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Grinnell College (via telephone), March 17, 1965
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4525824
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Grinnell College (via telephone), March 17, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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Republican National Committee (U.S.)
U.S. House of Representatives. 3/4/1789-
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Urban renewal
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1965
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1965
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Digitized from Box D17 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
The original documents are located in Box D19, folder "Grinnell College (via telephone),
March 17, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D17 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Grinnell College speech
Boston
via telephone
10 p.m. March 17 (Wednesday evening)
april2
speak 20 minutes- then answer questions for 40 minutes
Theme: "The Johnson Administration a Republican Alternative."
Republicans in Congress who are faced with overwhelming opposition
party voting power and an awesome strength in the executive branch have
at least five major duties and responsibilities.
First we must exert our influence in a positive manner to help
guide our Nation toward freedom, security, peace and well-being.
Secondly, we should support the Administration when it is right,
oppose it when it is wrong, at the same time presenting constructive
alternative proposals for legislation.
Our third duty is to expose any failures of the present Administration
to keep promises made during the 1964 election campaign.
The fourth responsibility is to work toward a strong two-party
system which would overcome the imbalance of power in the legislative,
executive and judicial branches.
Finally, we must work with dedication and zeal to
maintain
and
strengthen unity in the Republican ranks.
The job of exerting creative influence in a positive manner includes
the recent establishment of a planning and research group of Republicans
headed by Representative Charles E. Goodell of New York.
more
Ex 44606
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Grinnell speech
page 2
Currently, seven task forces are researching in depth, seeking
facts, figures and a wide range of data in and SWE areas including agriculture,
economic opportunity, voting rights, Congressional reform and Minority
staffing, education, and NATO-Western Europe problems.
This
is
the
pesitive approach in seeking ways to guide our country toward
freedom, security, peace, well-being and fiscal responsibility.
Repablic
The task force system is a major innovation that will help
mobilize constructive Republican activity in developing long-range solutions
to national andinternational problems,
House Republicans have a major responsibility as representatives of
approximately 43 percent of the electorate who voted for a Republican House of
Representatives in 1964. We cannot accept the statement that the duty of
merely
the opposition party is to oppose. This outlook is too narrow and too negative.
We must do more than respond to the initiatives of the Administration.
And, we must press for action to deal with problems to which the Administration
is blind or indifferent.
Earlier I said that republicans in Congress should support
the Administration when it is right, endependents oppose it when it is wrong.
At times, there will be a blending of support and opposition,
An example of standing firmly behind the dministration is the
backing
Republicans have given the President in his orders for stepped-up
strikes against Communist supply lines and bases in Viet-Nam. We have
endorsed the idea of measured, meaningful military steps in that troubled
more-
Grinnell college speech
-3-
part of the world. We have Joined the President in his insistance that
to withdraw from Viet-Nam would mean a tragic retreat. To abandon our
efforts there would mean bringing our defense line all the way back to
Pearl Harbor.
There has been mixed reaction to the President's message on
voting rights which he read to a joint session of Congress
Although I agree in principle with the President's message,
which reiterated the philosophies of the Republican Party since its
inception, I question some parts of the proposed legislation facing
a decision by Congress.
I strongly believe effective federal voting legislation is
needed so that all qualified citizens wherever they live can vote in 1966.
Republicans in the House under the leadership of Rep. illiam
McCulloch have been and are working on such legislation with its many
complex issues and different approaches,
Republicans in the House will support legislation to achieve
maximum registration and voting by the target date of 1966.
It seems to me that the President's proposal is deficient inthat
it may penalize certain states where there is no discrimination and it may
fail to resolve the problem in some areas where eligible voters are not
permitted to register.
I am also concerned with the establishment of a huge, new
bureaucracy of voting examiners which could be perpetuated even though
the problem of voter registration is resolved.
more
Grihnell College speech
4-
In the 89th Congress, Republicans in the House have stepped forward
with alternative proposals relative to aid to education.
Inj have introduced a bill in the House to make educational expenses
a deductible item for income tax purposes. This would cover up to 300 for
each child from kindergarten through university in any educational
institution, public or non-public.
Another approach being suggested as a Republican alternative to the
Administration bill would provide income tax credit against state and local
school taxes. Those who must pay ittle or no income tax would
receive
a refund equal to the amount which would have been credited. This, too, would
help all parents regardless of the school attended by their children.
In the past I have generally opposed direct federal aid for the operation
and maintenance of elementary and secondary schools. In view of our recurring
annual deficits and growing national debt, I have been concerned with the
problem of financing. There is also involved the danger of federal control of
our local schools---public, private and parochial.
If we are to have such federal aid, however, I think a strong case can
be made in support of assistance to non-public as well as to public schools.
But as you know, the problem has been a legal one involving the interpretation
of the First Amendment to the Constitution.
In
When Robert Kennedy was attorney general, hè held that any aid to
non-public schools was unconstitutional. Many competent attorneys have
disagreed with him. It would appear, therefore, if any legislation is passed
providing aid to non-public s chools the courts will have to decide whether
it meets the Constitutional requirements.
GERALD
LIBRARY
Republicans will work for a bill which is fair to all parents.
more
Grinnell college speech
-5-
Taking a positive approach, House Republicans of the Banking
wide-ranging
and Currency Committee have drafted a and humanized housing
program that would have a national impact on the lives of Americans.
Rep. William Widnall of New Jersey, ranking Republican member
of the Committee, describes the proposal as offering the first comprehensive
eminent domain compensation bill to eliminate present inequalities in
condemnation awards and procedures as the result of urban renewal and
housing projects.
Help for low income citizens would be in the form of a 60,000-unit
two-year housing program using available private rental homes with
government-subsidized rents.
The bill requires that most of the units to be built in
urban renewal areas would be for lower and middle income families, rather
than the present trend toward luxury housing.
Small businessmen forced to move because of urban renewal projects--
would be provided relocation help. Loans would ease the burden for displaced
tenants and leases would be guaranteed by the federal government.
The present bi-partisan, non-profit program for housing the elderly
would continue, as would the $300 million college housing loan programs at a
lower rate of interest.
Under the Republican plan, the Urban Renewal Administration and the
Public Housing Administration--now separate agencies would be combined
to eliminate duplication.
more
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Grinnell College speech
-6-
One of the most widely-debated Administration proposals dealing
with health care for the aged and known as - "medicare" prompted
Republicans to create an alternative plan.
We quickly saw the weaknesses in the Administration's
medicare scheme, which ffers less coverage and willbring is based on skyrocketing
little
payroll taxes for every worker.
The President's plan calls for an increase in the social security
payroll tax on all employesesm employers and self-employed persons, which
would place a greater burden on those less able to pay. It is a compulsory
regressive, tax plan.
The Republican alternative proposal offers more liberal coverage
and gives the people a choice. It is entirely voluntary.
There will be other Republican alternative proposals in the
coming weeks and months, each aimed at making our country a better
place in which to live, work and enjoy freedom.
Without raising opposition just for the sake of opposing, it
should be pointed out that the Administration is failing to keep some of
the promises made during last year's political campaign.
For xample, searching a Security and honest analysis can dispel the myth
that the President's proposed budget is less than $100 billion. Including
the new obligational authority, which actually means the right to spend
government funds, the budget total is $106 billion. Adding the cash budget,
federal spending under the present Administration's financial blueprint will
be more than 126 billion a year, a new all-time spending record for ncle Same
more
Grinnell College speech
-7-
Last year when we adopted the tax cut bill, the majority
inserted a pledge to give priority to balancing the budget and to reduce
the
debt of our country. Tax cuto of 1.7 - Tax preveous of 2.7
The present administration's budget fails to keep this promise.
The national debt has increased by $10 million in just two years to an
all-time high of $318 billion.
Republicans
believe
in
the
goals
of
greater
efficiency
in
government.
We also
believe goals Our party for in a the less must sake burdensome lead of the the way entire tax in system. achieving Nation. two other most
important
more
GERALD
by Rep, Michigan Gerald R. Ford ty address
Gunnell State Universi College
8
Two
Michigan Gennell State College
University Address
by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
of
by Michigan Rep. Gerald our R. Ford
Address
A crushing over-balance of strength in either party for too long a time makes a
mockery of our traditions in government, weakens and softens the voice of the
people, and places control in the hands of a comparatively small majority.
These it seems to me are currently the major goals to be sought in the area of
government: a sensitive balance in the legislative, executive and judicial branches,
and a strong two-party system.
nennell State College University
Address
by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
Compare these examples with the actions of citizens in a community who band
together to win an election to raise money at the local level for a new high school
...or with the coordinated civic effort to conduct an educational campaign on a
local issue dealing with more taxes for a better park and recreation area.
Certainly, police brutality anywhere is disgraceful, as is unbridled,
uncontrolled, savage and senseless mob action which scoffs at legitimate authority
and the orderly processes.
The growth and prosperity, the state and strength, of our Nation is the result
of free citizens conducting their personal lives and careers within the constituted
framework of authority, law and order. This is not to say that changes in our laws
or governmental practices is not necessary or essential.
For example, our present Civil Rights laws need strengthening to give
statutory backing to the general provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment, which
provides that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged because of race,
color, or previous condition of servitude. This is the orderly process.
There is a fine line of distinction between an aroused public conscience and
demonstrations of social revolution.
I seriously question the social merit of flamboyant, irresponsible mob action
to focus attention on a public issue. We have procedures in our units of government,
in the courts of the land, by which controversies can be settled with dignity and
justice. This should be the path taken by an aroused citizenry in search of
righting a wrong or in seeking a civic goal.
At the same time, public officials have the duty to see that laws are properly
enforced, Those who are slow to act in fulfilling the obligations of their office,
or who deliberately turn their faces from issues and controversies are indeed
delinquents.
An informed voting public has the power of the ballot to replace those who
fail in their duties, who fall short of their qualifications, who forsake the
Course of action
people for political gain, Appeals to the courts may be taken when that appears
necessary.
The rules of an orderly society may at times be subject to interpretation by
government, by the courts, and by the people themselves, but only in a manner which
insures "due process of law."
Your guidelines as citizens include a great devotion to the moral and spirit-
ual values, which are translated into nobility of character, social justice,
national righteousness, and eventually, world peace.
GERALD
-more-
Grinnell college speech
-12-
Finally, I believe that the Republican Party must earn the respect
of the American people Z while maintaining and strenthening
our ranks.
The job of The Republican party is to insure that America continues
as a place where a man can live deeper, reach higher, see farther, think bigger
and grow greater than anywhere else on earth.
#
#
#
GERALD
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich)
This Nation has been described as a place where a man can live deeper, reach
higher, see farther, think bigger and grow greater than anywhere else on earth.
The Republican Party starting at this moment
must be dedicated to preserve
America as just that,
To accomplish the task, we need far more members in the ranks, more unity in
the Party, courage, resourcefulness, creative ideas and readiness to work and earn
our way.
*
*
There have been strong indications of unity in the Congressional ranks of the
Republican Party in recent weeks. It has been evident in the votes we have had
since the start of the 89th Congress.
Republican Party shoulder-to-shoulder unity 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 political party.
This imbalance must be redressed through the establishment of a strong two-
party system to insure Constitutional checks and balances.
Republicans are vastly outnumbered in this Congress, but we can still speak
with the voice of a dedicated majority.
*
*
*
While the President has been badgered by some strong Democrats to withdraw from
Viet Nam, he has received strong support from the Republican leadership in both
the House and the Senate.
In bargaining with the Communist nations, our country constantly gives much and
gets little or nothing in return.
Until we and our allies agree to a "no concession-no deal" policy, we can
expect more Koreas and Viet Nams---an
ever-widening circle of Communist subversion
around the earth,
*
*
*
At times, Republicans in Congress will oppose both the aims and the methods of
the Administration. However, we will not oppose for the sake of opposition. We will
continue to support the Administration when it is right, and oppose it when it is
wrong.
*
*
*
The record the minority party will write in the 89th Congress will result in
widespread Republican victories in 1966.