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Joint Press Releases Ford and Other Members of Congress, 1965-1972
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Joint Press Releases Ford and Other Members of Congress, 1965-1972
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China
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U.S. House of Representatives. 3/4/1789-
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The original documents are located in Box D5, folder "Joint Press Releases Ford and Other
Members of Congress, 1965-1972" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D5 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 3, 1965
JOINT ANNOUNCIMENT BY: GERALD R. FORD, HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER,
MELVIN R. LAIRD, CHAIRMAN, HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE,
AND LESLIE C. ARENDS, HOUSE REPUBLICAN WHIP
House Republican Leaders announced today the formation of a new House
Republican Conference Committee. It will be called the Planning and Research
Committee, and the Chairman will be Representative Charles E. Goodell, Republican
of New York.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference held by House
Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford, Republican Conference Chairman Melvin R. Laird
and House Republican Whip Leslie C. Arends.
Ford described the new Planning Committee as a "major innovation that
will help mobilize constructive Republican activity in developing long-term solu-
tions to national problems. We in the leadership are unanimous in feeling that
Charlie Goodell is the man to handle this important job," Ford said.
Congressman Laird said the Planning Committee will combine the old House
Republican Policy Committee
- Task Force Operation with a research team
under the direction of Dr. William Prendergast, former research director of the
Republican National Committee. The membership of this new Conference committee
will be announced in the next few days.
Congressman Ford made the following statement on behalf of the Republi-
can leadership:
"House Republicans have a major responsibility as the representatives of
approximately 43 per cent of the electorate who voted for a Republican House of
Representatives in 1954. That duty, as we conceive it, is to exert whatever in-
fluence we can to guide the Nation toward the goals of freedom, security, peace,
and well-being with fiscal responsibility.
"We cannot accept the statement, "The duty of the opposition party is
to oppose.' This is too narrow at 1 too negative a formulation of our responsibility.
"We must do more than respond to the initiatives of the Administration.
We must take the initiative our Jelves in two ways.
"First, we must of er alternative measures to cope with national prob-
lems when the Administrati i's proposals are unwise. This we are doing, for ex-
ample, in the matter of light ing the burden of the costs of health care for
older people.
"Secondly, we must press for action to deal with the problems to which
the Administr .tion is blind or indifferent.
The leadership will rely principally upon the Planning and Research Come
watter to generate and formulate approaches developed through the separate task
LIBRARY
forces operaving under the supervision of Chairman Goodell's Committee.
Joint Statement of the Hon. Gerald R. Ford, House Minority Leader,
and the Hon. Melvin R. Laird, Chairman, Republican Conference
San Francisco, California
March 5, 1965
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Unity in the Republican Party has been demonstrated by the activities
of recent weeks.
It has been evident in the votes we have had since the start of the
89th Congress.
It is evident in the agreement of Party leaders on the establishment
of the Republican Coordinating Committee, which will holds its first
meeting next Wednesday in Washington, D. C.
This unity in the Republican Party provides some counter-weight to the
imbalance of power between the executive and legislative branches of our
government--both of which are overwhelyingly dominate by the same party.
There is need to redress this imbalance. This can only come about
through the re-establishment of a strong two-party system, without which
our Constitutional checks and balances cannot function properly.
Although Republicans in this 89th Congress are vastly outnumbered,
we can still speak with the voice of a moral majority.
Republicans do not intend to oppose Administration proposals merely for
the sake of opposition. As a matter of fact, in recent weeks the Johnson
Administration has received greater support from Republicans for its
actions in Southeast Asia than it has from members of the President's
own party.
Republicans will continue to support the Administration when it is
right and oppose it when it is wrong.
It is our firm belief that the record the minority party will write in
the 89th Congress will result in widespread Republican gains in 1966.
Joint Statement of the Hon. Gerald R. Ford, House Minority Leader, and
the Hone Melvin R. Laird, Chairman, Republican Conference.
San Francisco, California, March 5, 1965
Unity in the Republican Party has been demonstrated by the activities of
recent weeks.
The votes we have had
It has been evident in
vote since the start of the 89th
Congress.
It is evident in the agreement of Party leaders on the establishment
of the Republican Coordinating Committee, which will hold its first meeting
next Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
This unity in the Republican Party provides some counter-weight to the
imbalance of power between the executive and legislative branches of our
government --- both of which are overwhelmingly db minated by the same party.
There is a need to redress this/balance. in This can only come about through
the reestablishment of a strong two-party system, without which our
Constitutional checks and balances cannot function properly.
Although Republicans in this 89th Congress are vastly outnumbered,
we can still speak with the voice of a moral majority.
Republicans do not intend to oppose Administration proposals merely for
the sake of opposition. As a matter of fact, in recent weeks, the Johnson
Administration has received greater support from Republicans for its actions
in Southeast Asia than it has from members of the President&s own party.
Republicans will continue to support the Admini stration when it is right
and oppose it when it is wrong.
It is our firm belief that the record the minority party will wiite in
the 89th Congress will result in widespread Republican gaïns in 1966.
A
Bill Baroody
STA GER FORD LIBRAR
Joint Statement of the Hon. Gerald R. Ford, House Minority Leader,
and the Hon. Melvin R. Laird, Chairman, Republican Conference
San Francisco, California
March 5, 1965
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Unity in the Republican Party has been demonstrated by the activities
of recent weeks.
It has been evident in the votes we have had since the start of the
89th Congress.
It is evident in the agreement of Party leaders on the establishment
of the Republican Coordinating Committee, which will hold its first
meeting next Wednesday in Washington, D. C.
This unity in the Republican Party provides some counter-weight to
the imbalance of power between the executive and legislative branches
of our government--both of which are overwhelmingly dominated by the
same party.
There is need to redress this imbalance, This can only come about
through the re-establishment of a strong two-party system, without
which our Constitutional checks and balances cannot function properly.
Although Republicans in this 89th Congress are vastly outnumbered,
we can still speak with the voice of a moral majority.
Republicans do not intend to oppose Administration proposals merely
for the sake of opposition, As a matter of fact, in recent weeks the
Johnson Administration has received greater support from Republicans
for its actions in Southeast Asia than it has from members of the
President's own party,
Republicans will continue to support the Administration when it is
right and oppose it when it is wrong.
It is our firm belief that the record the minority party will write
in the 89th Congress will result in widespread Republican gains in 1966.
########
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 1965
JOINT STATEMENT BY: GERALD R. FORD, HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER,
MELVIN R. LAIRD, CHAIRMAN, HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE,
CHARLES E. GOODELL, CHAIRMAN, PLANNING AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE,
AND CLARK MACGREGOR, CHAIRMAN, TASK FORCE ON URBAN & SUBURBAN AFFAIRS
Representative Gerald R. Ford, Minority Leader of the House of Represen-
tatives, Representative Melvin R. Laird, Chairman of the House Republican
Conference, and Representative Charles E. Goodell, Chairman of the Republican
Planning and Research Committee of the House of Representatives, today announced
that a Republican Task Force on Urban and Suburban Affairs will begin this
month to conduct a series of Citizens' Forums throughout the United States.
The purpose of these fact-finding Forums is to gather information on
significant domestic problems - particularly those of urban areas - by hearings,
inspections, and other means.
The first in the series will be a public hearing in Minneapolis on April 16,
on the problems of transportation and pollution in the Twin Cities metropolitan
area. This will be conducted by Representative Clark MacGregor, Chairman, and
other members of the Task Force on Urban and Suburban Affairs.
A statement jointly released by Representatives Ford, Laird, and Goodell
follows:
"We are delighted that Congressman Clark MacGregor, one of our ablest and
most articulate Members of Congress, has been willing to take on the vital
task of exploring in depth urban problems. His Task Force represents a cross-
section of the finest Republican experts in Congress from many different
committee jurisdictions.
"The Task Force will visit many areas in the U.S. between April and August,
1966, to conduct Citizens' Forums. Emphasis will be placed on the complex and
interrelated problems of urban areas .. transportation, pollution, housing, schools
job opportunities, and others. The people in urban areas are astir because of
past failures by urban political machines to meet their problems honestly and
effectively.
"As a distinguished national columnist, noted for his independence,
commented last fall, 'The big city political machines have not been equal to the
demands of growing urbanization. They thrive on poverty, unabsorbed minorities,
and religiosity.'
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
*
- 2 -
being
"Citizens' Forums are/scheduled in the belief that the most effective way
to secure the information which the Congress needs is by firsthand, on-the-spot
study and by consultatation with the people who most directly feel the pinch
of pressing, current problems. Too often Congress deliberates and legislates
in a near-vacuum. The Minority is subject to additional handicaps in securing
information because of lack of staff and the tendency of the Majority to legis-
late without adequate study.
"The full schedule of activity is now being prepared. We hope to visit
every major region of the nation."
Representative MacGregor announced that the Task Force on Urban and
Suburban Affairs will hold its first hearing in the U.S. Courthouse in
Minneapolis on April 16. Mr. McGregor said:
"We are becoming more and more concerned that the people most affected
by developing and continuing programs directed at urban-suburban areas are
not being consulted as to the actual needs and desires. Our Task Force on
Urban-Suburban Affairs has decided that the best way of getting at the heart
of the problem - of determining what those most concerned want - is to conduct
open hearings throughout the nation.
"At Minneapolis we shall begin our work, hearing approximately 25 witnesses
who are experts particularly in the fields of transportation and water pollution.
We will also consult privately with governmental and civic leaders about metro-
politan area problems."
#
#
#
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D. C, - APRIL 5, 1965
JOINT STATEMENT BY
HONORABLE GERALD M. FORD, AND
HONORABLE WILLIAM M. McCULLOCH
Later today we shall introduce a voting rights bill which is the product
of the effort of many Republicans in the House of Representatives.
This bill offers a comprehensive and effective remedy for the evil of dis-
franchisement of citizens because of race.
The voting rights bill which is written into law this year should
(1) effectively and speedily end the unconstitutional denial of the
right to vote anywhere in the United States
(2) terminate unreasonable standards for registration and voting without
interfering with the reasonable requirements established by the states
(3) terminate any discriminatory application of requirements for registra-
tion and voting
(4) avoid penalizing areas which are not guilty of discrimination.
Our bill accomplishes these objectives. The Administration bill does not.
We are taking this step because of the serious deficiencies of the Adminis-
tration bill on this subject. The defects of the Administration bill were obvious
from the beginning and they were pointed out by Republicans as soon as the
President made it available to the Congress. Testimony by virtually every witness
who has appeared before the Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate has
brought to light a long list of shortcomings in the Administration proposal.
This Republican bill applies wherever discrimination exists. The Adminis-
tration's bill applies only to a limited number of states which employ literacy
and other tests. The absolute exclusion of Texas from the coverage of this bill
has been widely noted.
The Republican bill does not penalize the innocent -- the states and
localities where discrimination does not exist. The Administration's bill
imposes undue burdens on areas such as Alaska and parts of Maine where discrimina-
tion is known not to exist.
The Republican bill is not limited by the straitjacket of an arbitrary
percentage formula. The Administration bill reaches only those states and their
subdivisions having literacy tests where less than 50% of its people registered
or voted in the 1964 general election. States or local communities coming within
this arbitrary formula may or may not be practicing discrimination. Low registra-
tion or voting may be equally credited to voter apathy -- especially in areas
where one political party predominates -- or to misleading census figures which
include persons who are non-residents (such as military personnel and college
LIBRARY
students).
-2-
The Republican bill is comprehensive in scope and speedy in action. A
Federal examiner is appointed by the Civil Service Commission when the Attorney
General receives 25 or more complaints from residents of a county alleging denial
of the right to vote on account of race or color. The examiner immediately deter-
mines whether these persons are qualified to vote. Challenges by the state may be
made to a Federal hearing officer, appointed by the Civil Service Commission,
within 10 days, and the hearing officer must render his decision 7 days thereafter.
Determination by the hearing officer that 25 or more persons are denied
suffrage because of race or color establishes a pattern or practice of discrimina-
tion. Immediately thereafter, the Civil Service Commission shall appoint such
additional Federal examiners and hearing officers as necessary to register all
other persons within the county who may be subject to discrimination.
Our bill provides for an appeal of the hearing officer's decision to the
local Federal Court of Appeals if made within 15 days. All persons found qualified
to vote by the examiners shall be entitled to vote. Those who are challenged shall
vote provisionally until the appeal is decided by the hearing officer and the
court. Provisional voting will encourage a prompt determination of the appeal.
The Administration's bill provides exactly the same appeal procedure, except that
there is no authority for provisional voting.
Our bill provides that examiners shall disregard literacy test require-
ments for persons who possess a sixth grade education. But, Federal examiners
under this bill will apply to all other persons a state's liceracy test, provided
it is fair and non-discriminatory. The Administration's bill requires the complete
elimination of literacy tests in a few states or their subdivisions, caught in its
net, no matter how reasonable the tests or how fairly applied. At the same time,
the Administration's bill permits other states to enact literacy tests in the
future.
Our bill deals with the problem of physical and economic coercion and
intimidation. It permits registrants in a county in which a pattern of discrimi-
nation has been established to by-pass local registrars, if they have reason to
believe that they will be subjected to coercion and intimidation. In addition,
our bill provides for civil and criminal penalties against those officials who
ergage in such coercion and intimidation. The Administration's bill contains
similar provisions except that the Attorney General must take affirmative action
to waive the requirement that a person first appear before a local registrar.
LIBRAR,
-3-
Our bill does not overturn constitutional principles by requiring states
to establish their innocence. The Administration's bill does do this by presum-
ing a state or a political subdivision, covered by the bill, guilty of discrimi-
nation until it receives from a Federal Court in the District of Columbia a
declaratory judgment that it has not violated the Fifteenth Amendment in even
one instance in the past 10 years.
Our bill does not invalidate laws or ordinances of state and local govern-
ments in contraventions of established constitutional principles. The Administra-
tion's bill would require states and their political subdivisions, covered by
the bill, to come to a Federal Court for validation of their future laws and
ordinances relating to voting requirements. Such is required by the Administra-
tion's bill even though the laws and ordinances of the state or local community
have never been found to be discriminatory.
The Republican bill offers a constitutional, comprehensive, effective,
speedy remedy for the evil of disenfranchisement of any citizen because of race
or color. The Republican bill would eliminate voter discrimination quickly
and wherever it may exist.
##########
FORD LIBRARY
(NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
Congressional Record
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
89th
CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
Vol. 111
WASHINGTON, MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1965
No. 60
HOUSE REPUBLICAN VOTING RIGHTS BILL
Mr. GERALD R. FORD. Mr. Speak-
applies only to a limited number of States
to coercion and intimidation. In addition,
er, today the Honorable WILLIAM McCUL-
which employ literacy and other tests. The
our bill provides for civil and criminal pen-
LOCH of Ohio and I introduced a House
absolute exclusion of Texas from the cover-
altes against those officials who engage in
voting rights bill. I want to commend
age of this bill has been widely noted.
such coercion and intimidation. The ad-
The Republican bill does not penalize the
ministration's bill contains similar provisons
BILL McCULLOCH, the Republican mem-
innocent-the States and localities where
except that the Attorney General must take
ber of the Judiciary Committee and the
discrimination does not exist. The adminis-
affirmatve action to waive the requirement
Republican Voting Rights Task Force for
tration's bill imposes undue burdens on areas
that a person first appear before a local
the magnificent job they have done in
such as Alaska and parts of Maine where dis-
registrar.
cooperation with the Republican leader-
crimination is known not to exist.
Our bill does not overturn constitutional
ship.
The Republican bill is not limited by the
principles by requiring States to establish
Mr. Speaker, this proposal is offered
straitjacket of an arbitrary percentage for-
their innocence. The administration's bill
to dramatize the serious deficiencies in
mula. The administration bill reaches only
does do this by presuming a State of a politi-
those States and their subdivisions having
cal subdivision, covered by the bill, guilty of
the original administration voting
literacy tests where less than 50 percent of
discrimination until it receives from a Fed-
rights bill. The Republican bill will cor-
its people registered or voted in the 1964
eral court in the District of Columbia a
rect voting discrimination wherever it
general election. States or local communities
declaratory judgment that it has not violated
occurs throughout the length and
coming within this arbitrary formula may or
the 15th amendment in even one instance
breadth of this great land. It respects
may not be practicing discrimination. Low
in the past 10 years.
the traditional and constitutional rights
registration or voting may be equally cred-
Our bill does not invalidate laws or ordi-
of the States to set reasonable and non-
ited to voter -especially in areas
nances of State and local governments in
where one political party predominates-or to
contraventions of established constitutional
discriminatory standards for voting.
Our bill is comprehensive, expeditious
misleading census figures which include per-
principles. The administration's bill would
sons who are nonresidents (such as military
require States and their political subdivisions
and fair. We urge the House Judiciary
personnel and college students)
covered by the bill, to come to a Federal
Committee to adopt our approach to
The Republican bill is comprehensive in
court for validation of their future laws and
solving this crucial problem. We will
scope and speedy in action. A Federal ex-
ordinances relating to voting requirements.
cooperate in every way to see to it
aminer is appointed by the Civil Service Com-
Such is required by the administration's bill
that effective and fair legislation is en-
mission when the Attorney General receives
even though the laws and ordinances of the
acted promptly so that every qualified
25 or more complaints from residents of
a
State or local community have never been
citizen will be able to vote in this coun-
county alleging denial of the right to vote
found to be discriminatory.
on account of race or color. The examiner
The Republican bill offers a constitutional,
try by 1966.
immediately determines whether these per-
comprehensive, effective, speedy remedy for
Under unanimous consent I place the
sons are qualified to vote. Challenges by the
the evil of disenfranchisement of any citizen
joint statement made by Congressman
State may be made to a Federal hearing offi-
because of race or color. The Republican
McCULLOCH and me this morning at this
cer, appointed by the Civil Service Commis-
bill would eliminate voter discrimination
point in the RECORD, along with the
sion, within 10 days, and the hearing officer
quickly and wherever it may exist.
text of the Ford-McCulloch voting rights
must render his decision 7 days thereafter.
bill.
Determination by the hearing officer that
H.R. 7125
25 or more persons are denied suffrage be-
JOINT STATEMENT BY HON. GERALD R. FORD
A bill to guarantee the right to vote under
cause of race or color establishes a pattern
AND HON. WILLIAM M. McCULLOCH
the 15th amendment to the Constitution
or practice of discrimination. Immediately
of the United States
Later today we shall introduce a voting
thereafter, the Civil Service Commission shall
rights bill which is the product of the effort
appoint such additional Federal examiners
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of many Republicans in the House of
and hearing officers as necessary to register
of Representatives of the United States of
Representatives.
all other persons within the county who may
America in Congress assembled, That this
This bill offers a comprehensive and effec-
be subject to discrimination.
Act shall be known as the "Voting Rights
tive remedy for the evil of disfranchisement
Our bill provides for an appeal of the hear-
Act of 1965."
of citizens because of race.
ing officer's decision to the local Federal
SEC. 2. (a) The phrase "literacy test"
The voting rights bill which is written
Court of Appeals if made within 15 days. All
shall mean any requirement that a person
into law this year should:
persons found qualified to vote by the ex-
as a prerequisite for voting or registration
1. effectively and speedily end the uncon-
aminers shall be entitled to vote. Those who
for voting (1) demonstrate the ability to
stitutional denial of the right to vote any-
are challenged shall vote provisionally until
read, write, understand, or interpret any
where in the United States;
the appeal is decided by the hearing officer
matter, or (2) demonstrate an educational
2. terminate unreasonable standards for
and the court. Provisional voting will en-
achievement or knowledge of any particular
registration and voting without interfering
courage a prompt determination of the ap-
subject.
with the reasonable requirements established
peal. The administration's bill provides ex-
(b) A person is "denied or deprived of the
by the States;
actly the same appeal procedure, except that
right to register or to vote" if he is (1) not
3. terminate any discriminatory applica-
there is no authority for provisional voting.
provided by persons acting under color of
tion of requirements for registration and
Our bill provides that examiners shall dis-
law with an opportunity to register to vote
voting; and
regard literacy test requirements for per-
or to qualify to vote within two weekdays
4. avoid penalizing areas which are not
sons who possess a 6th grade education.
after making a good faith attempt to do so,
guilty of discrimination.
But, Federal examiners under this bill will
(2) found not qualified to vote by any person
Our bill accomplishes these objectives.
apply to all other persons a State's literacy
acting under color of law, or (3) not notified
The administration bill does not.
test, provided it is fair and nondiscrimina-
by any person acting under color of law of
We are taking this step because of the
tory. The administration's bill requires the
the results of his application within seven
serious deficiencies of the administration bill
complete elimination of literacy tests in a
days after making application therefor.
on this subject. The defects of the admin-
few States or their subdivisions, caught in
(c) The term "election" shall mean any
istration bill were obvious from the begin-
its net, no matter how reasonable the tests
general, special, or primary election held in
ning and they were pointed out by Republi-
or how fairly applied. At the same time, the
any voting district solely or in part for the
cans as soon as the President made it avail-
Administration's bill permits other States
purpose of electing or selecting any candi-
able to the Congress. Testimony by virtually
to enact literacy tests in the future.
date to public office or of deciding a propo-
every witness who has appeared before the
Our bill deals with the problem of physical
sition or issue of public law.
Judiciary Committees of the House and Sen-
and economic coercion and intimidation. It
(d) The term "voting district" shall mean
ate has brought to light a long list of short-
permits registrants in a county in which a
any county, parish, or similar political sub-
comings in the administration proposal.
pattern of discrimination has been estab-
This Republican bill applies wherever dis-
lished to bypass local registrars, if they have
division of a State in which persons, acting
under color of law, administer the registra-
crimination exists. The administration's bill
reason to believe that they will be subjected
tion and voting laws of the State.
FORD
(e) The term "vote" shall have the same
and until the appropriation election officials
Attorney may forthwith apply to the district
meaning as in section 2004 of the Revised
shall have been notified that such person has
court for an order of contempt. Whoever,
Statutes (42 U.S.C.
been removed from such list in accordance
acting under color of law, fails or refuses to
Sec. 3. (a) Congress hereby finds that
with section 10. If challer.jed, such person
permit a person to vote, notwithstanding
large numbers of United States citizens have
shall be entitled and allowed to vote provi-
his listing under this subsection, or fails or
been and are being denied the right to regis-
sionally with appropri- to provision being
refuses to properly count such person's vote,
ter or to vote in various States on account
made for the impounding of their ballots,
or intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or at-
of race or color in violation of the Fifteenth
pending final determination by the hearing
tempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce
Amendment.
officer and by the court.
such person for the purpose of preventing
(b) Congress further finds that literacy
(g) No person shall be entitled to vote in
such person from voting under the author-
tests have been and are being used in vari-
any election by virtue of the provisions of
ity of this Act shall be fined not more than
ous States and political subdivisions as a
this Act unless his name shall have been
$5,000, or imprisoned not more than five
means of discrimination on account of race
certified and transmitted on such list to the
years, or both.
or color. Congress further finds that persons
offices of the appropriate election officials at
(b) Whoever, acting under color of-law,
with a sixth grade education possess rea-
least forty-five days prior to such election.
within a year following an election in a
sonable literacy. comprehension and intelli-
SEC. 5. (a) A challenge to the factual find-
voting district in which an examiner has
gence and that, in fact, persons possessing
ings of the examiner, contained in the exam-
been appointed (1) destroys, defaces, mu-
such educational achievement have been and
iner's report, may be filed by the attorney
tilates, or otherwise alters the marking of a
are being denied or deprived of the right to
general of the State or by any other person
paper ballot cast in such election, or (2) al-
register or to vote for failure to satisfy lit-
who has received from the examiner a certi-
ters any record of voting in such election
eracy test requirements solely or primarily
fied list and report of persons found quali-
made by a voting machine or otherwise, shall
because of discrimination on account of race
fied to vote, as provided in section 4(d). A
be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned
or color.
challenge shall be heard and determined by
not more than five years, or both.
(c) Congress further finds that the re-
a hearing officer appointed by and responsi-
(c) The district courts of the United
quirements that persons as a prerequisite for
ble to the Civil Service Commission. Such
States shall have jurisdiction of proceedings
voting or registration for voting (1) possess
challenge shall be entertained only if made
instituted pursuant to this section and shall
good moral character unrelated to the com-
mission of a felony, or (2) prove their quali-
within ten days after the challenged person
exercise the same without regard to whether
is listed, and if supported by the affidavit of
an applicant for listing under this Act shall
fications by the voucher of registered voters
have exhausted any administrative or other
or members of any other class, have been and
at least two persons having personal knowl-
are being used as a means of discrimination
edge of the facts constituting grounds for
remedies that may be provided by law.
the challenge, and such challenge shall be
SEC. 9. Consistent with State law and the
on account of race or color.
(d) Congress further finds that where in
determined within seven days after it has
provisions of this Act, persons appearing be-
been made. A person's fulfillment of lit-
fore an examiner, shall make application in
any voting district twenty-five or more per-
sons have been denied or deprived, of the
eracy test requirements, if not disregarded by
such form as the Civil Service Commission
right to register or to vote, as determined in
the examiner as provided for in section 4(c),
may require. Also consistant with State law
section 6, there is established a pattern or
shall be determined solely on the basis of
and the provisions of this Act, the times,
answers included in the examiner's report.
places, and procedures for application and
practice of denial of the right to register or
(b) A petition for review of the decision
listing pursuant to this Act and removals
to vote on account of race or color.
SEC. 4. (a) Whenever the Attorney General
of the hearing officer may be filed in the
from eligibility lists shall be prescribed by
certifies to the Civil Service Commission (1)
United States Court of Appeals for the circuit
regulations promulgated by the Civil Service
Commission. The Commission shall, after
that he has received complaints in writing
in which the person challenged resides
consultation with the Attorney General, in-
from twenty-five or more residents of a vot-
within fifteen days after service of such deci-
sion by mail on the moving party, but no
struct examiners concerning the qualifica-
ing district each alleging that (1) the com-
plainant satisfies the voting qualifications of
decision of a hearing officer shall be over-
tions required for listing.
turned unless clearly erroneous. A chal-
(b) Notwithstanding time limitations as
the voting district, and (11) the complainant
has been denied or deprived of the right to
lenge to a listing made in accordance with
may be established under State or local law,
examiners shall make themselves available
register or to vote on account of race or color
this section shall not be the basis for a prose-
within ninety days, and (2) that the At-
cution under any provisions of this Act.
every weekday in order to determine whether
persons are qualified to vote.
torney General believes such complaints to
SEC. 6. Upon determination by the hear-
SEC. 10. Any person whose name appears on
be meritorious, the Civil Service Commission
ing officer that twenty-five or more of those
a list, as provided in this Act, shall be en-
shall appoint an examiner for such voting
persons within the voting district, who have
titled and allowed to vote in the election dis-
district.
been placed on the list of eligible voters by
trict of his residence unless and until the ap-
(b) A certification by the Attorney General
the examiners, have been denied or deprived
propriate election officials shall have been
shall be final and effective upon publication
of the right to register or to vote and are
notified that such person has been removed
in the Federal Register.
qualified to vote, such determination shall
from such list. A person whose name appears
(c) The examiner shall examine those per-
establish a pattern or practice of denial of
on such a list shall be removed therefrom by
sons who have filed complaints certified by
the right to register or to vote on account
an examiner if (1) he has been succesfully
the Attorney General to determine (1)
of race or color. The establishment of a
challenged in accordance with the procedure
whether they were denied or deprived of the
pattern or practice by the hearing officer
prescribed in sections 5 and 7, or (2) he has
right to register or to vote within ninety
shall not be stayed pending final determina-
been determined by an examiner (a) not to
days, and (2) whether they are qualified to
tion by the court.
have voted or attempted to vote at least once
vote under State law. A person's statement
SEC. 7. (a) Upon establishment of a pat-
during four consecutive years while listed or
under oath shall be prima facie evidence as
tern or practice by the hearing officer, as
during such longer period as is allowed by
to his age, residence and his prior efforts
provided in section 6, the Civil Service Com-
State law without requiring reregistration, or
to register or otherwise qualify to vote. The
mission shall appoint additional examiners
(b) to have otherwise lost his eligibility to
examiner shall, in determining whether a
within the voting district as may be neces-
vote: Provided, however, That, in a State
person is qualified to vote under State law,
sary who shall determine whether persons
which requires reregistration within a period
disregard (1) any literacy test if such per-
within the voting district are qualified to
of time shorter than four years, the person
son has not been adjudged an incompetent
register and to vote. In determining wheth-
shall be required to reregister with an ex-
and has completed the sixth grade of educa-
er such persons are so qualified the exam-
aminer who shall apply the reregistration
tion in a public school in, or a private school
iners shall apply the same procedures and
methods and procedures of State law which
accredited by, any State or Territory, the
be subject to the same conditions imposed
are not inconsistent with the provisions of
District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth
upon the initial examiner under section
this Act.
of Puerto Rico, or (2) any requirement that
4(c), except that a person appearing be-
Sec. 11. Examiners, appointed by the Civil
such person, as a prerequisite for voting or
fore such examiner need not have first at-
Service Commission, shall be existing Fed-
registration for voting (1) possess good moral
tempted to apply to a State or local regis-
eral officers and employees who are residents
character unrelated to the Commission of a
tration official if he states, under oath, that
of the State in which the Attorney General
felony, or (ii) prove his qualifications by the
in his belief to have done so would have
has issued his certification. Examiners shall
voucher of registered voters or members of
been futile or would have jeopardized the
subscribe to the oath of office required by
any other class.
personal safety, employment, or economic
section 16 of title 5, United States Code. Ex-
(d) If the examiner finds that twenty-five
standing of himself, his family, or his prop-
aminers will serve without compensation in
or more of those persons within the voting
erty. Such examiner shall be in the same
addition to that received for such other serv-
district, who have filed complaints certified
manner as provided in section 4(d), certify
ice, but while engaged in the work as ex-
by the Attorney General, have been denied
and transmit lists of persons and any sup-
aminers shall be paid actual travel expenses,
the right to register or to vote and are qual-
plements as appropriate, at the end of each
and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses
ified to vote under State law, he shall
month, to the office of the appropriate elec-
when away from their usual place of res-
promptly place them on a list of eligible
tion officials, the Attorney General, and the
idence, in accordance with the provisions of
voters, and shall certify and transmit such
attorney general of the State, together with
the Travel Expense Act of 1949, as amended.
list to the offices of the appropriate election
reports of their findings as to those persons
Examiners shall have the power to adminis-
officials, the Attorney General, and the at-
found qualified to vote.
ter oaths.
torney general of the State, together with a
(b) Persons placed on lists of eligible
SEC. 12. The provisions of this Act shall be
report of his findings as to those persons
voters by examiners shall have the right to
applied in a voting district until, within
whom he has found qualified to vote. For
vote in accordance with the provisions of
any twelve-month period, less than twenty-
those persons, possessing less than a sixth
sections 4(f) and 4(8).
five persons within the voting district have
grade education, the examiner shall ad-
(c) Challenges to the findings of the
been placed on lists of eligible voters by
minister a literacy test only in writing and
examiners shall be made in the same man-
examiners.
the answers to such test shall be included in
ner and under the same conditions as are
SEC. 13. (a) All cases of civil and criminal
the examiner's report. The examiner shall
provided in section 5.
contempt arising under the provisions of
issue to each person appearing on such a list
(d) The Civil Service Commission shall
this Act shall be governed by section 151 of
a certificate evidencing his eligibility to vote.
appoint and make available additional hear-
the Civil Rights Act of 1957 (42 U.S.C. 1995).
(0) finding by the examiner that
ing officers within the voting district as may
(b) Any statement made to an examiner
twenty-five or more of those persons within
be necessary to hear and determine the chal-
may be the basis for a prosecution under sec-
a voting district, who have filed complaints
lenges under this section.
tion 1001 of title 18, United States Code.
certified by the Attorney General, have been
Sec. 8. (a) Whenever a person alleges to an
SEC. 14. There are hereby authorized to be
denied or deprived of the right to register
examiner within twenty-four hours after the
appropriated such sums as are necessary to
or to vote and that they are qualified to vote
closing of the polls that notwithstanding his
carry out the provisions of this Act.
shall create a presumption of a pattern or
listing under the provisions of this Act he
Sec. 15. If any provision of this Act or
practice of denial of the right to register or
has not been permitted to vote or that his
the application thereof to any person or cir-
to vote on account of race or color.
vote was not properly counted (or not
cumstances is held invalid, the remainder
(f) Unless challenged, according to the
counted subject to the impounding provi-
of the Act and the application of the provi-
provisions of section 5, any person who has
sion, as provided in this Act), the examiner
sion to other persons not similarly situated
been placed on a list of eligible voters shall
shall notify the United States Attorney for
or to other circumstances shall not be af-
be entitled and allowed to vote in any elec-
the judicial district such allegation, in his
fected thereby.
tion held within the voting district unless
opinion, appears to be well founded. Upon
receipt of such notification, the United States
WILLIAM M. McCULLOCH
COMMITTEE ON
REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS
THE JUDICIARY
FOURTH DISTRICT OF OHIO
SELECT COMMITTEE ON
Congress of the United States
SMALL BUSINESS
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
May 5, 1965
SUMMARY OF H.R. 7896 and H.R. 7897
The following is an analytic summary of the operation of the bill , to-
gether with brief commentary directed to the legal aspects of several of these pro-
visions. The bill is identical in substance to H.R. 7112 with the addition of a
voting frauds section (Sec. 14) and a provision for invalidating discriminatory
poll taxes (Sec. 15).
1. "Triggering" Provisions - Sections 4(a), 5, 6 and 7
The Attorney General receives written complaints from voters of a particular
political subdivision of a State, each of whom must allege (a) that he can satisfy
the voting qualifications of his voting district and (b) he has been denied the right
to register and vote on account of race or color. Upon certification by the Attorney
General that he has 25 or more meritorious complaints, the Civil Service Commission
appoints an examiner who determines whether each complainant is qualified to register
and vote under applicable State law (as applied by the examiner). The examiner's
finding that 25 or more complaints are meritorious creates the presumption of a
pattern or practice of denial of the right to vote on account of race or color. This
presumption becomes conclusive (and unassailable) if no challenge is made to the ex-
aminer's finding within ten days. If a challenge is made, the Civil Service Com-
mission appoints a hearing officer who hears and determines the challenge within 7
days. A pattern or practice is deemed established if the hearing officer upholds
the examiner's finding as to 25 or more complaints. In such case, appeal may be
taken from the hearing officer's determination to the Federal Circuit Court of
Appeals for the circuit in which the person challenged resides. But such an appeal
does not stay or delay the operation of the so-called "listing" provisions of the
Act, whereunder other eligible voters in the district where the pattern or practice
has been established may apply to be placed on eligible voter lists by the examiner
(and other examiners appointed as necessary).
2. Application of State Laws - Section 4 (c)
In assessing the qualifications under State law of both complainants and
subsequent applicants for registration, the examiner disregards (1) any requirements
- 2 -
of good moral character unrelated to commission of a felony and (2) any requirement
that an applicant prove his qualifications by the voucher of registered voters or
members of any other class of citizens. If there is a literacy test requirement, the
examiner disregards it as to those complainants/applicants who have completed sixth
grade. 1/ As to those of below sixth grade achievement, the examiner applies the State
test in writing, including the results of the test in a required report. Qualifi-
cation under the test may not be reviewed on other than these written answers.
3. Listing Procedures - Sections 4(d), 8(d) and (e)
Upon ascertaining that a complainant or applicant is qualified to vote, the
examiner (a) places him on a list of eligible voters which he serves upon the speci-
listed persons' quali-
fied State officials and the Attorney General together with his report on /
fications; and (b) issues the listed person a certificate evidencing eligibility to
vote. At this point the person so listed is eligible to vote, and so remains unless
removed from the lists under the procedures in Section 10. If a challenge follows
service of the list, the person listed may still cast his vote, which is then
impounded subject to resolution of the challenge.
4. Enforcement - Section 13
Upon receipt of allegations within 24 hours of the closing of the polls that
a listed person has not been allowed to vote, or that his vote was not properly counted,
the United States Attorney of the judicial district may apply to the District Court
appropriate
for injunctive relief and / orders to assure an election not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act. Criminal penalties are imposed for interference at any
time with persons seeking to register and vote under provisions of the Act and Federal
appointees discharging their duties under the Act.
5. Interference with Elections - Section 14
Criminal penalties are provided for three classes of criminal acts: (a) failing
or refusing to permit voting or to properly count and report votes; (b) intimidating or
coercing persons to prevent their registry or voting, or intimidating or coercing per-
sons to prevent their encouraging or aiding others to vote; and (c) giving false in-
formation for the purposes of establishing eligibility to register and vote, or offering
to pay, paying, or accepting payment to register or to vote.
6. Poll Tax - Section 15
Where a poll tax is in effect in a State or political subdivision, the Attorney
General is made a proper party to bring a suit to suspend enforcement of or to invali-
date such tax, where it is used as a device to deny or abridge the right to vote on
account of race or color 2/ Section 15 requires that the action be heard by a three-
judge court with appeal therefrom to the Supreme Court.
1/
Provisions of this bill allowing a limited application of an existing
literacy test are not designed to interfere with the present power of the
Attorney General to bring a suit to enjoin the use of the literacy test,
or have such test invalidated where such test is used to deprive a person
or persons of the right to vote. 42 U.S.C. 1971 (c); Louisiana V. United
States, 33 L. Week 4262, March 8, 1965.
In such a suit, upon a proper showing by the Attorney General, appro-
priate preliminary relief would be available pendente lite. Effects of an
offensive test might thus be temporarily restrained or preliminarily en-
joined either to prevent irreparable injury to the voters, or to preserve
the courts jurisdiction. Cf. 28 U.S.C. 1651. A court might well fashion
an order that would allow voters excluded by the test to cast their ballots,
the ballots then to be impounded pending resolution of the suit. See also
the District Court's decree in Louisiana V. United States, supra.
2/
As the Attorney General observed in Committee, the extent of change to present
law afforded by this section is largely procedural: it is designed to facili-
tate and expedite Supreme Court review of State poll tax laws. It is at least
arguable that under present law a suit could be brought under provision of
28 U.S.C. 1971 (as in f.n. 1, supra) where the tax is employed as a device
to interfere with the right to vote.
JOINT STATEMENT
by
Representative Gerald R. Ford, Republican Floor Leader, and
Representative Wm. McCulloch, Ranking Republican Member of Committee on the Judiciary
July 12, 1965
The President's political instincts got the better of his sense of
fairness and his sense of history when he accused House Republicans of seeking to
dilute the Voting Rights Bill.
The President is obviously sensitive to his own "Lyndon-come-lately"
Congressional record on civil rights.
The President is embarrassed by the failure of the Johnson Administration
to support the honest elections provision in either the Senate or House version of
the Voting Rights Bill.
Will the President tell the people:
1)
Why Texas was not covered under his initial Voting Rights Bill
and is not effectively covered now?
2)
Why vote frauds and dishonest elections, such as have occurred in
Chicago and Texas, were not covered under his proposal?
3) Why should not the right to vote be protected equally in every
state, not just in 7 states?
4) Why should any area be exempted after only 50 percent of the
Negroes are permitted to vote?
5)
Why should challenged votes be counted and if found invalid be used
possibly to determine the outcome of an election, including the
election of a President?
The Ford-McCulloch Bill effectively meets all of these problems. The
President's proposal ignored all these vices and defects. The Ford-McCulloch Bill
was more comprehensive, more effective, and more equitable than the Administration
Bill.
From 1940 through 1960 as a member of the House and the Senate, Lyndon
Johnson voted against civil rights on 78 percent of 50 meaningful roll call votes.
Before 1957, he voted against civil rights 100 percent.
Lyndon Johnson's public statements were consistent with his voting record.
In Austin, Texas on May 22, 1948, he said,
This civil rights program, about which you have heard so much
is a farce and a sham-an effort to set up a police state in the guise
of liberty. I am opposed to that program. I fought it in Congress.
It is the province of the state to run its own elections.
[more]
LIBRARY
Joint Statement
Ford-McCulloch
Page 2
July 12, 1965
Republicans disagreed with him then and have consistently disagreed with
that philosophy ever since.
The President embraces a form of consensus which in effect says, "I'm
right. Everyone else is wrong. I'm for good; you're for evil." He tolerates no
constructive differences of opinion. As such, he is a dangerous advocate of
one-party government in this country.
---o000oo--
For Release Friday A.M.s
June 9, 1967
JOINT STATEMENT BY REPRESENTATIVES
GERALD R. FORD (R-MICH.) HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, AND
JOHN J. RHODES (R-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE
On March 22, 1967, we introduced identical House Resolutions, (H. Res. 406
and H. Res. 407) respectfully requesting the President to reconsider his fiscal
1968 budget and to indicate where substantial reductions in spending could best
be made. (See text.)
These resolutions were referred to the Committee on Appropriations which
has taken no action upon them. Meanwhile the Administration's own estimates of
the probable deficit under the 1968 budget have increased and the House of
Representatives, by yesterday's vote of 210 to 197 rejecting the Administration's
request to raise the national debt ceiling to a record $365 billion, has emphati-
cally reflected the strong sentiment of the American people that ever-rising
deficits and runaway spending must be curbed in this time of international and
fiscal crisis.
We are therefore today introducing a Special House Resolution under Rule 27,
Section 4 of the Rules of the House of Representatives, calling for immediate
floor consideration of our earlier proposal to send the budget back to President
Johnson for revision downward. Under this rule, when a public bill or resolution
has remained in a standing committee 30 days or more without action, members may
file a special resolution with the Rules Committee to bring the bill or resolu-
tion up for immediate consideration by the Committee of the Whole House. (See
text.)
* *
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
That upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall immediately resolve
itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the
consideration of H. Res. 406, requesting the President to submit to the House of
Representatives recommendations for budget reductions. After general debate,
which shall be confined to the resolution and shall continue not to exceed 3 hours,
to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Appropriations, the resolution shall be read for amendment
under the five-minute rule. At the conclusion of the consideration of the resolu-
tion for amendment, the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with
such amendments as may have been adopted, and the previous question shall be con-
sidered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without
intervening motion except one motion to recommit.
* *
H. RES. 406
Whereas the House of Representatives must, in the public interest, make
substantial reductions in the President's budget for the fiscal year 1968: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the President be respectfully requested to indicate the
places and amounts in his budget for the fiscal year 1968 where he
thinks substantial reductions may be made.
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be submitted to the President.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 30, 1967
JOINT STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER GERALD FORD
AND REP. WILLIAM B. WIDNALL, RANKING MINORITY MEMBER
OF THE HOUSE BANKING COMMITTEE ON HIGH INTEREST RATES
We share the concern expressed in the joint statement of
November 28th by twenty-seven of our Democratic colleagues in calling
this afternoon's emergency meeting on the so-called "interest rate
crisis."
At the outset, we commend our colleagues for their candor in
admitting that interest rates are at their highest levels of this
century. We agree that the burden of high interest rates falls unevenly
on the economy, in that such credit-sensitive industries as homebuilding
suffer far more than others.
We wish to declare in no uncertain terms, however, that reckless
and wild talk such as that offered by our Democratic colleagues and the
Johnson Administration can do nothing except add further pressures to
the economy.
Such needless panic terms as "monetary crisis" and "monetary
disaster" serve no useful purpose other than to disturb confidence in
our economy both at home and abroad. Panic talk only rewards the
speculators and those who, like President DeGaulle, wish to impose
either devaluation or a severe economic recession on our economy.
Moreover, those who today are urging action to lower interest
rates are the very same individuals who ignored or turned aside practi-
cally every attempt during the 89th and 90th Congresses to recognize
the dangers of inflationary fiscal policies while a major war was being
fought. For instance, of the twenty-seven members calling today's
meeting, an overwhelming majority voted for the Participation Sales
Act of 1966, an act which only this week enabled Treasury guaranteed
credit to be sold at a record 6.4 percent interest rate in an effort
to conceal from the public additional billions in inflationary Federal
spending.
We also deplore a similar tendency on the part of Treasury
Secretary Fowler to join in the chorus of reckless threats in order
to stampede the Congress into passage of the President's tax bill.
Secretary Fowler yesterday warned of "drastic consequences" both to
the nation's economy and to the international financial system if Congress
does the "unthinkable" and adjourns next month without acting on a tax
bill. Secretary Fowler asserted neither leadership nor financial
statesmanship by reacting to what borders on international blackmail of
domestic fiscal policy considerations.
- 0 -
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
MINORITY LEADER
United States
House of Representatives
April 30
This press statement is result of
Bill Prendergrast conferring with
Laird, Goodell, etc.
It may be useful this weekend in
event of questioning by reporters on
situation.
Jim Mudge
FORD LIBRARY
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS BY REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE
(Released AM Saturday May 1-----)
(COPY)
The Republican Leadership of the House of Representat ives recognizes
that the violence now being endured by the Dominican Republic is an extension
and an outgrowth of the subversive activities of the Communist movement in
Cuba and elsewhere. Events in the Dominican Republic are results of failure
at the Bay of Pigs.
The Domânican Republic is but one of the danger spots in Latin America.
Castro Communists are cerrying on a wide range of subversive activities in
several other Latin American nations, notably in Guatemala, Venezuela, and
Columbia. Since last "Avember Communist guerilla forces infiltrated into
those three nations have been engaging in violence looking toward seizure
of power.
It is the responsibility of the United States, under the Cuban Resolution
of the Congress of October 3, 1962, "to prevent by whatever means may be
necessary, including the use of arms, the Marxist-Leninist regime in Cuba
from extending its subversive activities." If this situation in the Dominican
Republic is not effectively dealth with, a repetition of the events of the
past week can be expected in other Latin American nations.
The Republican Leadership supports the President's action in using
United States Mar ines in the Dominican Republic to the extent necessary to
protect lives and property. Unfortunately, unilateral intervention by the
United States in Latin American countries rekindles bitter memories. We do not
believe that the President would have taken so extreme an action unless no
other courses was open to him.
-more-
QERALD FORD LIBBARY
Dominican Republic statement
-2-
The Republican Leadership believes that the evacuation of Americans by
no means solves the basic problem of the Dominican "epublic. The United
States armed forces should be maintained in the Dominican Republic for so
long as is needed to assure fully the protection of the lives of all American
citizens and the protection of American property. In protecting American
property, the Marines are protecting the economy of the Dominican Republic
and the source of livelihood of a large mumber of the Dominican people.
The United States should immediately recognize the collective responsibility
of the Organization of American tates. It should call upon the OAS under
Article 6 of the Rio Pact and in keeping with the Declaration of Foreign
Ministers at Punta del Este to approve the formation of a multi-lateral
police force to assist the Dominican Republic, which is the victim of
aggression, in the further establishment of law and order and in maintaining
the peace and security of the continent.
With the restoration of law and order, the United States should assist
in reestablishing, preserving and strengthening the free institutions of
popular goverbment in the Dominican Republic, and should encourage other
Democratic American "epublics to do likewise. This will make possible
conditions conducive to the development of responsible leadership in a
nation destituted of such leadership by 30 years of tyranny. With the
restoration of law and order, the United States should expand economic
and technical support in the Dominican "epublic to assure conditions which
will make possible the Dominican Republic's eventual economic independence
and will encourage other democratic nations to do likewise.
#
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Congress of the United States
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FORD : LIBRARY CENTAL
PM
M Office Copy
For Release at 10:30 A.M.
JOINT STATEMENT BY REPS. HALE BOGGS AND GERALD R FORD, July 8, 1972
Gentlemen, this is our first real discussion with newsmen since coming out
of China.
We conferred with President Nixon in San Clemente by telephone late
yesterday immediately after arriving in Washington from Yokota Air Force Base in
Japan. On Wednesday and Thursday we communicated with Washington and met with
U. S. Consular officials in Hong Kong, crossing the border after a train trip
from the Chinese city of Canton. We met for five hours with Premier Chou En-Lai,
for three hours with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ch'iao Kuan-Hua, and
with numerous provincial and local leaders in Shanghai, Peking, Shen Yang, Anshan
and Canton.
It has been a remarkable journey.
Only three times in nearly a quarter century has an official U. S. party
been welcomed in that country. Contact between our people and the Chinese people
has been practically non-existent, and the result has been a feeling of distance
and tension between us. There are, therefore, few American experts in China or
on the best present course for Sino-U.S. relations.
After 10 days in China we certainly do not qualify as experts. We, and
nearly all other Americans, have barely begun to understand that immense and
complex land. Our observations and impressions must be measured in light of the
shortness of our visit and our nation's limited familiarity with the closely
guarded details of Chinese foreign and domestic policy.
As soon as we arrived yesterday at Andrews Air Force Base, we telephoned
President Nixon at San Clemente to report the substance of our findings and
recommendations. We will shortly submit a more detailed report to him in
written form. Most of the information we have given and will give to the
-2-
President we are eager to share with you today. When the House reconvenes, we
will present a formal report to the Speaker and the entire membership.
Both of us hold the view that the process of normalizing State relations
between the U. S. and China should continue. We hope our party conventions this
month and next will help to advance this objective, and that all candidates this
year will approach the matter in a spirit of bipartisanship.
After all, the combined population of China and the U. S. exceeds one
billion people--one third of mankind. If our two nations can learn to live
together in harmony and mutual respect, our children may better hope for a
peaceful world.
We see a bright future ahead in this new relationship of our country with
China, and both of us intend to do all we can to help bring that to pass.
######
7
For Release at 10:30 A.M.
JOINT STATEMENT BY REPS. HALE BOGGS AND GERALD R FORD, July 8, 1972
Gentlemen, this is our first real discussion with newsmen since coming out
of China.
We conferred with President Nixon in San Clemente by telephone late
yesterday immediately after arriving in Washington from Yokota Air Force Base in
Japan. On Wednesday and Thursday we communicated with Washington and met with
U. S. Consular officials in Hong Kong, crossing the border after a train trip
from the Chinese city of Canton. We met for five hours with Premier Chou En-Lai,
for three hours with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ch'iao Kuan-Hua, and
with numerous provincial and local leaders in Shanghai, Peking, Shen Yang, Anshan
and Canton.
It has been a remarkable journey.
Only three times in nearly a quarter century has an official U. S. party
been welcomed in that country. Contact between our people and the Chinese people
has been practically non-existent, and the result has been a feeling of distance
and tension between us. There are, therefore, few American experts in China or
on the best present course for Sino-U.S. relations.
After 10 days in China we certainly do not qualify as experts. We, and
nearly all other Americans, have barely begun to understand that immense and
complex land. Our observations and impressions must be measured in light of the
shortness of our visit and our nation's limited familiarity with the closely
guarded details of Chinese foreign and domestic policy.
As soon as we arrived yesterday at Andrews Air Force Base, we telephoned
President Nixon at San Clemente to report the substance of our findings and
recommendations. We will shortly submit a more detailed report to him in
written form. Most of the information we have given and will give to the
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President we are eager to share with you today. When the House reconvenes, we
will present a formal report to the Speaker and the entire membership.
Both of us hold the view that the process of normalizing State relations
between the U. S. and China should continue. We hope our party conventions this
month and next will help to advance this objective, and that all candidates this
year will approach the matter in a spirit of bipartisanship.
After all, the combined population of China and the U. S. exceeds one
billion people--one third of mankind. If our two nations can learn to live
together in harmony and mutual respect, our children may better hope for a
peaceful world.
We see a bright future ahead in this new relationship of our country with
China, and both of us intend to do all we can to help bring that to pass.
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