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Ford Press Releases - House Organization, 1965
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Ford Press Releases - House Organization, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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Republican National Committee (U.S.)
U.S. House of Representatives. 3/4/1789-
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The original documents are located in Box D8, folder "Ford Press Releases - House
Organization, 1965" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
OfficeRapy
FOR THE SENATE:
THE JOINT SENATE-HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Everett M. Dirksen, Leader
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP
Gerald R. Ford, Jr.,
Thomas H. Kuchel, Whip
Leader
Bourke B. Hickenlooper, Chr.
Leslie C. Arends, Whip
of the Policy Committee
Press Release
John W. Byrnes, Chr.
Leverett Saltonstall, Chr.
of the Policy Committee
of the Conference
Melvin R. Laird,
Thruston B. Morton,
Chr. of the Conference
Chr. Republican
Issued following a
Clarence J. Brown,
Senatorial Committee
Leadership Meeting
Ranking Member
Rules Committee
PRESIDING OFFICER:
The Republican
January 11, 1965
Bob Wilson,
National Chairman
Chr. Republican
Dean Burch
Congressional Committee
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT BY SENATOR DIRKSEN:
When defeat comes to a major political party in this country in-
variably there are outcries for revolutionary changes in party struc-
ture, party leadership and party policies. The Republican defeat of
1964 has produced these manifestations of uncertainty, unrest and un-
easiness. Many suggestions, both formal and informal, for action pour
from numerous sources.
We, the members of the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership,
are fully cognizant of the situation. There is no doubt in our minds
that action is indicated and We are taking it. In our conversations
since the November defeat we have discussed, among ourselves and with
other recognized party leaders, numerous paths that might be followed,
Always, certain basic facts have emerged:
First, that the only elected Republican officials of the Federal
Establishment are the 32 Republican members of the United States Sen-
ate and the 140 members of the House of Representatives. Obviously
and beyond dispute, they will guide Republican Party policy at the
national level, in the absence of a Republican President and Vice
President, by the record they wr in the Congress. It is their
responsibility.
Second, that an additional repository of advice and counsel on
party policy exists in former Presidents and nominees for President,
in our present elected rnors, in the members of the Republican
National Committee and the State Chairmen of our several states, and,
of course, in active Republican advocates at all other levels of the
party structure. Their wisdom must be channeled into party policy
formulation.
In the conviction that the Republican Party for a century has
been and is an essential element in this nation's forward progress,
and with the firm belief that all Republicans must join the effort,
we, the members of the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership, have
on this day initiated a roposed mechanism to achieve a broad consen-
sus on vital objectives for our country and our party. It is an honor
to introduce my colleague the new Republican Leader of the House,
Jerry Ford, to provide the details of the proposal.
(Ford statement - page 2)
GERALD
LIBRARY
Room S-124 U.S. Capitol-CApitol 4-3121 Ex 3700
STAFF CONSULTANT: Robert Humphreys
Digitized from Box D8 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
STATEMENT BY REP. FORD:
-2-
January 11, 1965
We propose to give the Republican Party a unified leadership.
As a chart we are making public will show, we are inviting the five
living Republican nominees for President -- one of whom, Dwight D.
Eisenhower, served two terms in that office -- and representatives
of the Republican Governors Association to join with us in the esta-
blishment of a Republican Coordinating Committee to continuously
examine party policy and party operations.
We have asked the Presiding Officer of the Joint Senate-House
Republican Leadership, the Republican National Chairman, Mr. Dean
Burch, to serve as Presiding and Administrative Officer of the new
Republican Coordinating Committee, and through the Republican Nation-
al Committee to provide such staff assistance and funds as may be
necessary. As Mr. Burch, himself, suggested, we regard this role an
implicit responsibility for him or whoever may occupy his office in
the future.
It will be the function of the Republican Coordinating Committee,
composed of the eleven members of the Joint Senate-House Republican
Leadership, the five living Republican nominees for President, and
five representatives of the Republican Governors Association to
facilitate the broadest party representation and the establishment of
task forces for the study and examination of major national problems
and issues. The recruiting sources for these task forces, which would
report to the Joint Leadership, are clearly delineated on the organi-
zation chart which we are making public.
For the Joint Leadership, I have been asked to add these two
pertinent points: First, the Republican National Chairman has been
requested to immediately invite the other participants to join us in
forming the Republican Coordinating Committee. Second, we are con-
vinced that the Republican Party is not only a great force in the
American way of life, but it is the only living political instrument
which can make the American Dream a reality, not a mere collection
of words and promises. Our only goal is results and we intend to
achieve them.
REPUBLICAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE
JOINT SENATE-HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP
For The
For The
Senate
House
The Leader
The Leader
NATIONAL PARTY
The Whip
The Whip
REPUBLICAN
LEADERS
Chairman, Policy Committee
Chairman, Policy Committee
GOVERNORS
Chairman, Conference
Chairman, Conference
ASSOCIATION
(Presidential Nominees)
Ranking Rules Committee Member
Chairman, Senatorial Campaign
Chairman, Congressional Campaign
Committee
Committee
Presiding Officer
Chairman, Republican National Committee
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES FOR STAFF PERSONNEL
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES FOR TASK FORCE PERSONNEL
RNC
Joint
Senate and House
MEMBERS
Senate
RNC
&
GOVERNORS
Leadership
Staff Members
STATE
Members
CHAIRMEN
House
STAFF COORDINATING
Policy
TASK FORCES
Committee
COMMITTEE
House
Members
FORMER
OFFICE
Senate
House
Senate
HOLDERS
Academic and
Policy
Campaign
Campaign
Professional
Committee
Committee
Committee
Consultants
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON GOP COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Q. Does the establishment of the Republican Coordinating Committee
mean that the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership is surrend-
ering its role as a policy-making body?
A. No, policy formulation, when the Party does not occupy the White
House, still resides in Republican members of the United States
Senate and House of Representatives and their elected leaders,
but the Coordinating Committee will provide a communications cen-
ter for the exchange of ideas on policy with other important
party leaders and elected officials; also the establishment of
task forces will be an implementing feature.
Q. Who will appoint the task forces?
A. The Republican National Chairman as the Presiding Officer of the
Coordinating Committee will appoint the task forces with the ad-
vice of the Joint Leadership and, when appropriate, in consulta-
tion with the former Presidential nominees and representatives of
the Governors Association. In all cases the Presiding Officer
will circulate his lists of task force appointees in advance to
all the participating members of the Coordinating Committee.
Q. Who will direct the staff operation which will assist both the Co-
ordinating Committee and the task forces?
A. The Presiding Officer will designate a Staff Coordinator, presum-
ably from the staff of the Republican National Committee. It
will be the Staff Coordinator's responsibility to assemble volun-
teer research help from the sources indicated on the chart.
Q. What about representation on the task forces for organized groups
representing agriculture, labor, veterans, etc., etc.?
A. It is the hope of the Coordinating Committee the task forces will
have help from all the major organizations in our society and such
help will be sought.
Q. How often will the Coordinating Committee meet and when will the
first meeting be?
A. The date of the first meeting will be fixed to suit the conven-
ience of the maximum number of the Committee's members. This will
be explored by the Presiding Officer. The continuity of Committee
meetings will be established at the first session.
Q. How will the Coordinating Committee be financed?
A. By the Republican National Committee.
Q. Has this type of committee ever been set up before?
A, As near as can be determined neither major political party has
ever attempted to establish a coordinating body such as the Rep-
ublican Coordinating Committee. It is an innovation.
1/11/65
THE JOINT SENATE-HOUSE
FOR THE HOUSE
FOR THE SENATE:
OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Everett M. Dirksen, Leader
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP
Gerald R. Ford, Jr.,
Thomas H. Kuchel, Whip
Leader
Bourke B. Hickenlooper, Chr.
Leslie C. Arends, Whip
of the Policy Committee
Press Release
John W. Byrnes, Chr.
Leverett Saltonstall, Chr.
of the Policy Committee
of the Conference
Melvin R. Laird,
Thruston B. Morton,
Chr. of the Conference
Chr. Republican
Clarence J. Brown,
Senatorial Committee
Issued following a
Ranking Member
Leadership Meeting
Rules Committee
PRESIDING OFFICER:
Bob Wilson,
The Republican
January 11, 1965
Chr. Republican
National Chairman
Dean Burch
Congressional Committee
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT BY SENATOR DIRKSEN:
When defeat comes to a major political party in this country in-
variably there are outcries for revolutionary changes in party struc-
ture, party leadership and party policies. The Republican defeat of
1964 has produced these manifestations of uncertainty, unrest and un-
easiness. Many suggestions, both formal and informal, for action pour
from numerous sources.
We, the members of the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership,
are fully cognizant of the situation. There is no doubt in our minds
that action is indicated and We are taking it. In our conversations
since the November defeat we have discussed, among ourselves and with
other recognized party leaders, numerous paths that might be followed,
Always, certain basic facts have emerged:
First, that the only elected Republican officials of the Federal
Establishment are the 32 Republican members of the United States Sen-
ate and the 140 members of the House of Representatives. Obviously
and beyond dispute, they will guide Republican Party policy at the
national level, in the absence of a Republican President and Vice
President, by the record they write in the Congress. It is their
responsibility.
Second, that an additional repository of advice and counsel on
party policy exists in former Presidents and nominees for President,
in our present elected Governors, in the members of the Republican
National Committee and the State Chairmen of our several states, and,
of course, in active Republican advocates at all other levels of the
party structure. Their wisdom must be channeled into party policy
formulation.
In the conviction that the Republican Party for a century has
been and is an essential element in this nation's forward progress,
and with the firm belief that all Republicans must join the effort,
we, the members of the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership, have
on this day initiated a proposed mechanism to achieve a broad consen-
sus on vital objectives for our country and our party. It is an honor
to introduce my colleague, the new Republican Leader of the House,
Jerry Ford, to provide the details of the proposal.
(Ford statement - page 2)
Room S-124 U.S. Capitol-CApitol 4-3121 Ex 3700
STAFF CONSULTANT: Robert Humphreys
STATEMENT BY REP. FORD:
-2-
January 11, 1965
We propose to give the Republican Party a unified leadership.
As a chart we are making public will show, we are inviting the five
living Republican nominees for President -- one of whom, Dwight D.
Eisenhower, served two terms in that office -- and representatives
of the Republican Governors Association to join with us in the esta-
blishment of a Republican Coordinating Committee to continuously
examine party policy and party operations.
We have asked the Presiding Officer of the Joint Senate-House
Republican Leadership, the Republican National Chairman, Mr. Dean
Burch, to serve as Presiding and Administrative Officer of the new
Republican Coordinating Committee, and through the Republican Nation-
al Committee to provide such staff assistance and funds as may be
necessary. As Mr. Burch, himself, suggested, we regard this role an
implicit responsibility for him or whoever may occupy his office in
the future.
It will be the function of the Republican Coordinating Committee,
composed of the eleven members of the Joint Senate-House Republican
Leadership, the five living Republican nominees for President, and
five representatives of the Republican Governors Association to
facilitate the broadest party representation and the establishment of
task forces for the study and examination of major national problems
and issues. The recruiting sources for these task forces, which would
report to the Joint Leadership, are clearly delineated on the organi-
zation chart which we are making public.
For the Joint Leadership, I have been asked to add these two
pertinent points: First, the Republican National Chairman has been
requested to immediately invite the other participants to join us in
forming the Republican Coordinating Committee. Second, we are con-
vinced that the Republican Party is not only a great force in the
American way of life, but it is the only living political instrument
which can make the American Dream a reality, not a mere collection
of words and promises. Our only goal is results and we intend to
achieve them.
REPUBLICAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE
JOINT SENATE-HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP
For The
For The
Senate
House
The Leader
The Leader
NATIONAL PARTY
The Whip
The Whip
REPUBLICAN
LEADERS
Chairman, Policy Committee
Chairman, Policy Committee
GOVERNORS
Chairman, Conference
Chairman, Conference
ASSOCIATION
(Presidential Nominees)
Ranking Rules Committee Member
Chairman, Senatorial Campaign
Chairman, Congressional Campaign
Committee
Committee
Presiding Officer
Chairman, Republican National Committee
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES FOR STAFF PERSONNEL
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES FOR TASK FORCE PERSONNEL
RNC
Joint
Senate and House
MEMBERS
Senate
RNC
&
GOVERNORS
Leadership
Staff Members
Members
STATE
CHAIRMEN
House
STAFF COORDINATING
Policy
TASK FORCES
Committee
COMMITTEE
House
Members
FORMER
OFFICE
Senate
House
Senate
HOLDERS
Academic and
Policy
Campaign
Campaign
Professional
Committee
Committee
Committee
Consultants
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON GOP COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Q. Does the establishment of the Republican Coordinating Committee
mean that the Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership is surrend-
ering its role as a policy-making body?
A. No, policy formulation, when the Party does not occupy the White
House, still resides in Republican members of the United States
Senate and House of Representatives and their elected leaders,
but the Coordinating Committee will provide a communications cen-
ter for the exchange of ideas on policy with other important
party leaders and elected officials; also the establishment of
task forces will be an implementing feature.
Q. Who will appoint the task forces?
A. The Republican National Chairman as the Presiding Officer of the
Coordinating Committee will appoint the task forces with the ad-
vice of the Joint Leadership and, when appropriate, in consulta-
tion with the former Presidential nominees and representatives of
the Governors Association. In all cases the Presiding Officer
will circulate his lists of task force appointees in advance to
all the participating members of the Coordinating Committee.
Q. Who will direct the staff operation which will assist both the Co-
ordinating Committee and the task forces?
A. The Presiding Officer will designate a Staff Coordinator, presum-
ably from the staff of the Republican National Committee. It
will be the Staff Coordinator's responsibility to assemble volun-
teer research help from the sources indicated on the chart.
Q. What about representation on the task forces for organized groups
representing agriculture, labor, veterans, etc., etc.?
A. It is the hope of the Coordinating Committee the task forces will
have help from all the major organizations in our society and such
help will be sought.
Q. How often will the Coordinating Committee meet and when will the
first meeting be?
A. The date of the first meeting will be fixed to suit the conven-
ience of the maximum number of the Committee's members. This will
be explored by the Presiding Officer. The continuity of Committee
meetings will be established at the first session.
Q. How will the Coordinating Committee be financed?
A. By the Republican National Committee.
Q. Has this type of committee ever been set up before?
A. As near as can be determined neither major political party has
ever attempted to establish a coordinating body such as the Rep-
ublican Coordinating Committee. It is an innovation.
1/11/65
(last me)
PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 3, 1965
JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT 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 he 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 1964. 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 and too negative a formulation of our responsibility.
"We must do more than respond to the initiatives of the Administration.
We must take the initiative ourselves in two ways.
"First, we must offer alternative measures to cope with national prob-
lems when the Administration's proposals are unwise. This we are doing, for ex-
ample, in the matter of lightening 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 Administration is blind or indifferent.
"The leadership will rely principally upon the Planning and Research Com-
mittee to generate and formulate approaches developed through the separate task
forces operating under the supervision of Chairman Goodell's Committee."
FORD LIBRARY
PRESS RELEASE -- FEBRUARY 3, 1965
JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT 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 1964. 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 and too negative a formulation of our responsibility.
"We must do more than respond to the initiatives of the Administration.
We must take the initiative ourselves in two ways.
"First, we must offer alternative measures to cope with national prob-
lems when the Administration's proposals are unwise. This we are doing, for ex-
ample, in the matter of lightening 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 Administration is blind or indifferent.
"The Leadership will rely principally upon the Planning and Research Com-
mittee to generate and formulate approaches developed through the separate task
forces operating under the supervision of Chairman Goodell's Committee."