Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
1069078
label
1976/02/18 - Parent - Teacher Association Legislative Conference, White House
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
1069078
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
1976/02/18 - Parent - Teacher Association Legislative Conference, White House
citationUrl
collections
Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Working Files
subjects
President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
Education, Elementary
Education, Secondary
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
1069078
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1976-02-29
month
2
year
1976
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1976-02-01
month
2
year
1976
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
51b371111fba1b82
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "1976/02/18 - Parent - Teacher
Association Legislative Conference, White House" of the Frances K. Pullen 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 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Scanned from Box 1 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
REMARKS OF
MRS. GERALD R. FORD
BEFORE THE
PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
February 18, 1976
I'M DELIGHTED YOU COULD COME TO THE WHITE HOUSE,
AND I HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY BROWSING AROUND
THESE BEAUTIFUL ROOMS
AS MUCH AS I DO.
School
NOT LONG AGO, I WAS VISITING WITH SOME CHILDREN
THEY WANTED TO KNOW
IF I HAD SEEN ANY WHITE HOUSE GHOST.
- 2 -
WELL, I HAVEN'T
BUT I DO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF THE HISTORY
THAT HAS BEEN MADE HERE.
HISTORY REALLY
IS JUST THE STORY OF PEOPLE,
AND so MANY OF THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE
OF OUR PAST
HAVE LIVED OR VISITED HERE,
it
- 3 -
I HOPE YOU HAVE THAT FEELING Too,
BECAUSE THIS HOUSE BELONGS
TO YOU AND ALL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,
GERALD
- 4 -
I DON'T KNOW MANY OF YOU PERSONALLY,
BUT I FEEL LIKE I DO.
MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE
WE SHARE A LOVE OF CHILDREN
AND A CONCERN ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION.
- 5 -
I'VE MET so MANY PARENTS
IN MY MANY YEARS IN THE PTA
AT ONE POINT,
I BELONGED TO THREE SEPARATE PTAs,
AND I KNEW MANY DEDICATED PARENTS AND TEACHERS
WORKING TO MAKE THEIR SCHOOLS
GOOD AND HAPPY LEARNING PLACES FOR CHILDREN,
BERALD
- 6 -
I'VE KNOWN MANY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS
WHO BELIEVED THAT PARENT INVOLVEMENT
WAS THE SECRET TO A GOOD SCHOOL
THE PTA GIVES PARENTS A WAY
TO VOICE THEIR INTEREST
IN THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL
- 7 -
1 FEEL STRONGLY
THE PTA IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CHILDREN
AS WELL AS THE SCHOOL.
I BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE PTA IN 1958
WHEN MIKE WAS IN THE FIRST GRADE
AND CONTINUED UNTIL SUSAN GRADUATED LAST YEAR...
- 8 -
DURING THOSE YEARS,
I FOUND THE PTA INVALUABLE TO ME AS A MOTHER,
BECAUSE IT GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY
TO MEET AND WORK WITH
THE MOTHERS OF THE CHILDREN with whom
MY CHILDREN WERE COING TO SCHOOL WITH.
were attending
- 9 -
MY HUSBAND OFTEN SPOKE AT THE PTA meetings
ON LEGISLATIVE PROBLEMS THAT DEALT WITH SCHOOLS, And Education
through theschool
AND HEARRANGED EDUCATIONAL TRIPS for the students
TO THE CAPITOL ANNUALLY.
- 10 -
WE BOTH B ENEFITED FROM THE PTA,
BECAUSE WE BELIEVE
YOU DON'T JUST SEND CHILDREN OFF TO SCHOOL,
YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THEM
AND SHARE THEIR WORLD
- II -
WE ARE A FAMILY THAT GETS INVOLVED
IN EACH OTHER'S ACTIVITIES,
AND WHEN THE CHILDREN WERE IN SCHOOL,
THE PTA HELPED US SHARE
THEIR SC HOOL EXPERIENCES.
CERALD
- 12 - -
MY CHILDREN'S FRIENDS
CAME FROM EVERY RACIAL, RELIGIOUS, AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND,
AND BY BEING ACTIVE IN BOOK FAIRS, bake sales,
AND AS ROOM MOTHER,
I GOT TO KNOW THEIR FRIENDS.
THIS WAS so IMPORTANT TO ME.
- 13 -
WITH MY CHILDREN AND IN TEACHING DANCE,
1 FOUND LEARNING
CAN BE EXCITING,
BUT THE ATMOSPHERE
HAS TO BE RIGHT
TO ME, THIS IS WHAT THE PTA IS ALL ABOUT----
PROVIDING THAT ATMOSPHERE.
BEBALD
-14-
EVEN THOUGH MY HUSBAND AND I
HAVE OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM THE PTA,
WE ARE STILL VERY CONCERNED
ABOUT GOOD SCHOOLS.
OUR NATION'S FUTURE
DEPENDS UPON A SOUND EDUCATION
FOR OUR CHILDREN.
- 15 -
WE COMMEND YOUR WORK
IN STRENGTHENING OUR SCHOOLS
AND THROUGH THEM OUR CHILDREN.
AND WE SHARE YOUR CONCERN
ABOUT SEEING THAT OUR SCHOOLS
ARE GOOD, SAFE PLACES
FOR OUR CHILDREN TO LEARN AND GROW.
Thank you very END much -
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 17, 1976
MRS. FORD:
Event:
Reception for the Participants of the National Congress of
PTA National Legislative Conference
Date/Time:
February 18, 1976
3:30 p. m.
Place:
State Floor
Number of
Attendees:
Approximately 180 guests
Principals:
Mrs. Carol Kimmel, President, National PTA
Mrs. Grace Baisinger, First Vice President, National PTA
Mrs. Madelyn Wills, National Secretary, National PTA
Mrs. Jean Dye, Legislative Coordinator for the National PTA
Mrs. Ann Kahn, Chairman of Legislative Service Committee,
National PTA
Schedule of
Events:
3:30 p.m.
Your guests will arrive by bus through the
Southeast Gate and will enter the White
House through the Diplomatic Reception
Room. They will be escorted to the East
Room.
3:40 p. m.
After your guests have arrived, Maria Downs
will escort you to the Grand Hall via elevator
where you will meet the principals, Carol
Kimmel, Grace Baisinger, Madelyn Wills,
Jean Dye and Ann Kahn. You will pause for
a photograph with them.
You will then proceed with the principals into
the East Room to the small platform which
will be located along the center of the east
wall. You will make brief welcoming remarks.
At the conclusion of your remarks, Mrs.
Kimmel will present on behalf of the National
-2-
Reception for the Participants of
the National Congress of PTA
National Legislative Conference
Congress of PTA an Honorary National Life
Membership in the PTA to you.
NOTE: The presentation will include a
framed certificate and the National PTA
Life Membership Pin.
You will express appreciation for the Honorary
National Life Membership in the PTA and then
invite your guests to have refreshments in the
State Dining Room.
NOTE: Coffee, tea, tea sandwiches and
pastries will be served.
You will receive your guests from a position
just outside the main entrance to the State
Dining Room.
4:00 p.m.
You will bid farewell to your guests and
return to the Family Quarters.
NOTES:
A Military String Ensemble will be positioned
in the Grand Hall.
Social Aides will be present.
There will be full press coverage.
A White House photographer will be present.
Background information is attached.
Guest list is attached.
Pat Howard
N103
RW
MRS. FORD-PTA
3
WASHINGTON (AP) -- BETTY FORD, WHO ONCE BELONGED TO FOUR
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS AT THE SAME TIME, ACCEPTED A LIFE-TIME
MEMBERSHIP TODAY IN THE NATIONWIDE CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
I
ADDRESSING ABOUT 180 MEN AND WOMEN ATTENDING A PTA LEGISLATIVE
CONFERENCE HERE, SHE SAID OF PRESIDENT FORD AND HERSELF:
"WE BOTH BENEFITED FROM THE PTA, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE YOU DON'T JUST
SEND CHILDREN OFF TO SCHOOL, YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THEM AND SHARE THEIR
WORLD.
"WE ARE A FAMILY THAT GETS INVOLVED IN EACH OTHER'S ACTIVITIES, AND
WHEN THE CHILDREN WERE IN SCHOOL, THE PTA HELPED US SHARE THEIR
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.'' THE FORDS HAVE FOUR CHILDREN.
02-18-76 16:57EST
1st deaft
Welcoming Remarks Legis tation Conference, National
Pareht-Teachers Association
I am delighted to welcome you to the White House,
and I'm sure you'll enjoy
just browsing around
these
and looking at this beautiful close up. This place
is just fascinating, because all of the living
that has gone on in these walls give it such a special
character. The more I live here, the more I
understand
how the White House truly belongs to the American people,
because so much of our history is
X
wrapped
up with this lovely old house.
Although I really don't know very many of you personally,
I feel like I do, because
I meet so many hard-working
dedicated parents just like you when my four children were
growing up. I've always believed the strength of an individual
school depends
upon the cooperation between parents and teachers.
Our
organization, and I can say that as someone who was
once
a member of three different PTAs at once, is a very effective
instrument for communication and cooperation.
I understand you are here as participants in the National
Legislation Conference, and there are many areas where National
concern is very appropriate and very needed. But so often I think
PTA/Page Two
the real secret of the PTA is what it does on the local level
to foster a feeling of caring and involvement on the part of
many
schools. I've known X2 school principals and teachers
who felt that parent
involvement was the key to producing happy and learning students.
Because the PTA provides a vehicle for this involvement,
it is very important to the success of our schools. There are
some
problems in our schools in many places now that require
a great deal of parental concern, and
XN
your
agenda
for this conference shows you are aware of these problems.
Although my children have graduated, as a citizen I share
your
concern about the quality of education, safety in our
schools and
what children need to know to survive
in a changing world.
Few institutions have has much impact on America's future
as our schools, and I commend your interest in schools as a
very important way to contribute to tomorrow.
As a parent and one who has taught children dance, I am
especially glad to have you here today.
AWARD OF HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP
(Response)
There are times when because of this very unusual job I
have now I get recognition or an honor that really just
falls to the person who happens to be married to the
President - but you will understand when I say that
I truly think I have earned a lifetime membership in
the PTA.
L
Somewhere between
the
forth
room mother Valentine park party and the three sets of
carpools is where I would say I can accept this
very nice honor with a great deal of confidence. Thank
you so much. I hope *********** you'll stay for some
refreshments in the State Room---no Kool Aid but some
cookies.
-30-
2nd draft /same page 3
Welcoming Remarks National Legislation Conference, Congress
of Parents and Teachers
I'm delighted you could come to the White House, and
I hope you' 11 enjoy browsing around these beautiful rooms
as much as I do. Not long ago, I was visiting with some
children. They wanted to know if I had seen any White House
ghost. Well, I haven't, but I do feel the presence of the
history that has been made here. History really is just the
story of people, and so many of the important people of our
past have lived or visited here. I hope you have that feeling
too, because this house belongs to you and all of the American
people.
I don't know many of you personally, but I feel like ¥ I do.
Maybe it's because we share a EXMMANI love of children and
a concern about their education. I've MKK met so many mothers
and fathers like you in my many years in the PTA. At one point,
I belonged to three separate PTAs, and I knew many dedicated
parents and teachers working to make their schools good and
happy learning places for children.
I've known many school principals and teachers who believed
that parent involvement was the secret to a good school. The PTA
gives parents a place to voice their interest and concern about
their child's school.
PTA--Page Two
Schools are more than places where our children learn
to read and write, they are also where they make their friends
and form many of their values. Our family believes very
strongly in talking to each other and being involved in
each other's activities. When our children were growing up,
we naturally wanted to know about their schemisx teachers and
their friends, and I found the PTA was helpful to us as parents
and important to our children.
You can't just send children off to school. You have to
go with them and share their XNX world. Learning can be SO
exciting. I've seen this in working with dance students. But
unless the atmosphere is right, school can almost be unpleasant.
Few institutions are as important to our Nation's future as
our schools. I share your concern about some of the problems
in our schools, because we all want a good education for our
children in a safe place. Even though ************* my children
have graduated, I shar very your interes in OUE schools and children.
I commend your involvement and urge your кинккной continued
interest in strengthening our schools and through them our individual
communities.
Award of honorary Lifetime Membership
Response
There are times when because of this very unusual job I
I feel very strongly that the PTA is a very important
organization not only to the school but the children as well.
I have learned this with four children in school and belonging
to the PTA for years and participating by attending meetings and
receiving the benefit of the discussions of the problems that come
before the school as well as being active in book fairs, helping out
as room mother.
My husband had often spoken at PTA meetings on legislative
problems that dealt with the school, so we both have always been
active participants in PTA.
I found the PTA invaluable to me as a mother in giving me the
opportunity to meet and work with the mothers of the children my
children were attending school with. This was an opportunity that
I perhaps would not have had if it were not for the PTA. My
children's friends came from every race, religion, and ethnic background.
1
Became involved in PTA in 1958 when Mike was in first grade and
continued until Susan graduated in 1975.
2
with my husband in Congress we were able to arrange educational
trips to the Capitol annually.
STREET R. FORD
WELCOMING REMARKS
NATIONAL LEGISLATION CONFERENCE, CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS
I'm delighted you could come to the White House, and I hope
you 11 enjoy browsing around these beautiful rooms as much as I
Yes
do. Not long ago, I was visiting with some children. They wanted
to know if I had seen any White House ghost. Well, I haven't,
but I do feel the presence of the history that has been made
here. History really is just the story of people, and so many of
the important people of our past have lived or visited here. I
hope you have that feeling too, because this house belongs to you
and all of the American people.
I don't know many of you personally, but I feel like I do.
Maybe it's because we share a love of children and a concern about
their education. I've met so many parents in my many years in the
PTA. At one point, I belonged to three separate PTAs, and I knew
many dedicated parents and teachers working to make their schools
good and happy learning places for children.
I've known many school principals and teachers who believed
that
puaind
involvement
was
the
a
good
school.
The
DTA
gives parents a place to voice their interest and about
their child school.
Clevey
PTA--PAGE TWO
Schools are more than places where our children learn to read
and write, they are also where they make their friends and form
many of their values. Our family believes very strongly in talking
to each other and being involved in each other's activities. When
our children were growing up, we naturally wanted to know about
their teachers and their friends, and I found the PTA was helpful
to us as parents and important to our children.
You can't just send children off to school. You have to go
with them and share their world. Learning can be so exciting. I've
seen this in working with dance students. But unless the atmosphere
is right, school can also be unpleasant.
Few institutions are as important to our Nation's future as
our schools. I share your concern about some of the problems in
our schools, because we all want a good education for our
children in a safe place. Even though my children have graduated,
I am very interested in schools and children.
I commend your involvement and your continued interest in
strengthening our schools and through them our children.
END
OF OPENING REMARKS
TURE it STATED
PTA--PAGE THREE
AWARD OF HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP
RESPONSE
There are times when because of this very unusual job I
have now I get recognition or an honor that really just falls to
the person who happens to be married to the President--but - you
will understand when I say that I truly think I have earned a
lifetime membership in the PTA. Somewhere between the forth
room mother's Valentine party and the three sets of carpools is
where I would say I can accept this very nice honor with a great
deal of confidence. Thank you so much. I hope you'll stay for
some refreshments in the State Room--no Kool Aid but some cookies.
END
CERAID
Kay
WELCOMING REMARKS
NATIONAL LEGISLATION CONFERENCE, CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS
I'm delighted you could come to the White House, and I hope
you'll enjoy browsing around these beautiful rooms as much as I
do. Not long ago, I was visiting with some children. They wanted
to know if I had seen any White House ghost. Well, I haven't,
but I do feel the presence of the history that has been made
here. History really is just the story of people, and so many of
the important people of our past have lived or visited here. I
hope you have that feeling too, because this house belongs to you
and all of the American people.
I don't know many of you personally, but I feel like I do.
Maybe it's because we share a love of children and a concern about
their education. I've met so many parents in my many years in the
PTA. At one point, I belonged to three separate PTAs, and I knew
many dedicated parents and teachers working to make their schools
good and happy learning places for children.
I've known many school principals and teachers who believed
that parent involvement was the secret to a good school. The PTA
gives parents a way place to voice their interest and sensern about
in
their child's school.
BENALD
Page Two
I feel verys strongly the PTA is very important
to the children as WEEX well as the school. I became
involved with the PTA in 1958 when Mike was NX in the
fxx first grade and continued until Susan graduated
last year. During those years, I found the PTA invaluable
to me as a mother, because it gave me the opportunity to
meet and work with the mothers of the children my children
were going to school with.
My husband -p often spoke at the PTA on legislative
problems that dealt with schools, and he arranged educational
trips to the Capitol annually. We both benefited from the
PTA, because we believe you don't just send children off to
school, you have to go with them and share their world.
We are a family that gets involved in X each other's activities,
and when the children were in school, the PTA helped us share
their school experiences.
My children's friends came from every race, religious and
ethnic background, and be by being active in book fairs and
as room mother, I got to know their friends. This was so
important to me.
With my children and in teaching dance, I found learning
can be so exciting, but the atmosphere has to be just right.
To me, this is what the PTA is all about providing that
atmosphere.
Even though my husband and I have officially retired,
we are still very concerned about good schools. Our Nation's
future really depends upon a sound education for our children.
We commend your work in strengthening our schools and through
them our children, and we share your concern about seeing that
our schools are good, safe places for children to learn and
grow.
The End
Kay
WELCOMING REMARKS
NATIONAL LEGISLATION CONFERENCE, CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS
I'm delighted you could come to the White House, and I hope
you'll enjoy browsing around these beautiful rooms as much as I
do. Not long ago, I was visiting with some children. They wanted
to know if I had seen any White House ghost. Well, I haven't,
but I do feel the presence of the history that has been made
here. History really is just the story of people, and so many of
the important people of our past have lived or visited here. I
hope you have that feeling too, because this house belongs to you
and all of the American people.
I don't know many of you personally, but I feel like I do.
Maybe it's because we share a love of children and a concern about
their education. I've met so many parents in my many years in the
PTA. At one point, I belonged to three separate PTAs, and I knew
many dedicated parents and teachers working to make their schools
good and happy learning places for children.
I've known many school principals and teachers who believed
that parent involvement was the secret to a good school. The PTA
gives parents a way place to voice their interest and sensern about
in
their child's school.
E FORD
Page Two
I feel veryz strongly the PTA is very important
to the children as WEEX well as the school. I became
involved with the PTA in 1958 when Mike was MX in the
fxx first grade and continued until Susan graduated
last year. During those years, I found the PTA invaluable
to me as a mother, because it gave me the opportunity to
meet and work with the mothers of the children my children
were going to school with.
My husband xp often spoke at the PTA on legislative
problems that dealt with schools, and he arranged educational
trips to the Capitol annually. We both benefited from the
PTA, because we believe you don't just send children off to
school, you have to go with them and share their world.
We are a family that gets involved in a each other's activities,
and when the children were in school, the PTA helped us share
their school experiences.
My children's friends came from every race, religious and
ethnic background, and be by being active in book fairs and
as room mother, I got to know their friends. This was so
important to me.
With my children and in teaching dance, I found learning
can be so exciting, but the atmosphere has to be just right.
To me, this is what the PTA is all about providing that
atmosphere.
Even though my husband and I have officially retired,
we are still very concerned about good schools. Our Nation's
future really depends upon a sound education for our children.
We commend your work in strengthening our schools and through
them our children, and we share your concern about seeing that
our schools are good, safe places for children to learn and
grow.
The End