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4525678
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House Speech Aircraft Carrier, January 17, 1951
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4525678
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document
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House Speech Aircraft Carrier, January 17, 1951
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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Warships
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1951-01-31
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1951
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1951-01-01
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1951
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The original documents are located in Box D14, folder "House Speech Aircraft Carrier,
January 17, 1951" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
speeches Hifh
GERALD R. FORD, JR.
MR. CHAIRNAN -
The presentation of this logiclation brings to light one of the
"shabbiest" performances by the executive branch of the government in
the history of this Nation. The President and his advisors, including
the then Secretary of Defense, Mr. Johnson, concelled the construction
of the supercarrier in April, 1949. The blane rests solely on the
doorstops of the White House. Congress outhorised the chip and appropriated
the necessary funds.
Because of this grievous OFFOR the American taxpayers lost 20 million
dollars in material and labor plus 45 million in cost differential between
the original supercurrier and the one proposed in this Mll. In addition
Mr. Trumon's concurrence in the concollation of the supercessior in 1949
has cost 2) to 3 years in time.
with these facts unquestioned, can there be faith. past OF present.
in the properedness decisions w the Prosident? It 10 high time that the
Congross coase being a rubber-stamp to the dictatorial demands of the
President and his advisors. The Blot Congross made a horrible record
simply because in most instances It bowed weakly to the requests of Mr.
Transn. That Congross did not truly represent the people but rather culmitted
to the dictates of the executive branch of the government. One of the for
courageous stands tolcon w the Blot Congross VOI the report of the House
Committee on Armed Services condomning the action taken w Mr. Truma in
caned ling the supercarrier and firing Admiral Denfeld.
FORD j LIBRARY
Digitized from Box D14 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Our citizens are not 00 naive that they will believe there 10 any
difference between the original supercarrier and the one proposed by this
MIL The public would admire our President and his own military advisors
if on honest statement vore nade admitting that on orror had been made in
1949. No, that procedure 10 not followed. Instead, there 10 on attempt
to justify the nov carrier on the basis that 10 10 really a different ship.
Such subtorfuge 10 reprehensible and should to exposed. A careful analysis
of the blueprints of the two chips by qualified engineers would reveal, I on
sure, no material difference between them. This 10 no time for "face saving".
The Administration would got public confidence by straightforward admissions
of past orrors.
The need of aircraft carriers 10 boot evidenced by their nao in the
Koroan Vas. Without carriers in that part of the world our land forces would
be in even worse condition than we now find them.
In conclusion, I emphasise that this Congross mot accort itself and
not rubberstamp the demands of the President and his advicors. The people
elected the 62nd Congress to participate jointly in military and foreign
affaire decisions and the President for the benefit of our Nation had better
cooporate OF Congross vill take over to better strengthen our Nation and restore
the confidence of our people.
BERALD FORD VIBRARY