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Order of AHEPA, Grand Rapids, MI, June 13, 1965
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4525850
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Order of AHEPA, Grand Rapids, MI, June 13, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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Cyprus
Republican National Committee (U.S.)
U.S. Congress. 1789-
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1965
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The original documents are located in Box D18, folder "Order of AHEPA, Grand Rapids,
MI, June 13, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
AHEPA
Grand Rapids
June 13, 1965
OK
MAH chemic Chph
In all modesty, I would like to say that I am uniquely qualified to
be your speker. As Republican Leader of the House-where there are
140 Republicans and 294 Democrats--I can speak as something of an
authority on the plight of the oppressed minorities.
May I add a postscript=--I fervently hope that we in the minority
party of Congress exhibit the same courage, ingenuity and integrity as
have the Greek Cypriots on the troubled island of Cyprus.
You may recall that I was elected Minority Leader by a landslide
vote---- 73 to 67. This shows that all you need is an allegation of virtue,
a moderate amount of hard work, and lots of luck.
At this point I suspect my good friend Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen
might caution me that the oil can is mightier than the sword.
Certainly, Senator Dirksen and I agree most of the time--but we
have differences of opinion about barbershops and hairstyles.
By the way-coming directly from Washington I can give you a report
on how the government is operating under the Johnson Administration.
-moreO
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
Digitized from Box D18 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
AHEPA
page 2
If you doubt there have been some changes on the banks of the Potomac,
I suggest you watch for next year's Internal Revenue forms. Across the
top will be the words--"The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You."
By the way, a lot of Americans take a dim view of the Internal Revenue
official warning each year on income tax forms. In the space which the
Revenue service tells taxpayers to leave blank, a lot of strong-willed
Americans write sashort message in reply. It reads--"I'llwrite
snywhere I please!"
You may be interested to know it's not true that Lyndon Johnson is
planning to change the name of the Nation's Capitol to "Austin-East."
It S eems appropriate at this moment--speaking of changing names--to
congratulate my good friend and widely-known reporter George Zarry. I
hope to learn from Zarry how Dowagiac was persuaded to rename an alley
after George. Knowing Zarry, I'm certain he will have an appropriate --
and quotable==-answer.
*
*
*
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
AHEPA
page 3
I am delighted to be with you for many reasons in a friendly
atmosphere of universality and brotherhood.
First, I have a report on the situation in Cyprus..an island now
enjoying a measure of peace in the wake of barbaric acts of violence
and aggression.
Before coming here to be with you, I was given a report by the State
Department, which described the political situation on Cyprus as fairly
stable at this time.
Greek Cypriots have launched an effective peace offensive...fighting
has stopped, except for an occasional outburst....the economy is reported
as still going strong.
I appland the efforts of the people there to obtain the right of
self-dtermination for all citizens of Cyprus, including the protection of
the minority's legitimate rights.
The dark pages of history dating back 511 years can be turned back
by both the majority and minority working their will as free people
without dictation, influence and threats from the outside.
GERALD
-more-
AHEPA
page 4
We can look to the United States as an historic example of a
nation being built by people exercising the right of self-determination,
the very foundation for human dignity and individual freedom.
Unfortunately at this critical point in time, there is a threat
to the political system in our Nation that has worked successfully
since the Constitution was written.
The threat is in the form of a growing danger that our strong
two-party political system will become a myth.
Our Nation needs a strong two-party system. It is Democracy's
assurance against any drift toward tyranny. Comversely an over-balance
of strength in either party for too long will make a mockery of our
traditions in government and will weaken the voice of the people.
-more-
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-11-
strengtli party make a
Our two-party system, although not written into the Constitution,
builds into government an additional set of checks and balances.
Early in our history, a wise decision was made to follow the pattern
of a two-party framework. Thus, we avoided the loss of freedom that
accompanies a one-party government; we were spared the chaos and confusion
of a multi-party government.
Not only do two strong political parties provide the electorate with
legislative alternatives, but also the means for attaining a high level of
honesty and frankness.
A current social philosopher has so well pointed out that the strength
of our form of government lies not so much in the fact that we always elect
the best person to office, but rather that the electorate can always remove
an unworthy official from office by exercising the voting franchise.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
at present no opportunity for a "hearing"
Exacutive branch says NO.
Fact that me should have two strong you laked 6
pathed parties dobs and mean They Smill alrong opport
each other -
Hand-in-hand with the need for two strong political parties in the
American democracy is the necessity for a proper balance in the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of government.
When the balance in Congress is steeply and dangerously tilted by
an overwhelming majority in either political party, our system of checks
and balances is in jeopardy.
The legislative-executive-judicial balance, as established by our
Constitution, is a simple, yet ingenious, system of insuring our freedom.
Certainly, there is criticism of Congress, the legislative branch.
I believe this is a manifestation of our frustrations -- the tensions built )
up by a prolonged cold war and recent strife in two hemispheres, the
existence of poverty in the midst of plenty, the highly-complex problems
linked with urbanized living, the gap between the American Ideal of equality
and its realization.
Of Congress, perhaps the critics would say, "Let's stop talking and
stalling and get things done."
BERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
Purhape when we This should is Anid nemed persible
7
-13-
Congress was designed to be a deliberative body with Representatives
in the House and two Senators from each State bearing the responsibility of
reaching majority decisions, but only after thorough study and debate.
For those who view Congress as too cumbersome, too old-fashioned,
too slow to act, there are two sound answers.
First, the two houses of Congress have repeatedly proved they can
act with calculated swiftness to meet crisis -- domestic or foreign.
Second, the advantages of precipitous action are often outweighed
by the safeguard of deliberation and the resulting slowness.
With a balance of power in the Congress, there is no chance of racing
to the brink of decision with the possibility of tumbling into the yawning
chasm of irresponsibility.
The power of the executive branch -- the White House -- the President --
overinoholmingly
is given awesome proportions when one political party dominates the Congress
and also elects the Chief Executive. Great power in a Democracy should require
great self-restraint. And if power is consistently used improperly, it could
mean the eventual death of the two-party system with its safe grands,
-14-
For this reason I have proposed that when both the Executive and
Legislative branches are dominated by the same political party -- and it
matters not which -- the Committees on Government Operations of the House
and Senate should be under the control of the minority party. These two
committees have a special responsibility to investigate official action or inaction
within the Executive branch of the government.
With broad investigating authority, this arrangement would provide
an effective vehicle to assure that the voice of the minority would be heard
and that the best interests of our citizens and taxpayers would be protected.
The majority would be constantly on notice that its actions or inactions
were subject to thorough and critical review.
The duty of the third branch of government -- the Federal Judiciary --
is to interpret and apply the Constitution and the laws.
When the Judicial branch arbitrarily elbows its way to new positions
of authority, it disregards the wise suggestions of judicial restraint made
by the late Justice Frankfurter and others.
GERALD FORD NIBRARY
9
-15-
When the Supreme Court ordered states to reapportion on the "one-man,
one-vote" concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical
of an assumption by the Court of "destructively novel judicial power."
"In this situation, as in others of like nature, appeal for relief
does not belong here," Justice Frankfurter wrote. "Appeal must be made to
an informed electorate," he explained, and added: "In a democratic society
like ours, relief must come through an aroused public conscience that sears
the conscience of the people's representatives."
In concluding, I emphasize that among the challenges of our time
for generation are the strengthening of the
two-party system and the re-establishment of balance in the three branches
of government.
What are your guidelines in helping to preserve our Democracy?
Where do you start?
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
AHEPA
page 10
I urge that you become more involved in the political world; that
you become even more active in an informed, civically militant electorate.
It seems to me that too many Americans pride themselves as being
political independents indepents. These are the citizens who vote once every four
years, who decline political partisanship with many excuses, who
criticize both political parties from the sidelines.
Our Democrat friends and my own Party, it seems to me, should direct
much of our efforts toward helping each of these well-meaning Americans
choose a political party.
The choice of being either a Republican or a Democrat should be
made only after carefully studying the philosophies of each party.
Perhaps, some will switch alliances. This is a choice under freedom.
You can accept even greater responsibilities in an exciting,
demanding and changing world by becoming active in politics.... as
voters, as taxpayers, as partisans, as party workers, yes--as candidates
for public office.
GERALD
I am confident you will meet the challenges of 1965 America with
unlimited patience, imagination, confidence, courage and willingess to
more-
AHEPA
page 11
sacrifice to make the future better than the past.
Thank you for inviting me to share this hour with you.
# #
BEFORD in LIBRARY GERALD
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich)
Order of Ahepa Grand Rapids, Michigan June 13, 1965
Hand-in-hand with the need for two strong political parties in the American
Democracy is the necessity for a proper balance in the legislative, executive and
judicial branches of government.
When the balance in Congress is steeply and dangerously tilted by an over-
whelming majority in either political party, our system of checks and balances is
in jeopardy.
*
*
Certainly, there is criticism of Congress. I believe this is a manifestation
of frustrations--the tensions built up by a prolonged cold war and strife, the
existence of poverty in the midst of plenty, the highly-complex problems linked
with urbanized living, the gap between the American Ideal of equality and 1ts
realization.
*
#
#
For those who view Congress as too cumbersome, too old-fashioned, too slow to
act, there are two answers. First, the two houses of Congress have repeatedly
proved they can act with calculated swiftness to meet crisis, Second, the advantages
of precipitous action are often outweighed by the safeguard of deliberation and the
resulting slowness.
*
*
*
*
It seems to me that too many Americans pride themselves as being political
independents. These are the citizens who vote only every four years, who decline
political partisanship with many excuses, who criticise both political parties
from the sidelines.
Our Democrat friends and my own Party, it seems to me, should direct much effort
toward helping each of these well-meaning Americans choose a political party.
The choice of being either a Republican or a Democrat should be made only after
carefully studying the philosophies of each party. Perhaps, some will switch
alliances. This is a choice under freedom.
You accept even greater responsibilities in an exciting, demanding and changing
world by becoming active in politics as voters, as taxpayers, as partisans, as
party workers--as candidates for public office, and as office-holders.
#
*
*
*
Among the great challenges of our time are the strengthening of the two-party
system and the re-establishment of balance in the three branches of government. I an
confident these challenges will be met by citizens with patience, imagination,
courage and willingness to sacrifice to make the future better than the pasto
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (ReaMich)
Order of Ahepa Grand Rapids, Michigan June 13, 1965
Hand-in-hand with the need for two strong political parties in the American
Democracy is the necessity for a proper balance in the legislative, executive and
judicial branches of government.
When the balance in Congress is steeply and dangerously tilted by an over->
whelming majority in either political party, our system of checks and balances is
in jeopardy.
*
*
*
Certainly, there is criticism of Congress. I believe this is a manifestation
of frustrations--the tensions built up by a prolonged cold war and strife, the
existence of poverty in the midst of plenty, the highly-complex problems linked
with urbanized living, the gap between the American Ideal of equality and its
realization.
*
#
*
*
For those who view Congress as too cumbersome, too old-fashioned, too slow to
act, there are two answers. First, the two houses of Congress have repeatedly
proved they can act with calculated swiftness to meet crisis, Second, the advantages
of precipitous action are often outweighed by the safeguard of deliberation and an the
resulting slowness.
*
#
*
It seems to me that too many Americans pride themselves as being political
independents. These are the citizens who vote only every four years, who decline
political partisanship with many excuses, who criticise both political parties
from the sidelines.
Our Democrat friends and my own Party, it seems to me, should direct much effort
toward helping each of these well-meaning Americans choose a political party.
The choice of being either a Republican or a Democrat should be made only after
carefully studying the philosophies of each party. Perhaps, some will switch
alliances. This is a choice under freedom.
You accept even greater responsibilities in an exciting, demanding and changing
world by becoming active in politics voters, as taxpayers, as partisans, as
party workers--as candidates for public office, and as office-holders.
*
*
*
*
Among the great challenges of our time are the strengthening of the two-party
system and the re-establishment of balance in the three branches of government. I am
confident these challenges will be met by citizens with patience, imagination,
courage and willingness to sacrifice to make the future better than the pasto
GERALD LIBRARY