the Cooper-Church amendment. This means that when
its conferees meet with those from the Senate on the Military Sales Act, they will
insist on reversing or dropping from the bill the Senate's amendment restricting the
President's authority as Commander-in-Chief.
By a vote of 225-160 the House reiterated its support of the amendment to the
Postal Reform bill which would prohibit a union shop in the new postal system. Its
conferees will insist on this position in its discussion with the Senate. I sup-
ported the House position on both of these votes.
LEGISLATIVE REORGANIZATION: I have long favored a reform and modernization of
procedures in the House of Representatives. The House is scheduled to take up today
the bill designed to update the legislative process and to reform committee and House
procedures. The bill would open more committee meetings to the public, more severely
limit proxy voting in committees, provide free tours of the Capitol through a new
Capitol Guide Service, require that pages be of college age, and change a number of
parliamentary rules under which the House now conducts its business.
A number of amendments are expected to be offered from the floor which will
make further changes. These may include making available to the public votes taken in
committee and a record of how members vote on the presently unrecorded teller votes.
If the bill is passed this week I will report its principal provisions in the next
newsletter.
Last week the House unanimously authorized a study of lobbying practices and
political campaign contributions.
CREDIT CARD MAILINGS: The House is also scheduled to act on a bill requiring
any unsolicited credit card to be sent registered mail with delivery restricted to the
addressee and a return receipt requested. This would mean that a credit card mailed
to you, which you had not requested, may only be accepted and signed for personally
by you. The Postmaster General may require that a notice be placed on the envelope
that an unsolicited credit card is inside. Credit cards which have been requested or
which replace expired cards may be sent by regular mail under this bill.
SERVICE ACADEMY EXAMINATION: The Civil Service examination for young men
interested in entering the military, air force, or merchant marine academies next
July will be held on Saturday, October 3. Interested persons should request an appli-
cation from my office before September 15. As of now Kent and Ionia Counties will
have one opening at West Point and one at Colorado Springs with none at Annapolis,
but this may change. Competition for the Merchant Marine Academy is on a state-wide
basis.
AT HOME: This Friday evening I will be speaking at the Grand Rapids Police
Officers graduation. I have appointments at the Cherry Street office Saturday
morning and will then attend the Republican picnic at Ideal Park, the Travelers Pro-
tective Association picnic and the Michigan Angus Breeders Field Day, both at
Caledonia. Last Saturday I was also in the office for appointments, met with the
Michigan Hereford Association at Cannonsburg, and discussed pollution problems with a
group of teenagers who presented a petition on that subject.
DISTRICT OFFICE: On Friday, July 17, my District Assistant, Gordon VanderTill,
will be at the City Hall in ROCKFORD from 12:00 until 2:00 and in the City Hall at
CEDAR SPRINGS from 2:30 until 5:00.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
July 27, 1970
Debate on the Legislative Reorganization bill still continues in the House of
Representatives. No final decision has been reached so I can't report on how much
congressional reform will be accomplished. I do want to reiterate, however, my
endorsement of the proposals in the bill recommended by the Committee on Rules. I
also support many of the amendments being submitted during floor consideration. May
I specifically say that I favor those proposals which will eliminate secret voting by
requiring the recording of votes taken in Committee and on the House floor. Constit-
uents do have the right to know how their representatives vote. I would like to
point out that at the conclusion of every session of the Congress I insert in the
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD a complete report on my "Yea" and "Nay" votes during the year.
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN: The House will consider soon a constitutional amend-
ment guaranteeing equal rights for women. A majority of House members (218) have
signed a discharge petition to take the proposal away from the Committee on the Judi-
ciary to which it had been referred. Soon it will be in order for the House to vote
to discharge the Committee, to debate the issue, and to take a vote. Because this is
a constitutional amendment a two-third vote is necessary for final passage. If the
matter does come before the House I intend to vote to discharge the Committee and to
support the constitutional amendment.
THE CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE BUDGET: President Nixon has called upon
the Congress to exercise restraint and a greater degree of responsibility in enacting
and funding federal spending programs. He criticized the persistent and growing ten-
dency of the Congress to increase expenditures without providing additional revenue
to pay the costs. This is a legitimate complaint.
House action to July 9 on all spending bills, appropriations and authorizations
has added a net of $2.9 billion to the President's recommendations for this fiscal
year. Similar Senate action has added a net of $2.5 billion. Bills, appropriations
and authorizations enacted by July 9 have added $192 million to the President's
total estimated outlays for fiscal year 1971.
As the President stated: "The Congress must examine with special care those
spending programs which benefit some of the people but which really raise taxes and
prices for all the people (And) except in emergency conditions, expenditures must
never be allowed to outrun the revenues that the tax system would produce at reason-
ably full employment."
I support the request that the Congress establish a firm ceiling on total ex-
penditures which would apply to the Congress as well as to the President. This will
protect the taxpayer and the consumer and require both the legislative and executive
branches of government to determine priorities and live within the established ceiling.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? In President Nixon's 1971 budget, for the first time
in 20 years, spending for human resources (health, education, welfare, retirement
programs, etc.) will exceed defense spending. In 1962 under President Kennedy the
federal government spent 48 percent of its budget for defense and only 29 percent for
human resources. By 1968, the comparison was 45 percent to 32 percent. This fiscal
year only 37 percent goes for defense and 41 percent for human resources.
President Nixon's 1971 budget calls for more than $83 billion to be spent for
domestic social programs while defense spending is moving down to $73 billion. The
budget includes $3 billion for elementary and secondary schools, $1.5 billion for
higher education, $1.2 billion for vocational and other special education, and $2.7
billion for manpower training. Health programs in the federal budget add up to $14.9
billion. And initial cuts of $12 billion in defense spending already have been made.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: The House on Thursday approved the final version of
the unemployment compensation bill. This bill extends unemployment compensation to
more than four million workers nationally, of which about 168,000 reside in Michigan.
But of equal significance is the fact that the bill provides for an extended
benefit period for 62,000 unemployed workers in Michigan who already have exhausted
their benefits. An effort was made to delay passage by insisting upon a further con-
ference with the Senate. The House voted down this delaying proposal 219 to 170
because it was generally agreed that further conferences with the Senate would cer-
tainly delay and perhaps kill this important legislation which is badly needed now
not only to solve the immediate problem but to greatly improve our overall unemploy-
ment compensation program. The legislation was then approved 388 to 3. I voted with
the majority in both instances.
AMERICANS IN VIETNAM: On July 16 there were 408,600 American troops in
Vietnam. This is 123,900 less than when Mr. Nixon took office. It is 134,800 less
than the greatest number sent abroad under the program of the previous Administration.
The total number of Americans in Vietnam is decreasing weekly under President Nixon's
plan to de-Americanize the war and turn over to the South Vietnamese a greater respon-
sibility for their own defense and welfare.
AT HOME: I am planning to be in Grand Rapids today for office appointments
and a session with students and teachers in the Upward Bound program at Calvin College.
I will also address the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association and participate in the
"Meet Your Candidate" workshop at Woodland Mall. If the legislative schedule permits
I expect to be at the Lowell Showboat on Friday evening.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
August 3, 1970
While the legislative reform bill has not yet been finally approved, the House
of Representatives has agreed tentatively to record teller votes. I support such a
change in the House rules. Under current rules on the teller votes, members pass up
the center aisle between two members who do the counting. Their colleagues and any-
one in the gallery, including newsmen, can observe how a member votes. But presently
his vote is not recorded in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD or any official report. Under
the new rule the vote will be recorded by name (yes or no) in the RECORD. Inciden-
tally in 22 sessions of the House from January 3, 1949 through July 30, 1970 I have
been recorded on 5389 Yea or Nay votes and quorum calls out of a total of 5943 for a
90.7% attendance.
EMERGENCY HOUSING ACT: The Emergency Home Finance Act, designed to provide
512,000 mortgage loans for low, moderate, and middle-income family homes, has been
signed by President Nixon. The Act will enable savings and loan associations and
other lending institutions to make additional loans at a more reasonable rate of
interest. One of the unique results of the shortage and high cost of mortgage credit
in recent months is the nearly "death blow" given to housing for middle-income
families. Shortage of mortgage credit has resulted in such high interest costs that
a middle-income family is squeezed out of the opportunity of acquiring new housing.
In many places, the only housing being built is high-price housing - above $30,000 -
which only the upper-income families can afford, and low-cost subsidized housing for
low-income families. This Act is aimed at taking care of the folks caught in the
middle.
Among the provisions of the Act is one which will reduce to a minimum of seven
percent the going interest rate paid by families whose total income is at or below
the "median" level in their localities. For the first time, the government will be
assisting average income families in the purchase of a home. I supported the bill
when it passed the House and was present at the White House when the President signed
it into law.
Right now new housing is being constructed at the rate of 1.3 million units a
year. Another 512,000 units encouraged by this Act will bring us close to the two
million mark, something the nation has not approached since 1950.
RAILROAD RETIREMENT: On Thursday the House agreed to the final version of the
bill to provide a 15 percent increase in railroad retirement benefits to bring them
up proportionately with Social Security. The increase is retroactive to January 1,
1970 when the larger Social Security benefits became available.
The bill also calls for a study on how to handle the subsequent financing of
the railroad retirement system to make it actuarially sound.
ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES: Between 1950 and 1967, the number of workers in the
allied health professions and occupations (technicians, therapists, dietitians, medi-
cal and dental assistants) almost tripled from about 290,000 to more than 800,000.
The problem of training persons to qualify for these positions has become acute.
Last week the House approved a bill to extend and expand legislation first
passed in 1966 to assist in training individuals for these occupations. This bill
provides federal funds to assist in the construction and operation of teaching facili-
ties, and in the development of new methods. The program also supplies funds to aid
students in these fields, especially those who plan to become teachers or supervisors.
FACILITIES FOR MENTALLY RETARDED: The House also approved last week a bill to
continue federal assistance for the care of the mentally retarded. The legislation
authorized will provide a total of $362 million to be spent over a three-year
period. During the current year $60 million would go for the construction and
staffing of community facilities to care for the retarded, $20 million for the con-
struction of university-affiliated facilities, and $15 million for demonstration and
training grants.
ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS: Nine young men from the Fifth District entered the
service academies on July 1. Six are at the Naval Academy in Annapolis: Robert
Smith, Ada; Terry Mulder, Wyoming; Robert Thome, Ionia; Richard Terpstra, Dutton;
Martin Everse and William Kloppe, Grand Rapids. William Maddox of Grand Rapids is at
West Point. Steven Forberg and Kreigh Tomaszewski, Grand Rapids, have accepted
appointments to the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.
MARIHUANA REPORT: We have available a limited number of copies of a 100-page
booklet on "Marihuana." This is the first report of the Select Committee on Crime of
the House of Representatives. Copies may be requested by contacting my Grand Rapids
office at 425 Cherry Street, S.E. where the telephone number is 456-9747. Or you may
drop a note to me in Washington. "House of Representatives" is a sufficient address.
RECESS AND MOBILE OFFICE: The House has agreed to a recess for three weeks
beginning August 14. I am planning a Mobile Office tour of Kent and Ionia Counties
during the last part of August and the first week in September. Office hours will be
maintained in the morning and afternoon at various communities. A detailed schedule
will soon be announced. You are invited to come in for a visit.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Assistant will be at the City Hall in LOWELL on
Friday, August 7, from 2:30 to 5:00.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
August 10, 1970
The bi-partisan, compromise farm bill was approved by the House of Representa-
tives last Wednesday. The bill had the support of the Administration, the Democratic-
controlled Committee on Agriculture including the Chairman and senior Republican,
and the Democratic and Republican leaders in the House. I voted for the bill on
final passage when it was approved 212 to 171.
Because it is a compromise, the bill contains some provisions I do not person-
ally support and it left out some provisions I would have. included. But when the
final vote comes we have to pass judgment on the legislation as a whole. In this
instance I thought the compromise worked out by the Administration and the Committee
was far better than no bill at all. The bill extends the federal farm program for
three years. It maintains the supplemental income to farmers at about the current
level of $3.5 billion a year. One of the major technical changes involves the method
of determining how certain crops are to be taken out of production. It grants farmers
a greater flexibility in the management of their farms.
The bill does continue government financial assistance to farmers. In a joint
statement the Democratic Chairman and the senior Republican on the Committee said:
"Inasmuch as the farmer gets only about one out of three dollars which the consumer
spends on food, it seems logical that if this aid is withheld from farmers then con-
sumers are going to have to pay some $9 billion to $10 billion more for the same food
because neither agriculture nor any other great business undertaking can continue
year after year to put more money into production than the income it receives. As a
matter of self-interest consumers must be concerned with the source of this necessary
income. The method provided in this bill is clearly the least expensive in terms of
retail food prices.'
So the bill does attempt to protect the consumer from unreasonably high prices
and the farmer from completely inadequate income. I supported the bill because it was
the best we could get at the time. It is by no means a perfect bill nor the answer to
"the farm problem.' But "politics is the art of the possible." I believe we must
continue to work toward a more satisfactory, workable, and economical farm policy.
The most controversial issue in the bill did result in a step forward. The
bill as passed by the House limits government payments for any one crop to one farmer
at $55,000. Last year about 1100 farmers in the U. S. received more than this amount.
It is estimated that this limitation will save the American taxpayer about $48
million a year.
I supported an effort to lower this ceiling on payments to $20,000. This
would have meant an annual savings of $170 million. It seems to me that the basic
objectives of the farm program could be achieved with a $20,000 limitation and that
higher payments only benefit large corporate farms at the taxpayers' expense. But on
a teller (non-recorded) vote, the lower ceiling was rejected 161 to 134. The Commit-
tee on Agriculture, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the House Democratic leadership
had announced its opposition to the $20,000 limitation and their support for the
$55,000 payment limitation.
ANTI-OBSCENITY MEASURE: The House last Monday approved the third of President
Nixon's anti-obscenity proposals, all of which I have co-sponsored. The bill passed
by the House prohibits the mailing, or transportation in interstate commerce, of any
unsolicited advertising matter of a salacious nature. The bill carefully defines
"salacious" advertising to meet the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First
Amendment. But its primary purpose is to stop the mailing of offensive sexually-
oriented advertising material. The bill provides a. maximum penalty of five years in
prison and $50,000 fine for the first offense.
POSTAL REFORM: On Thursday the House gave final approval to the postal reform
bill to take the post office out of politics. Earlier in this Congress I was a spon-
sor of similar legislation. This action will not solve all our postal problems but it
does provide the means for making substantial progress. One very specific objective
is to eliminate the enormous annual postal deficit. The new postal authority may make
some drastic changes in mail handling in order to effect economies. Partisan politi-
cal influence in the post office which has dominated this $8-billion-a-year business
will be ended. Efficient business-type management will be instituted and economies in
operation should result along with better service to patrons. The bill approved by
the House calls for an eight percent increase in postal pay retroactive to April 18.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS: The proposed Women's Rights amendment to the U.S. Constitution
is scheduled for a vote in the House today. There will be two votes: the first to
discharge the proposal from the Committee on the Judiciary; the second, which requires
a 2/3 vote, to approve the amendment. I plan to vote affirmatively on both measures.
THANK YOU: I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to all of you who
voted for me in the Primary Election last Tuesday. Although I had no primary opposi-
tion, it was most gratifying to know that so many of you registered a vote of confi-
dence in me and my efficient and loyal staff.
INAUGURAL FILM: My Grand Rapids office (456-9747) has available a 40-minute
sound film on the 1969 Presidential Inaugural Ceremony. It is available to any group
interested in this documentary.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
August 17, 1970
Last Thursday I voted to save the taxpayers nearly a billion dollars. That is
the significance of my vote to sustain presidential vetoes of the Office of Education
and Housing and Urban Development-Independent Offices appropriations bills. The two
vetoed bills provided $994 million more than the President asked for, although the
presidential requests met education and housing needs at a level generously above
that of the previous Administration. This is a time when not only American families
but the federal government should live within a sensible budget. It is a time which
is critical in the fight against inflation. It is not a time for budget-busting
actions by the Congress. I voted in favor of fiscal responsibility.
WOMENS' RIGHTS: By a vote of 350 to 15 the House of Representatives sent to
the Senate a constitutional amendment stating that: "Equality of rights under the law
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of
sex." If approved by a 2/3 vote in the Senate, it must be ratified by at least 38
states to become effective.
If the amendment is adopted it could affect any laws specifically protecting
employed women and any state or federal laws affecting property rights of women or
inheritance rights of widows if they differ from those relating to men. Laws relat-
ing to marriage and divorce, child custody and alimony would have to be the same for
men and women. The sponsor of the amendment, Rep. Martha Griffiths (Mich-Dem),
pointed out that women would be equally subject to jury service and to military ser-
vice, "but women would not be required to serve in the armed services where they are
not fitted any more than men are required to so serve." Both men and women would be
permitted to volunteer on an equal basis. The separation of the sexes would be for-
bidden except where necessary because of overriding public interest and in a manner
as not to deny individual rights and liberties. In summary, the amendment would not
change existing laws, except those which restrict and deny women equal opportunities
with men.
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES: The bill to establish the Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore in Benzie and Leelanau Counties in Michigan is nearing consideration by
the House. The Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs has approved a bipartisan
bill (H.R. 18776) sponsored by 17 of the 19 members of the Michigan delegation. The
Committee on Rules has agreed that the legislation may go to the floor of the House
for two hours of debate and the consideration of amendments.
I joined with Congressman Vander Jagt, who represents the area involved, and my
other colleagues from Michigan in sponsoring the proposal. The reported bill was
worked out by the Committee after extensive hearings and careful evaluation. We
trust that it will accomplish the purpose of preserving this area in its natural
setting and at the same time adequately protect local and private interests.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA REPRESENTATION: The House passed two bills last Monday to
give the people of Washington, D.C. the right to elect a non-voting delegate to Con-
gress. The first provided for such a delegate in both the Senate and the House. The
second calls only for a House delegate and would have a "little Hoover Commission"
to examine the operation of the D.C. government. I voted against the first bill and
for the second. I felt we should make a choice; it is historical and proper that
the delegate from the District of Columbia be a House member, and it is evident that
the Senate will not accept a non-voting delegate.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: I have joined a number of House members in sponsoring
a bill to set a $205.6 billion ceiling on federal expenditures this year. That
figure represents the latest revision of the President's budget outlays of fiscal
1971. If the Congress would adopt such a ceiling, to apply to both the Congress and
the President, we would be on the way to fiscal responsibility.
HEALTH PLANNING AND SERVICES: The House approved last week a bill authorizing
(but not appropriating) $1.3 billion over the next three years for improving health
care. The money will go for public health facilities and services, for training of
personnel, and for planning more efficient health care.
MOBILE OFFICE SCHEDULE: During the last week in August and the first week in
September I am planning 18 Mobile Office stops in Kent and Ionia counties. The
morning office hours will be from 9:00 to 11:30; in the afternoon from 2:30 to 5:00.
Everyone is welcome. No appointment is necessary. We hope that anyone with a prob-
lem involving the federal government will come to see us. But I am looking forward
also to visiting with those who want to discuss issues or who just desire to say,
"Hello."
MORNING
AFTERNOON
Monday,
August 24
Comstock Park
Rogers Plaza
Tuesday,
August 25
Sparta
Byron Center
Wednesday,
August 26
Rockford
Caledonia
Thursday,
August 27
Cedar Springs
Friday,
August 28
Kent City
Monday,
August 31
Belding
Lowell
Tuesday,
September 1
Ionia
Lyons-Muir
Wednesday, September 2
Lake Odessa
Saranac
Thursday,
September 3
Portland
Grandville
Friday,
September 4
Ada
Standale
WASHINGTON REVIEW: Because of the House recess our next newsletter will be
dated September 21.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Assistant will be at the City Council Room in
PORTLAND on Friday, August 21 from 2:30 to 5:00.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
September 21, 1970
President Nixon has announced a program to get at the menace of air piracy.
He has taken action to protect American lives and aircraft. This week the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs is continuing hearings on a large number of resolutions
on this subject. The resolutions call for the establishment of agreements with all
nations to provide for the mandatory extradition of a hijacker, and the imposition of
international sanctions against any nation which protects or shelters a hijacker.
Today the Committee on Ways and Means opens hearings on Mr. Nixon's anti-
hijacking measure. It will be concerned with the proposal to increase from 8 to 83/2
percent the tax on domestic air tickets and to increase from $3 to $5 the tax on
overseas air travelers. These revenue increases will be earmarked to pay for the
security guards which will be accompanying all overseas and some domestic flights.
In the same bill, President Nixon is requesting statutory authority to provide the
guards who are already on the job under executive order. At a meeting at the White
House with the Democratic and Republican leadership and the President it was agreed
there would be bi-partisan support for this legislation.
VETERANS PENSIONS AND SOCIAL SECURITY: The House is expected to approve today
a bill which will assure veterans that they will not lose any of their VA pension
because of the 15 percent increase in social security effective January 1, 1970. We
have had numerous inquiries on this subject during the year. Many veterans with a VA
pension find that the social security increase puts them in an income bracket
ineligible for the veterans pension. In other words, the social security increase
results in a decrease in their total annual income. The bill, unanimously approved
by the Committee, will prevent this. No veteran will lose his pension because of the
social security cost-of-living adjustment.
CREDIT CARDS: The House has approved the bill requiring unsolicited credit
cards be sent by registered mail to assure personal delivery. To further protect the
individuals a notice explaining the contents must be printed on the envelope.
Credit cards which have been requested or are renewals or replacements may,
under this bill, be sent regular mail. The Senate which has taken a different
approach to the problem must still approve the House bill.
AN ANTI-POLLUTION MEASURE: During the past week I introduced two bills, one
relating to air and water pollution; the other would revise the handling of the
federal tax on commercial airline tickets.
The anti-pollution bill is modeled after Michigan's so-called "Sax bill" signed
into law recently by Governor Milliken. This Michigan legislation gives our citizens
the right to bring legal action in our state courts against those whom they believe to
be polluting the environment. Michigan is the first state to enact this concept into
law.
It seems to me this right should be extended to all of the 50 states and that E
remedy should be available also through the federal courts, otherwise Michigan could
be discriminated against. My bill adapts Michigan's law to make its provisions appli
cable to the entire country. This bill is not expected to be a substitute for govern
mental regulation but is aimed at giving the individual or a group another weapon in
the fight against pollution. However, any action under the bill involves a judicial
proceeding to protect the interests of the defendent as well as those of the plain-
tiff. The bill, titled the "Environmental Rights Act of 1970," has been referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
AIRLINE TICKET TAX: Earlier this year Congress raised the tax on domestic air-
line tickets from 5 to 8 percent. The Act also states that the ticket shall show
only the total cost to the passenger without indicating the amount of the federal tax
Furthermore, any agent of the airlines who states the specific amount of the tax on
the ticket or in any advertising of flight fares is subject to a fine of $100. My
bill eliminates this requirement and penalty. There is no sound reason for hiding
the tax and certainly no reason at all for the $100 fine for a clerk who puts the
amount of tax on a ticket.
This provision was not in the bill when it passed the House. It was added by
the Senate which argued that it was simpler for the passenger to be given a set price
including tax. This, it was said, would also speed up the issuance of tickets and
prevent deceptive advertising. I agree with those who insist that passengers have
the right to know exactly how much federal tax they are paying and that no one should
be fined for putting the tax on the ticket.
SLEEPING BEAR: The House was scheduled to consider last week, H.R. 18776, the
bi-partisan bill to establish the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore in Michigan.
However, action was postponed and the bill is on the agenda for this week.
PRELIMINARY CENSUS REPORT: Figures recently released by the Bureau of the
Census puts Michigan's population at 8,778,187, an increase of 12.2 percent over 1960.
Kent County is up 12.4 percent to 408,234. Ionia County's population is 45,632 repre-
senting an increase of 5.8 percent. Grand Rapids has 195,892 people, up 10.5 percent
over ten years ago. Ionia City showed a 7 percent increase to 6,284. I am co-
sponsoring legislation to postpone the final announcement of the population count
until some of our cities can be satisfied that the census enumeration was accurate.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
September 28, 1970
Legislation to establish the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which has
been a controversial issue before the House of Representatives for more than a decade,
was approved last Tuesday. The bill was a thorough revision of previous measures and
had the support of every member of Congress from Michigan, our Governor, and the
state legislature. It resolved two fundamental objections to previous proposals:
the lack of reimbursement to local governmental units of local tax revenues, and
unacceptable provisions for the condemnation of unimproved property. The State has
agreed to reimburse local units of government so they will not lose one cent of tax
money. A fair system has been developed to obtain and pay for unimproved (no build-
ings) property. It is important to note that any longstanding cottage owner on the
land will continue to own his cottage outright and in perpetuity.
The 61,000 acre park will be located in Benzie and Leelanau Counties on Lake
Michigan and will include South and North Manitou Islands. It is estimated that the
land can be acquired for not more than $19.8 million and that improvements will cost
less than $19 million. The purpose is to preserve this part of Michigan as a recre-
ational area for present and future generations. Sleeping Bear lies within an easy
day's automobile drive of well over 10 million people.
There are some who feel for various reasons that this park should not be
established. The issue was controversial down to the last word and final vote. But
I felt the arguments in support of this conservation measure outweighed the objec-
tions. As a co-sponsor I participated in the debate on behalf of the Sleeping Bear
and voted "yes" on final passage.
LEGISLATIVE REFORM: After debate extending over a period of weeks the House
has approved a 155-page legislative reform bill. It alters many of the practices and
procedures of the House. A large number are technical and of a housekeeping nature.
But some are of general interest. No longer will visitors to the Capitol pay a 25
fee for guide service. Capitol guides will be put on the payroll and conducted tours
of the Capitol will be free. Depending on the results of a study authorized by the
bill, a soundproof plexiglass barrier may separate the galleries from the rest of the
Chamber. If this is done loudspeakers will be installed in the galleries so visitors
can hear better and they will also receive a commentary of what is transpiring on the
floor. Reading and note-taking will then be permitted in the galleries.
All Committee meetings will be open to the public unless the Committee by a
majority vote decides otherwise. Committee meetings may be televised if the major
networks are interested and the Committee has no objection. Today the House does not
permit Committee sessions to be televised.
The teller vote which heretofore has been a non-recorded procedure is elimi-
nated. The RECORD will in the future show how each Member voted. A voice vote and
standing vote may still be used. Both procedures are unrecorded. But 20 percent of
the House members present can demand a recorded teller or yea-and-nay vote.
Before final passage I supported an amendment to the bill which would have
outlawed all proxy voting in any Committee. It seems to me that members should be
present and personally voting if their vote is to count. This stringent proposal was
defeated 187 to 156. The bill does prohibit a general blanket proxy which may be
used on any and all measures. It restricts proxies to a specific bill before the
Committee.
I voted for the legislative reform bill on final passage when it was approved
326 to 19. It is now with the Senate for further consideration.
ANTI-AIRLINE HIJACKING LEGISLATION: The Committee on Ways and Means has
approved the increase of 1/2 percent in the tax on airline tickets to provide funds
for maintaining security guards on all overseas and some domestic flights. The new
funds will also expand the use of electronic devices to detect hijacking weapons.
Incorporated in the bill is a provision to authorize airline tickets to show the
amount of the federal tax as well as the overall fare. This would accomplish the
objective of my own bill which I described last week.
UNORDERED MERCHANDISE: Have you ever wondered what you should do with unordered
merchandise which comes through the mail? The older common law concept was that one
should pay for it if he made use of it. But more than half of our states have ruled
that these items can be considered a gift. Now the Congress has stated officially
in the postal reorganization bill that unordered merchandize received through the
mail "may be treated as a gift by the recipient, who shall have the right to retain,
use, discard or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation what-
soever to the sender." The law makes this apply also to charitable organizations
soliciting contributions. Moreover, any such items sent through the mail must inform
the recipient that he may treat the merchandize as a gift.
SPACE REPORT: We have 100 copies of a report on a survey of the practical
returns from space investment. It is entitled, "For the Benefit of all Mankind," and
discusses the tangible benefits which have been received from our space exploration.
Requests for the 59-page pamphlet will be honored as long as the supply lasts. Drop
me a note at the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515, or call my Grand
Rapids office: 456-9747.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
October 5, 1970
Severe criminal penalties for those who engage in the illegal drug business
are provided in the comprehensive drug act recently passed by the House of Represen-
tatives. Persons engaged in "continuing criminal enterprises" which provide substan-
tial profits from illicit drug traffic can be sent to prison for a term of 10 years
to life and be fined up to $100,000. A second conviction carries a mandatory sentence
of not less than 20 years, a fine up to $200,000, and forfeiture of all profits from
the business.
On the other hand the bill stipulates that the illegal possession of drugs by
an individual for his own use is a misdemeanor with a sentence of up to one year im-
prisonment and a fine of not more than $5,000 or both. The quantity of a drug found
in possession of a person will determine whether the drug is for his own use or for
the purpose of illicit transactions involving others. The bill aims to severely
punish those in the professional drug rings (peddlers and pushers) while giving the
personal user a "second chance."
For a first offense by a personal user, the judge may grant probation. If
after one year there has been no further use of drugs, the proceedings against the
fender may be dismissed and his record wiped clean. This is designed to protect
the youngster who may experiment once with drugs. It may not be used in any second
offense cases.
The bill provides other penalties depending on the nature of the drug and the
extent of the criminal activities. It grants considerable discretion to the courts,
eliminating most of the mandatory sentences in current law. This will permit judges
to consider the circumstances involved in each case. But second offenses carry double
the penalty for first offenses. And when a person over 18 sells drugs to a person
below 21, the first offense punishment is twice that otherwise provided.
The bill does more than penalize. It authorizes $165 million over a 3-year
period for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers and drug dependent per-
sons. These funds will be used for treatment and education at community health cen-
ters and public health facilities. The aim here is to prevent and treat. Included in
the preventive measures is the required registration of manufacturers and all those
involved in distribution. Complete records on all controlled drugs must be kept.
One of the more controversial items in the bill was the "no knock" provision.
This permits an officer to enter without notice if he has a "no knock" search warrant.
The warrant can only be obtained from a judge who has been convinced that evidence
would be destroyed or the life of the officer endangered without such a search
warrant. Such warrants are now used in 29 states to combat illicit traffic in drugs.
I supported the "no knock" provision when it was endorsed on a teller vote. I voted
for the bill on final passage when it was approved 341 to 6.
ILLEGAL FISHING IN U. S. WATERS: The House has also enacted legislation aimed
at halting illegal fishing in our territorial waters by foreign fishermen. It is
estimated that less than 10 percent of foreign vessels illegally fishing within our
12-mile fishing zone off the coast of Alaska last year were actually apprehended.
The bill as approved authorizes the government to pay up to $5000 to informers whose
information leads to a conviction. The maximum penalty for illegal fishing in our
waters is increased from $10,000 to $100,000. In addition all fish on the seized
vessel is forfeited. Furthermore, the Coast Guard is authorized to use aircraft and
vessels of any federal agency in enforcing the law and in more effectively halting the
poaching now going on.
EXECUTIVE REORGANIZATION APPROVED: The House has given its approval to two
proposals submitted by President Nixon to promote greater efficiency in the executive
branch. One reorganization plan puts most of the bureaus and agencies concerned with
pollution in a single new "Environmental Protection Agency." The other places
several federal programs dealing with the oceans and the atmosphere in a new
"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration" within the Department of Commerce.
President Nixon's purpose in both instances is to coordinate related governmental
activity and to eliminate duplication of effort.
URBAN MASS TRANSPORTATION: On Thursday the House approved a $3.1 billion au-
thorization bill for loans and grants to assist local areas in improving their public
transportation facilities. This was the amount requested by the President. The Com-
mittee had recommended $5 billion but the House voted 200 - 145 for the lower figure.
I supported the reduction of $1.9 billion and voted for the bill on final passage.
AT HOME: I am planning to meet with the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber of Com-
merce Thursday evening and to speak to the Grand Rapids Kiwanis Club next Monday.
Last Saturday I participated in the Red Flannel Day festivities at Cedar Springs and
on Friday spoke to an assembly of township officials in Grand Rapids. On the pre-
vious Tuesday I left the Capitol at 5:00 p.m. to fly home in order to address the
Sparta Republican Women's Club in the evening. Wednesday morning I participated in a
flag-raising ceremony at the Adams Park Apartments, spoke to an assembly of Catholic
Central Senior and Junior High School students, and addressed a noon meeting of the
Grand Rapids Optimist Club. Congress is expected to recess within a week or two so
I can be home for a more extended period.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
October 12, 1970
A $66.6 billion defense appropriation bill was approved by the House of
Representatives last week. This represents a $6 billion reduction over last year's
military appropriation and a $2 billion cut in the Administration's request. Over
$48 million was saved by reductions in civilian employment. In June 1968 there were
1,287,000 civilian employees in the Defense Department. By June 1971 this number will
be reduced to 1,145,000, a cut of 142,000. $95.2 million was cut from the travel
allowance account in order to encourage greater stability in military assignments;
more than $203 million was saved by a decision of the Department of Defense to reduce
the strength of our military personnel
The Congress and the President, ever mindful of our tax burden, nevertheless
cannot play down the legitimate needs of our national defense and security. The
Committee pointed out that "the Soviet Union continues to increase its inventory of
land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and sea-based submarine launched ballis-
tic missiles. Soviet naval forces are being augmented steadily and modernized both
in surface ships and in submarines
Competition with the Soviet Union is becoming
keener every day and there is no room for American bungling in the field of defense."
Military personnel strength as of June 30, 1971 will be down to 2.9 million, a
reduction of 500 thousand in two years. The Navy will have 757 commissioned ships in
the active fleet including 41 Polaris and Poseidon submarines carrying 656 ballistic
missiles. The Air Force will have 1,054 ICBMs on launchers and an active inventory
of 13,352 aircraft.
A breakdown in this year's bill indicates that each of the three services get
about one-third of the total with slightly more going to the Air Force and slightly
less to the Army. Military personnel account for $20.6 billion in expenditures,
operation and maintenance $19.2 billion, and procurement $16.2 billion.
Retirement pay to military personnel has risen to $3.2 billion this year. In
1969 there were 692,000 retirees and survivors on the rolls; this year the number will
be 825,000. By 1980 it is estimated that the number will increase to 1.2 million and
the cost to over $5 billion annually.
"TORA, TORA, TORA": One item in the Committee's report is different and of
special interest. It seems the producers of the movie, "Tora, Tora, Tora," paid the
Navy $319,091 for its services in assisting in the production of the film. A review
of costs suggests that the company should pay an additional $196,000, including
$136,500 for operating the USS Yorktown for 2½ days. The Committee recommends that
the Navy proceed to collect.
VIETNAM: When President Nixon assumed office there were 532,500 Americans in
Vietnam. As of October 1 he had reduced this number to 390,200. By next spring we
plan to have no more than 284,000 men there. Spending for the year in southeast Asia
is expected to decline from a high of almost $30 billion per year to a rate of $14.5
billion by the end of this fiscal year.
If President Nixon's reasonable and constructive peace proposals are accepted
by North Vietnam, there will be more drastic reductions in manpower and expenditures
in southeast Asia.
ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL ACT: I gave my full support to S. 30, the organized
crime control bill, when it was approved by the House last Wednesday. The threat of
organized crime cannot be ignored or longer tolerated. This bill embodies President
Nixon's proposals and will bega major tool in the government and the people's fight
against the hierarchy and the sources of revenue of the criminal syndicate.
Many of the provisions are technical but all are designed to make it easier to
apprehend and convict the professional criminal. One section establishes federal
control over the interstate shipment of explosives. It sets up a license and permit
system and prohibits the distribution of explosives to those under 21, drug addicts,
mental defectives, fugitives from justice, and felons.
The bill is also concerned with individual rights and establishes a Commission
to study federal law and practices relative to wiretapping, bail, preventive deten-
tion, no-knock search warrants, and the collection of information on individuals by
federal agencies.
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ACT: The House may consider this week a bill to continue and
expand federal aid for highway construction. The authorizations for fiscal year 1974
are increased from $2.2 billion to $4 billion with a similar amount for each of the
following three years.
Next year Michigan is expected to receive $147.5 million for interstate high-
way construction, $36.5 million for primary-secondary-urban roads, $10 million in
federal aid for special urban systems, and $3.6 million for rural highway improve-
ment. This legislation could accelerate the construction of U.S. 131 north of Grand
Rapids to Cadillac and beyond.
Financing of this assistance comes from the Highway Trust Fund into which user
excise taxes are funneled. Because the Trust Fund is scheduled to expire in Septem-
ber of 1972, this bill extends the Fund and the user excise taxes for five years.
This is necessary if we are to continue our highway program in an orderly fashion.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
October 19, 1970
Congress has recessed until November 16. I preferred an adjournment before
election with no "lame duck" session afterwards. But the majority leadership decided
that such a session was necessary. There is still much to do but it is unfortunate
that decisions on important issues will be made by some members who will have been
replaced at the November 3 election.
Final action has to be taken on seven of the 14 regular appropriation bills
which must be passed to provide funds to operate the government this fiscal year.
Also awaiting further consideration is legislation on social security, welfare,
import controls, industrial safety standards, and the federal highway system.
A VETO: Mr. Nixon has vetoed the bill limiting political campaign spending
for radio and TV. I voted for the bill when it passed the House. I believe it is a
fair solution to a difficult problem. I understand the President's position but I
intend to vote to override the veto.
LEGISLATION APPROVED: During this Congress I have sponsored or co-sponsored
numerous bills. Those relating to the following subjects have become law or have
been passed by both houses: postal reform, airport-airways program, solid waste
disposal, organized crime, illegal gambling, emergency home financing, coal mine
safety act, commission on population growth, clean air, our maritime system, District
of Columbia crime and a D.C. non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives.
In addition legislation which I have introduced on the following subjects has
passed one house: obscenity and prurient advertising regulation, welfare reform, and
social security improvements.
STUDENT INTERNS: Ten college students from the Fifth District served in my
Washington office during 1970. We valued their contributions and trust that their
experience was both enjoyable and valuable. From Grand Rapids: Richard Ball, 1051
12th N.W; James Benjamin, 2560 Elmwood Drive S.E; Chris Gulve, 547 Kenthills Road;
Deborah Hammerlind, 1341 College N.E; Thomas Vander Molen, 1725 Westlane Drive N.E;
David Verdier, 3111 Hall S.E; Michael Walton, 1545 Eastlawn S,E; and Mary Jane Zinn,
1943 Linden S.E.
Also with us were Robert Branyan III of 48 Friendship Drive, Sparta; and Harry
Collis, 6084 Meadowlark N.E., Rockford.
Any student with a legal residence in Kent or Ionia County should write me if
he is interested in working for a limited time in my Washington office during 1971.
ACADEMY OPPORTUNITIES: Applications will be accepted until October 30 from
young men in the Fifth District who are interested in attending the Military Academy
at West Point or the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. Presently we have one
vacancy at each college for the class entering July 1971. The Civil Service
designation examination will be given at the Grand Rapids Post Office and elsewhere
on Tuesday, November 3.
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES: The federal government offers a large number of
summer jobs in various parts of the country to students and other young people.
Applications should be submitted early as a civil service examination is required.
These will be given on January 9, February 13, and March 13. Applications must be
submitted about a month in advance.
Civil Service Announcement No. 414, giving all the details and providing an
application form, will soon be available at most post offices. If you can't obtain
one, please drop me a line and I will forward the announcement to you.
YEARBOOK OF AGRICULTURE, 1970: "Contours of Change," the 1970 Yearbook of
Agriculture has just been published. It is a book about rural America--where a third
of all Americans live--and the forces constantly reshaping it.
Our supply of 400 copies will be coming to us during the next few weeks.
Requests to my Grand Rapids office (456-9747) or to Washington (H-230, The Capitol,
20515) will be honored as long as the supply lasts.
AT HOME: Now that the House is in recess, I am planning a number of meetings
with local groups during the next two weeks. Tomorrow I will be with the Grand Rapids
Lions, Davenport College, and Temple Emanuel. Wednesday: Grand Rapids Breakfast
Club, Grand Valley State College and the American Business Club of Grand Rapids.
Thursday: Aquinas College, Civitan Club and the West Michigan Data Processing
Management Chapter. Friday: The Y's Mens Club and True Light Baptist Church.
Next Monday I expect to attend the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, to meet with the
Grand Rapids Exchange Club, and speak at Calvin College. Tuesday: Grandville Jaycees.
Thursday: public meeting at East Grand Rapids High School. Friday, a TV program, and
on November 2nd I am scheduled to be with the Grand Rapids Council of World Affairs.
There will be some time for personal interviews at our 425 Cherry Street
office. Please call 456-9747 for an appointment.
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW: This is the last issue of our newsletter for this
session of Congress. If your address has been changed, if you are receiving more
than one copy, or if you would like to have your name added to the mailing list,
please let me know at either office mentioned above.