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10/16/74 - Lincoln, Nebraska Campaign Speech
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1252099
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10/16/74 - Lincoln, Nebraska Campaign Speech
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
Reading Copies of Presidential Speeches and Statements
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Republican National Committee (U.S.)
Congressional elections
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1974-10-16
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1974
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1974-10-16
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1974
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The original documents are located in Box 2, folder "10/16/74 - Lincoln, Nebraska
Campaign Speech" of the President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies 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 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Digitized from Box 2 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
(ORBEN)
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA CAMPAIGN SPEECH
THIS has been quite a day. This morning, I was at a breakfast
in Kansas City, Missouri. Then I attended a reception and rally in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota. Here I am talking to all of you good people in Lincoln, Nebraska.
I'll be at a dinner tonight in Indianapolis, Indiana. And if God is with us,
we'll be getting back to Washington around midnight. I don't know what the
fella who makes up these schedules wants for Christmas, but I know what I'm
going to give him --- a map!
Before I begin, I'd like Bob Devaney (Pronounced DEE-VAN-EE)
the athletic Director of the University of Nebraska to stand up and take a
bow. Bob, I don't know what happened during the last seven minutes of that game
Saturday -- but now you know that Athletic Directors and politicians have
one thing in common. They name a street after you one day -- and chase you
down it the next!
Bob said the game was embarrassing enough -- but what really
hurts is what his friends say when he puts on his WIN button!
But I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to come back to
Nebraska, the state where I was born. I was born in Omaha, lived here for
18 months -- and the, depending on whose story you believe, I was either
exported or deported to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Congressman Charley Thone, it is wonderful to be back again in
the Cornhusker state. I appreciate the warm welcome.
Charley is one of the hardest working members of Congress. His
campaign slogan aptly describes what he does in Washington: "Thone Works."
- 2 -
I was proud to serve with Charley in the House and am proud we are
on the same team in this election.
I continue to rely on his advice. I was pleased to meet with him
at the White House last Thursday to discuss some of the far-ranging
problems of agriculture. Some of his suggestions I have already implemented.
I know that another one of Nebraska's outstanding Congressmen,
John McCollister, had hoped to be here today but was unable to make it.
John is one of the most highly respected members of the Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee. He is an invaluable asset for Nebraska.
I urge you to return him to Congress.
Nebraska's third Congressman, Dave Martin, will be retiring this
year after completing seven terms. His service has been marked by dedication
and distinction. It was an honor to serve with him in the House.
Running for Dave's seat is an outstanding candidate, Mrs. Haven Smith.
We are going to hear a lot about her in the years ahead as the first Congresswom
from Nebraska.
The Nebraska Republican Party is to be commended for nominating two
women for major office in 1974. The other is Anne Batchelder, who is running
for Lieutenant Governor. As you all know, Anne comes from a long time political
family. Her brother, for example, served as a National Committeeman for the
State of Illinois.
Anne is running as a team with our gubernatorial candidate,
Richard Marvel. Dick Has compiled an excellent record as a State Senator.
He and Anne will put new leadership in Lincoln.
- 3 -
There are other State-wide candidates here, including Paul Douglas,
who is running for State Attorney General; Frank Marsh, for State Treasurer;
Ray Johnson, for re-election as State Auditor, and Alan Beermann, the Secretary
of State who is running for re-election. I wish you all well.
The excellence of these candidates encourages me. They are able
and qualified to tackle and solve the problems facing Government.
Two of those problems are of prime importance to Nebraska, America
and the world. They are food production and inflation.
We must produce food at full capacity. I will see that the farmer
gets the fertilizer and fuel he needs to achieve that goal. And, as I told the
Congress last week, I have no intention of asking for an increase in taxes in
gasoline which is so important to residents of this great state.
Let me address our agricultural export policy. Apprehension has
been great in this state about what is seen by some as an "embargo" on grain
exports by this Administration. Congressman Charley Thone told me of this
concern at last Thursday's White House meeting.
Let me state this unequivocally: There is not now nor will there
be such a blanket embargo. The Federal Government, through the Economic Policy
Board, will monitor grain exports. We must insure that our domestic demand
is not left without a supply. But there will be no embargo.
I realize how important agricultural exports are to both the
producing farmer and to America's balance of payments. It represented
twenty-five percent of the total dollars the U.S. earned abroad last year.
- 4 -
Although agriculture is a mainstay in the Nation's economic
viability, the food producers suffer the most economically. In periods
of inflation, they feel the impact of the costs first. But they obtain the
benefits of the higher prices last. On top of that is the uncertainty of the
elements upon which they depend. And I know that this year was one of the worst
in the history for agriculture in this state.
Although I understand the frustration of the farmers who
slaughtered calves in Wisconsin yesterday, I am concerned about such a
wasteful protest at a time when we are trying to increase food supplies.
Unfortunately, these actions contributed nothing to the solution of
this problem or to the problem of inflation which concerns us all.
I am aware of the cost-price squeeze in which livestock producers and
feeders find themselves. As I stated earlier today, I will meet within the
next two weeks at the White House with farmers and ranchers to seek their
solution.
The disparity between the reduced earnings of the cattle growers and
the higher prices charged to consumers throughout the nation disturbs me.
I have asked the new Council on Wage-Price Stability to examine the reasons
behind this gap between what the farmer receives and what the consumer pays.
I intend to do what I can to resolve this situation.
The livestock producers obviously cannot tolerate a situation in which
calves cost more to raise than they bring at the market. But there is certainly
a better way to redress grievances than by the drastic and wasteful destruction
of our food supply. The good beef cattle of America are for eating --
not shooting!
- 5 -
The tremendous cost-price squeeze in which America's dairymen
find themselves concerns me greatly. I understand the concern of domestic producers
that the United States dairy support price system should not be allowed to be
undermined by efforts of foreign dairy producers -- some of whom are seeking to
shift the burden of their own cost-price problems onto the U.S. Market.
Because of importance of this problem to dairymen, I have
directed that no action be taken to change the present system of dairy import
quotas without a thorough review of market conditions and full opportunity for
our dairy producers to be heard at that time.
Over the long haul, I am convinced that the American farmer can
compete against any farm producer in the world.
In my economic proposal ********* to Congress last week, I
detailed a 31-point plan to combat inflation and save energy -- a plan which
was comprehensive, balanced and restrained. It did not include the mandatory,
hard-line recommendations some had called for. This was a deliberate
choice on my part. I wanted to keep voluntary options open as long as
possible.
Americans
RESPOND
challenge. They will cooperate with reasonable
requests. The response last winter to pleas for conservation during the energy
shortage was heartwarming.
Last night in Kansas City, I called on the American people to join
with me in winning this war on inflation. The response
lea has
been heartwarming.
- 6 -
As one of only two states with an all-Republican delegation in the
House and Senate, Nebraska has done its part.
Your distinguished Senators, Roman Hruska and Carl Curtis, have
been in the front rank of the inflation fighters in Washington. So have your
Congressmen, Charley Thone, John McCollister and Dave Martin.
ON
I call you to continue that tradition- - to return these men to
Congress. Let's whip inflation together.
I know you will do your part for Averica.
Thank you.