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Central Volunteers Luncheon, Grand Rapids (telephone speech), September 24, 1965
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4525871
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Central Volunteers Luncheon, Grand Rapids (telephone speech), September 24, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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Communism
Voluntarism
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1965-09-30
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9
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1965
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1965-09-01
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9
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1965
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The original documents are located in Box D18, folder "Central Volunteers Luncheon,
Grand Rapids (telephone speech), September 24, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D18 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Telephone speech
Central Volunteers luncheon
Grand Rapids Sept. 24, 1965
not
Naturally, I am disappointed that I am in Grand Rapids
with you today. I hope you understand that work in the House of
Representatives prevents a personal visit with you.
While talking with you by telephone today, I am looking out of
my office window in the Capitol. It is a magnificant view of the
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Mall and
the national shrine of democracy.
ask
Looking at the heartland of the American republic, I when we
look at ourselves as citizens of this democracy if we wonder what
makes us tick.
We clamor for speed laws that will stop fast driving, but we won't buy
a car that won't make at least 100 miles an hour.
We have more food to eat than any other country and more
diets to keep us from eating it.
We know the line-up of major league baseball teams, but we don't know
all the words of the "Star Spangled Banner."
And, it's suprising how many Americans visit the Capitol and think
it is the White House.
-more-
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Volunteers
-2-
We may appear inconsistent, but there is a long line of consistency
that started in the beginnings of our country that has run down to
our own time---it is a consistency in the essential and lasting
values.
I have a personal reason, aide from others, for being happy in
helping celebrate the 20th anniversary of Central Volunteers.
My father was among those who founded this agency of human kindness
and service to others. He often talked about the work of this dedicated
group of citizens. I'm sure he looked upon his part in helping to
serve
establish the organization as a real opportunity to his beloved
community.
It is heart-warming, especially in these turbulent times, to see
dedicated bandwarf citizens put others ahead of themselves.
has
Central Volunteers for 20 years increase achieved two major goals
the agency has
therehave provided much-needed manpower and has given
individuals opportunities to occupy their free time in a rewarding manner.
Thousands of citizens have set spleddid examples for others. The community
has a grateful heart for the blessing ofthose who are so mindful of
the needs of others.
-more-
Volunteers
-3-
In the troubled times of today, it is only natural that the material
aspects of our responsibilities should give us so much concern and demand
so much of our attention.
Our entire way of life is under attack by an enemy motivated and guilded
by a materialistic philosophy. We cannot afford to neglect those things
in which the enemy professes strength, and by which the enemy
seeks to dominate the world. If we did otherwise, we would fail
to meet the challenge which is laid before us.
Despite this urgency, we must not forget our responsibilities
to the spiritual and human aspects of our freedom. It These
responsibilities distinguish us from our enemy, and constitute our
greatest strength.
Central Volunteers as a group has maintained the responsibilities
to the spiritual and human aspects by the unselfish giving of
time and talent to meet the needs of the community.
It is notable that volunteers come from all segments of the community
teenagers, senior citizens, businessmen and homemakers and from
35 church and service organization groups.
Volunteers exemplify the responsibility of faith.
-more-
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Central Volunteers
to
our freedoms
For a few minutes this noon I would like to discuss that
go
nees hand-in-hand with the responsibility of faith.
The freedom of enterprise the freedom of initiative the freedom
of election long a part of our way of life must bd guarded
and protected.
those
There are in the world today who envy and fear us. They are
envious and fearful of our priceless freedom, which is the source of
our strength. it constitutes the greatest threat to their
heavy-handed, iron-fisted power over hundreds of millions of people.
The freedom of America threatens the enemy's aspirations to ruthlessly
dominate the world.
Communist
conscious
The 1 rulers of their failures and inability to
those they led to forego freedom, have turned their efforts toward
the free world. They generate unrest and disastisfaction. They
invade. They commit futhless agression.
Leaders of the Communist conspiracy know full well that the existence
of freedom is the most immediate and direct threat to their power.
The United States, because it is spiritually and materially the
wealthiest nation on earth, is the principal target of the Communist
conspiracy.
We, of course, are not alone in our struggle against world Communism.
R.FORD
Other nations enjoy freedom and cherish it as we clarks
do.
-more-
Central Volunteers
-5-
As President Eisenhower so aptly stated: "more closely than ever
before, American freedom is interlocked with the freedom of other
people. In the task of maintaining unity, the greatest responsibility
falls to those who, like ourselves, retain the most freedom and the
most strength."
As concerned as we must be with the international aspects of our
responsibilities as free men, we must not neglect our obligation to
maintain
a strong and developing economy at home.
To achieve this goal, all segments of our people must cooperate/ None
must seek to gain an unfair advantage at the expense of another.
the
It is in this area of cooperation and service that Central Volunteers
agency has set an exceptional example.
While there are differences among us as to how our prosperity
can best be obtained, we must never permit them to become crystallized
into class attitudes. It is the theory of class struggle pitting man
against man that the modern Communist hopes to create dissension among
us and to weaken our cause.
Our prosperity must be maintained through the medium of private enterprise
and initiative. This freedom must be preserved, for it is the foundation
upon which our structure of liberty rests.
We must preserve and strengthen the right of every man to formulate
and hold to his own opinions on religious, political, and social
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
questions.
-more-
Central Volunteers
-6-
Liberty, of course, is not license. To advocate and defend freedom of
speech and discussion does not mean that we must not protect ourselves
against those who naively and willfully abuse them.
Another primary responsibility imposed upon us as free men is that
of educating our children in the ways of freedom. We must give to
them a full appreciation and understanding of the values which
have made this Nation a great one.
If my add a footnote
I salute all the young people who give
of themselves as Central Volunteers. Young men and young women
seta splendid example of service for others to follow.
-more-
QERALD FORD
Volunteers
7
As a Nation we may build the strongest defense, acquire the greatest
wealth, and prosper in all material things, but our accomplishments
will have little meaning if they do not rest upon a firm spiritual
foundation.
It was strength of spirit which made possible the founding of this
nation. It was that S trength which supported it through its adversities.
We must renew and replenish that S trength. We can set our guidelines
by following the spledid example set by Central Volunteers and
all others who give unselfishly of themselves.
With faith in God, faith in ourselves, and faith in our freedom,
we will S urmount the obstacles in our paths. We will establish a
secure and meaningful peace in a world where free men may work and live
without fear.
I join in applauding the Central Volunteers agency an organization
service
dedicated to A dedicated to
the principle of putting the needs of others first... dedicated
to the concept that we are our brother's keeper dedicated
to the task of accepting the responsibilities of citizenship.
Thank you for inviting me to share this experience with you on
the 20th anniversary of Central Volunteers.
# # #