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Robert Taft Dinner, Sandusky, OH, October 20, 1965
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4525888
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Robert Taft Dinner, Sandusky, OH, October 20, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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Republican National Committee (U.S.)
U.S. Congress. 1789-
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The original documents are located in Box D19, folder "Robert Taft Dinner, Sandusky,
OH, October 20, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
READING TEXT
B.J
Betty-
N.N
Island
Robert Taft Memorial Association Dinner
Sandusky, Ohio
October 20, the 1965
Revenue
of
Hos the of lenter Joe Scan John Martin Mamman Tower
&
Within easy hearing distance and almost within view of my
office in the Capitol stands the bell tower commemorating
Senator Robert Taft.
Often when the weight of political debate hangs heavily on my
shoulders and I am weary because of the problems within my
party, the sounds of the bells give me renewedhope and confidence.
This is a non-partisan dinner, but I hope you will forgive at
least a passing mention of consensus politics.
I subscribe to the observation of Robert Taft when he said "if you
permit appeals to unity to bring an end to criticism, we endanger
not only the constituional liberties of our country, but even its
future existence."
FORD GERALD RARY
-more-
Digitized from Box D19 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Taft dinner
reading text
-B-
Without an over-indulgence in partinanship tonight, I will
discuss the state of the Congress in these turbulent times
and some of the actions--both Democrat and Republican
I
believe are needed.
Taking the advice of Senator Taft, I will criticise but
only for the sake of emphasizing the need to assure the
future existence of our republic as we know it.
The right to criticise is one of our freedoms. And many Americans
use this freedom as they see fit.
(INCOME TAX STORY)
Tonight, I will follow the advice of my Wife Betty.
(KISS STORY)
into speech (USE FEDERAL SCHOOL AID INSERT NOT 14-B)
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Excerpts from an address
Sandusky, Ohio Oct. 20, 1965
Without over-indulgence in political partisanship, I am sure we can
agree that a strong two-party system and a meaningful balance in government
are best for the national interest.
When the balance of power is critically and steeply tilted by an over-
whelming majority in either political party, we have collective conformity
in government.
Today one political party controls Congress by a two to one majority.
The situation prompted one Washington quipster to comment: "When the
President sends a message to Congress, his political partisans don't know
whether to clap their hands or click their heels."
The President recently predicted that this Congress "will leap into
history as the most effective and most rewarding Congress for all the
people in all the history of America."
His praise is understandable, This Congress has given him almost
everything he wants.
The President has virtually unlimited resources for working his will---
a veritable army of experts, authorities, researchers and the like. This
establishment is available to every Chief Executive, no matter his political
party.
At this point in history, the President commands a branch of government
that employes more than 2/million civilians and controls the destiny of
2 million 600-thousand military personnel. These two groups have a payroll
cost totalling $28 billion. Together they will spend more than 127-billion
tax dollars in fiscal 1966.
For the sake of comparison in establishing the slanted balance of power
in government, it can be pointed out that the number of employes in the
Congressional legislative branch total little more than 9,000 persons,
-more-
QERALD FORD LIBRARY
Speech excerpts
Rep. Gerald R. Ford
-2-
The question to be answered is whether the Congress operates merely as
a limp arm of government, bending like a wet noodle to the will of a
President armed with a 2 to 1 majority in the House and Senate or whether
it is to be a strong, coordinate branch of government exercising fair but
independent judgment.
Within the intent of the Constitution has the present Congress been
effective? Has there been independent judgment? Has there been enough
questioning and investigation of proposed legislation?
The documented record provides the answers.
The federal school aid bill, which will cost $1.3 billion in the first
year of operation, is a good example of the silence imposed on the elected
representatives on Capitol Hill by the existance of political power and
the brutal use of such power.
House Republicans prepared 29 amendments each aimed at making the
proposed legislation more sensible, more meaningful and more within the
guidelines of the Constitution.
Of these, four were debated only five minutes and 14 were allowed no
debate. Authors of the latter amendments were given no opportunity to
explain them to their colleagues.
The silent treatment was given to several amendments that would have
concentrated $200 million in Federal funds on the education needs of
economically-deprived children.
The silent treatment was ordered for another amendment requiring state
approval of supplementary educational centers to assure coordination of
Federal activities with state plans and policies.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment demanding that Federally-
financed local education centers be conducted in accordance with State law.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment to remove the Federal
government from involvement in buying textbooks.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment that would remove
Federal standards of approval for local educational centers.
The silent treatment prevented exhaustive debate on at least three vital
and controversial issues involved in the education bill.
- more -
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
In my judgment, there were other issues that should have been given complete
and open debate. The throttling of dialogue falls short of serving the best
interests of the American people. When Congress is gagged, the American people
are gagged.
*
*
*
There are reasons for being optimistic.
I have a strong faith in the good judgment of the American people.
Congress is taking steps to improve its image, to improve its day-to-day
working habits.
I believe most Americans are realizing that they have to help the Congress
become a stronger partner in the relationship of the Executive and Judicial
branches of government.
Governors in many states now realize that if their units of government are
to be strong partners, their constitutions must be modernized. More governors
are strengthening their desire to assume responsibilities and not pass them off
to the federal establishment.
There is a growing realization that our system of government is the finest
in the history of mankind. We believe in our Constitution. Those wise men who
put it together created an historic document.
I emphasize it is politics and politicians that have put the breath of
life and the blood in the veins of the still bones of a constitutional system.
*
*
*
The responsibility of the American people is to help keep our republic
strong, progressive and free,
To accomplish this goal, we must all remember that a government big enough
to give us everything we want is a government big enough to take from us
everything we have.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Excerpts from an address
Sandusky, Ohio Oct. 20, 1965
Without over-indulgence in political partisanship, I am sure we can
agree that a strong two-party system and a meaningful balance in government
are best for the national interest.
When the balance of power is critically and steeply tilted by an over-
whelming majority in either political party, we have collective conformity
in government.
Today one political party controls Congress by a two to one majority.
The situation prompted one Washington quipster to comment: "When the
President sends a message to Congress, his political partisans don't know
whether to clap their hands or click their heels."
The President recently predicted that this Congress "will leap into
history as the most effective and most rewarding Congress for all the
people in all the history of America."
His praise is understandable, This Congress has given him almost
everything he wants.
The President has virtually unlimited resources for working his will---
a veritable army of experts, authorities, researchers and the like. This
establishment is available to every Chief Executive, no matter his political
party.
At this point in history, the President commands a branch of government
that employes more than 2-million civilians and controls the destiny of
2 million 600-thousand military personnel. These two groups have a payroll
cost totalling $28 billion. Together they will spend more than 127-billion
tax dollars in fiscal 1966.
For the sake of comparison in establishing the slanted balance of power
in government, it can be pointed out that the number of employes in the
Congressional legislative branch total little more than 9,000 persons,
-more-
GERALD LIBRARY FORD
Speech excerpts
Rep. Gerald R. Ford
--2-
The question to be answered is whether the Congress operates merely as
a limp arm of government, bending like a wet noodle to the will of a
President armed with a 2 to 1 majority in the House and Senate or whether
it is to be a strong, coordinate branch of government exercising fair but
independent judgment.
Within the intent of the Constitution has the present Congress been
effective? Has there been independent judgment? Has there been enough
questioning and investigation of proposed legislation?
The documented record provides the answers.
The federal school aid bill, which will cost $1.3 billion in the first
year of operation, is a good example of the silence imposed on the elected
representatives on Capitol Hill by the existance of political power and
the brutal use of such power.
House Republicans prepared 29 amendments each aimed at making the
proposed legislation more sensible, more meaningful and more within the
guidelines of the Constitution.
Of these, four were debated only five minutes and 14 were allowed no
debate, Authors of the latter amendments were given no opportunity to
explain them to their colleagues.
The silent treatment was given to several amendments that would have
concentrated $200 million in Federal funds on the education needs of
economically-deprived children.
The silent treatment was ordered for another amendment requiring state
approval of supplementary educational centers to assure coordination of
Federal activities with state plans and policies.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment demanding that Federally-
financed local education centers be conducted in accordance with State law.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment to remove the Federal
government from involvement in buying textbooks.
The silent treatment was given to an amendment that would remove
Federal standards of approval for local educational centers.
The silent treatment prevented exhaustive debate on at least three vital
and controversial issues involved in the education bill.
- more -
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
In my judgment, there were other issues that should have been given complete
and open debate. The throttling of dialogue falls short of serving the best
interests of the American people. When Congress is gagged, the American people
are gagged.
*
There are reasons for being optimistic.
I have a strong faith in the good judgment of the American people.
Congress is taking steps to improve its image, to improve its day-to-day
working habits.
I believe most Americans are realizing that they have to help the Congress
become a stronger partner in the relationship of the Executive and Judicial
branches of government.
Governors in many states now realize that if their units of government are
to be strong partners, their constitutions must be modernized. More governors
are strengthening their desire to assume responsibilities and not pass them off
to the federal establishment.
There is a growing realization that our system of government is the finest
in the history of mankind, We believe in our Constitution. Those wise men who
put it together created an historic document.
I
emphasize it is politics and politicians that have put the breath of
life and the blood in the veins of the still bones of a constitutional system.
*
*
*
The responsibility of the American people is to help keep our republic
strong, progressive and free,
To accomplish this goal, we must all remember that a government big enough
to give us everything we want is a government big enough to take from us
everything we have.
House Calendar No. 173
89TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 10027
[Report No. 1041]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 22, 1965
Mr. SICKLES introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Education and Labor
SEPTEMBER 21, 1965
Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
A BILL
To amend section 8 (b) (4) of the National Labor Relations
Act, as amended, with respect to strike at the sites of con-
struction projects.
1
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3
That section 8 (b) (4) of the National Labor Relations Act,
4 as amended, is amended by inserting before the semicolon
5 at the end thereof ": Provided further, That nothing con-
6 tained in clause (B) of this paragraph (4) shall be con-
7 "strued to prohibit any strike or refusal to perform services or
8 any inducement of any individual employed by any person
9 to strike or refuse to perform services at the site of the con-
10 struction, alteration, painting, or repair of a building, struc-
VI-0
2
3
1 ture, or other work and directed at any of several employers
1 Air Force or other department or agency of the Government
2 who are in the construction industry and are jointly engaged
2 concerned with the particular facility or installation, and to
3 as joint venturers or in the relationship of contractors and
3 any national or international labor organization of which the
4 subcontractors in such construction, alteration, painting, or
4 labor organization involved is an affiliate. The notice
5 repair at such site, and there is a labor dispute, not unlawful
5 requirements of the preceding proviso are in addition to,
6 under this Act or in violation of an existing collective-bar-
6 and not in lieu of the notice requirements prescribed by
7 gaining contract, relating to the wages, hours, or other work-
7 section 8 (d) of the Act. In determining whether several
8 ing conditions of employees employed at such site by any of
8 employers who are in the construction industry are jointly
9 such employers and the issues in the dispute do not involve
9 engaged as joint venturers at any site, ownership or control
10 a labor organization which is representing the employees of
10 of such site by a single person shall not be the only factor
11 an employer at the site who is not engaged primarily in the
11 considered".
12 construction industry, provided that in the case of any such
12
SEC. 2. The amendment made by this Act shall take
13 site which is located at any military facility or installation of
13 effect ninety days after the enactment of this Act.
14 the Army, Navy, or Air Force, or which is located at a
15 facility or installation of any other department or agency of
16 the Government if a major purpose of such facility or in-
17 stallation is, or will be, the development, production, testing,
18 firing, or launching of munitions, weapons, missiles, or space
19 vehicles, prior written notice of intent to strike or to refuse to
20 perform services, of not less than ten days shall be given by
21 the labor organization involved to the Federal Mediation and
22 Conciliation Service, to any State or territorial agency estab-
23 lished to mediate and conciliate disputes within the State or
24 territory where such site is located, to the several employers
25 who are jointly engaged at such site, to the Army, Navy, or
House Calendar No. 173
89TH CONGRESS
1sT SESSION
H. R. 10027
[Report No. 1041]
A BILL
To amend section 8(b) (4) of the National
Labor Relations Act, as amended, with re-
spect to strike at the sites of construction
projects.
of drive
By Mr. SICKLES
JULY 22, 1965
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
SEPTEMBER 21, 1965
Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
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