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Ford Press Releases - Republican Coordinating Committee, 1965
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Ford Press Releases - Republican Coordinating Committee, 1965
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The original documents are located in Box D9, folder "Ford Press Releases - Republican
Coordinating Committee, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Digitized from Box D9 of The Ford Congressional Papers:
Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
MINORITY LEADER
United States
House of Representatives
FILE NOTE:
THE NEXT TIME THERE IS A COORDINATING
COMMITTEE REPORT SEND THIS MAN A
FEW COPIES USING THIS FRANK AND THEN
TYPE ANOTHER FRANK AND PUT IT BACK
BEHIND THIS NOTE. jb
House of Representatives, U.S.
PUBLIC DOCUMENT
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Herald R. 3rd
M.C.
Mr. R. Moore
414 W. 63rd Street
Chicago, Illinois
FOR THE SENATE:
THE JOINT SENATE-HOUSE
FOR THE 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 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
DECLARATION
for the
REPUBLICAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE
meeting at the Willard Hotel, Washington, D. C.
March 10, 1965
PURPOSE
The Republican Coordinating Committee was created (1) to
broaden the advisory base on national party policy; (2) to
set up task forces to study and make recommendations for dealing
with the problems that confront the people of our nation; and
(3) to stimulate communication among the members of the party and
others in developing a common approach to the nation's problems.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Recent denials to Negro citizens of their basic Constitutional
right to vote have aroused the conscience of every American. In
some areas these rights have been denied by force and fraud and
we are outraged that in the year 1965 these conditions should
exist.
For more than 100 years the Republican Party has fought to pro-
tect the rights of every minority group and we urge all citizens
to join us in this cause. We urgently favor Federal action to
assure all citizens of the United States of their Constitutional
rights without discrimination on account of race or color.
The goal of the Republican Party is that by the 1966 elections
every American citizen shall be assured of his Constitutional
right to vote.
-2-
FOREIGN POLICY
Republicans, in their role as the loyal opposition, have consistently
advocated, and now support, the Administration's announced policy in
defending free South Vietnam against Communist aggression. We deplore
the disruptive voices of appeasement in the Democratic Party which undercut
the President in his conduct of foreign affairs, at a time of national crisis.
The President can always count on Republican support where the
Administration's foreign policy is firm and decisive on the side of freedom.
By the same token we owe a duty to the nation to point up those areas where
the Administration's policy has failed and to offer constructive alternative
proposals. Our Task Force nn Foreign Policy shall have as one of its major
objectives the examination of some of the most massive failures in foreign
policy in recent American history -- the consolidation of the Communist
beachhead in Cuba, the expansion of Communist influence and control in
Africa and the Near East, the deterioration of the Atlantic Alliance.
America's voice in the world, once strong and clear, now with rare
exceptions is mute, indecisive and inconsistent. It will be the Republican
goal to fill this vacuum of international leadership not merely by criticizing
what we believe is wrong, but by proposing those policies we believe are right.
TASK FORCES
The Republican Coordinating Committee today established the
following task force assignments and requested the Republican National
Chairman, Dean Burch, and his elected successor as of
- 3 -
April 1, Ray Bliss to appoint the members of the task forces
after appropriate consultation with the members of the Coordinating
Committee;
(1) On Human Rights and Responsibilities
(2) On the Conduct of Foreign Relations
(3) On the Functions of the Federal, State and Local
Governments
(4) On Job Opportunities
(5) On Federal Fiscal and Monetary Policies
Other task force assignments are still in the discussion
stage and will be announced.
The Committee enthusiastically endorses the statement delivered
by President Eisenhower as a guide line for future action. He
has suggested basic problems and goals on which Republicans are
agreed.
The next meeting of the Republican Coordinating Committee has
been scheduled for June 1, 1965 in Washington, D. C.
##########
DECLARATION
for the
REPUBLICAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE
meeting at the Willard Hotel, Washington, D. C.
March 10, 1965
PURPOSE
The Republican Coordinating Committee was created (1) to
broaden the advisory base on national party policy; (2) to
set up task forces to study and make recommendations for dealing
with the problems that confront the people of our nation; and
(3) to stimulate communication among the members of the party and
others in developing a common approach to the nation's problems.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Recent denials to Negr vitizens of their basic Constitutional
right to vote have aroused the conscience of every American. In
some areas these rights have been denied by force and fraud and
we are outraged that in the year 1965 these conditions should
exist.
For more than 100 years the Republican Party has fought to pro-
tect the rights of every minority group and we urge all citizens
to join us in this cause. We urgently favor Federal action to
assure all citizens of the United States of their Constitutional
rights without discrimination on account of race or color.
The goal of the Republican Party is that by the 1966 elections
every American citizen shall be assured of his Constitutional
right to vote.
LIBRARY
-2-
FOREIGN POLICY
Republicans, in their role as the loyal opposition, have consistently
advocated, and now support, the Administration's announced policy in
defending free South Vietnam against Communist aggression. We deplore
the disruptive voices of appeasement in the Democratic Party which undercut
the President in his conduct of foreign affairs, at a time of national crisis.
The President can always count on Republican support where the
Administration's foreign policy is firm and decisive on the side of freedom.
By the same token we owe a duty to the nation to point up those areas where
the Administration's policy has failed and to offer constructive alternative
proposals. Our Task Force nn Foreign Policy shall have as one of its major
objectives the examination of some of the most massive failures in foreign
policy in recent American history -- the consolidation of the Communist
beachhead in Cuba, the expansion of Communist influence and control in
Africa and the Near East, the deterioration of the Atlantic Alliance.
America's voice in the world, once strong and clear, now with rare
exceptions is mute, indecisive and inconsistent. It will be the Republican
goal to fill this vacuum of international leadership not merely by criticizing
what we believe is wrong, but by proposing those policies we believe are right.
TASK FORCES
The Republican Coordinating Committee today established the
following task force assignments and requested the Republican National
Chairman, Dean Burch, and his elected successor as of
- 3 -
April 1, Ray Bliss to appoint the members of the task forces
after appropriate consultation with the members of the Coordinating
Committee;
(1) On Human Rights and Responsibilities
(2) On the Conduct of Foreign Relations
(3) On the Functions of the Federal, State and Local
Governments
(4) On Job Opportunities
(5) On Federal Fiscal and Monetary Policies
Other task force assignments are still in the discussion
stage and will be announced.
The Committee enthusiastically endorses the statement delivered
by President Eisenhower as a guide line for future action. He
has suggested basic problems and goals on which Republicans are
agreed.
The next meeting of the Republican Coordinating Committee has
been scheduled for June 1, 1965 in Washington, D. C.
##########
The following Statement was Approved Unanimously by the Republican Coordinating
Committee meeting in Washington, D. C. December 13, 1965
Questions are being raised both at home and abroad as to the devotion of the
American people to peace. One cause of this confusion has been the inability of
the Johnson Administration to establish a candid and consistently credible state-
ment of our position in Viet Nam. Official statements of the Administration have
been conflicting and repeatedly over optimistic. The Communists have skillfully
exploited this inadequacy of our present leadership.
We Republicans believe that the people of South Viet Nam should have an
opportunity to live their lives in peace under a government of their own choice
free of Communist aggression.
We believe that our national objectives should not be the unconditional
surrender of North Viet Nam, but unconditional freedom for the people of South
Viet Nam and support of their struggle against aggression.
Our nation, with vigorous Republican support and leadership, has dedicated
itself to successful resistance to Communist aggression through programs for Greece
and Turkey; in Iran, Lebanon and Quemoy-Matsu; in Austria, Trieste and Guatemala;
by timely action in the Dominican Republic and today in Viet Nam.
Under our present policy in Viet Nam, there is a growing danger that the
United States is becoming involved in an endless Korean-type jungle war. A land
war in Southeast Asia would be to the advantage of the Communists.
Since it appears that the major portion of North Vietnamese military supplies
arrive by sea, our first objective should be to impose a Kennedy-type quarantine on
North Viet Nam.
To accomplish our objectives we also recommend the maximum use of American
conventional air and sea power against significant military targets.
Our purpose is and must be, once again to repel Communist aggression, to
minimize American and Vietnamese casualties, and to bring about a swift and
secure peace.
(COPY)