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Testimonial Dinner for Former Representative Paul Dague, Lancaster, PA, June 29, 1967
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Testimonial Dinner for Former Representative Paul Dague, Lancaster, PA, June 29, 1967
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The original documents are located in Box D22, folder "Testimonial Dinner for Former
Representative Paul Dague, Lancaster, PA, June 29, 1967" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
REMARKS AT TESTIMONIAL DINNER FOR PAUL DAGUE
JUNE29,1967
Ladies and Gentlemen: Tomight we pay tribute to a man we hold very
close to our hearts, a person who is not only a gentleman but a gentle...man.
Now you wouldn't think of a sheriff as being gentle, but that's what
Paul Dague is. Maybe that's why he gave up the job of Chester County sheriff
back in 1946.
One
good reason for having a testimonial dinner for Paul--and of
course there are many reasons--is that he is such a quiet and unassuming person.
He has never tooted his own horn, so we have to do it for him.
Some
Paul Dague is a truly humble man.
politicians make a show of
being humble. That of course is not genuinne humility. But talk to
GER an ORD LIBRARY
-2-
elevator operator or a policeman who worked on Capitol Hill during the 20
years that Paul Dague was in Congress, and they'll tell you that Paul always
had a big hello for them. That's the real meaning of humility, the kind of
humility that finds a man caring about little people.
Show me a man who's really humble and I'll bet you he is a deeply
religious man. Paul Dague is just such a man.
cause he's truly humble
he makes no show of his deep love of God and his devotion to the teachings of
Christ. But to this day he gives of himself by teaching Sunday School.
While he was in Congress he belonged to the Capitol Marine Club and became
known as their unofficial chaplain because he always led them in prayer. He
congressional
also was a regular at the Thur sday morning/prayer breakfast. He eventried to
LIBRARY
GE
avoid all Sunday speaking engagements.
Digitized from Box D22 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
-3-
Some people say, "Scratch a politician and you'll find a born
story-teller." Now, that's not always true but it certainly fits Paul
Dague. He is one of the greatest story-tellers ever to sit in the United
States House of Representatives.
I don't have to tell you that Paul has a delightful sense of humor.
My spies tell me he is spending his retirement writing a joke book. If he
isn't, he should be.
You know, like me, Paul doesn't have much hair left. Well, that dates
back quite a ways in his case. And Paul liked to kid about it.
His favorite line about
growing bald in Congress was that he "grew into
the job."
-4-
During World War 1 Paul served as a private first class in the Marine 6orps.
He tells me he's the only private in the marines who dares call Gen. Greene "Wally."
Paul Dague served his God and his country well during his score of years
in the House. He was wellpliked and he worked hard. He gave his constituents
excellent service. He is a great public servant, a great Pennsylvanian, a
truly
restanding American.
During his last two years in Congress; Paul was ranking Republican on the
House
Agriculture Committee. Republicans were completely out-gunned
in the 89th Congress, so Paul just took it in stride. He figured there wash
nothing to do but vote, "no." So that's what he did.
They just had us around for laughs during the 89th Congress, but it's
a different story now. Last year we were on the entertainment committee,
FORD
so to speak. But now Jurge Shet we're at least on the board of directors, and next year we
could get control everyone who believes in good, decent government
those objectives
and a sound economy
get out and works for
Dague Testimonial
-5-
Let me warn all Americans that we now are threatened by a new round of
inflation much like the damaging upsurge of prices in 1966, and this raises the
threat of an income tax increase.
If We are to avoid a runaway economy that may lead to a tax increase and
possibly even governmental controls on wages, prices and credit, we must curb
federal spending through a stringent program of priorities and restraints.
The road to inflation is paved with federal deficits.
A program of restraint does not mean a moratorium on problem-solving. But it
does mean getting more value for our tax dollars, and it would mean an end to
spendthrift experimentation. Husbanding tax dollars does not mean miserliness. It
means prudent government, sound government.
Dague Testimonial
-6-
People often say, "Well, if you cut expenditures, won't this harm the economy?"
The answer is that we are cutting appropriation requests. We're going to be
spending more money in fiscal 1968 than this fiscal year no matter what the Congress
does in this session. But if we cut the level of appropriation requests, it will
have an impact and it will be a weapon against inflation.
Another frequent question is: "How can you cut spending while the Vietnam War
is going on?" The answer is that the level of domestic spending in the federal budget--
entirely apart from defense requirements and the war in Vietnam--has gone up from
$46 billion for fiscal 1965 to a proposed $66 billion for fiscal 1968. Two-thirds of
the $28.3 billion increase im federal spending from calendar 1963 through 1966--as
measured in the national income accounts budget--is accounted for by non-defense
spending.
Dague Testimonial
-7-
The result is a flood of red ink that could "burst all bonds," in t he words
of House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills. Congress must X act to stop up the
holes.
While we work twin tobring federal spending under control, we must also work
seek an honorable end to the Vietnam War and a lasting peace in
the Middle East.
All Americans are hopeful that the "spirit of Glassboro" will translate itself
into concrete programsx progress toward world peace.
Until something more tangible than atmosphere becomes evident, we have only the
facts to go on--and the facts continue to be discouraging.
GERALD
LIBRARY
Dague Testimonial
-8-
The facts are that Soviet Premier Kosygin was rigidly inflexible in his
statements regarding Vietnam and the Middle East after 10 hours of talking with
President Johnson. He said the United States must withdraw aller of its forces
from Vietnam before there can be any improvement in U.S.-Soviet relations. This
does not say much for the so-called spirit of Glassboro.
If there really is a spirit of Glassboro, Mr. Kosygin could demonstrate it by
reducing Soviet arms shipments to North Vietnam and the Arab states.
The fact that 619 Communist-flag ships carried cargoes to North Vietnam during
the past 24 months certainly is not in keeping with the spirit of Glassboro. ORD
It is doubly shocking to me that during the same 24-month period, 210 ships
LIBRARY
flying free world flags delivered goods for the war machine of the Hanoi regime.
Dague Testimonial
-9-
If we are to achieve peace in the world, there must be an end to the business
of trafficking in death by the major powers.
The Mideast War was no accident, no simple boiling over of Arab hatred for
Israel. The facts are that the United States as well as the Soviet Union armed
the Arabs and proppedd up the sagging regime of Egypt's glory-hungry dictator,
Gamal Abdel Nasser. In the past four years, our government subverted its own
policies in the Mideast by handing Nasser's government more than a billion dollars'
worth of aid and by arming the Arab states as well as Israel.
The major powers should stop sending any kind of aid--economic aszmełzxaxx or
military--to any MN nation which has the announced intnex intention of annihilating
another nation. Such policies do not build peace. They promote war.
Dague Testimonial
-10-
Unfortunately, the Soviet Union apparently is choosing to ignore this grim
fact--or is seeking to advance it. Communist arms reportedly are flowing again to
the Arab states. Let not America compound this tragic error.
There is a mighty weapon of peace in the hands of the United States. It is the
great abundance of food provided by the American farmer. How have we used it? In
1965 wazsant our government sent wheat to Egypt and helped keep Nasser in power.
What was the upshot? It was Nasser who triggered the Middle East War.
If our government would properly implement the Food for Peace Program launched by
former President Eisenhower, both the American farmer and the cause of peace would NXX
prosper.
GERALD
LIBRARY
Dague Testimonial
-11
Windup
For our country to prosper we need good men like Paul Dague who are
willing to serve in high public democratic officer, and we need good citizens
who are willing to participate in the proce SB]
To1
the degree that Americans take the time to acquaint themselves with
the problems of government and to assist in their solution, to that extent will
we enjoy
the fruits of good government.
When Americans become
involved in government, in the job of governing themselves and in electing the
best possible candidates to office, we achieve that best of all combinations
a
government of laws as well as men. Thus is good government fashioned.
LIB.
It was Edmund Burke, who once said: "All that is necessary for the
ARY
forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.
(MORE)
Dague Testimonial Windup
-12- - -
Thank God for good men like Paul Dague who are ever devoted to
enough
the cause of good government. For with men like Paul
America
can vanquish the forces of evil
and lead the forces of truth and justice to
victory. Thank you.
####
FORD
TESTIMONIAL DINNER FOR Collegen PAUL DAGUE, JUNE 29, 1967 Vergen New Internal John book Revenue
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: TONIGHT WE PAY TRIBUTE TO A MAN
WE HOLD VERY CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS, A PERSON WHO IS NOT ONLY
A GENTLEMAN BUT A GENTLE. MAN.
with
T.V. all the NOW YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF A SHERIFF AS Paul BEING GENTLE, BUT
THAT'S WHAT PAUL DAGUE IS. MAYBE THAT'S WHY HE GAVE UP THE
JOB OF CHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF BACK IN 1946.
ONE GOOD REASON FOR HAVING A TESTIMONIAL DINNER FOR
PAUL--AND OF COURSE THERE ARE MANY many REASONS--IS THAT HE IS SUCH
A QUIET AND UNASSUMING PERSON. HE HAS NEVER TOOTED HIS OWN
his frends,
HORN, SO WE HAVE TO DO IT FOR HIM.
PAUL DAGUE IS A TRULY HUMBLE MAN. SOME POLITICIANS MAKE
A SHOW OF BEING HUMBLE. THAT OF COURSE IS NOT GENUINE HUMILITY
BUT TALK TO AN ELEVATOR OPERATOR OR A POLICEMAN HO WORKED ON
FORD
CAPITOL HILL DURING THE 20 YEARS THAT PAUL DAGUE WAS IN GERAL CONGRESS
ARY
-2-
warm, sencere
AND THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT PAUL ALWAYS HAD A BIG HELLO FOR each of
THEM. THAT'S THE REAL MEANING OF HUMILITY, THE KIND OF
is
b,
HUMILITY THAT FINDS A MAN CARING ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE
The anstring soul- not the clotho
SHOW ME A MAN WHO'S REALLY HUMBLE AND PLL BET YOU HE IS
A DEEPLY RELIGIOUS MAN. PAUL DAGUE IS JUST SUCH A MAN.
BECAUSE HE'S TRULY HUMBLE HE MAKES NO SHOW OF HIS DEEP LOVE OF
GOD AND HIS DEVOTION TO THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST. BUT TO THIS
DAY HE GIVES OF HIMSELF BY TEACHING SUNDAY SCHOOL. WHILE HE
1
Corps
AS IN CONGRESS HE BELONGED TO THE CAPITOL MARINE, CLUB AND
BECAME KNOWN AS THEIR UNOFFICIAL CHAPLAIN. BECAUSE HE ALWAYS
LED THEM IN PRAYER. HE ALSO WAS A REGULAR AT THE THURSDAY
MORNING CONGRESSIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST. HE EVEN TRIED TO
AVOID ALL SUNDAY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS.
SOME PEOPLE SAY, "SCRATCH A POLITICIAN AND YOU'LL FIND
STORY-TELLER." NOW, THAT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE BUT IT CERTAINLY
-3-
FITS PAUL DAGUE. HE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST STORY-TELLERS EVER
TO SIT IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT PAUL HAS A DELIGHTFUL
SENSE OF HUMOR. MY SPIES TELL ME HE IS SPENDING HIS RETIREMENT
WRITING A JOKE BOOK. IF HE ISN'T, HE SHOULD BE.
YOU KNOW, LIKE ME, PAUL DOESN'T HAVE MUCH HAIR LEFT.
WELL, THAT DATES BACK QUITE A WAYS IN HIS CASE. AND PAUL LIKED
TO KID ABOUT IT. HIS FAVORITE LINE ABOUT GROWING BALD IN
CONGRESS WAS THAT HE "GREW INTO THE JOB. " Speaking Dussan of 3rd
DURING WORLD WAR I PAUL SERVED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
I'm told
IN THE MARINE CORPS. HE TELLS ME HE'S THE ONLY PRIVATE IN THE
the Commandant The Marma Corpo
MARINES WHO DARES CALL GEN. GREENE "WALLY."
1
PAUL DAGUE SERVED HIS GOD AND HIS COUNTRY WELL DURING
HIS SCORE OF YEARS IN THE HOUSE. HE WAS WELL-LIKED AND HE
WORKED HARD. HE GAVE HIS CONSTITUENTS EXCELLENT SERVICE. HE
-4-
(
IS A GREAT PUBLIC SERVANT, A GREAT PENNSYLVANIAN, A TRULY
OUTSTANDING AMERICAN.
DURING HIS LAST TWO YEARS IN CONGRESS, PAUL WAS RANKING
REPUBLICAN ON THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE. REPUBLICANS
WERE COMPLETELY OUT-GUNNED IN THE 89TH CONGRESS, SO PAUL JUST
TOOK IT IN STRIDE. HE FIGURED THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BUT
with conviction & courage
VOTE, "NO. 11 SO THAT'S WHAT HE DID.
In 1965 went + 1966 THEY 95/7/40
JUST HAD US AROUND FOR LAUGHS DURING THE 89TH
when
-
CONGRESS, BUT IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY NOW. LAST YEAR WE WERE
ON THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE, SO TO SPEAK. BUT NOW WE'RE ORD
ALD
AT LEAST ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND NEXT YEAR WE COULD
LIBRARY
GET CONTROL. I URGE THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOOD, DECENT
GOVERNMENT AND A SOUND ECONOMY GET OUT AND WORK FOR THOSE
OBJECTIVES. Thank gorkness the voters in 50 states BROOD. mistored - some Eschelman balance Congress in the
Beater
ME WARN ALL AMERICANS THAT WE NOW ARE THREATENED BY
may for
Williams
-5-
A NEW ROUND OF INFLATION MUCH LIKE THE DAMAGING UPSURGE OF
PRICES IN AND THIS RAISES THE THREAT OF a Johnson INCOME administration TAX feder
1966, AN
INCREASE. 2 feel IF there is a better solution
WE ARE TO AVOID A RUNAWAY ECONOMY THAT MAY LEAD TO A
TAX INCREASE AND POSSIBLY EVEN GOVERNMENTAL CONTROLS ON WAGES,
PRICES AND CREDIT, WE MUST CURB FEDERAL SPENDING THROUGH A
STRINGENT PROGRAM OF PRIORITIES AND RESTRAINTS.
THE ROAD TO INFLATION IS PAVED WITH FEDERAL DEFICITS.
A PROGRAM OF RESTRAINT DOES NOT MEAN A MORATORIUM ON
PROBLEM-SOLVING. BUT IT DOES MEAN GETTING MORE VALUE FOR OUR
TAX DOLLARS, AND IT WOULD MEAN AN END TO SPENDTHRIFT
EXPERIMENTATION. HUSBANDING TAX DOLLARS DOES NOT MEAN being mesely.
MISERLINESS. IT MEANS PRUDENT GOVERNMENT, SOUND GOVERNMENT.
PEOPLE OFTEN SAY, "WELL, IF YOU CUT EXPENDITURES, WON'T
THIS HARM THE ECONOMY?" THE ANSWER IS THAT WE ARE CUTTING
LIBRARY
Reprettatly in6 many federal departments + signatures
APPROPRIATION REQUESTS. WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING MORE MONEY
IN FISCAL 1968 THAN THIS FISCAL YEAR NO MATTER WHAT THE
CONGRESS DOES IN THIS SESSION. BUT IF WE CUT THE LEVEL OF
APPROPRIATION REQUESTS, IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT AND IT WILL
BE A WEAPON AGAINST INFLATION.
ANOTHER FREQUENT QUESTION IS: "HOW CAN YOU CUT SPENDING
WHILE THE VIETNAM WAR IS GOING ON?" THE ANSWER IS THAT THE
LEVEL OF DOMESTIC SPENDING IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET--ENTIRELY
APART FROM DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS AND THE WAR IN VIETNAM--HAS
GONE UP FROM $46 BILLION FOR FISCAL 1965 TO A PROPOSED
$66 BILLION FOR FISCAL 1968. TWO-THIRDS OF THE $28.3 BILLION
INCREASE IN FEDERAL SPENDING FROM CALENDAR 1963 THROUGH 1966--
AS MEASURED IN THE NATIONAL INCOME ACCOUNTS BUDGET--IS ACCOUNTED
FOR BY NON-DEFENSE SPENDING.
THE RESULT IS A FLOOD OF RED INK THAT COULD "BURST ALL
LIBRARY
wet
BONDS," IN THE WORDS OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN WILBUR
MILLS. CONGRESS MUST ACT TO plug STOP UP THE HOLES if The administration will not,
WHILE WE WORK TO BRING FEDERAL SPENDING UNDER CONTROL,
WE MUST ALSO SEEK A LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AN
HONORABLE END TO THE VIETNAM WAR.
ALL AMERICANS ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE "SPIRIT OF GLASSBORO"
WILL TRANSLATE ITSELF INTO CONCRETE PROGRESS TOWARD WORLD PEACE.
UNTIL SOMETHING MORE TANGIBLE THAN ATMOSPHERE BECOMES
EVIDENT, WE HAVE ONLY THE FACTS TO GO ON--AND THE FACTS CONTINUE
TO BE DISCOURAGING. Presedent Griefing.
THE FACTS ARE THAT THE SOVIET PREMIER KOSYGIN WAS RIGIDLY
INFLEXIBLE IN HIS STATEMENTS REGARDING VIETNAM AND THE MIDDLE
EAST AFTER 10 HOURS OF TALKING WITH PRESIDENT JOHNSON. HE SAID
THE UNITED STATES MUST WITHDRAW ALL OF ITS FORCES FROM VIETNAM
BEFORE THERE CAN BE ANY I IMPROVEMENT IN U.S.-SOVIET RELATIONS.
-8-
THIS DOES NOT SAY MUCH FOR THE SO-CALLED SPIRIT OF GLASSBORO.
IF THERE REALLY IS A SPIRIT OF GLASSBORO, MR. KOSYGIN
COULD DEMONSTRATE IT BY REDUCING SOVIET ARMS SHIPMENTS TO NORTH
VIETNAM AND THE ARAB STATES.
THE FACT THAT 619 COMMUNIST-FLAG SHIPS CARRIED CARGOES
TO NORTH VIETNAM DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS CERTAINLY IS NOT IN
KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT OF GLASSBORO.
IT IS DOUBLY SHOCKING TO ME THAT DURING THE SAME 24-MONTH
PERIOD, 210 SHIPS FLYING FREE WORLD FLAGS DELIVERED GOODS FOR
THE WAR MACHINE OF THE HANOI REGIME.
IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE PEACE IN THE WORLD, THERE MUST BE
AN END TO THE BUSINESS OF TRAFFICKING IN DEATH BY THE MAJOR
POWERS.
THE MIDEAST WAR AS NO ACCIDENT, NO SIMPLE BOILING OVER
ARAB HATRED FOR ISRAEL. THE FACTS ARE THAT THE UNITED STATES
AS WELL AS THE SOVIET UNION ARMED THE ARABS AND PROPPED UP THE
-9-
SAGGING REGIME OF EGYPT'S GLORY-HUNGRY DICTATOR, GAMAL ABDEL
NASSER. IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, OUR GOVERNMENT SUBVERTED ITS
OWN POLICIES IN THE MIDEAST BY HANDING NASSER'S GOVERNMENT
some
3,
MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS' WORTH OF AID AND BY ARMING THE
ARAB STATES AS WELL AS ISRAEL.
THE MAJOR POWERS SHOULD STOP SENDING ANY KIND OF AID--
ECONOMIC OR MILITARY--TO ANY NATION WHICH HAS THE ANNOUNCED
INTENTION OF ANNIHILATING ANOTHER NATION.
SUCH POLICIES DO NOT
BUILD PEACE. THEY PROMOTE WAR
UNFORTUNATELY, THE SOVIET UNION APPARENTLY IS CHOOSING
TO IGNORE THIS GRIM FACT OR IS SEEKING TO ADVANCE IT.
follow a grom of mistaken Crum action
COMMUNIST ARMS REPORTEDLY ARE FLOWING AGAIN TO THE ARAB STATES.
LET NOT AMERICA COMPOUND THIS TRAGIC ERROR.
THERE IS A MIGHTY WEAPON OF PEACE IN THE HANDS OF THE
UNITED STATES. IT IS THE GREAT ABUNDANCE OF FOOD PROVIDED BY
-10-
against the with f many fus
THE AMERICAN FARMER. HOW HAVE WE USED IT? IN 1965 OUR
GOVERNMENT SENT WHEAT TO EGYPT AND HELPED KEEP NASSER IN POWER.
HAT WAS THE UPSHOT? IT WAS NASSER WHO TRIGGERED THE MIDDLE
EAST WAR.
IF OUR GOVERNMENT WOULD PROPERLY IMPLEMENT THE FOOD FOR
PEACE PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY FORMER PRESIDENT EISENHOWER, BOTH THE
AMERICAN FARMER AND THE CAUSE OF PEACE WOULD PROSPER.
FOR OUR COUNTRY TO PROSPER WE NEED GOOD MEN LIKE PAUL
DAGUE WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE IN HIGH PUBLIC OFFICE, AND WE
NEED GOOD CITIZENS WHO ARE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
TO THE DEGREE THAT AMERICANS TAKE THE TIME TO ACQUAINT
THEMSELVES WITH THE PROBLEMS OF GOVERNMENT AND TO ASSIST IN
THEIR SOLUTION, TO THAT EXTEND WILL WE ENJOY THE FRUITS OF
GOOD GOVERNMENT. WHEN AMERICANS BECOME INVOLVED IN GOVERNMENT,
-11-
IN THE JOB OF GOVERNING THEMSELVES AND IN ELECTING THE BEST
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES TO OFFICE, WE ACHIEVE THAT BEST OF ALL
COMBINATIONS--A GOVERNMENT OF LAWS AS WELL AS MEN. THUS IS
GOOD GOVERNMENT FASHIONED.
IT WAS EDMUND BURKE, WHO ONCE SAID: "ALL THAT IS
NECESSARY FOR THE FORCES OF EVIL TO WIN IN THE WORLD IS FOR
ENOUGH GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING."
THANK GOD FOR GOOD MEN LIKE PAUL DAGUE WHO ARE EVER
DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. FOR WITH ENOUGH MEN
LIKE PAUL, AMERICA CAN VANQUISH THE FORCES OF EVIL AND LEAD THE
FORCES OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE TO VICTORY. THANK YOU.
-END-
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY--
Excerpts from a Speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., at a Testimonial Dinner
honoring former Rep. Paul Dague, at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at Lancaster, Pa.
Let me warn all Americans that we now are threatened by a new round of
inflation much like the damaging upsurge of prices in 1966, and this raises the
threat of an income tax increase.
If we are to avoid a runaway economy that may lead to a tax increase and
possibly even governmental controls on wages, prices and credit, we must curb
federal spending through a stringent program of priorities and restraint.
The road to inflation is paved with federal deficits.
A program of restraint does not mean a moratorium on problem-solving. But
it does mean getting more for our tax dollars, and it would mean an end to
spendthrift experimentation. Husbanding tax dollars does not mean miserliness.
It means prudent government, sound government.
People often say, "Well, if you cut expenditures, won't this harm the
economy?" The answer is that we are cutting appropriation requests. We're going
to be spending more money in fiscal 1968 than this fiscal year no matter what
Congress does. But if we cut the level of appropriation requests, it will have
an impact and it will be a weapon against inflation.
Another frequent question is: "How can you cut spending while the Vietnam
War is going on?" The answer is that the level of domestic spending in the federal
budget--entirely apart from defense requirements and the war in Vietnam--has gone
up from $46 billion for fiscal 1965 to $66 billion for fiscal 1968. Two-thirds
of the $28.3 billion increase in federal spending from calendar 1963 through 1966--
as measured in the national income accounts budget--is accounted for by non-defense
spending. The result is a flood of red ink which could "burst all bonds," in the
words of House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills. Congress must act to stop
up the holes.
While we work to bring federal spending under control, we must also seek
lasting peace in the Mideast and an honorable end to the Vietnam War.
All Americans are hopeful that the "spirit of Glassboro" will translate itself
into concrete progress toward world peace.
(more)
-2-
But until something more than atmosphere becomes evident, we have only the
facts to go on.
The facts are that Soviet Premier Kosygin was rigidly inflexible in his
statements regarding Vietnam and the Middle East after 10 hours of talks with
the President. He said the United States must withdraw all of its forces from
Vietnam if there is to be any improvement in U.S.-Soviet relations. This does
not say much for the so-called spirit of Glassboro.
If there really is a spirit of Glassboro, Mr. Kosygin could demonstrate it
by reducing Soviet arms shipments to North Vietnam and the Arab states.
The fact that 619 Communist-flag ships brought cargoes to North Vietnam
during the past 24 months certainly is not in keeping with the spirit of Glassboro.
It is doubly shocking to me that during the same 24-month period, 210 ships
flying free world flags delivered goods for the war machine of the Hanoi regime.
***
If we are to achieve peace in the world, there must be an end to the business
of trafficking in death by the major powers.
The Mideast War was no accident, no simple boiling over of Arab hatred for
Israel. The facts are that the United States as well as the Soviet Union armed
the Arabs and propped up the sagging regime of Egypt's glory-hungry dictator,
Gamal Abdel Nasser. In the past four years our government subverted its own
policies in the Mideast by handing Nasser's government more than a billion dollars'
worth of aid and by arming the Arab states as well as Israel.
The major powers should stop sending any kind of aid--economic or military--to
any nation which has the announced intention of annihilating another nation. Such
policies do not build peace. They promote war.
Unfortunately, the Soviet Union apparently is choosing to ignore this grim
fact or is seeking to advance it. Communist arms reportedly are flowing again to
the Arab states. Let not America compound this tragic error.
***
There is a mighty weapon of peace in the hands of the United States. It is
the great abundance of food provided by the American farmer. How have we used it?
In 1965, our government sent wheat to Egypt and helped keep Nasser in power. What
was the upshot? It was Nasser who triggered the Middle East War.
If our government would properly implement the Food for Peace program as
launched by former President Eisenhower, both the American farmer and the cause of
peace would prosper.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY--
Excerpts from a Speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., at a Testimonial Dinner
honoring former Rep. Paul Dague, at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at Lancaster, Pa.
Let me warn all Americans that we now are threatened by a new round of
inflation much like the damaging upsurge of prices in 1966, and this raises the
threat of an income tax increase.
If we are to avoid a runaway economy that may lead to a tax increase and
possibly even governmental controls on wages, prices and credit, we must curb
federal spending through a stringent program of priorities and restraint.
The road to inflation is paved with federal deficits.
A program of restraint does not mean a moratorium on problem-solving. But
it does mean getting more for our tax dollars, and it would mean an end to
spendthrift experimentation. Husbanding tax dollars does not mean miserliness.
It means prudent government, sound government.
People often say, "Well, if you cut expenditures, won't this harm the
economy?" The answer is that we are cutting appropriation requests. We're going
to be spending more money in fiscal 1968 than this fiscal year no matter what
Congress does. But if we cut the level of appropriation requests, it will have
an impact and it will be a weapon against inflation.
Another frequent question is: "How can you cut spending while the Vietnam
War is going on?" The answer is that the level of domestic spending in the federal
budget--entirely apart from defense requirements and the war in Vietnam--has gone
up from $46 billion for fiscal 1965 to $66 billion for fiscal 1968. Two-thirds
of the $28.3 billion increase in federal spending from calendar 1963 through 1966--
as measured in the national income accounts budget--is accounted for by non-defense
spending. The result is a flood of red ink which could "burst all bonds," in the
words of House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills. Congress must act to stop
up the holes.
While we work to bring federal spending under control, we must also seek
lasting peace in the Mideast and an honorable end to the Vietnam War.
All Americans are hopeful that the "spirit of Glassboro" will translate itself
into concrete progress toward world peace.
(more)
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But until something more than atmosphere becomes evident, we have only the
facts to go on.
The facts are that Soviet Premier Kosygin was rigidly inflexible in his
statements regarding Vietnam and the Middle East after 10 hours of talks with
the President. He said the United States must withdraw all of its forces from
Vietnam if there is to be any improvement in U.S.-Soviet relations. This does
not say much for the so-called spirit of Glassboro.
If there really is a spirit of Glassboro, Mr. Kosygin could demonstrate it
by reducing Soviet arms shipments to North Vietnam and the Arab states.
The fact that 619 Communist-flag ships brought cargoes to North Vietnam
during the past 24 months certainly is not in keeping with the spirit of Glassboro.
It is doubly shocking to me that during the same 24-month period, 210 ships
flying free world flags delivered goods for the war machine of the Hanoi regime.
*
If we are to achieve peace in the world, there must be an end to the business
of trafficking in death by the major powers.
The Mideast War was no accident, no simple boiling over of Arab hatred for
Israel. The facts are that the United States as well as the Soviet Union armed
the Arabs and propped up the sagging regime of Egypt's glory-hungry dictator,
Gamal Abdel Nasser. In the past four years our government subverted its own
policies in the Mideast by handing Nasser's government more than a billion dollars'
worth of aid and by arming the Arab states as well as Israel.
The major powers should stop sending any kind of aid--economic or military--to
any nation which has the announced intention of annihilating another nation. Such
policies do not build peace. They promote war.
Unfortunately, the Soviet Union apparently is choosing to ignore this grim
fact or is seeking to advance it. Communist arms reportedly are flowing again to
the Arab states. Let not America compound this tragic error.
***
There is a mighty weapon of peace in the hands of the United States. It is
the great abundance of food provided by the American farmer. How have we used it?
In 1965, our government sent wheat to Egypt and helped keep Nasser in power. What
was the upshot? It was Nasser who triggered the Middle East War.
If our government would properly implement the Food for Peace program as
launched by former President Eisenhower, both the American farmer and the cause of
peace would prosper.
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