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Latvian Hall, Grand Rapids, MI, October 6, 1972
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4526454
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Latvian Hall, Grand Rapids, MI, October 6, 1972
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D33, folder "Latvian Hall, Grand Rapids, MI,
October 6, 1972" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
9/27/72
Rep. Ford has been strong in his opposition to U. S. recognition
of the Soviet occupation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In fact, he
has consistently favored bringing up the Baltic States' question in the
United Nations and requesting the Suviets to withdraw from Latvia,
Lithuania and Estonia. Ford strongly supports H. Con. Res. 416, aimed
at bringing the force of world opinion to bear on behalf of the restora-
tion of their rights to the Baltic peoples. He has urged the observance
of Captive Nations Week and has repeatedly expressed himself in the
Congressional Record in espousal of freedom for Latvia and the other
Baltic nations.
Rep. Ford has consistently favored a course of peace through
strength. He has fought attempts to cut the muscle out of our national
defense. He believes any move to chop back military outlays by
$30 billion indicates either ignorance or incredible irresponsibility.
He feels that the only way to deal with the Soviet Union is from a
position of strength.
###
LIBRARY
Digitized from Box D33 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
MINORITY LEADER
United States
house of Representatives
9/27/72
Paul
Bob Finch is going to appear at a Latvian meeting in
Grand Rapids with Mr. Ford on October 6th. His
office has asked that we send them about two paragraphs
of Mr. Ford's accomplishments that would be of par-
ticular interest to this Latvian group so he can use
it in his speech. They also want a biography.
Should be sent to:
Pam Rabbitt
360 Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C.
See the attached,
SERVICE FORD LIBRARY
5th District media only
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY--
October 6, 1972
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford at the Latviah Hall, Grand Rapids, Mich., 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6, 1972.
Anyone who has ever known Latvian-Americans recognizes that they are the
finest of people--honest, industrious, conscientious, and patriotic.
I would like to pay tribute to Latvian-Americans tonight as individuals who
are dedicated to the highest American ideals--to the principles of freedom and
justice.
It is in keeping with allegiance to those principles that Latvian-Americans
have never given up their dream that their native land will once again be free.
I share that dream. In that sense, I am a Latvian too.
We will never abandon that dream--none of us. That is why we observe
Captive Nations week with all the fervor it deserves. That is why we repeatedly
call for debate in the United Nations on the subject of Soviet imperio-colonialism
and the injustice that is being done to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and all of the
nations behind the Iron Curtain. I will never cease calling for the Soviets to
withdraw from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. We must bring the force of world
opinion to bear on the restoration of rights to the Baltic peoples. Our cry must
always be freedom for Latvia and the other Baltic nations, freedom for all of
those who are suffering in Communist bondage.
I salute Latvian-Americans tonight, too, because they have always insisted
that America should be strong. They have always believed that the way to peace
is through strength. They have always known that the only way to deal with the
Soviet Union is from a position of strength. For that reason they have backed
those members of Congress who fight any attempts to cut the muscle out of our
national defense.
Latvian-Americans know that America cannot retreat her way into peace.
This is why I feel sure you are opposed to the proposed $30 billion cut in our
defense budget. You know that such a cut would put the United States in the
(more)
-2-
position of abandoning its commitments all over the world. You know that such a
cut would make the U. S. militarily inferior to the Soviet Union. You know that
it would mean slashing our strategic bomber forces, halting some of our missile
programs, cutting our forces in Europe by more than half, reducing our Navy and
Air Force tactical air wings by roughly a third, cutting the number of our
aircraft carriers by more than a half, and reducing our armed forces by 40 per cent.
You are my friends. You and I are fighting for freedom together. I pledge
to you tonight that I will resist with every last ounce of my strength any move
to make the U. S. second to the Soviet Union in military strength. I place myself
with you--on the side of liberty.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY--
October 6, 1972
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford at the Latviah Hall, Grand Rapids, Mich., 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6, 1972.
Anyone who has ever known Latvian-Americans recognizes that they are the
finest of people--honest, industrious, conscientious, and patriotic.
I would like to pay tribute to Latvian-Americans tonight as individuals who
are dedicated to the highest American ideals--to the principles of freedom and
justice.
It is in keeping with allegiance to those principles that Latvian-Americans
have never given up their dream that their native land will once again be free.
I share that dream. In that sense, I am a Latvian too.
We will never abandon that dream--none of us. That is why we observe
Captive Nations week with all the fervor it deserves. That is why we repeatedly
call for debate in the United Nations on the subject of Soviet imperio-colonialism
and the injustice that is being done to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and all of the
nations behind the Iron Curtain. I will never cease calling for the Soviets to
withdraw from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. We must bring the force of world
opinion to bear on the restoration of rights to the Baltic peoples. Our cry must
always be freedom for Latvia and the other Baltic nations, freedom for all of
those who are suffering in Communist bondage.
I salute Latvian-Americans tonight, too, because they have always insisted
that America should be strong. They have always believed that the way to peace
is through strength. They have always known that the only way to deal with the
Soviet Union is from a position of strength. For that reason they have backed
those members of Congress who fight any attempts to cut the muscle out of our
national defense.
Latvian-Americans know that America cannot retreat her way into peace.
This is why I feel sure you are opposed to the proposed $30 billion cut in our
defense budget. You know that such a cut would put the United States in the
(more)
-2-
position of abandoning its commitments all over the world. You know that such a
cut would make the U. S. militarily inferior to the Soviet Union. You know that
it would mean slashing our strategic bomber forces, halting some of our missile
programs, cutting our forces in Europe by more than half, reducing our Navy and
Air Force tactical air wings by roughly a third, cutting the number of our
aircraft carriers by more than a half, and reducing our armed forces by 40 per cent.
You are my friends. You and I are fighting for freedom together. I pledge
to you tonight that I will resist with every last ounce of my strength any move
to make the U. S. second to the Soviet Union in military strength. I place myself
with you-on the side of liberty.
# # #