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Text of Remarks by the President to Be Delivered at a Dinner in Honor of Governor William Scranton (R-PA) [Ford Speech or Statement]
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Text of Remarks by the President to Be Delivered at a Dinner in Honor of Governor William Scranton (R-PA) [Ford Speech or Statement]
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Digitized from-Box 3 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
-[9]
EMBA OED FOR RELEASE UNTIL
OCTOBE 9, 1974
8:55 P. M., EDT
Office of the White House Press Secretary
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO BE DELIVERED AT A DINNER
IN HONOR OF GOVERNOR WILLIAM SCRANTON,
PHILADELPHIA SHERATON HOTEL,
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
As you might have seen in the newspapers and on TV, the White House has
a new addition. My daughter Susan and our White House photographer,
Dave Kennerly, got together and surprised me last Saturday with an eight
month old Golden Retriever. And this puppy has really taken over the White
House. In fact, you may have seen some of us laughing up here during dinner
and I'll tell you why.
I reached into my pocket to get a match to light my pipe, and look what I
pulled out -- a dog biscuit.
And I have to tell you the story of how Susan and Dave bought this dog. They
called up a very highly recommended kennel and said they wanted a Golden
Retriever. The owner of the kennel said fine. Who will the dog's owner be?
And they said, it's a surprise -- they'd like to keep it a secret. Well, the
kennel owner said he didn't sell dogs that way. He would have to know the dog
was going to a good home.
So Susan and Dave assured him that it would be. They explained that the
parents are friendly, middle-aged and have four children. The kennel owner
said, "Good. What kind of a house do they live in? Susan and Dave said,
"Well, it's a big white house with a fence around it."
The kennel owner said, "This is a big dog who'll eat a lot. Does the father
have a steady job? " Well, there they were stuck for an answer.
Needless to say, they got the dog and, very appropriate to the spirit of
Philadelphia, we've named her Liberty. A reporter asked my daughter
Susan who's going to take care of Liberty? Who's going to feed her and
groom her and take her out each night? And Susan didn't hesitate a minute.
She said, "Daddy
So I have a feeling this is one Liberty that's going to cost me some of mine.
But in a broader sense that's the true nature of Liberty -- it comes with both
privileges and obligations. Freedom is very rarely free.
It's a pleasure for me to be here in Philadelphia again -- the second time in
a little over a month -- and for such a great purpose.
The strength of the Republican Party in this state is a tribute to the outstanding
work of such people as Dick Frame, Tom McCabe, Sally Stauffer and you
ladies and gentlemen in this audience.
One of the reasons I am here is to thank you for what you have done. The other
is to call on you for a greater effort in the weeks ahead, when so much hangs
in the balance.
I am also here to honor a great friend, a great Republican, and a great
American, Bill Scranton. A political party is not just a set of principles --
it is also a group of people, and it will be judged by the kind and quality of
people it attracts. That is why Bill Scranton is such an asset to our party.
(MORE)
-2-
That brings me to our great Senate Republican leader, Hugh Scott. What can
I say about him? I have worked with Hugh for perhaps more years than either
of us care to rememberWe were colleagues in the House, you know, before
he went to the Senate in 1959. And we have worked together closely as Minority
Leaders of the Congress. So I know what I'm talking about when I say that
Hugh Scott is one of the most astute leaders in government today. His judgement
is uncanny and his energy unlimited. I deeply value his wisdom and his advice.
One of the most thoughtful and hard-working members of the Congress is your
other Senator from Pennsylvania, Dick Schweiker. My friendship with Dick
goes back to 1960 when he was elected to the House of Representatives, and
it has grown deeper each year since. I am proud to support him now in his
campaign for a secand term in the United States Senate.
At a time when we are trying to cut the cost of government, Dick Schweiker
has done more than his part. For instance, one of his bills, the Schweiker
Act, has already saved the taxpayers more than three-quarters of a billion
dollars in cost-cutting ideas from military servicemen. Three-quarters of
a billion dollars that's a real start on our anti-inflation effort, Dick. We
need more like you in Congress.
Your Republican candidate for governor, Drew Lewis, is another example
of a good party producing good people. More than ever, we need young,
dynamic contenders like Drew, men and women who are eager to do the best
possible job for Pennsylvania and America. As so many of you know, as
State Party Finance Chairman, Drew was one of those responsible for putting
the party back onto its feet for the first time in a number of years. He will
run your state government just as efficiently.
A long-time member of the State House of Representatives is Ken Lee, who
is running for Lieutenant Governor. As Speaker of the House, Ken has proven
himself a man of unquestioned integrity with a long record of service to the
State. He will be an outstanding Lieutenant Governor.
When I visited here in September, I pledged that, with the help of the American
people, we will win the fight against inflation.
Yesterday, I outlined my plans to Congress and to the American people and
asked both to join me in this massive effort. The response of the American
people has been heart-warming. The response of the Congress has been less
so -- at least from some members of Congress.
With the election less than a month away, perhaps I can understand their first
reaction of criticism or concern -- that the voters may rise up in their wrath
and turn them out of office if they support the tough measures I consider
necessary to whip inflation. I have greater faith than that in the American
people. And when they take a second look, I'm sure my former colleagues
in Congress will too.
In fact, I have unbounded faith in the ability of the people of this country to
solve problems.
In my address here last month saluting the convening of the First Continental
Congress 200 years earlier, I cited some of the parallels facing that Congress
and the 93rd Congress today. One of those was inflation. By taking tough
positions, the inflation fighters of 1774 whipped their problem just as the
inflation fighters and energy savers of 1974 will whip this one.
- 3
Each of us will have to give a little in this effart. Each of us must
subordinate self-interest to the common interest. But, if we do, no one
group will have to suffer too much and all will win in the long run.
This is no time to minimize the awesome damage of runaway inflation.
Unheeded--undefeated--it can drastically lower our standard of living,
lessen the economic security of every American, weaken our ability to
govern ourselves and threaten not only our own stability, but that of the
entire free world.
I come here tonight to ask you to send to Washington Senators and
Congressmen who will be inflation fighters and energy savers.
Send men and women who will make the Keystone State the Energy
State, who will act on the conversion of Pennsylvania's coal into
electrical power, who will give us more efficient use of Pennsylvania's
vast resources--Senators and Congressmen who will facilitate the use
of coal through reasonable compromises on clean air legislation.
When I told Congress of the need to utilize coal resources and expand
recovery of oil still in the ground in old wells, I had the State of
Pennsylvania in mind. Let us untap Pennsylvania's vast resources to
lessen the need for imported oil.
I ask you to elect a Congress that will act on pending energy legislation, a
Congress that will help us to whip inflatior now, a Congress made up of members
who fight inflation instead of fostering it.
This year, 1974--not 1976--is the year of decision not only in the fight
against inflation but in the struggle to preserve the two-party system in
America.
If the Democrats make substantial net gains in the U. S. House and Senate
next month, it could result in a "veto-proof" 94th Congress in January-
a Congress that could run the country through a lopsided power over the
ability to spend. It could result in a new wave of inflationary spending
and far-out experimentation such as that which followed the massive
Democratic victories of 1964.
The Republican Party has faced adversity before. We are resilient and
strong because we have sound principles that spring from American
tradition and common sense. We have good people like the candidates
with us tonight. And we have the ability to came back fighting.
I do net minimize the losses suffered by Republicans in special elections
this year. We have been taught a lesson. But this party is pulling itself
together with a dynamic new energy.
In Pennsylvania and nation-wide, Republicans must unify, mobilize,
work together. We must draw a line of resolve in the national interost--
a line which must be held if we are to celebrate our 200th birthday as a
nation that has taken on and solved its biggest peacetime problem ever.
We must stand up and fight for the preservation of a viable two-party system
that system. will also serve us all as a viable inflation-fighting and energy-saving
Without question, we not only have the candidates in this election, but we
have the issues. We must pinpoint these issues for the American people.
(MORE)
-4-
During the 93rd Congress, for instance, the Administration asked for 17
major pieces of inflation-fighting energy legislation. Only two of these
have been approved by this Congress -- the Alaska Pipeline and the creation
of the Federal Energy Agency. One other measure, to establish the Energy
Research and Development Administration, is expected on my desk by this
weekend. But three out of seventeen is a woefully inadequate score in any
league.
In addition, as you know, I asked Congress yesterday for 31 anti-inflation
measures some of which requireaction before Congress recesses this
weekend.
In sum, we have a lot of work to do. The way ahead is not going to be
easy, simple, comfortable or quick. But our course is clear. Our voyage
has begun. I only ask that, between now and November, you do all that you can
to elect the kind of responsible, reasonable, inflation-fighting candidates who
can help us see this effort through to victory.
With the right kind of public attitude, and the right kind of public servants, we
will succeed.
That is why leadership and the coming elections are so intertwined. The
Nation needs leaders who are willing to face up to the hard decisions
involved in whipping inflation. The Nation needs leaders like these Republican
office- holders and candidates and others here with us tonight.
In particular, I want to single out Bill Scranton, your former Governor,
former Congressman, and present model for the type of people we need
in public service. Bill epitomizes the ighest road in politics and
government. That is one reason we honor him tonight.
I think you all know how much regard I have for Bill's many talents. I
deeply appreciate the invaluable assistance he provided during the
transition period at the White House. He helped smooth the path. His
advice will make the future easier.
Bill and his wife, Mary, have endeared themselves to Pennsylvania. They
brought to the State House in Harrisburg a special spirit, a special
graciousness, a winning way with both people and problems. The Republican
Party is proud of them. Let us make them proud of us by the job we do.
Meanwhile, though, I have the honor to present Bill with a small token that
will help to express our thanks and respect for him. It is my pleasure to
make the presentation on behalf of everyone here.
Bill Scranton -- patriot, public servant and party bui lder -- I am pleased
to present you with the Distinguished Republi can Award. And to turn the
microphone over to you.
Thank you, everyone.
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