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1/15/75 - State of the Union Message
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1/15/75 - State of the Union Message
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The original documents are located in Box 4, folder "1/15/75 - State of the Union
Message" of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Digitized from Box 4 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 14, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
NANCY HOWE
VIA:
RED CAVANE
FROM:
PETE SORUM
PB
SUBJECT:
THE FIRST LADY AND SUSAN
FORD'S ATTENDANCE AT THE
PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS
U.S. Capitol
Wednesday, January 15, 1975
Attached is the schedule that will coincide with the President's
schedule for the State of the Union Address. Also attached is a
copy of the seating chart for the Executive Gallery, indicating the
location of all persons seated there. Those staff members seated
to Mrs. Ford's left are on the steps in the aisle, which will require
their seating after Mrs. Ford arrives and moving as soon as the
Address is completed.
Anticipating some wind around the Capitol, I have located a mirror
that could be used if necessary. Since there would really be no
privacy, I would suggest that Mrs. Ford have a small mirror in
her purse for use in the elevator. Also, she should know that, due
to live television coverage, the lights will be very bright and there
is some glare at her seat.
If any other arrangements are required, please advise.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SCHEDULE
THE FIRST LADY AND SUSAN FORD'S
ATTENDANCE AT THE PRESIDENT' S
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
U.S. Capitol
Wednesday, January 15, 1975
12:40 pm
The President. Mrs. Ford and Susan board motorcade
EST
on South Grounds.
MOTORCADE DEPARTS South Grounds en route U.S.
Capitol.
[Driving time: 10 minutes]
12:50 pm
MOTORCADE ARRIVES South Door of the Capitol
Advanceman:
(House Wing). Mr. Ken R. Harding (House Sergeant-at-
Pete Sorum
Arms) and Mr. George White, (Architect of the Capitol)
will-greet and escort you inside the South Door. Six
official Congressional photographers will be on hand.
12:53 pm
Mrs. Ford and Susan are escorted to their seats in
the Executive Gallery by Mr. Gil Udell, (Chief, Document
Room).
12:56 pm
Mrs. Ford and Susan arrive Executive Gallery and are
seated.
1:00 pm
The President is announced by Jim Molloy,
House Doorkeeper.
1:02 pm
The Speaker calls the Joint Session to order
and formally presents the President.
1:03 pm
Presidential State of the Union Address.
LIVE NATIONWIDE TELEVISION
-2-
1:30 pm
Address concludes.
1:31 pm
Mrs. Ford and Susan depart Gallery en route motorcade.
1:34 pm
Mrs. Ford and Susan join the President in the hallway
and proceed outside South Entrance to board motorcade.
1:35 pm
MOTORCADE DEPARTS The Capitol en route South
Grounds.
[Driving time: 10 minutes]
1:45 pm
MOTORCADE ARRIVES South Grounds.
EXECUTIVE GAILERY
CI/JU/T
1:30 pm
Fixed Seats
Aisle Seats
Kendall
Loen
4th
Row
Supreme Court
Wives
WH
WH
WH
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
3rd
Supreme
Court Wives
Row
Brinegar
Lynn
Wein-
Mrs.
berger
Train
Zarb
Burns
2nd
Mrs.
M.rs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Row
Dent
Butz
Morton
Saxbe
Schlesinger Simon
USSS
Seidman
Kissinger
Mrs.
1st
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Susan
Mrs.
Green-
Frieders
Rocke-
Row
Ash
Rumsfeld
Marsh
Hartmann
Buchen
Ford
Ford
span
dorf
feller
********* HOUSE FLOOR*********
SUGGESTED REMARKS BY MRS. FORD AFTER STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE
WELL, I THINK MY HUSBAND SUMMED IT UP WHEN HE SAID THE
TIME HAS COME TO MOVE IN A NEW DIRECTION. I KNOW HE
UNDERSTANDS OUR ECONOMIC AND ENERGY PROBLEMS, AND I HAVE
GREAT FAITH IN THE PROGRAM HE OUTLINED TODAY. HE SAID
IT WOULD BE AWHILE BEFORE WE SEE IMPROVEMENT, BUT IF WE
ALL WORK TOGETHER--UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP--I KNOW WE'LL
START TO SEE THAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE COMING YEAR. 1
Mrs. Ford Hopes Speech Was Well Received
Washington (UPI) -- President Ford's wife Betty Wednesday
said she hoped her husband's State of the Union address was
well received even though it was not "a very happy message."
His daughter said she thought he "stunned" Congress with
his bluntness. Referring to the country's economic and
energy woes, Mrs. Ford told a reporter: "I don't think
it was the kind of speech where people get up and clap
because it was not a very happy occasion." She added that
the President's proposals were "positive" and "workable
if the Congress and the Executive Branch can get together."
"Daddy put it so bluntly and SO frankly that I think they
(members of Congress) were a little stunned," said Susan, 17.
Both attended a reception at Holton Arms School in suburban
Montgomery County, Md., where Susan is a student. The
occasion was a women's seminar held in connection with the
1975 International Women's Year. Mrs. Ford, an avid backer
of the Equal Rights Amendment, gave students at the all-girl
private school a pep talk about how women must fight for
their individual rights. "You have the potential now don't
let those men hold you back," she told the group which
responded with laughter and applause.
WILL IT PLAY?
Polling 542 people for NEWSWEEK,
The Gallup Organization got these
reactions to Ford's economic plan:
Now that President Ford has unveiled
his new economic program, do you have
more confidence or less confidence in
the future of the economy?
More confidence
Less confidence
44%
23%
About the same
19%
Photos by Wally
a 'national recovery program' for America and Gerald Ford
If you receive a rebate on your 1974
Federal income taxes, are you more
Neither was the public greatly
most urgently today," he said, "is more
likely to use it to pay bills and debts, buy
cheered by Ford's performance or his
spending money in your pockets rather
things you need, or save it?
program; a telephone poll of 542 house-
than in the Treasury in Washington." In
holds, conducted for NEWSWEEK by The
the hope of stimulating more jobs, he
Pay bills and debts
Buy things
Save
Gallup Organization, returned a de-
added on a proposed boost from 7 to
41%
23%
30%
cidedly mixed and wary first judgment
12 per cent in the amount businesses and
(box). Fewer than half felt more con-
farmers can deduct for investment in
fidence in the nation's economic future,
new plant and equipment. And he ap-
and a 50-to-40 majority gave Ford's
pended an array of further tax-relief
President Ford says America must re-
package negative marks. His new ener-
measures designed to offset the $30
duce its use of gasoline. In order to ac-
gy taxes were particularly unpopular:
billion his energy levies will drain out of
complish this, which would you prefer
a robust 55-to-32 majority preferred
the economy. These included $16.5
-the President's plan to impose taxes
even so draconian an alternative as gas-
billion in individual income-tax cuts for
that would result in higher gas prices, or
oline rationing to Ford's scheme. Nor
1975 and later years; a 13 per cent, $6
a nationwide rationing program?
did his tax-rebate plan promise to set
billion cut in corporate taxes and $2 bil-
off the sort of national buying spree its
lion in straight negative-income-tax pay-
Taxes
Rationing
designers hoped for. Only one person
ments of $80 per adult to the very poor.
32%
in four polled thought he would use
THE ENERGY CRUNCH moved Ford to
55%
his refund money to buy things, as
urge implementation within 90 days of
against banking it or using it merely to
"the strongest and most far-reaching
catch up on back debts and bills.
energy-conservation program we have
ever had"-a deliberate effort to drive
If the price of gasoline goes up 10c a
'WE'RE OFF THE GROUND'
up the price of oil and natural gas by
gallon, do you believe you will cut down
Yet Ford and his men seemed undis-
increasing taxes and decontrolling prices.
your driving?
mayed by the first skeptical reception.
The President planned to force the is-
Yes
No
Not even the President professed to be
sues by phasing in a $3-per-barrel tariff
sure that his grand design would work;
on imported crude oil by April 1, then
49%
48%
the economic terrain was too unfamiliar,
scale it back to $2 when and if Congress
and his own experience at economic
enacts parallel taxes on domestic crude
If yes, will you cut down your driv-
activism too limited. But a sense of
and gas. The objective was to cut de-
ing a great deal, some, or only a little?
something like euphoria ran through the
mand enough to reduce oil imports by 1
White House at his simply having got
million barrels a day this year and 2 mil-
A great deal
Some
A little
out of the blocks at last. He and his
lion barrels a day by the end of 1977.
11%
26%
11%
people planned a massive PR offensive
But the immediate consequences, as
to sustain the momentum-a blitzkrieg
Ford and his advisers conceded, will
of briefings, mailings, meetings, teach-
be painful: an average rise of perhaps
ins by Cabinet members, even a return
10 cents a gallon for gasoline and home-
to the road by Ford in person to sell
heating fuels, a 15 per cent jump in
How would you rate the new economic
his program and, not incidentally, him-
electric bills-and a fresh across-the-
program just presented by President
Ford?
self. What energized them all was the
board surge in the everyday costs of
feeling that this time, finally, there was
living and doing business in America.
Excellent
Very good
Good
something to sell. "We're off the ground,"
INFLATION dropped to No. 3 on Ford's
exulted one staffer, and another agreed:
enemies list-a sharp and difficult change
4%
10%
26%
"The Ford Presidency has begun."
for a man who only three months ago
The highlights of the program:
had proposed budget-cutting and a 5
Fair
Poor
RECESSION succeeded inflation as
per cent income-tax surcharge as the best
Ford's economic enemy No. 1, and the
medicine for what ailed the economy.
39%
11%
centerpiece of his program was his
His arithmeticians conceded that the
pump-priming rebate on 1974 income
government will run in the red by an ag-
taxes-a two-step refund of 12 per cent,
gregate $80 billion this fiscal year and
Don't knows omitted
with a $1,000 ceiling. "What we need
next, and that the total could run close
Fenga & Freyer
January 27, 1975
17
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
sultant, former CBS producer Bob Mead,
posed him in the bookish warmth of the
White House library and drilled him
daily on reading from a TelePrompTer,
so that he could look America squarely
in the eye. Ford rehearsed, watched
the instant replay and rehearsed again-
a half-dozen times in all. Mead bounced
one speech draft that didn't sound "con-
versational," laundered out words like
"guarantee" (Ford incorrigibly mispro-
nounces it "gahrentee") and even wrote
the President's cues onto the prompter
-"Stand up Start sit Change cam-
era." No detail was too fussy for Mead's
attention; he suggested that Ford loosen
up before the telecast with a swim and
a shot of bourbon and that he eat at
least two hours before air time-lest he
belch on camera.
'WE ARE IN TROUBLE'
The stage-managing gave the show an
unspontaneous look, compounded by
Wally McNamee-Newsweek
Ford with some wooden hand gestures
Gallery: Betty Ford with Susan and Greenspan at the State of the Union
of his own devising. But in the TV talk,
and in his State of the Union speech to
to $100 billion if Congress spends more
insurrection; he and his people treat-
Congress two days later, he got his fund-
or taxes less than he has proposed. But
ed it as the make-or-break passage of
amental message across: that he is aware
there was little in the end he could do
his young Presidency, and he prepared
of the dangers in the economy, that he
about it beyond a long, stern State of the
for it accordingly. They set particularly
has a program for dealing with them-
Union homily on thrift ("We have been
high store on his fireside pep-talk to the
and that somebody after all is in charge.
self-indulgent
and now the bill has
nation, partly because it was a chance to
"We are in trouble," he said on TV. "But
come due") and a series of auto-destruct
steal the play from the Democratic eco-
we are not on the brink of another Great
frugalities-among them a 5 per cent
nomic program announced earlier that
Depression
We must rekindle faith in
ceiling on 1975 cost-of-living increases for
day, mainly because it was an opportuni-
ourselves." He was similarly solemn re-
social security and government salaries.
ty for Ford to exploit his pre-eminent
porting the State of the Union to an as-
The pyramiding public debt was a
public virtue-his no-guff, no-nonsense,
sembly of men and women accustomed
source of particular anguish to Ford and
straight-talking manner.
to hearing Presidents celebrate the na-
to his more conservative counselors-men
The preparations were meticulous
tion and themselves. He said right off
like Treasury's Simon and chief economic
-some thought to a fault. Ford usually
that he was the bearer of bad news,
adviser Alan Greenspan. Both fought
does TV talks in the Oval Office, from a
and that he expected little applause.
vigorously in the long in-house debates
written text. But this time his video con-
Congress obliged him; he got standing
against cutting taxes without parallel re-
ductions in Federal spending. They
ultimately lost to the brute necessities of
fighting recession. Greenspan swallowed
GIVE-AND-TAKE
his misgivings and went along. But
Simon, a taut millionaire bond lawyer,
The President wants to take billions out of the economy with new energy
nursed his discontents, leaked them into
taxes but to pump back more money through tax cuts and other devices.
friendly Washington columns-and, on
The net effect would be to stimulate the economy, particularly this year.
the very eve of State of the Union week,
threatened openly to "inform, alert and
20
in billions
warn Congress and the American public"
of dollars
Includes:
about Ford's deficits.
Tax rebates for individuals and
18
temporary cut for corporations;
BACK FROM THE BRINK
Return to
permanent cuts for individuals
16
the economy
and corporations;
Ford, his patience worn thin, got Si-
Net
negative income tax;
grants to state and local
mon on the phone and told him point-
14
governments;
blank that he would be expected to de-
increased Federal spending
fend the Administration's policy; the
for fuel
12
implicit "or else" was that he would oth-
erwise be welcome to leave. Simon did
10
edge back from the brink last week, pro-
claiming himself solidly behind Ford;
8
the President in turn responded to the
quickening rumors of a split with a week-
6
end declaration of his own "full con-
fidence" in Simon. But Administration
4
Energy taxes
sources told NEWSWEEK that Simon would
indeed be let go gracefully after a de-
2
cent interval, and that the search for a
successor was already under way.
0
The program quite plainly meant too
I
=
III
IV
I
=
III
IV
1975
1976
much to Ford for him to brook internal
1b Ohlsson
18
Newsweek
it:
clard
By Frank Johnston-The Washington Post
Applauding President are, from left, daughter Susan, Mrs. Ford, economic adviser Alan Greenspan, Rockefeller aide John Gannon, and Mrs. Rockefeller.
wash post 1/16/75 pca
PERSONALITIES
She Liked Mr. Ford's Talk
First Lady Betty Ford
said yesterday she thought
the President's State of the
Union speech was "honest
and well received" by Con-
gress.
In response to reporters'
questions Mrs. Ford said, "I
think it was, very well-re-
ceived, It wasn't the type of
speech people are going to
get up and clap their hands
with joy over.
"It's not a good situation
and he certainly expressed
it that way. But he also pre-
sented a program that was
positive."
Mrs. Ford spoke at a tea
at Holton Arms School for
Girls, which her daughter,
Susan, attends. The recep-
tion wound up a day of sem-
inars on the potential of
women in recognition of
1975 as International Wom-
en's Year.
Convicted
The founder of the once
popular Chad Mitchell Trio,
a '60s folk music group, was
convicted in Federal Court
Tuesday of smuggling 400-
pounds of marijuana from
Associated Press
Mexico to San Antonio, Tex.
Chad Mitchell, 38, of New
Prince Charles of Britain wades in icy water dur-
York City, was arrested at a
ing his test on the commando course at Lympstone,
San Antonio motel Oct. 21,
England. He passed the course with high marks.
1973, and faces a maximum
sentence of 30 years in
later this month. The title
Hamilton, who admits that
prison and a $30,000 fine.
mimics a phrase often used
his attacks are almost trea-
U.S. District Judge Adrian
by Queen Elizabeth at the
sonous, is considered sin-
Spears delayed sentencing
cere. In the past, word has
until Feb. 12.
beginning of public state-
leaked from Buckingham
ments, 'My husband and
Palace that his estimate of
Authored
I.
the queen's holdings are
Willie Hamilton, a Labor
Hamilton, whose criti-
wildly inflated.
member of Britain's Parlia-
cisms are neyer dignified
From staff reports and news dispatche
ment and the royal family's
with comment from Buck-
severest critic, has struck
ingham Palace, estimates
again.
the queen's personal fortune
Hamilton has written a
at $240 million. His pet
book called "My Queen and
peeve is the fact that the
I," scheduled for publication
queen pays no income tax.
The New York Times/Mike Lien
Applauding the President's State of the Union speech yesterday were, from the left, Mr. Ford's daughter, Susan;
his wife, Betty; Alan Greenspan, economic adviser; Max Friedersdorf, liaison aide, and Happy Rockefeller.
NY Baily News 1/14/25 e 116
Associated Press Wirephoto
Alan Greenspan, chairman of President's Council of Economic Advisors,
makes points with the first lady and daughter, Susan.
Washington Star-News
Television
Thursday, January 16, 1975
Section C
portfolio
People
Amusements
The Arts
The Family Applauds
Betty and
Susan Ford
State of the Speech
enjoy a laugh
United Press International
with Bay
frankly that I think they (members of
Congress) were a little stunned," said
Betty Ford hopes her husband's State
Susan, 17.
Anderson
of the Union address yesterday was well
received even though it was not "a very
Both later attended a reception at
Holton Arms School in Bethesda, where
happy message." His daughter thinks
during seminar
Susan is a student.
he "stunned" Congress with his blunt-
The occassion was a women's semi-
ness.
nar held in connection with the 1975
Holton Arms
Referring to the country's economic
International Women's Year. Mrs.
and energy woes, Mrs. Ford told a re+
Ford, an avid backer of the Equal
porter: "I don't think it was the kind of
School
speech where people get up and clap be-
Rights Amendment, gave students at
the all-girl private school a pep talk
cause it was not a very happy occas-
yesterday.
sion." She added that the President's
about how women must fight for their
individual rights.
proposals were "positive" and "work-
able if the congress and the executive
"You have the potential, now don't let
branch can get together."
those men hold you back," she told the
group, which responded with laughter
Star-News
hotographer Ray Lustig
"DADDY PUT it so bluntly and so
and applause.
UP-073
(GALLERY)
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- BETTY FORD AND HER DAUGHTER SUSAN WERE AMONG
THE SPECIAL GUESTS IN THE FAMILY GALLERY TODAY WHEN PRESIDENT FORD
DELIVERED HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS BEFORE A JOINT SESSION OF
CONGRESS.
ALSO INVITED TO SIT WITH THE FIRST LADY WERE HAPPY ROCKEFELLER,
WIFE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT, MOST OF THE CABINET WIVES AND SOME OF THE
PRESIDENT'S TOP AIDES AND THEIR WIVES.
WIVES OF SUPREME COURT MEMBERS AND A FEW OLD FRIENDS OF THE FORDS,
INCLUDING MRS. MELVIN LAIRD, WIFE OF THE FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE,
AND MRS. CLARK MACGREGOR, WIFE OF THE FORMER HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE TO
RE-ELECT THE PRESIDENT, ALSO WERE INVITED TO SIT IN THE GALLERY WITH
THE FIRST LADY.
UPI 01-15 01:33 PES
OP-074
ADD 1
N081
R
FORD-SECURITY
WASHINGTON (AP) -- HOURS BEFORE PRESIDENT FORD ARRIVED AT THE
CAPITOL TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE TODAY, SECRET
SERVICE AGENTS CONDUCTED SECURITY SEARCHES.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY LOCKED NEWSMEN OUT OF THEIR OFFICES IN
THE HOUSE PRESS GALLERY. IN THE PAST, SECURITY SWEEPS WERE CONDUCTED
IN OTHER THAN DURING NORMAL WORKING HOURS FOR NEWSMEN, AND USUALLY
WERE CONFINED TO THE PRESS SEATING AREA IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER.
THIS TIME, THE OFFICE SPACES IN A WORKROOM BEHIND THE SEATING AREA
WERE CLEARED AND LOCKED FOR MORE THAN A HALF- HOUR.
A SECRET SERVICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AGENTS WERE 'TECHNICALLY
SWEEPING THE AREA FOR EXPLOSIVES.
01-15-75 13:37EST
N082
R
WASHINGTON ADD STATE OF THE UNION LEAD (N70)
THE BULK OF FORD'S SPECIFIC PROPOSALS HAD BEEN DISCLOSED IN HIS
MONDAY NIGHT ADDRESS AND BY WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS AT A TUESDAY NEWS
RIEFING.
BUT