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Ford Articles, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1972 and 1973
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Ford Articles, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1972 and 1973
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D38, folder "Ford Articles, 1952, 1953, 1955,
1972 and 1973" of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers 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. Gerald R. Ford 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
March 27, 1952
Mr. Raymond S. Langin
WOJG Mich NG
National Guard Armory
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dear Ray:
Enclosed is my contribution to your first edition of the
126TH INFANTRY NEWS.
I am most sincere in wishing you the very best of luck
in this new emterprise and I thank you for thinking of me at
this time. It has been a pleasure to have an opportunity to
pay tribute to this regiment rich in historical tradition and
a credit both to Michigan and the United States of America.
With kind personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, Jr., m.c.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
1
126 TH INFANTRY NEWS
FOR RELEASE APRIL 10
War choniclers are a strange lot! When
the story of a battle is , be told, they inevitably tend to
one of two extremes. Evravagant eulogies are given either to
the gallant hero, daugless in battle, or to the "unsung" hero
who ultimately is atut as unsung as the "Star Spangled Banner."
However, daring to ncur the wrath of generations of writers
and historiars, I entur to say that it is the perfectly fune-
tioning military unit nich makes heroes, sung or unsung, possi-
ble.
For courage, ingenuity and just plain guts
it's hard to bea he American infantry, It is a well-known
for the spirit harmony which is the envy of every other
branch of th rvice. But over and above this, each unit has
its own per
ality. This is particularly true of the 126th
infantry iment, the second oldest in the United States. To
its cre
are almost one hundred years of loyal service to the
GERALD FORD MBRARD
(more)
-2-
nation. The bond which united the three individual companies in
1855 to form what is now the 126th infantry regiment, has been
strengthened through three major wars, bringing glory to the
regiment and numberless battle streamers which now decorate their
blue regimental flag. The regiment also boasts the French Croix
de Guerre received during the first World "ar.
To their credit, is the fact that the regiment
has always worked closely as a unit and formed the nucleus of
larger military groups. They have been an outstanding example
of fidelity to duty in any undertaking. This is the regiment's
personality!
Michigan is proud of its 126th infantry regiment
and now at the institution of its new project the 126TH INFANTRY
NEWS I am grateful for the opportunity to say that I, too, am
proud d' the Michigan boys who for almost a hundred years have
given continuous life to thenat harmony and unity of purpose
from which the regiment derives its personality.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
#
National Guard Armory
126th INFANTRY 46th DIVISION
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
HEADQUARTERS 3RD BATTALION
HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS CO.. 3RD BAT'N
SERVICE COMPANY
COMPANIES 1, K. L AND M
MEDICAL
COMPANY
Sally can the you do smetting can be hm Find
March 6, 1952
3
pet Dear Jerry,
that. Ameth what will 126
The first issue of the "126TH INFANTRY NEWS",
regimental newspaper for the 126th Infantry, will
make its appearance here 10 April 1952. It will
be a memeographed paper, first issue about 50 pages.
E
We realize that you are very busy right at
am
this time, but if you can spare the time we would
greatly appreciate a written greeting the to the
newspaper and members of this command for publication
in this first issue.
I think you know, you are very well liked by
the fellows here and a message in our paper will
help greatly to give it a flying start.
Thanking you in advance, Jerry, and we would
always appreciate a visit from you here anytime
you are in Grand Rapids and can make it.
Best regards,
Raywond Sangie
RAYMOND S.LANGIN
WOJG
Mich NG
We hear from Buell Phelps occassionally, He is on
active duty now and expects to go to Korea in the
near future.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
September 30, 1953,
Good
Mr. Jack Arthur Lacy,
Managing Editor,
speeches
Republican State National Journal,
2901 Park Avenue,
Detroit 1, Michigan.
Dear Jack,
Your letter of September 16th has been received, and pursuant to
your request, I am enclosing the article that you suggested.
I hope and trust that the enclosed article will be satisfactory.
Inasmuch as I have just returned from an extended trip to the Far
East, it was a little difficult to meet your deadline.
Please keep me posted on the methods by which the reprints can be
obtained.
With kind personal regards and very best wishes,
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, Jr., m.c.
Enclosure
grf:is
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
REPU Yournal ICAN NAL
2901 PARK AVENUE
DETROIT 1, MICHIGAN
TEMPLE 3-0151
September 16, 1953
Representative Gerald Ford Jr.,
227 Federal Building
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dear Jerry:
The REPUBLICAN STATE NATIONAL JOURNAL is now preparing for
publication the annual "Know Your Republican Congressman"
edition. We ask your cooperation in the compilation of this
issue with a statement or article of 500 words or less on
any subject of your own choosing. We will furnish you, at
our expense, 3,000 gloss enamel reprints of your photo and
article for distribution in your district. Additional copies
may be had a publication cost.
With the advent of the National Democratic Digest, our past
efforts must be doubled and redoubled in getting the basic
precepts and the fundamental principles of the Republican
party to the voters.
The REPUBLICAN STATE NATIONAL JOURNAL is designed to serve
you and the Republican party. This is your publication.
Looking forward to receiving your article in time to meet our
deadline of September 30, I remain
Respectfully,
Jack MANAGING EDITOR
Jack Arthur Lacy
JAL:mc
P.S. ELECTIONS ARE WON BETWEEN ELECTIONS.
REMEMBER THE DEADLINE DATE - SEPTEMBER 30
Distribution in early October
FORD if LIBRARY 0FRALD
The 1952 Republican Platform adopted at Chicago advocated "Reduction of
Expenditures by Elimination of Waste and Extravagances so that the Budget
will be Balanced".
The 83rd Congress and President Eisenhower dedicated themselves
to this mommental task, and during the first seven months of the
Republican Administration accomplished one of the most note-worthy feats
in the history of free government. I refer to the combined action of
the legislative and executive branches of the federal government in
reducing the Truman budget for the current year by $14,082,557,147.
This substantial reduction in proposed appropriations was
achieved by having the legislative branch and the executive branch of
our federal government work together in close harmony and cooperation as
the constitution intended. The Eisenhower team, when they took office
January 20th, went over the Truman estimates as carefully as they could
in the relatively short time available, and as a consequence of this re-
analysis, slashed the Truman budget by $9,504,588,488. The Republican
controlled House and Senate achieved an additional reduction of $4,577,968,659.
Here is what a $14 billion budget out means to you. It figures
out to an average saving of $87.50 for every man, woman and child in the
United States. If there are four persons in your family, this comes to a
saving of $350.00. Note that this is the amount of saving for just the FORD
first year under a Republican Administration. If the GOP economy drive GERALD
LIBRARY
Page 2
holds down spending by the same amount in the next three years, this will
mean a total saving to your family of $1,400.
At the same time that federal budget was slashed, the American
people were given better government and more efficient service. The record
will show that in the Department of Defense we will have a more effective
Army, Navy and Air Force at less cost. Only the fat has been out away, the
muscle is stronger than ever.
The comparison with last year's spending by Uncle Sam is even
more striking. In the fiscal year 1953, the total amount appropriated
was $75,356,000,000. Permanent appropriations, such as interest on the
public debt, were $10,643,000,000, making a total of $85,999,000,000. For
the current fiscal year, a total appropriation of $54,539,000,000, plus a
permanent appropriation of $10,651,000,000, makes a total of $65,190,000,000.
Thus the reduction in the total amount of cash available for spending this
year is $20,810,000,000 below last year when the nation was suffering under
the leadership of former President Truman and a Democratically controlled
Congress.
One of the most difficult headaches inherited from the Truman
Administration was the problem of previously appropriated funds that involved
purchase commitments calling for payment at some future time. As of
June 30, 1953, President Eisenhower was faced with $81,000,000,000 of
spending authorization which had been made in the past, but for which cash
had to be found in future months. Since a large portion of this enormous
sum was already under contract, there was relatively little that could be
done by the Republicans to make immediate economi es in this area.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Page 3
This means that government spending for many months in the
future will be greatly influenced by actions taken by the Truman Adminis-
tration. It is largely for this reason that the national debt which stood
at $272.6 billion on June 30, 1953, is expected to rise for the next few
months. Although there was some fear that these past obligations would
necessitate the lifting of the federal debt limitation, it now appears that
by strict economy under the Eisenhower Administration there will be no
need for an increase in the debt limitation of $275 billion.
For a number of years the federal government has been plagued
with mismanagement in its fiscal affairs. In the first seven months the
new Republican team, both in the White House and in the Congress, has
proved beyond any doubt that it can and will do the job that must be done
to save your government from financial disaster. In the months ahead more
results will be accomplished. By a continuous emphasis of economy in
government every citizen, his children and his children's children will
ultimately reap the benefits in lower taxes, steady prices, a solvent
government, and a future you can count on.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Charlie clapp
- H.R. Herald
June 17,1955
Reporter for a Day -
Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
In peacetime what is a sound national defense program?
Should the U.S. fill the skies with aircraft, overstock the
Army with soldiers by stripping our farms, factories and
schools of American youth and cover the seas with ships?
Or in the alternative, should the U.S. naively accept the
forced and superficial overtures of peace by the Soviets and
disarm to the point that we have no military strength what-
soever? Neither extreme view is sound. Too big a defense
program in a peacetime era would bankrupt America and waste
our manpower. Too little military strength would leave the
United States defenseless against the Godless, longrange,
power-hungry program of the Soviet dictators.
History vividly records what is an unsound military
program. During World War II the U.S. spent $70 to $90 billion
each year, and 15 million men and women served in the Armed
Forces. In 1950 President Truman out the Army, Navy and
Air Force to $13 billion, and a total active duty strength of
less than one and a half million, and within a few months sent
our Armed Forces into the Korean War. Defense costs immediately
skyrocketed and the Army, Navy and Air Force expanded by
recalling reservists and upping the draft calls. Because
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Page 2
the Armed Forces had been out back prior to Korea, a
crash build-up resulted with excessive costs for military
hardware. American lives were lost at the outset of the
Korean war in 1950 because our forces were not at proper
strength and were inadequately trained. In other words a
widely fluctuating military program with low expenditures
and small forces one year, and big spending and large forces
the next is unsound and wateful in lives and dollars.
In contrast President Eisenhower has recommended a
defense program which would be adequate to handle a Korean
type war, or provide a sound base for expansion if an all-
out, worldwide conflict should develop. Some military
authorities say a future war will be over in 10 days; others
contend it will last ten years. Ike refutes both theories.
President Eisenhower believes if the United States supports
a strong military program which we can afford over the "long
pull," there will be no war. The Congress apparently con-
curs because the President's military budget recommendations
are being approved this year despite some political sniping.
The military program proposed by the Eisenhower adminis-
tration is well balanced, but the accent is on bigr long
range bombers equipped to use atomic and hydrogen weapons.
It also emphasizes an expansion of the continental defense
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
Page 3
set up against enemy air attack. Furthermore our program
is closely integrated with that of friendly, anti-communist
allies.
There has been Democrat sniping because the President
has recommended a outback of 77,000 in the Army by June 30,
1956. Will this reduction be harmful? The answer is No.
The Army will still have 1,025,000 men on active duty which
is approximately twice as many as were in uniform at the
outbreak of the Korean War. In other words under Ike the
Army will be far stronger than at the time our forces were
ordered into Korea.
The reduction in Army strength is fully justified
because the outback in personnel does not decrease combat
forces. The outback almost exclusively reduces the non-
combat units in the Army. For years Congress has urged the
Army to build up its combat strength and get rid of the
"frills." In the new program under Ike's policies the Army
will have the best ratio of combat strength to total
strength in its history. This means a harder hitting,
far more effective Army.
In addition our Army's basically essential military
equipment has been vastly improved in the past ten years.
Firepower has increased 84 per cent since 1945, and will
double again in the next decade. Mobility which means trucks,
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Page 4
tanks and other wheeled equipment, has been improved over
100 per cent in the last ten years. Prospects for equal
improvement are even better. An Army must have good com-
munications. Ours has the best. New developments during
the past ten years now permit our G.Is to communicate twice
as far with equipment of the same weight; or putting it
another way, the soldier can now communicate as far as he
could in 1945 with gear weighing half as much. Again,
future research and development indicate even greater pro-
gress.
Any outback in Army active duty strength can also be
justified by a build up in our reserve forces. General
Ridgway himself testified that the National Guard and Army
Reserve foroes are and will be larger and more effective.
The reserves are vital, and under the President's program
will get more money, more and better equipment and a bigger
role in the National Defense picture.
In the past five years Uncle Sam has spend $10 billion
in supplying military aid and equipment to friendly allies.
This means the U.S. can now reduce its own ground forces
because our allies will make up the difference and more too.
America is supplying guns, tanks and ammunition for 10 or
more German and 10 Japanese Army divisions. We have already
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Page 5
equipped and trained 20 South Korean army divisions. I
think it makes sense to buy a rifle for an allied soldier
if that means the U.S. can draft fewer American boys. Our
foreign aid, military assistance program has been for our
own enlightened self-interest. It is no "give-away" when
we can save American lives and dollars.
If the Democrats in Congress want to increase the
size of our Army, what must they do to accomplish their
program? They must increase the draft from 10,000 to 20,000
each month starting July 1st, and they must add $450 million
to the Army budget in the next year to pay the cost of
more G.Is on active duty. So far the public and the Congress
have supported President Eisenhower's national defense
program which is aimed at preventing war and protecting the
peace. With this backing for his well balanced Army, Navy
and Air Force, Ike can speak with strength and conviction
in his negotiations for an expanded peace. He will be
"speaking solfty but carrying a big stick," and the Soviets
know it.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
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Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
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June 16, 1955
Mr. Charles Clapp
Grand Rapids Herald
Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Reporter for a Day" column will be sent Friday
mornim airmail special.
Jerry Ford
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
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For University of Michigan "This I Remember" series
in 1965 football program
By Gerald R. Ford
The Minnesota battle-cry was "Mangle Michigan!" The unbeaten Gophers
of Minnesota, on their way to a championship, were out to break a jinx of
41 years. A hardy band of Wolverines with a record of
victories and
defifets stood in the path.
On Friday afternoon, after a long overnight train ride from Ann Arbor
to Memorial Stadium we worked out enthusiastically. With Head Coach Harry
Kipke exhorting us to forget the early-season misfortune, we showed little
outward apprehension of Minnesota's reputation as a bone-crushing steam-
roller. Respect, yes. Fear, no. Admittedly, we had high regard for the
somewhat awesome football abilities of All-Americans Bill Bevan, Butch
Larson, Pug Lund and the others on the star-studded squad. But, we were
undaunted by the predicted prospects of what could happen to us the follow-
ing day before a record-breaking homecoming crowd of 60,000 fans.
That 1934 University of Michigan team had something going for it. We
intended to keep it that way. Minnesota had failed to defeat a Wolverine
club at home since 1892, and had not scored on Michigan since 1929.
Coach Bernie Bierman was reported as fearful of Michigan, despite the
poor record we had piled up. He told the press he remembered Michigan as
always playing heads-up football ready to take advantage of any break.
Most assuredly we were not over-confident with a bad record early in
the season. But, we hoped to live up to Bernie Bierman's description of
what had happened to previous Minnesota ball clubs when playing Michigan.
-more-
U of M program story
-2-
There were pre-game predictions that our fullback Cedric Sweet and I
at center would have a busy afternoon backing up the Michigan line.
How true. We faced the job of stopping the rushes of Minnesota's
fullback Beise, who made All-American in 1935, and Kostka, a sopho-
more replacement of great talent, and the sweeping runs of Lund and
right-half Alphonse. I don't know about Sweet, but I didn't sleep
too well the night before the game.
When we ran out to go through the pre-game drills before the
mighty hometown crowd in Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon, our
spirits were bolstered by the sight and sound of Michigan's famous
"Fighting 100" Varsity Band. We had high hopes the musicians could
play "The Victors" with real meaning when the game ended.
The first half was a bitter surprise for the Minnesota fans and
a bright beginning for the Wolverines. Not only were the Gophers
out-played by a wide margin, but they almost were scored on early in
the game.
Johnny Regeczi, our right halfback with a talented punting foot,
threw a pass to right-end Willis Ward, the great football and track
star from Detroit. Ward was wide open on the play that came off a
fake place kick. Left-end Matt Pattenelli had set up the situation
by blocking a Minnesota punt and recovering the pigskin on their 16-
yard line.
Our hopes for scoring first sailed away on the pass that Regeczi
overthrew to Ward, who made a gallant and unsuccessful attempt to catch
it.
If Regeczi failed to make the grade on that play, he more than made
-more-
U of M program story
-3-
up for it with his fabulous punting. Thanks to John's booming boots,
Minnesota spent most of the first half in its own territory. As line-
backers, Ced Sweet and I had a rugged time meeting the crushing offen-
sive runs of Minnesota's fleet and powerful backfield.
When the half ended, a rapidly-tiring team trooped to the dressing
room. But, our spirits were high and we could see a possible victory--
or tie--in sight. It's a good thing one can't see accurately into the
future!
Early in the second half the Gophers really turned on the power.
The first assault was stopped at the 18-yard line and Regeczi punted
35 yards to give us a temporary safety margin. Then the steamroller
went into action. Minnesota moved with calculated speed to score with
Pug Lund doing most of the work behind a hard-charging line. One pass
completed the drive. The scoreboard was to get busier as the afternoon
wore on.
Minnesota's second touchdown was the result of a slashing, dazzling
76-yard run by Alphonse on the second play after kick-off. The swift-
footed Minnesota back wheeled around left end, cut back, eluded the
secondary. Ward almost caught him from behind.
The third touchdown was set up when Lund pinpointed a punt that
went out on the one-yard line. We couldn't get rolling and Regeczi from
behind our goal line whopped one out to our 34-yard stripe. Lund flipped
a bullet pass 33 yards to Maurice Johnson, a substitute end, who slipped
in to score. At that point in the ballgame Minnesota had a perfect pass-
ing performance--four for four.
-more-
U of M program story
-4-
With Lund on the bench taking a break, his replacement Roscoe
raced 51 yards around right end scoring Minnesota's fourth touchdown
after Clarkson had advanced the ball toward our goal-line to midfield
on a 28-yard scamper. Clarle on was stopped by our quarterback Ferris
Jennings, who made a vicious, bone-jarring tackle, one of many great
plays he made during that disastrous second half. What Jennings lacked
in weight--140 pounds--he more than made up in spirit, courage and
determination. On one play he tackled big Stan Kostha so hard the sopho-
more star player had to be taken from the game.
Using straight, grind-'em-out football, with the regulars on the
bench and the reserves getting a baptism of fire, Minnesota stomped on
us moving 60 yards to score the fifth touchdown on a short 4-yard run.
The scoreboard told part of the story of what happened that after-
noon in Memorial Stadium. Minnesota's 34 to 0 victory ended the 41-year
jinx. And a Michigan team had been scored on by the Gophers for the
first time since 1929.
Even the statistics failed to tell the whole story of Michigan's
defeat. We were outrushed 314 to 17 yards. While Minnesota completed
four pass attempts for 82 yards, Michigan tossers connected twice in
seven tries for 65 yards. The cold figures showed, however, the effective-
ness of Regeczi's effective punting. He averaged 46 yards a boot!
What the scoreboard and statistics failed to reveal was the deter-
mination of my team-mates-----big Matt Pattenelli playing his finest at
left-end; John Viergiver at one tackle taking a shellacking yet dishing
it ott; Bill Hildebrand plugging the gaps at left guard; Bill Borgman
-more-
U of M program story
-5-
doing the same on the other side of the line; Captain Tom Austin holding his
team together and playing his heart out in the right tackle slot; Willis
Ward on pass patterns frequently slipping away from the Minnesota defense;
stout little Ferris Jennings tackling with great courage and calling the
plays; Whitey Aug slamming through play after play at lefthalf; Regeczi
calmly punting us out of danger; and Sweet red-dogging all afternoon.
Maybe the Gophers did "Mangle Michigan" that afternoon as the score
indicates. At least, the Homecoming for them was a success. As the
sportswriters reflected, the score might have been reduced if Michigan's
line replacements had been stronger and in greater numbers.
The Wolverine forward wall was tired out in the second half, as the
sports reporters said. But we were still trying despite the overwhelmäng
odds, which is one of the reasons this particular game is one I remember.
Although we learned many lessons playing football, the Minnesota
game was the final exam. A proud, but battered Michigan team passed it
with flying colors. We demonstrated that we had learned what our coaches
had tried to teach us-----never stop trying, and don't be afraid of tackling
a job with the odds against you.
Harry Kipke, coach of the 1934 team, best described the lesson we
demonstrated at Minnesota, "Give all you have, but give it within the let-
ter--and within the spirit--of the rules."
Recalling this game, I remember how the Michigan students and Ann Arbor
townspeople met the team at the train Sunday afternoon. There was a rousing
andspirited parade to the Union building headed by the Michigan Band. It
was a meaningful tribute to the fight the Wolverines had put up against the
-more-
U of M program story
-6-
powerful Minnesota Gophers---a team that finished an undessated season
with a national championship crown. It also was a demonstration of
loyalty that I'm sure none of us through the years has forgotten.
Since graduating from Michigan, while coaching at Yale and
finishing law school, during my Navy service in World War II, and
during 16 years in the rough-and-tubble world of politics I often
thought of the experiences before, during and after that game in 1934.
Recalling them has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take
action and make every effort possible despite adverse odds.
Thanks to my football experience, I know the value of team-play.
It is, I believe, one of the most important lessons to be learned and
practiced in our lives.
3
#
#
For University of Michigan "This I Remember" series
in 1965 football program
Havent g/ who OK. it metoped copies with Winth correctionsial with me the period +
By Gerald R. Ford
Minnesta
I
The campus battle-cry was "Mangle Michigan!" The unbeaten Gophers of
Minnesota, on their way to a championship, were out to break a jinx of
41 years. A hardy band of Wolverines with a record of
victories and
defeats stood in the path.
overnight
On riday afternoon, after a long train ride from Ann Arbor to Memorial
with Healoach
enthuriastically. outword appreheness
Stadium we worked out showing little of Minnesota's reputation as a
Kipht
admittedly
bone-crushing steam-roller. Respect, yes. Fear, no. We had high regard for
sphorting Harry is my we Alasm
Bill Butch
4The others on The stan-studder squard
the somewhat awesome football abilities of All-Americans Bevan, Larson Pug
Lund. But, we were undauented by the predicted prospects of what would happen
to us the following day before a record-breaking homecoming CROWD. of 60,000 fans.
That 1934 University of Michigan team had something going for it. We
intended to keep it that way. Minnesota had failed to defeat a Wolverine
club at home since 1892, and had not scored on Michigan since 1929.
Coach Bernie Bierman was reported as fearful of Michigan, despite the
poor record we had piled up. He told the press he remembered Michigan as always
playing heads-up football ready to take advantage of any break.
most assuredly
Certainly we were not over-confident with a bad record early in the season.
Bernie
But, we hoped to live up to Bierman's description. There were predictions
what had happened to previous Mennesolar when playing ball clubs
pre-game
Michyn
that our fullback Cedric Sweet and I at center would have a busy afternoon
How true
backing up the Michigan line. We faced the job of stopping the rushes of
1
Minnesota's fullback Beise, who made All-American in 1935, and Kostka, a
-more-
U of M program story
-2-
sophomore replacement of great talent, and the sweeping runs of Lund and
righthalf Alphonse. I don't know about Sweet, but I didn't sleep too well
the night before the game.
When we ran out to go through the pre-game drills before the mighty
hometown crowd in Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon, our spirits were
bolstered by the sight and sound of Michigan's famous "Fighting 100" Varsity
Band. We had high hopes the musicians could play "The Victors" with real
meaning when the game ended.
The first half was a bitter surprise for the Minnesota fans and a bright
beginning for the Wolverines. Not only were the Gophers out-played by a wide
margin, but they almost were scored on early in the game.
Johnny Regeczi, our right halfback with a talented puniting foot, threw
a pass to right-end Willis Ward, the great football and track star from
Detroit. Ward was wide open on the play that came off a fake place kick.
Left-end Matt Patteneylli had set up the situation by blocking a Minnesota
their
punt and recovering the pigskin on-the 16-yard line.
Our hopes for scoring first sailed away on the pass that Regeczi overthrew
to Ward, who made a gallant and unsuccessful attempt to catch it.
If Regeczi failed to make the grade on that play, he more than made up
for it with his fatrutore punting. Thanks to John's booming boots, Minnesota spent most
of the first half in its own territory. As line-backers, Ced Sweet and I
had a sugger busy time meeting the crushing offensive runs of Minnesota's fleet and
powerful backfield.
-moreO
U of M program story
-3-
When the half ended, a rapidly-tiring lverine team trooped to the
dressing room. But, our spirits were high and we could see a possible
victory--or tie--in sight. It's a good thing one can't accurately see into the future!
Early in the second half the Gophers really turned on the power. The
first assault was stopped at the 18-yard line and Regeczi punted 35 yards
to give us tempony a i safety margin. Then the steamroller went into action. Minnesota
moved with calculated speed to score with Pug Lund doing most of the work
behind a hard-charging line. One pass completed the drive. The scoreboard was
to get busier as the afternoon wore on.
Minnesota's second touchdown was the result of a slashing, dazzling
76-yard run by Alphonse on the second play after kick-off. The swift-footed
Minnesota back wheeled around left end, cut back, eluded the secondary. Ward
almost caught him from behind.
The third touchdown was set up when Lund pinpointed a punt thatw ent
out on the one-yard line. We couldn't get rolling and Regeczi from behind our
goal line whopped one out to our 34-yard stripe. Lund flipped a bullet pass
33 yards to Maurice Johnson, a substitute end, who slipped in to score. And
At that point in the ballgame Minnesota had a perfect passing performance--
four for four.
With Lund on the bench taking a break, his replacement Roscoe raced 51
yards around right end scoring Minnesota's fourth touchdown after Clarkson
had advanced the ball toward our goal-line to midfield on a 28-yard scamper.
Clarkson was stopped by our quarterback Ferris Jennings, who made a vicious,
-more-
U of M program story
-4-
bone-jarring tackle, one of many great plays he made during that disastrous
second half. What Jennings lacked in weight---140 pounds he more than made
Stan
up in spirit, courage and determination. On one play he tackled big Kostka so
hard the sophomore star player had to be taken from the game.
Using straight, grind-'em-out football, with the regulars on the bench
and the reserves getting a baptism of fire, Minnesota stomped on us moving
60 yards to score the fifth touchdown on a short 4-yard run.
The scoreboard told part of the story of what happened that afternoon
in Memorial Stadium. Minnesota's 34 to 0 victory ended the 41-year jinx. And
a Michigan team had been scored on by the Gophers for the first time since
1929.
Even the statistics failed to tell the whole story of Michigan's defeat.
We were outrushed 314 to 17 yards. While Minnesota completed four pass
attempts for 82 yards, Michigan tossers connected twice in seven tries
for 65 yards. The cold figures showed, however, the effectiveness of Regeczi's
effective punting. He averaged 46 yards a boot!
What the scoreboard and statistics failed to reveal was the determination
of my team-mates-----big Matt Pattenelli playing his finest at left-end; John
Viergiver at one tackle taking a shellacking yet dishing it out; Bill
Hildebrand plugging the gaps at left guard; Bill Borgman doing the same on the
other side of the line; Captain Tom Austin holding his team together and
playing his heat out in the right tackle slot; Willis Ward on pass patterns
frequently slipping away from the Minnesota defense; stout little Ferris
Jennings tackling with great courage and calling the plays; Whitey Aug
-more-
U of M program story
-5-
slamming through play after play at lefthalf; Regeczi calmly punting us
out of danger; and Sweet red-dogging all afternoon.
Maybe the Gophers did "Mangle Michigan" that afternoon as the score
indicates. At least, the Home coming for them was a success. As the
sportswriters reflected, the score might have been reduced if Michigan's
line replacements had been stronger and in greater numbers.
The Wolverine forward wall was tired out in the second half, as the
sports reporters said. But we were still trying despite the overwhelming
odds, which is one of the reasons this particular game is one I remember.
Although we learned many lessons playing football, the Minnesota game
was the final exam. A proud, but battered Michigan team passed it with
flying colors. We demonstrated that we had learned what our coaches had
tried to teach us never stop trying, and don't be afraid of tackling
a job with the odds against you.
Harry Kipke, coach of the 1934 team, best described the lesson we
demonstrated at Minnesota Fhat that we had learned when
"Give all you
have, but give it within the letter--and within the spirit-of the rules."
Recalling this game, I remember how the Michigan students and Ann Arbor
townspeople met the team at the train Sunday afternoon. There was a rousing
and spirited parade to the Union building headed by the Michigan Band. It
was a meaningful tribute to the fight the Wolverines had put up against the
powerful Minnesota Gophers. team that finished an undefeated season with
a national championship crown. It also was a demonstration of loyalty that
-more-
U of M program story
-6-
I'm sure none of us through the years has forgotten.
and
Since graduating from Michigan, while coaching at Yale finishing
law school, during my Navy service in World War II, and during 16
years in the rough-and-tumble world of politics I often thought
of the experiences before, during and after that game in 1934. Recalling
them has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take action and
make every effort possible despite adverse odds
Thanks to my football experience, I know the value of team-play.
It is, I believe, one of the most important lessons to be learned and
practiced in our lives.
# # #
1/7/72
Special to the Grand Rapids Times
Blacks Gain
Under Nixon
BY REP. GERALD R. FORD
I am proud to report that the Nixon Administration is moving forward in the field
of civil rights and that blacks are making tremendous gains under the present
Administration.
The record strongly bears out the claim of black advances in the past year.
In the area of aid to minority business, for instance, sharp increases in
assistance are clearly apparent.
The Small Business Administration loaned a total of $160.4 million to 6,262
minority busine ssmen in 1970.
Through August 1971, the la test available figure, SBA had loaned $213 million
to 7,776 minority busine ssmen.
SBA's new program to assist small businesses by guaranteeing their bid, payment,
or performance bonds is now in effect nationally. Under a pilot surety bond program
started in early 1971 the SBA has assisted more than 50 small businesses. The
successful bidders have received more than $2.5 million in contracts.
Federal purchases from minority businesses have increased 11-fold in two years--
from $13 million to $142 million.
There has been an increase in grants, loans and guarantees to minority business
from $20 million in 1969 to more than $400 million in 1971.
President Nixon has announced a new effort to improve business opportunities for
Blacks and other minorities. The President urged Congress to boost a $3.6 million
appropriation for the Office of Minority Business Enterprise to $43.6 million. The
President also stated that for the fiscal year starting next July 1 he will propose
that OMBE be given $63.6 million.
The Administration has budgeted $700 million for direct loans and grants to
minority entrepreneurs in the current fiscal year. This represents a three-fold
increase over 1969.
An organization known as Capital Formation has been designated by the President
to coordinate and oversee the placement of new deposits by the private sector in
minority-owned banks. It is estimated that an additional $100 million in new
deposits means 22,000 loans for minority businesses, home mortgages and consumer
loans.
Capital Formation has helped to trigger deposits in minority-owned banks by
FORD LIBRARY
the nation's leading corporations. The result has been a growth of $155 million
in minority bank deposits, with an additional $60 million to $90 million on the way.
-2-
At the same time, Department of the Treasury deposits in minoritybanks increased
by $155.5 million between September 1970 and September 1971.
Turning to minority employment, we find that minority employment in Federal
agencies increased by 3,348 jobs between May 1970 and May 1971 although total
Feder aleemployment dropped by 11,075 jobs during that period. Minorities held
505,219 full-time positions as of May 1971. Of the 2,592,956 employes on Federal
payrolls as of last May, 14.6 per cent were Negroes, Spanish-surnamed Americans,
American Indians and Orientals.
The Civil Service Commission provides an avenue of appeal to the Commission for
any person who feels he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, partisan political affiliation, or other
non-merit factors.
One of the Nixon achievements I am most proud of is the Philadelphia Plan. I
can report to you that the Philadelphia Plan raised minority man hours in that city's
Federal projects from 2 per cent of the total work hours in early 1969 to almost
15 per cent in 1971. The Philadelphia Plan is a model for the Nation.
Looking at the Health-Education-and-Welfare Department, we see that HEW's new
Sickle Cell Anemia Advisory Committee is developing detailed recommendations for
programs to control and ultimately eradicate sickle cell anemia. As you may know,
this is a disease which affects one out of every 500 newborn Black infants. The
Administration has increased the prior-years effort from $1.5 million to $12 million
in the fight against sickle cell anemia--eight times as much.
HEW also has announced the award of $1.6 million to help 23 Black colleges
and universities upgrade their social science programs.
Furthermore, the Nation's 111 predominantly Black colleges received 3.4 per
cent of all Federal aid to higher education ($125 million) during the 1970-71
academic year. This marked a 16 per cent increase in Federal support to Black
colleges over the previous year.
These are only some of the highlights of civil rights advances in 1971.
###
GERALD LIBRARY FORD
Special to the Grand Rapids Times
1/7/72
Blacks Gain
Under Nixon
BY REP. GERALD R. FORD
I am proud to report that the Nixon Administration is moving forward in the field
of civil rights and that blacks are making tremendous gains under the present
Administration.
The record strongly bears out the claim of black advances in the past year.
In the area of aid to minority business, for instance, sharp increases in
assistance are clearly apparent.
The Small Busines SS Administration loaned a total of $160.4 million to 6,262
minority busine ssmen in 1970.
Through August 1971, the la test available figure, SBA had loaned $213 million
to 7,776 minority busine ssmen.
SBA's new program to assist small businesses by guaranteeing their bid, payment,
or performance bonds is now in effect nationally. Under a pilot surety bond program
started in early 1971 the SBA has assisted more than 50 small businesses. The
successful bidders have received more than $2.5 million in contracts.
Federal purchases from minority businesses have increased 11-fold in two years--
from $13 million to $142 million.
There has been an increase in grants, loans and guarantees to minority business
from $20 million in 1969 to more than $400 million in 1971.
President Nixon has announced a new effort to improve business opportunities for
Blacks and other minorities. The President urged Congress to boost a $3.6 million
appropriation for the Office of Minority Business Enterprise to $43.6 million. The
President also stated that for the fiscal year starting next July 1 he will propose
that OMBE be given $63.6 million.
The Administration has budgeted $700 million for direct loans and grants to
minority entrepreneurs in the current fiscal year. This represents a three-fold
increase over 1969.
An organization known as Capital Formation has been designated by the President
to coordinate and oversee the placement of new deposits by the private sector in
minority-owned banks. It is estimated that an additional $100 million in new
deposits means 22,000 loans for minority businesses, home mortgages and consumer
loans.
FORD
Capital Formation has helped to trigger deposits in minority-owned banks by
the nation's leading corporations. The result has been a growth of $155 million
LIBRARY
in minority bank deposits, with an additional $60 million to $90 million on the way.
At the same time, Department of the Treasury deposits in minoritybanks increased
by $155.5 million between September 1970 and September 1971.
Turning to minority employment, we find that minority employment in Federal
agencies increased by 3,348 jobs between May 1970 and May 1971 although total
Feder al employment dropped by 11,075 jobs during that period. Minorities held
505,219 full-time positions as of May 1971. Of the 2,592,956 employes on Federal
payrolls as of last May, 14.6 per cent were Negroes, Spanish-surnamed Americans,
American Indians and Orientals.
The Civil Service Commission provides an avenue of appeal to the Commission for
any person who feels he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, partisan political affiliation, or other
non-merit factors.
One of the Nixon achievements I am most proud of is the Philadelphia Plan. I
can report to you that the Philadelphia Plan raised minority man hours in that city's
Federal projects from 2 per cent of the total work hours in early 1969 to almost
15 per cent in 1971. The Philadelphia Plan is a model for the Nation.
Looking at the Health-Education-and-Welfare Department, we see that HEW's new
Sickle Cell Anemia Advisory Committee is developing detailed recommendations for
programs to control and ultimately eradicate sickle cell anemia. As you may know,
this is a disease which affects one out of every 500 newborn Black infants. The
Administration has increased the prior-years effort from $1.5 million to $12 million
in the fight against sickle cell anemia--eight times as much.
HEW also has announced the award of $1.6 million to help 23 Black colleges
and universities upgrade their social science programs.
Furthermore, the Nation's 111 predominantly Black colleges received 3.4 per
cent of all Federal aid to higher education ($125 million) during the 1970-71
academic year. This marked a 16 per cent increase in Federal support to Black
colleges over the previous year.
These are only some of the highlights of civil rights advances in 1971.
###
LIBRAR
Published in 1/21/73 Sunday Supplement"M Office Copy
Magazine
"It's time to blow the whistle on the
growing horde of fathers who escape child
support responsibility by crossing state
lines
"
LET'S HAVE "FEDERALS" PURSUE RUNAWAY PAPPIES
By Rep. Gerald R. Ford
"Dear Congressman Ford," writes a Pennsylvania mother whose letter I
am looking at now.
"Please do not reveal my name. I think you will understand why.
"After 13 years of marriage my husband deserted me and our three-year-old
child for his secretary. He lived with her and her child and supported them
both. I found them and obtained a support order but he never paid it steady
and all it amounted to was court hearings which cost me money. Then he left
the secretary and her baby behind and skipped the state with still another
GERALD woman. FORD LIBRARY
Page 2
"I don't know where he is. I have barely managed to find enough work
to support my child and to keep our house. I have kept the house for six years
now but have gotten behind in real estate taxes. If I don't pay them within
three months I will be sheriffed out.
"On top of all this my daughter--his daughter- has developed a hearing
problem and needs an operation. I have never applied for welfare in my life
until I had to just now for medical reasons.
"He left behind an arrearage of about $2,500 and there is no way I can
get this money. I am beside myself. I don't know where else to turn."
There is actually little this woman can do. The odds are against her.
She can hire attorneys to track down her husband but she as an individual cannot
get a court order in another state. It would take a state order. But in reality
a state court can do little once a father has fled its jurisdiction and gone
across a state line. State and local law enforcement agencies have neither the
staff nor the funds to track down deserting fathers who flee to another state.
It is impossible to say exactly how many husbands and ex-husbands have
deserted their families and are hiding away in other states. Estimates go as
high as 382,700 families with legal fathers who have deserted. When you add
fleeing fathers of illegitimate children the number soars past the million
family mark. It is estimated that one fourth of the deserters of legitimate
families cross state lines to escape their support payment responsibilities,
and the numbers are increasing. There is no figure on how many fathers of
illegitimate children have disappeared into other states.
There are no statistics available either on the number of women and
children not on welfare who have been deserted by a husband and father who has
skipped the state. It is impossible to say how many fleeing fathers have
FORD LIBRARY
Page 3
changed their names. It is impossible to estimate how many wives are too
embarrassed even to report their husbands missing.
But above all, immeasurable, is the toll of human misery left in the
wake of run-away fathers. Evidence of this distress comes across my desk
every day in the form of letters, often asking that the matter be kept secret
because of the family's standing in the community.
I have received thousands of letters from all over the country from
women with children who have been left in the lurch by runaway husbands.
Too often a man who may be divorced or still married leaves the state
in which his wife and children reside, gets a good job and does as he pleases
without a moment's regard for the family he's left behind. In case after case
the man is living off the fat of the land in one state while his dependents
are suffering in poverty in another.
I first became interested in the fugitive father problem in 1949 as a
Freshman Congressman. It was then I introduced my first "runaway pappy" bill,
making flight to avoid support payments a federal offense. It didn't pass, and
ever since then this struggle has become almost a crusade for me. I have just
introduced my bill for the sixth time. I could not stop reintroducing that
bill if I tried--the content of the letters I receive would haunt me.
Letters like this one from an Ohio woman: "I am in the position of one
of these mothers who have children by a 'runaway pappy.' I am on welfare--not
because I want to be--and the citizens of this state are supporting my children
instead of their being supported by their father, who makes good money yet
never contributes one dime toward their care.
"I'll take that back. In the six years since the court ordered my
FORD
husband to pay $150 a month for child support, he has sent one box of clothing
BERALD
LIBRARY
Page 4
for the children. And one Christmas he big heartedly sent each child a money
order for $15. From a town and state he must have been vacationing in. No
way to trace him.
"My case is certainly not unique. I am only one of thousands and
thousands of mothers in these 50 states who are in a similar situation. Until
its wilfore responsibilitying the acean
the Federal Government takes over welfare and makes all runaway husbands
support their children or go to jail, the public will have to support someone
else's children for them."
The bill which I am trying to get passed would make flight to avoid
child support a federal offense. Officially it is called the Federal Family
Support Act. But unofficially it is known as the "Runaway Pappy Bill."
Whatever its name, it provides for punishment of fine and imprisonment:
"Any individual who, to avoid compliance with a support order, shall
travel or move in interstate or foreign commerce, from the State in which such
support order was issued or from any state in which proceedings have been
instituted
shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2,500 or by
imprisonment for not more than three years, or by both such fine and
imprisonment."
Though that bill has not passed so far, it has come close.
The 92nd Congress came within an eyelash of enacting the provisions
of my Runaway Pappy Bill when it incorporated them into the omnibus Welfare
Reform Bill of 1972 (H.R. 1) which passed the House but was emasculated by the
Senate. So now I am all set to try again.
I have high hopes that this time we will be successful. Some colleagues
in the Senate as well have indicated their concern about this problem and
Senator Russell Long, for one, has indicated he will press for similar
1 GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD
Page 5
legislation in the Senate.
My bill would make child support orders enforceable in the Federal
courts of a state to which a man has fled. In other words, this legislation
would bring Federal authority to bear on the problem of nonsupport by husbands
and fathers who shirk their parental obligations.
I think this is vital legislation. It is not intended to harass anyone.
And as long as a man does not shirk his financial obligation, he is free to
live in any state of the union he chooses. But if he tries to hide in another
state to avoid his responsibility to his family he would know that various
means such as Social Security and Internal Revenue records would be used by
federal authorities to locate him.
Federal resources would be used to get at husbands and fathers who flee
to another state to avoid supporting their families. Once found, they would
have to pay up or go to jail.
I am convinced that if runaway pappies are ever going to be forced to
live up to their obligations it will have to be done through the federal court
system.
Some working mothers try very hard to find their missing ex-husbands
and pursue them through every legal means. But it is expensive, and as one
Michigan woman ruefully admits in her letter to me, "we eat a lot of Macaroni
and cheese." Her letter tells how she "went to the prosecuting attorney's
office to see if they could help me trace my ex-husband. They told me they
could not help me unless I was on welfare. The Friend of the Court says he
has a warrant out for my ex-husband but if he is out of the state they could
not do anything. He said, however, if I could get his Social Security number
FORD
it might help to find him. I have written to the Vital Statistics Bureau but
LIBRARY
GERALD
Page 6
I am sure there is some legal reason they won't be able to help me. I feel
quite defeated.
"Since my husband is a horse trainer I feel he is connected with a race
track somewhere. I have called every race track commission in the United States
but they have no record of him. I feel he must be going under a phoney name.
"I know he has remarried and has a child--he has three with me--so this
means he must have a semi-permanent place somewhere. I have called various
police departments and had them alerted to my problem and gave them a
description of my missing husband. All they say is that they will keep an eye
out. Whatever that means.
"I know there are a million women and children in this world that have
this same problem and some no doubt have it a lot worse than we do. But when I
see my children go without the things they should have--like shoes--and could
have if their father would just face up to his responsibility to them, I feel
so desperate and miserable. I feel that I am within my rights to ask for help
in some form from someone, anyone that could help them. That's why I have sat
down and written this letter to you. I am fighting to raise my children with
the feeling of security. I want them to feel secure and warm. They could not
possibly feel that way if I am constantly wondering where their next pair of
shoes are coming from. Can you please help?
"What I am asking from you is this, is there any way you or the people in
your office can help me find this man? Our divorce was granted approximately
five years ago. The child support was set for $30 a week. It is low, as the
judge told me at the time. I felt, however, that if the support was a reason-
able amount he would pay it. He has not. Isn't it fair to expect someone, some
federal officer, to track him down? The only hope I can see is if you will
Page 7
pass your 'Runaway Pappy Bill.' It is the most necessary bill I have ever
heard of. It is disgraceful, the situation in our fair land."
At the present time it costs the federal government some 922 million
welfare dollars annually to care for the 382, families with abandoned
legitimate children. An additional 25 per cent is paid by the states. Even
greater is the federal cost of welfare for some 700,000 families with illegitimate
children--nearly 1.5 billion dollars.
Since about one-fourth of the deserting husbands cross state lines, my
bill could save taxpayers over 200 million dollars in support cost of legitimate
children alone. It is harder to estimate what we can save taxpayers in caring
for illegitimate offspring. Paternity must be proven and court orders given.
But my bill seeks to make any father responsible for the support of his children
"whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted."
Money is not the only consideration. There is still another benefit
that would be gained by my bill and that pertains to the status of many wives.
Part of the human tragedy in these cases is that a wife whose husband
has disappeared frequently does not know whether he is alive or dead, whether
she is free to remarry or whether to wait in the hope of a reconciliation.
One deserted wife wistfully suggests all such husbands be declared
"legally dead," because then "at least our children would become eligible
for social security benefits until they reach age 18."
"Of course" she adds, "it is true some of them are probably far from
being dead and dancing up a storm in some other state, but we do not know this
for sure. If through an accident or ill health a death has occurred, we
certainly would have no way of knowing. I am one of these working mothers whoRD
would be affected by this. I live in a never-never world. I cannot locate my
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husband. There are no clues. I cannot make new male friends or think of
remarriage because my husband may be alive. I am not eligible for Aid to
Dependent Children because of my job. And I cannot stop working for a moment
because I need every cent I can earn. It's a constant treadmill I am on."
This letter simply shows the desperation that exists because of the
untenable position of being a wife and mother with a missing and who-knows-where
husband and with no relief in sight. Surely it is only fair that the federal
government help such women find out their legal status.
I say it's time to blow the whistle on the growing horde of men who
escape their duty to children and other dependents by disappearing across state
lines. Who can blow the whistle? You, the reader-taxpayer.
If every reader who sees this article took pen in hand to write their
Congressman and Senator urging passage of the Runaway Pappy Bill, families would
be spared humiliation and deprivation, taxpayers would be saved hundreds of
millions of dollars, and thousands of wives would get the satisfaction of having
their legal positions clarified.
I think it is only just that we should throw the forces of the Federal
Government into pursuit of runaway pappies. Surely a man who abandons his
children is just as much a felon as the man who steals an automobile.
###
AMERICA
Written for the Kent County Republican Committee newsletter
Misc Statements
1/26/73
Spending
Supplants War
As Key Issue
BY REP. GERALD R. FORD
Congress is described in the press as having convened Jan. 3 in a defiant
mood, with Vietnam and Presidential impoundment of appropriated funds as the sore
points.
The Vietnam peace agreement has erased the war as a source of friction between
the President and the Congress. The residue of resentment that remains revolves
about the issue of Federal spending and claims that the Pre sident has been taking
over the powers of the Congre SSo
If you analyze closely what has happened in the Congress, you are forced to
conclude that the President has not seized any powers--Congress has abdicated them.
There has been an erosion of congressional power, particularly the power of the
purse.
Why is this true? It is SO because Congress has failed to exercise its
responsibility for making the hard spending decisions necessary to maintain at least
a semblance of Federal fiscal sanity.
I am not being partisan in making this charge. Consider these words spoken by
Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield at a caucus of Democratic senators on Jan. 3,
1973:
"The fault lies not in the Executive Branch but in ourselves, in the Congress.
We cannot insist upon the power to control expenditures and then fail to do SO. If
we do not do the job, if we continue to abdicate our Constitutional responsibility,
the powers of the Government will have to be recest SO that it can be done elsewhere."
The question being posed is whether Congress is willing to change its archaic
budget-handling procedures to make itself a modern institution which deserves to
have the power of the purse.
This fiscal year the Federal deficit is expected to be $25 billion--and then only
because the President is holding Federal outlays to $250 billion. Our national debt
is now approximately $444 billion, and the interest on that debt is $23.1 billion a year.
It would not be necessary for the President to impound funds if the Congress were
more responsible in its handling of the taxpayer's dollars.
In the closing hours of the last session, the Congress created a Joint Committee
to recommend procedure for improving Congressional control over the budget. That
committee will submit an interim report to the Congress on Feb. 15.
The committee's task is to formulate answers to weighty questions concerning the
Federal budget. How do.we divide an overall figure among the various major priorities
and programs. Who will exercise a degree of control over expenditures proposed in
-2-
legislation?
If the Joint Committee on the Budget can come up with satisfactory answers to
these questions, it may be the Congress will resolve the crisis ower governmental
powers which the Congre SS itself has precipitated.
#######
LIBRARY
KENT COUNTY
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
ELLIOTT A. SERAFIN
CHAIRMAN
MRS. ALBERT (PAT) LEE
VICE-CHAIRMAN
WILLIAM F. FISHER
SECRETARY
ROBERT J. ELEVELD
TREASURER
PAUL G. GOEBEL, JR.
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
January 19, 1973
Hon. Gerald R. Ford
H-230 The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Jerry:
The Kent County Republican Committee is planning to re-activate
its local newsletter which will be sent to the approximately
6,000 individuals on our mailing list which includes all our
workers and contributors. I would like to include in the
February issue a. 300-word article from you entitled, "A Report
from Washington".
We would like to go to press on January 31 and mail the
newsletter on February 5. The newsletter would contain a
front page story on the Lincoln Day Dinner and the young
peoples' trip to Washington for the Inauguration.
I hope you will be able to help us out.
Sincerely yours,
Bob
Robert J. Eleveld
County Chairman
RJE/sc
Sent 1/26/73
QUINTO B.FORD LIBRARY
1435 GENESEE, S.E.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49506
(616) 459-0141
5/22/73
SENT TO GORDON
"Enthusiasm And Youth"
BY JERRY FORD
Whenever I talk with young people, I think of a sentence once set
down on paper by the philosopher-poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Said Emerson: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
The reason these words flash through my mind when I come into contact
with young people is that youth and enthusiasm go together. The young are
full of vitality; they are just naturally enthusiastic. And since young
people are naturally enthusiastic, they have tremendous potential for
achieving greatness.
Recently about 100 Boy Scouts from six troops in Ke-Wa-Can District 7
cleaned up Plaster Creek in Wyoming city as a communtiy service project.
With the greatest of enthusiasm, the Scouts picked up tons of trash along
the creek banks during the volunteer operation.
This project was in the finest of American traditions--voluntarism-
and it pointed up the fact that we cannot possibly come to grips withoour
environmental problems without the kind of awareness being demonstrated by
our young people.
Cleaning up our environment is an enormously complicated and difficult
problem. Anytime you push the environment in one place, it will bulge
out someplace else.
It's been three years since the first Earth Day of April, 1970. Not
only have we experienced an increasing awareness of ecological problems
but we see an increasing understanding of how complicated it is to restore
LIBRARY
our environment and how costly and time-consuming it is.
Page 2
The individual citizen definitely has a role to play in the cleanup
of our environment--and this is especially true of our young people, with
their splendid enthusiasm in tackling difficult problems.
The most significant successes I have seen in the fight to restore
our environment have come where individual citizens--in many instances
young people--have decided to do something about an environmental problem
affecting them.
So often people tend to sit back and wait for the government to
throw money at a problem. But, as in the case of the Boy Scouts who
cleaned up Plaster Creek, citizen action produces tremendous successes.
I have seen many cleanups due largely to citizen efforts. And this is the
best way for young people to get involved.
We will, of course, be spending hundreds of billions of dollars to
restore and protect our environment. But there is no substitute for
citizen effort, andtheree is no substitute for the enthusiasm of youth.
# # #
6/14/73
Written Especailly for "Michigan Police Officer," the official
publication of The Michigan Professional Police Association.
The most ridiculous assertion being made in connection with
the Watergate Affair is that no longer can the Nixon Administration--
or any Republican, for that matter--talk about law and order.
This statement is nonsensical because despite the fact
that the Watergate Affair first surfaced as a result of a breaking
and entering, the present Administration has made tremendous
progress in fighting professional crime in America. And, with the
cooperation of Congress, further advances can be expected.
We all remember what the situation was in the Sixties.
Permissiveness. Violence. A real threat that crime was becoming
uncontrollable. And, worst of all, the steps necessary to control
crime were not being taken.
The present Administration came to office in 1969 with a
conviction that law and order had to be restored. One of the first
actions taken by the Administration was the mounting of an all-out
attack against crime in the United States.
The Administration beefed up the manpower in Federal
enforcement and prosecution agencies.
Under prodding by the Administration, Congress enacted
legislation stepping up the fight against organized crime, drug
trafficking and crime in the District of Columbia.
With the Administration recommending higher figures, the
Congress sharply increased Federal financial aid to State and
local criminal justice systems until this aid totalled $1.5 billion
for the three fiscal years from 1970 through 1972.
This was a clear departure from the philosophy that had
pervaded national crime-fighting efforts up to that time. The
result was dramatic progress in bringing America back from a
period of record-breaking levels of lawlessness.
Through the combined efforts of Federal, State and local
agencies, serious crime in the United States is being brought
under control.
Aggressive leadership has produced positive results: Federal
aid to State and local law enforcement agencies has increased
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Page 2
dramatically; Justice Department funding has been augmented to
provide more marshals, more judges, more narcotics agents and more
Assistant U. S. Attorneys in the field; 600 new Special F.B.I.
agents have been added; and Federal spending on efforts to curb
juvenile delinquency has increased twelvefold.
We have not only reversed the steady rise in the crime rate;
we have actually brought about a nationwide decrease in the rate
of serious crime.
The Administration's goal of improving the American
correctional system has been advanced, in large part, through
the initiative of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration
(LEAA).
Currently the Congress is moving to extend the life of
LEAA and to increase the authorizations for that agency to about
$1 billion a year. LEAA also is being strengthened. It is being
made more accountable. The administration of assistance programs
is being made more centralized. The formulas for matching Federal
funds are being simplified; and funding incentives for inter-
governmental coordination and cooperation in areas of law
enforcement and criminal justice are being provided.
The primary responsibility for fighting crime lies with
the States. The LEAA program aids those elements in our federal
system which are best able to fight crime.
Our anti-crime program is on the right track. We are
taking the right measures. The only way to attack crime in America
is the way crime attacks our people--without pity.
This is why I am strongly supporting the Administration's
latest efforts to step up the war against crime--a comprehensive
revision of existing Federal criminal laws and the centralization
of drug law enforcement efforts through creation of a new Federal
Drug Enforcement Administration (FDEA).
The FDEA has become a reality as the result of an
Administration reorganization plan. It has become a reality because
a majority of the members of the U. S. House of Representatives
had sense enough to reject a move by the House Government Operations
Committee to disapprove the reorganization proposal.
The need for centralizing drug enforcement activities in
one Federal agency became clear during Floor debate. I strongly
FORD
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Page 3
supported the establishment of this new agency.
How important is the sharpening of the attack against
drug trafficking? It is still estimated that one-third to
one-half of all individuals arrested for street crimes are
narcotics abusers and addicts.
But we are making progress in the war against drug addiction.
Nationwide, in the last two years, the rate of new addiction to
heroin showed its first decline since 1964.
No single law enforcement problem has occupied more time,
effort and money in the past four years than that of drug abuse
and drug addiction.
When the present Administration assumed office in 1969,
only $82 million was budgeted by the Federal Government for law
enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation in the field of drug
abuse. That figure has been increased to $785 million for fiscal
1974, nearly 10 times as much.
The record shows that narcotics production has been
disrupted, more traffickers and distributors have been put out
of business, and addicts and abusers have been treated and
started on the road to rehabilitation.
Turning again to the need for revision of existing Federal
criminal laws, let me emphasize that one of the greatest needs
is to increase the sentences for heroin and morphine trafficking.
I also favor restoration of the death penalty. Last
March 22 I introduced the Administration bill providing for the
death penalty for wartime treason and for murder committed under
certain circumstances. I believe the death penalty can be a
deterrent to crime.
I strongly support general revision of the Federal criminal
laws because this will provide us with laws that are workable and
responsive to the demands of a modern Nation.
Most crime in America does not fall under Federal
jurisdiction. Those who serve in the front lines of the war
against crime are the State and local law enforcement authorities.
But the present Administration has been providing State and local
authorities with the leadership and the aid necessary to turn the
tide against the criminal. As a consequence, we have won quiteord
GERALD
LIBRARY
2
Page 4
a few battles in our constant jousting with the forces of crime-
and I think we are on our way to winning the war.
# # #
LIBRARY
MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER
Official Publication of The Michigan Professional Police Association
105 EAST WASHTENAW
MICHIGANI
STATE
LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933
INTERNATIONAL
POLICE
June 4, 1973
U. S. Congressman Gerald R. Ford
425 Cherry Street, S. E.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49502
OR
Dear Congressman Ford:
In early July, 3,000 Michigan law enforcement officers and their associ-
ates will begin receiving their official publication, the Michigan Police
Officer. This magazine will be the voice and educational medium of the
Michigan Professional Police Association, a non-political organization of
full time law enforcement officers dedicated to improving the profession-
alism of the individual officer and to playing a useful part in community
affairs.
I am the publication director of the Michigan Police Officer, working un-
der the president of the association, Officer Edward Serwach of the Grosse
Pointe Shores Police Department.
This first issue would welcome an article by you on any facet of law enforce-
ment you are currently interested in, and of course will be accompanied by
your photograph and a sketch of your many accomplishments in Congress and
within Michigan for the betterment of the criminal justice system.
Other authorities to be represented in this issue include Governor Milliken,
Attorney General Kelley, and national law enforcement figures.
I know your article would please your Michigan officers, and I hope that
you will ask your press secretary to forward the article and photograph
at his earliest convenience (our deadline is June 15; we can hold space for
another week if advised). Of course, I will send your office several copies
of the magazine upon publication.
With advance appreciation and good wishes.
Sincerely,
MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER
Fw Coolyd
Jerry: Would you please
O.K. Theattached article
Frank W. Cooley, Jr.
Publication Director
assomas possible
FWC:bk
cc: Edward Serwach, President
Their deadline is June
LIBRARY
- Paul
MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER
Official Publication of The Michigan Professional Police Association
105 EAST WASHTENAW
MICHIGAN
LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933
TOTAL POLICE
June 21, 1973
N/A
U. S. Congressman Gerald R. Ford
425 Cherry Street, S. E.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49502
Dear Congressman Ford:
We are really pleased that you took time out from your crowded
schedule to write an article especially for the inaugural issue
of the Michigan Police Officer.
I know our membership will be extremely interested to read what
you have to say about the efforts the Administration is making to
bring crime under control. Your words expressing the conviction
that "we are on our way to winning the war (against crime)" will
be welcome to many ears.
Thank you also for your photograph and biographical material.
You have made a fine contribution to this issue and we hope that
we may in the future print further articles by you.
With appreciation and good wishes.
Sincerely,
MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER
Frank W. Cooley, Jr.
Publication Director
FWC:bk
cc: Edward Serwach, President
GERALD FORD VIBRARY