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70.1 - Sports - Presidential Interest and Participation (1)
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70.1 - Sports - Presidential Interest and Participation (1)
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The original documents are located in Box 90, folder "70.1 - Sports - Presidential Interest
and Participation (1)" of the Charles H. McCall 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
70:1
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
MAY 7, 1976
UNTIL 11:15 A.M. (EDT)
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
FORD 2. GERATO LIBRARY
FACT SHEET
Federal Assistance for the 1980
Winter Olympic Games
The President announced today that he is requesting legislation
to provide for special financial assistance for the 1980 Winter
Olympic Games, to be held in Lake Placid, New York.
The proposed legislation will:
-
Give the Secretary of Commerce the responsibility
for coordinating the Federal assistance for the
construction of the permanent sports facilities
required for the Games (estimated cost of $28
million). The Secretary would use existing
program authorities and budgets to the maximum
extent possible, and could request additional
appropriations, if needed, to finance the
construction;
-
Stipulate that the Federal Government not assume
any special responsibility for financing other
facilities or services which may be needed for
these Games. These costs would be the respon-
sibility of the State and local governments.
The sports facilities expected to be built with Federal
financial support include:
-
A new field house with two ice sheets and a
seating capacity of 9,000;
-
A 90-meter ski jump which would be the only
one of its kind in the country;
-
A 400-meter outdoor speed skating oval; and
-
A luge run.
####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 7, 1976
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
GERMITO R. FORD LIBE.
THE WHITE HOUSE
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
UPON HIS SIGNING
OF THE REQUEST FOR FUNDING
FOR FACILITIES FOR THE 1980 OLYMPICS
THE ROSE GARDEN
11:40 P.M. EDT
First, I wish to extend my very warm welcome
to all of you who are here today, the representatives of
the Lake Placid Organizing Committee, Philip Krumm, President
of the United States Olympic Commistee, Gerald Zornow, Chairman
of the President's Commission on Olympic Sports and other
Commissioners of that body, distinguished Congressmen are
also here, Gene Cowan, ABC host, spectacular coverage of the
Olympics who brought the thrill of victory and the agony
of defeat right into the living room for myself and millions
and millions of other Americans who were watching those
spectacular Olympic games, and finally and most particularly,
to the seven athletes who won medals on our behalf in the
1976 Winter 01ympic games in Innsbruk:
Today we are here to pay tribute to your recent
accomplishments and to consider the future of American
amateur athletics in the Olympic efforts of this country.
I doubt whether anybody here, except the athletes themselves,
fully understands the tremendous sacrifices that you and your
fellow teammates have made over the years and at Innsbruk
in order to successfully compete in the Olympic games.
I would like to thank each and every one of them
on behalf of all Americans for the honor which their
achievements have brought to our country and for advancing
the cause of international fellowship.
Obviously, it makes all of us extremely proud of what
you have done. I believe that the time is right for greater
understanding and support of amateur athletic competition in
this country. For this reason, I appointed a Presidential
Commission on Olympic Sports last year to examine the nature
of American athletic competition. Their report, due later
this year, will assess the organization and the financing of
amateur sports in this country and how it affects American
participation in international competition, such as the 01ympic
games.
MORE
Page 2
An important factor in the success of
American Olympic teams is the availability of first class
facilities for training as well as competition.
Many of the most thrilling events of the 1978
Olympics like the bobsled races and ski jumping events were held
at facilities which required tremendous expenditures to
construct. Europe, as we all know, has several speed skating
rinks and a number of 90 meter ski jumps. The United States,
I am sorry to say, has only one speed skating rink and no 90
meter ski jumps. As a result, American athletes in these
events must spend long months abroad to prepare for competition
or they must, on the other hand, limit their training.
America is very proud of her Olympic athletes
and proud to have them take part in the great Olympic competition.
I am proposing, therefore, legislation that will provide
special financial assistance for the 1980 Winter Olympic
games to be held at Lake Placid, New York. The funds will be
used to build permanent sports facilities, including, among
others, a speed skating rink, a 90 meter ski jump and a
luge run. These facilities will not only be used for the
1980 Olympics, but will also be available for United States
athletes to train on thereafter.
I know that many of the Senators and the Congress-
men here today, like Bob McEwen of New York State, have worked
hard to improve amateur athletics and to bring the 1980 winter
games to the United States. Hopefully, the proposals that
I am making and submitting to the Congress will permit the full
realization of these goals.
Thank you very much.
END
(AT 11:45 P.M. EDT)
a019
r W czczvtqyv
70.1
PM-Ford Bit 490
By JONATHAN WOLMAN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON AP - President Ford will join the ""Bird"" watchers at
baseball's All-Star game tonight to cap a series of appearances that
may be designed to steal some of the nation's attention from the
Democratic convention.
With Mark The Bird", Fidrych, who talks to baseballs, on the
mound more American television viewers may see Ford at the All-Star
game than will tune in on the Democrats, convention in New York.
Although he has no substantive public duties on tap today. Ford will
be quite visible meeting at the White House with the farm family
of the year" and a group of foreign exchange students.
After the White House announced that Ford would speak Monday night
at a convention here, reporters asked if the President was rearranging
bis schedule to make an appearance every night the Democrats were
meeting.
Spokesman Ron Nessen said it would be wrong to suggest that Ford is
setting his schedule "in some way to counter or top the Democratic
convention."
The highlight of tonight's Democratic convention session is expected
to be the rubber-stamping of a noncontroversial party platform. Two
networks will provide gavel-to-gavel coverage, while ABC-TV telecasts
the All-Star game.
Fidrych - known as The Bird because of an alleged resemblence to the
wild-feathered bug-muncher on television's Sesame Street - 1s
expected by many to be more of a draw than the Democratic platform.
There was debate in the White House about whether Ford should lay
low while the nation's political attention was riveted to the
Democrats. but it was understood that Ford's decision to attend the
baseball game was made partly in anticipation of its expected huge TV
audience.
Ford jokingly told National Exchange Club conventioneers Monday
night. "I made my speech especially short because I didn't want to
deprive any of you of the opportunity of watching another
convention."
He said he was making no great effort to watch the Democratic
politicking himself. and, referring to tonight's Democratic session,
be said "I will be preóccupied» with the baseball game.
Tonight's politicking follows the departure of White House media
adviser Robert Mead. who resigned after criticism of White House
preparations for live telecast of last week's state dinner for Queen
Elizabeth II.
Earlier Monday. Ford urged American Olympic officials to seek a
reversal of a tentative International Olympics decision that could bar
athletes from Taiwan from competing in the Montreal Olympics.
Nessen said Ford "hopes and really expects" that some solution
will be reached that would permit the team from Taiwan to compete.
When asked about d'possible withdrawal by U.S. athletes. the White
House spokesman said ""It"s too soon to progress to a question like
that'' in light of the President's reported optimism.
The controversy arose because the Taiwan team planned to compete as
the Republic of China. Canada has diplomatic ties with the People's
Republic of China, which resents Taiwan's use of Republic of China.
0221aED 07-13
Eisenhare
70.1
9 307
Public Papers of the Presidents
307
q
Remarks at the First Football Hall of
Fame Dinner, New York City. October 28, 1958
MY. 1974 DEC 24 PMr. LS4che, my old chief, General MacArthur-
and my Friends:
It is really unforgiveable for an old soldier to be surprised. This he
tries to do to someone else, but he is likely to encounter defeat if he is him-
self careless. Long ago I accepted this wonderful invitation, but only a
few minutes ago did I realize that I, an obscure football player of a good
many years ago, was to get this gold medal. I thank you all.
Most of you know that I have been out politicking. So, one of the
few things I have not been accused of in recent weeks is understatement.
But I am guilty of exactly that when I say I am honored and gratified by
your invitation to join this distinguished company this evening.
Now I did not bring with me a formal address. But long since I have
learned that, only by reducing to writing such thoughts as I want to
communicate to any audience, can I be sure of applying any effective
curb to the garrulous tendency that sometimes afflicts me as an old soldier.
Indeed, so bare did I feel was my cupboard of good subjects for an
after-dinner talk, that I am prompted to tell one story, not about football,
but about a very great football player and coach when he was a very
small boy. The hero-or villain-was Bo McMillan.
Bo grew up in a small Texas town, where he had the reputation of
being the best behaved boy in the whole village. One Sunday morning
the town constable, walking down the street, saw Bo standing in front of
the village jewelry store, and strangely he had a very large brick in his
hand. He stood there at least ten minutes, and suddenly he threw that
brick right through the plate glass window.
Stunned, the constable asked Bo how a model boy could ever do such
a thing.
"Well sir," said Bo, "you see I'm a Catholic-and today I'm on my
way to confession. And my trouble is, sir, I was just a mite short of
material!"
Short as I am, I do want to give sincere congratulations to each of your
honored guests on having been selected for the Silver Anniversary Awards.
And likewise, I render my salute to the players and coaches who this year
join the all-time greats in Football's Hall of Fame.
816
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1958
307
Now beyond that, it does seem to me that I might be able to suggest
a few ideas on the value of football and other sports in exciting and
developing the spirit of competition, SO important to our country.
Wherever human liberty is respected, competition is the animator of
progress. In football, in business, in politics, in the trades, professions
and the arts, the normal urge to excel provides one of the most hopeful
assurances that our kind of society will continue to advance and to
prosper. Morale-the will to win, the fighting heart-are the honored
hallmarks of the football coach and player. Likewise, they are char-
acteristic of the enterprising executive, the successful troop leader, the
established artist and the dedicated teacher and scientist.
This morale-this will, this heart-we need not only as in athletic
teams as individuals, but collectively. And we need it in business organ-
izations; indeed, in the nation.
For there is another kind of competition which America must meet-
ponderous, persistent, deadly. It is clever and powerful, and it is out to
win, by whatever means and at whatever cost. It plays no rules save its
own.
My friends, that is the competition we are up against today, and we
know that the contest is likely to be long and tough. But our team is
made up of every individual in America. And we need to make each
one of them the best player that can be put on the field.
This requires fitness-fitness in its deepest and broadest sense. We
know that fitness is far more than a healthy body. It is more than an
alert, disciplined mind. Fitness is the sum of all values which enable a
man to act effectively in his nation's behalf in this great contest in which
we are engaged. In this meaning, fitness is the individual's maximum
development for the nation's good.
Within our trust is a whole generation of Americans who soon will be
making this country's decisions, and will be generating as well as guiding
its great power. Their success will be largely determined by the oppor-
tunities we give them to prepare themselves for the test. Thus youth
fitness, in all its dimensions, is the proper concern of every single Ameri-
can. To this task the inspirational football coach is as dedicated as the
most respected professor. And the whole field of sports contributes
mightily toward that objective. So, also, do other movements keyed to
the service of youth: Boy Scouts, the 4-H and FFA Clubs, the YM and
YWCA's, Youth Centers and church-sponsored youth groups.
817
I
307
Public Papers of the Presidents
These things build morale, an indispensable ingredient of success in
any human organization. And in the nation it is vital. Morale com-
prehends many things, most of them intangibles, spiritual in nature. In
a free people the very basis of morale is a clear understanding of the
deathless truth for which our nation stands—that man's dignity and
liberty are the cornerstones of our political, economic and social structure.
This is the concept for the defense of which our forefathers were ever
ready to give their all.
This kind of development cannot be brought about by acts of Congress
or policy statements by public officials. Our young cannot be made fit
by governmental edict. The nature of the objective is such that it can be
attained only by the voluntary action of private individuals. Men and
women, boys and girls, working together in their homes, churches, schools
and civic organizations will accomplish what no amount of government
planning, ordering and spending can ever do.
The power generated by a democracy is the aggregate of all decisions
and all actions by the sum total of its citizens. Nothing constructive ever
emerges from government, from business, or from anywhere else, until a
person, by himself or with others, puts his head, his hand and his heart
to a clear objective of his own choosing.
It is what you and I think, what you and I believe, what you and I are
ready to work for, to sacrifice for. It is what you and I are ready to do
for others as well as for ourselves. This is what determines the level of
America's greatness.
And this leads me to express one hope, in which I trust you will find
no partisan impulse or motive. Certainly I intend none. It is that every
American will make himself a competitor in good citizenship, and so
doing will vote his convictions on November fourth.
Before this audience, I should especially like to make an appeal to
every athlete, active or retired, that he will not visit a golf club, a shooting
field, a fishing stream, or take part in any recreational activity of any kind
on that day until after he has voted.
Again let me express my deep appreciation of the great courtesy and
honor you have accorded me, my thanks to you for a very fine evening,
my congratulations to our honored guests, and my very best wishes for
another wonderful football year !
Thank you very much.
818
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1958
q 308
NOTE: The dinner, sponsored by the Na-
referred was the first to be presented an-
tional Football Foundation and the Foot-
nually by the Football Hall of Fame to
ball Hall of Fame, was held at the Hotel
a person dedicated to propagating the
Astor. The President's opening words
concept of amateur football. The medal
referred to George Murphy, toastmaster,
was presented to the President "in recog-
and Chester J. LaRoche, President of the
nition of a lifetime devotion to American
Football Hall of Fame.
college football."
The gold medal to which the President
308 9 Television Address Delivered in the Fifth
Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland.
October 31, 1958
Governor McKeldin, Senator Beall, Senator Butler, Congressman
Devereux-all Republican Candidates-Fellow Americans:
I am grateful for your welcome. It is good to have partners and
friends, especially when there's a battle to wage.
Now we are in a battle. We are in the last days of a political
campaign that will, among other things, determine the complexion of
the Congress for the next two years.
This campaign is a continuation of the efforts that we undertook six
years ago in the cause of good government.
I pledged then that if elected, Republicanism would bring sane,
progressive, and honest government to America.
We have done exactly that.
But our work is not complete.
And that is why I'm here tonight.
I want to talk to you here and to other thoughtful citizens across the
country about good government, and how to keep it.
Now in my conviction, here in Maryland, this means re-electing your
able Senator, Glenn Beall, who has steadfastly supported this Adminis-
tration; it means electing your courageous soldier statesman Jim
Devereux; it means re-electing Congressmen Ted Miller and DeWitt
Hyde; and electing Fife Symington. Indeed, my friends, it means
electing a Republican team here and across the nation.
Now I have been urging the election of Republicans, because of my
819
Kennedy
[495] Dec. 5
Public Papers of the Presidents
495 Statement by the President Upon Establishing Awards for
Significant Contributions to the Export Expansion Program.
December 5, 1961
I AM DELIGHTED to be able to announce
An increased level of exports is absolutely
the revival of a great national symbol in a
essential for a healthy situation in our in-
new and constructive context of national
ternational balance of payments. Such a
urgency.
healthy situation in turn will enable us to
The "E" flag that once flew over plants
carry our international responsibilities for
making notable records in war production
preservation of freedom.
now will fly over factories contributing sig-
I hope that all Americans will regard the
nificantly to the goals of international peace
new "E" symbol as an incentive to their best
and prosperity. I call on both management
efforts.
and labor to exert their utmost efforts toward
More exports will mean a stronger
producing and selling in the world market.
America; a more prosperous America, and
Here is the next great frontier we must
greater assurance of a free world.
cross. The United States must in the best
traditions of American competitiveness and
NOTE: Executive Order 10978 "Establishing Presi-
dential Awards for Significant Contributions to the
ingenuity, push forward with the develop-
Export Expansion Program" was issued by the Presi-
ment and sale of goods in all the markets of
dent on December 5, 1961 (26 F.R. 11714).
the world.
496 Address in New York City at the National Football Foundation
and Hall of Fame Banquet.
December 5, 1961
Mr. LaRoche, ladies and gentlemen:
we just take it as it comes and we're not
I want to express my thanks to you for this
giving it back.
award. Politics is an astonishing profes-
I'm proud to be here tonight. I think
sion-it has permitted me to go from being
General MacArthur, when he was Superin-
an obscure lieutenant serving under General
tendent, really spoke about football in the
MacArthur to Commander in Chief in 14
classic way, because on so many occasions, in
years, without any technical competence
war and peace, I have seen so many men who
whatsoever; and it's also enabled me to go
participated in this sport-some celebrated
from being an obscure member of the junior
and some obscure-who did demonstrate
varsity at Harvard to being an honorary
that the seeds had been well sown.
member of the Football Hall of Fame.
I am delighted to be here tonight and par-
Actually, there are not so many differences
ticipating with you. This is a great Ameri-
between politics and football. Some Repub-
can game. It has given me, personally, some
licans have been unkind enough to suggest
of the most pleasant moments of my life-
that my election, which was somewhat close,
from last Saturday when I had a chance to
was somewhat similar to the Notre Dame-
see the Army-Navy game to a Harvard-Yale
Syracuse game. But I'm like Notre Dame,
game I saw 40 years before.
770
John F. Kennedy, 1961
Dec. 5 [496]
And I'm also glad to be here tonight with
ums, or from walking across the room to
some men who also gave me some of the
turn on our television sets. And this is
most exciting moments of my life. Clint
true for one sport after another, all across
Frank, who I understand is sitting down
the board.
there, whom I saw score 5 touchdowns
The result of this shift from participation
against Princeton. Tom Harmon who
to, if I may use the word "spectation," is all
scored 2I points on my 21st birthday in the
too visible in the physical condition of our
first half of a game against California. Cliff
population.
Battles who made George Marshall look
Despite our much-publicized emphasis on
good at Boston way back in the thirties.
school athletics, our own children lag behind
And Jay Berwanger who's here tonight, who,
European children in physical fitness. And
when Chicago was tenth in the Big Ten, was
astonishingly enough, when Dr. Kraus and
on everyone's All-American. And Sam
Dr. Weber recently went back, after IO years,
Huff, who campaigned with me through
to Europe they found a sharp decline in the
the coal mines of West Virginia-and he's
physical fitness of European children, be-
even better at that than he is on Sunday.
cause in the last decade mechanization had
So I'm like a good many other Americans
begun to get at them too.
who never quite made it-but love it.
It's no wonder that we have such a high
I do see a close relationship between sports
proportion of rejections for physical reasons
and our national life and I sometimes won-
in our Selective Service. A short time ago
der whether those of us who love sports have
General Hershey told me that since October
done as much as we should in maintaining
of 1948, of some six million young men ex-
sports as a constructive part of this country's
amined for military duty, more than a mil-
existence.
lion were rejected as physically unfit for
I will not enter into a debate about whether
military service. A good many of these men
football or baseball is our national sport.
would not have been rejected if they had
The sad fact is that it looks more and more
had an opportunity, when younger, to take
as if our national sport is not playing at all-
part in an adequate physical development
but watching. We have become more and
program.
more not a nation of athletes but a nation of
To get two men today, the United States
spectators.
Army must call seven men. Of the five
Professional athletes-professional athlet-
rejected, three are turned down for physical
ics-I believe has a great place in our national
reasons and two for mental disabilities. To
life, but I must confess that I view the grow-
get the 196 thousand additional men that we
ing emphasis on professionalism and special-
needed for Berlin, the government had to
ization in amateur sports without great en-
call up, therefore, 75° thousand men-and
thusiasm. Gibbon wrote two centuries ago
the rejection rate is increasing each year.
that professionalism in amateur sports was
I find this situation disturbing. We are
one of the early evidences of the decline and
under-exercised as a nation. We look, in-
fall of the Roman Empire.
stead of play. We ride, instead of walk.
Football today is far too much a sport for
Our existence deprives us of the minimum of
the few who can play it well. The rest of
physical activity essential for healthy living.
us-and too many of our children-get our
And the remedy, in my judgment, lies in one
exercise from climbing up to seats in stadi-
direction; that is, in developing programs
771
[496] Dec. 5
Public Papers of the Presidents
for broad participation in exercise by all of
gram for our elementary and secondary
our young men and women-all of our boys
schools. Pilot projects have been set up in a
and girls.
number of cities.
I do not say this in order to decry excel-
The results so far show the effectiveness
lence in sports or anywhere else. But ex-
of what can be done and the extent of the
cellence emerges from mass participation.
need. In Muskogee, Okla., for example, a
This is shown by the fact that in some areas
city which prides itself on athletic achieve-
of our Olympic Games, we have steadily
ment, which has had seven All-Americans
fallen behind those nations who have stressed
in recent years, 47 percent of the students
broad participation in a great variety of
failed a minimum physical fitness test. Only
sports.
a fraction of those who qualified could pass
I believe that as a nation we should give
the more comprehensive test of physical capa-
our full support, for example, to our Olym-
bility. Yet only 6 weeks of participation in
pic development program. We will not sub-
a daily 15-minute program of vigorous exer-
sidize our athletes as some nations do, but
cise brought about a 24 percent improvement
we should as a country set a goal, not in the
among those who failed the first test.
way the Soviet Union or the Chinese do, but
Throughout the country we have found
in the kind of way that Australia and other
equally discouraging examples of defi-
countries do-perhaps in our own way, to
ciency-and equally encouraging examples
emphasize this most important part of life,
of progress. I hope that every school district
the opportunity to exercise, to participate in
in this country will adopt our minimum
physical activity, and generally to produce a
program.' I urge every parent to support the
standard of excellence for our country which
program and his own children's participation
will enable our athletes to win the Olym-
in it. I urge our colleges and universities to
pics-but more importantly than that, which
lay down basic standards of physical fitness.
will give us a nation of vigorous men and
I urge the Nation's community recreation
women.
centers to provide more opportunity for
There are more important goals than win-
those who are no longer attending school.
ning contests, and that is to improve on a
And finally, I urge organizations such as this,
broad level the health and vitality of all of
with all of the prestige and influence which
our people.
you bring to American life, to help establish
We have begun this year to make progress
more programs for participation by Ameri-
toward this goal with the new President's
can boys and girls-by Americans young and
Council on Youth Fitness. The idea behind
old. In short, what we must do is literally
our youth fitness program is to give as many
change the physical habits of millions of
American boys and girls as possible a chance
Americans-and that is far more difficult
for a healthy physical development.
than changing their tastes, their fashions, or
Coach Bud Wilkinson, who shook off the
even their politics.
Washington-after losing his first five games
I do not suggest that physical develop-
finally got out of our atmosphere and went
ment is the central object of life, or that we
on to win his next five, and the Council
should permit cultural and intellectual values
staff, in cooperation with the Nation's lead-
to be diminished, but I do suggest that physi-
ing educators and medical organizations,
cal health and vitality constitute an essential
have worked out a basic physical fitness pro-
element of a vigorous American community.
772
John F. Kennedy, 1961
Dec. 6 [497]
No one knew this better than the men of
Attorney General, Byron White, who was
Greece, to whom our civilization owes so
simultaneously a Rhodes scholar and a half-
much. The Greeks sought excellence not
back for the Detroit Lions, and the year that
only in philosophy and drama and sculpture
he led the league in ground gained rushing,
and architecture, but in athletics. The same
was also number one man in his class at the
people who produced the poetry of Homer,
Yale Law School. We can combine and
the wisdom of Plato and Aristotle-they also
must combine intellectual energy and physi-
produced the Olympic Games. The Greeks
cal vitality.
understood that mind and body must develop
Theodore Roosevelt once said, "The credit
in harmonious proportion to produce a crea-
belongs to the man who is actually in the
tive intelligence. And so did the most bril-
arena-whose face is marred by dust and
liant intelligence of our earliest days, Thomas
sweat and blood
who knows the great
Jefferson, when he said, "Not less than two
enthusiasms, the great devotions-and
hours a day should be devoted to exercise."
spends himself in a worthy cause-who at
If a man who wrote the Declaration of Inde-
best if he wins knows the thrills of high
pendence, was Secretary of State, and twice
achievement-and if he fails at least fails
President could give it 2 hours, our children
while daring greatly-so that his place shall
can give it IO or I5 minutes.
never be with those cold and timid souls who
There's no reason in the world-and we've
know neither victory nor defeat."
seen it tonight-why Americans should not
The athletes in this room-you gentle-
be fine students and fine athletes. When I
men-and your colleagues across the country
was young, Barry Wood used to play with
have known victory and defeat, and have ac-
Ben Ticknor football for Harvard-and
cepted both. I salute you.
hockey and baseball and tennis. He was a
NOTE: The President spoke at the Waldorf-Astoria
ten-letter man-and also the First Marshal
Hotel in New York City. His opening words "Mr.
of Phi Beta Kappa. And since then he has
LaRoche" referred to Chester J. LaRoche, President
combined a life of leadership in the medical
of the National Football Foundation.
The award to which the President referred is the
profession.
Foundation's gold medal presented annually by the
I have in Washington, as you know-and
Football Hall of Fame to a person dedicated to propa-
he is a friend of many of you-the Deputy
gating the concept of amateur football.
497 Address in New York City to the National Association of
Manufacturers. December 6, 1961
Mr. President, and gentlemen:
I have not always considered the member-
I understand that President McKinley and
ship of the NAM as among my strongest
I are the only two Presidents of the United
supporters. I'm not sure you've all ap-
States to ever address such an occasion. I
proached the New Frontier with the greatest
suppose that President McKinley and I are
possible enthusiasm, and I was therefore
the only two that are regarded as fiscally
somewhat nervous about accepting this in-
sound enough to be qualified for admission
vitation, until I did some studying of the
to this organization on an occasion such as
history of this organization. I learned that
this.
this organization had once denounced on
773
1974 DEC 24 PM I 54
Dennis
BERALD R. FORD 18
LIBRARY
JOHN, McCALLUM AND CHARLES H. PEARSON
COLLEGE
FOOTBALL
U.S.A.
1869 1972
OFFICIAL BOOK OF THE
NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
FOOTBALL'S ELITE-THE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
N the turbulent world of college foot-
qualities-courage, stamina, coordinated efficiency.
ball many a hard kick is aimed at
In all my long public service, both in war and in
the game itself. The man who
peace, it is in the football men that I have found
winces most sharply at this occa-
my greatest reliance."
sional roughing from skeptical edu-
And then General MacArthur told of a meeting
cators and from football's often self-
he once had with President Franklin Roosevelt.
seeking family of coaches and players is Chet
"As I was about to terminate my tour as Chief of
LaRoche, long-time president (now Chairman of
Staff and enter upon that long, lonesome, bitter 16
the Board) of The National Football Foundation
years of unbroken service in the Far East, President
and Hall of Fame, and one of the best friends col-
Roosevelt asked me to recommend a successor. I
lege football ever had.
ran down a list of possibilities for him and when I
To Chet LaRoche, football always has ranked
had finished, he looked at me and asked, 'Which
with family, church and school as a "training
one is a football man, Douglas?' And, that was the
ground for men of spirit and incubator of competi-
one who replaced me as Chief of Staff-Malvin
tive fiber." As successful and hard-hitting a busi-
Craig, an Army back of the 1897 team.
"
nessman in later life as he was a Yale quarterback
From 1958 through 1970, winners of the Gold
54 years ago, Chet always has been an evangelical
Medal Award included four Presidents, a Supreme
admirer of the old-fashioned virtues of determina-
Court Justice, leading educator, four captains of in-
tion and grit. He is by temperament a man who
dustry and business, and three famous football
seeks solutions in action (some years ago, annoyed
coaches. Each had, indeed, "distinguished himself
with having to ransom his hat every time he ate in
by his service to football and his country." And
a restaurant, he started his own with Author-Artist
each most certainly agreed with Chet LaRoche that
Ludwig Belmans). To champion football's cause,
in football, as in all athletics, "spirit must predomi-
Chet spearheaded the creation of the National
nate over technique."
Football Foundation and Hall of Fame "to mobi-
lize the game as a vital force in preparing Ameri-
can youth for the competitive business of everyday
living."
In 1958, LaRoche conceived and activated the
idea of honoring great Americans who have con-
tributed in a significant manner to college football
and whose careers embody the highest ideals for
which football stands. Today, the "Gold Medal
Award" represents the highest individual honor
which the National Football Foundation and Hall
of Fame can bestow.
First recipient of the Gold Medal was Dwight
David Eisenhower, on October 28, 1958, President
of the U.S. and ex-football player, West Point '15.
Ten years later, at the 11th annual Awards Din-
ner in New York, the National Football Founda-
tion and Hall of Fame's Awards Committee de-
cided it was high time they honor the man whose
THE GOLD MEDAL
credo was "never de-emphasize the value of win-
The Gold Medal Award represents the highest in-
ning"-Chester J. LaRoche.
dividual honor which the National Football Foundation
In 1959, General Douglas A. MacArthur was
and Hall of Fame can bestow. The recipient shall have
the Gold Medal Award recipient. The multi-deco-
contributed in a significant manner to college football
rated war hero told an audience of 1,500: "The
and his career shall embody the highest ideals for which
game has become a symbol of our country's best
the game of football stands.
263
GOLD MEDAL RECIPIENTS
1958-Dwight D. Eisenhower
1964-Donold B. Lourie
1959-Douglas A. MacArthur
1965-Juan T. Trippe
1960-Herbert C. Hoover
1966-Earl H. Blaik
Amos Alonzo Stagg
1967-Frederick L. Hovde
1961-John F. Kennedy
1968-Chester J. LaRoche
1962-Byron R. White
1969-Richard M. Nixon
1963-Roger M. Blough
1970-Thomas J. Hamilton
THE FIRST ANNUAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
AND HALL OF FAME AWARD
On October 28th, 1958 at the Astor Hotel in
New York City, the first annual awards dinner of
PRESENTED TO
the National Football Foundation and Hall of
DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Fame was held with Dwight David Eisenhower,
IN RECOGNITION OF
President of the United States, Guest of Honor and
ALIFETIME OF DEVOTION TO
AMERICAN INTERCOLLEGIATE
recipient of the first Gold Medal Award.
FOOTBALL
OCTOBER 28,1958
The dinner was attended by over 2,000 guests,
leaders in business professions and government.
George Murphy, former MGM star and former
Yale football player, was Master of Ceremonies.
General Eisenhower-Gold Medal Winner 1958
Gordon MacRae, ex-Syracuse star, the Sea Chant-
ers of the U.S. Navy Band and the Whiffenpoofs of
ner. Amongst the many prominent business leaders
Yale sang. Herb Shriner with his humorous stories
present were Raymond C. Firestone, President of
brought peals of laughter from President Eisen-
Firestone Tire and Rubber; Norman Chandler,
hower and made General MacArthur break into
Publisher, Los Angeles Times; Frank Pace Jr.,
broad smiles. Tom Hamilton presented nine new
President General Dynamics Corp; William E.
electees to the Hall of Fame. Harry Stuhldreher,
Robinson, President Coca Cola Co.; Juan Trippe,
speaking on behalf of the new electees, expressed
President Pan American Airways.
deep appreciation for the highest honor in sports-
The late Frank Graham of the former New York
dom.
Journal-American put it this way:
Ed Garbisch presented 60 of the members of the
"It was a salute to Football the like of which
Hall of Fame who were present at the Awards Din-
the game never has known before."
Dwight Eisenhower at Awards Dinner 1958
264
NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN
WASHINGIO
CONGRESSIONAL
DEC23'74
20
COMMITTEE
D.C
DRIMETER
P.O. 398090
512 HOUSE OFFICE BLDG. ANNEX
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
Mr. Paul Theis
c/o The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
WHITE HOUSE SECURITY
Washington, D.C.
DEC 24 DYA 1974
Processed
A082
R A
GOLF 2-26
70.1
?
TURD
WITH FORD
BY DAVID L. LANGFORD
GENETO
LAUDERHILL, FLA. (UPI) -- IT WAS A DAY OF CLOWNING, FLIP TALK AND
LIBRARY
GOLFING TIPS BUT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STILL HAD
CONGRESS ON HIS MIND.
PRESIDENT FORD, CELEBRATING AT A COUNTRY CLUB RECEPTION WEDNESDAY
NIGHT AT THE END OF A SLAP-HAPPYROUND OF GOLF, SAID, "IT WAS GREAT
TO BE HERE AND PARTICIPATE."
"BUT, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T QUITE GET ALL OF THE PROBLEMS OUT OF MY
MIND EVEN ON A DELIGHTFUL DAY LIKE THIS."
FORD, DEMONSTRATING A POWERFUL DRIVER BUT A POOR PUTTER, SHOT A
28-OVER-PAR 100 IN THE CELEBRITY PRO-AM ROUND OF THE JACKIE
GLEASON-INVERRARY GOLF CLASSIC IN A QUINTET WITH COMEDIANS JACKIE
GLEASON AND BOB HOPE, PRO GOLFER JACK NICKLAUS AND NEW YORK
BUSINESSMAN ELLIOTT KAHN, WHO CONTRIBUTED $10,000 TO CHARITY FOR THE
PRIVILEGE OF PLAYING.
AT A PARTY THROWN BY GLEASON, THE PRESIDENT SAID THE NIGHTCLUB
COMIC ASKED HIM AT THE FIRST TEE WHAT HIS BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS.
"I SAID 'GOLF,' BUT WHAT WAS REALLY ON MY MIND WAS CONGRESS," THE
PRESIDENT SAID.
BUT NICKLAUS, SHOOTING A COURSE RECORD 63 WHILE FINDING TIME TO
HELP FORD WITH HIS CHIP SHOTS, THINKS THE PRESIDENT WAS ONLY JESTING.
THROUGHOUT THE 18 HOLES, HE SAID, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DISCUSSED
EVERYTHING FROM FOOTBALL TO CHILDREN BUT NEVER MENTIONED THE ECONOMY
NOR THE ENERGY PROBLEM.
"THIS WAS HIS DAY OF ENJOYMENT," NICKLAUS SAID. "HE SAID, 'YOU
WON'T HAVE TO ASK ME TWICE IF YOU_WANT TO PLAY GOLE.
THE PRESIDENT SAID HIS ROUND WITH NICKLAUS, WHO BEAT GENE
LITTLER'S RECORD ON THE INVERRARY COURSE BY TWO STROKES, WAS "ONE OF
THOSE THINGS I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR
EXCELLENCE AND I WAS PLAYING WITH PEOPLE WHO EPITOMIZE THAT."
NICKLAUS RETURNED THE COMPLIMENT. "HE ACTUALLY COULD BE A_GOOD
GOLFER IF HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY MORE."
A RECORD CROWD FOR A PGA TOURNAMENT OF 41,720 SURROUNDED THE
FAIRWAYS TO WATCH THE CELEBRITIES.
BEFORE HOPE DROPPED OUT AFTER THE 14TH HOLE TO CATCH A PLANE, HE
AND GLEASON KEPT THE CROWD ENTERTAINED. BUT THE GALLERY PROVIDED ITS
OWN LAUGHS.
ONE WOMAN, PERHAPS TOO OLD TO WEAR THE BLUE BIKINI SHE DISPLAYED,
SCOOPED UP A GLEASON CHIP SHOT JUST BEYOND THE EIGHTH GREEN. HER
HUSBAND, IN AN ORANGE AND PURPLE COSTUME, TURNED RED IN THE FACE.
THREE MARSHALS RAN TO HER, WAGGLING THEIR ARMS. HOPE GRINNED
GLEEFULLY. NICKLAUS STARED DIPLOMATICALLY AT THE SKY AND THE
PRESIDENT PULLED OFF HIS WHITE CAP AND SCRATCHED HIS HEAD.
AT ANOTHER POINT, A MAN WAVED HIS HANDS AT THE PRESIDENT, NODDED
TOWARD A BEAMING WOMAN OF LARGE CHARMS AND SHOUTED, "PRESIDENT FORD,
THIS IS MY WIFE."
THE PRESIDENT THREW BACK HIS HEAD AND LAUGHED.
AT ANOTHER STOP, HOPE STAGE-WHISPERED TO THE GALLERY, "PLEASE
DON'T APPLAUD WHILE THE PRESIDENT IS SHOOTING. HE' LL RAISE MY TAXES."
UPI 02-27 08:43 AED
2034
a czzczyyvu V
President's Golf 330
LAUDERHILL, Fla. AP - President Ford would make a fine golfer if
he had time to develop 1t, says one of the sport's well"known
:
professionals
Actually. the President could be a very good golfer if he had the
time to devote to it. the time to practice it, " says Jack Nicklaus.
President Ford played in Wednesday's pro am prior to today's first
round of the $260. 000 Jackie Gleason Golf Classic. The President
competed as a member' of Nicklaus' team along with host Gleason, Bob
Hope and Elliot Kahn, a Great Neck. N.Ys businessman.
The President shot 100.0 He scrambled over the first eight holes but.
played his last 10 in only eight over par. He didn't make a birdie.
but had three natural pars - net birdies with his listed 18 handicap.
He had only one chance to help the team, and Nicklaus deprived him
of that. Using a three wood off the tee the President got off as
massive. 284 yard drive on the ninth hole. He pitched on and
two putted for the solid par, a net birdie. But Nicklaus birdied the
hole from 20 feet.
6 "He had a chance to help and I robbad him of 1t with the birdie,
Nicklaus said,
Talking about the President's golf game. Nicklaus noted: ''He's
quite capable of being B solid six or séven handicapper. "
-
His biggest problem is his grip, Nicklaus said.
He nuts his left hand on the club just so. " Nicklaus said and
demonstrated the proper grip, "You can see he's very careful about
it. But by the time he hits the ball, his hand has moved 90 degrees.
The President had his problems over the first eight holes. He
bree putted three times. He hit one in a lake. He hit one out of
bounds He took three to get out of a sand trap. He once struck his
wedge in the ground. moving his chip only inches.
On the sixth. 8 par three he missed the green to the right. He
missed the chip and didn't get 1t out of the rough. Finally he chipped
on, some 30 feet by, His mouth was working for B moment and then his
wg_clinched. His face was B scowl. He ended up three putting for 8
six.
0401aED 02-27
70.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 26, 1975
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
(Lauderhill, Florida)
THE WHITE HOUSE
EXCHANGE OF REMARKS
BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT
AND
JACKIE GLEASON
INVERRARY COUNTRY CLUB
8:00 P.M. EDT
MR. GLEASON: Gentlemen, as you all know, we are
honored with the President of the United States, and he would
like to say a few words.
Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Jackie.
I don't know a day, since last August, where I
have had a more enjoyable, a more wonderful time than today
in this great tournament with you and Bob Hope and Elliott
Kahn and Jack Nicklaus. You know, this is just one of those
things that I will always remember, and I thank you and
the others who participated.
I -- going a long time back . have great respect
for excellence, and I was playing with some people today
who epitomize that, you and Bob, in the field of entertain-
ments the unquestioned excellence in the field that you
excel so beautifully in -- Elliott Kahn, a young man who
has done superbly in the business world, and the one I envy
the most, (Laughter) it is not you.
MR. GLEASON: I know.
THE PRESIDENT: It is not Hope.
MR. GLEASON: I know.
THE PRESIDENT: It is not Elliott. If I could just
be half as good as Jack Nicklaus (Laughter.)
A long time ago, back when the ball was round in
football, I played a little football against another school
in the Big Ten, and I loved the competition because Ohio
State always represented a great skill, great competence,
tremendous competitive urge and so forth. And as much as I
hate to lose to them, I think they represent the best, and
of course, Jack Nicklaus in golf represents the finest.
And Jack, to play with you today and have you break the
course record was a great thrill for me.
MORE
Page 2
You and I didn't contribute one thing to our score.
MR. GLEASON: Yes we did; you broke a record today.
THE PRESIDENT: What did I do?
MR. GLEASON: We went around the entire course, and
there was not one dissident voice or sign throughout the
entire area. And that is a record.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I just want to thank you and
everybody that was related, Mr. Fuqua and all of the others,
who made a significant contribution to this.
I have a couple of serious comments to make. You
know, as an office holder in the Federal Government, who
carries a lot of weight in Washington -- in only Washington --
it gives me a great deal of pleasure tonight to say that I
want to extend to you happy birthday, to a man who carries
a lot of weight, anywhere, anywhere, Jackie Gleason. (Laughter.)
I did appreciate, as Jack Nicklaus and you and Bob
and Elliott Kahn and the others know -- after a couple of
hard weeks and a few more coming down the road, it was great
to be here and participate. Still, I can't quite get all
of the problems out of my mind, even on a delightful day
like this.
You know, on the first tee, Jackie Gleason asked
me this question: what was my greatest problem? I think he
was referring to golf. (Laughter.) But I had what was
really on my mind, and I said, "Congress." (Laughter.)
But I enjoyed playing with others in our fivesome;
it was a great treat. All of them are far better, infinitely
more competent than myself, but I am going to work at it.
And if you are kind enough to invite Betty and me down next
year -- that is a subtle way of asking for an invitation.
MR. GLEASON: You are not only invited next year,
but if you follow me, I know where a martini is. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, somebody asked me, out on the
golf course, how I shot today, and I said I shot a 72. The
truth was, that is before I asked for a rebate. (Laughter.)
But, let me say, I appreciate very much, Jackie,
the opportunity to be with all of you, to be with Jack Nicklaus
and to meet Barbara Nicklaus and their son, Steve, and
daughter, Nancy, and to meet the others, who are here, and
to be with people who are superb, the best. It is the kind
of challenge that I think we in American have to seek and
work to achieve. So, thank you very much on behalf of Betty
and myself.
MORE
Page 3
You know, we have had more pickets outside of
Washington concerning her than concerning me, but that is
an indication of her character. And I am very proud to
introduce to all of you the First Lady, my dear wife,
Betty Ford.
END
(AT 8:05 P.M. EDT)
70.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 11, 1974
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
(Pinehurst, North Carolina)
THE WHITE HOUSE
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT THE
WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME
ENSHRINEMENT DINNER
AT 10:35 P.M. EDT
Thank you very, very much, Governor Jim
Holshouser, my good golfing partner, the Governor
of South Carolina, Senator Jesse Helms, my old friend
Earl Ruth. But I do wish to acknowledge and pay
special tribute to the inductees who I tremendously
admire and greatly respect, and I have really enjoyed
listening to the stories that each of them have given.
R. FORD LIBRARY
And it is an awfully hard act to follow
after the tales they have told and the incidents
that they have related.
It has also been one of the great things
that I have admired, excellence, and I have spent a
great deal of time in the last few years on Saturday
afternoons and Sunday afternoons watching various
tournaments.
I usually take with me and sit in front of
the television and take a pile of work and in between
this shot and that shot, I try to concentrate. But
I really am more interested in the excellence that they
demonstrate to the American people. I admire excellence.
I respect it.
And it seems to me that this is what we want
in this country and what we want in the world. And
to be here this afternoon and this evening and to get
better acquainted with those I have known, and to meet
others that I have not known, in the sport of golf.
has been a great and an exhilarating day to me, and I
compliment and congratulate everyone of them because
they epitomize excellence in probably one of the most
competitive areas of athletic competition that I have
ever seen.
And I just hope that they, through their
example, give to all Americans the kind of spirit, the
kind of drive, the kind of dedication that is so essential
if we are to achieve what is the best for everybody in
this country and throughout the world.
MORE
Page 2
If I may, I would like to tell you the most
memorable golfing experience I ever had. I was at the
Burning Tree course, which is one of those courses in
Washington, D. C. I was playing with Ben Hogan,
and Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson. And they came up
to me and they said they were looking for another
great, great golfer to join them. I said, "Well,
here I am." And they said, "Good. You can help us look
for one." (Laughter)
I didn't mind that so much, but what really
hurt me was when Arnold Palmer asked if I would not
wear his slacks except under an assumed name. (Laughter)
I do appreciate the honor of the invitation from
Don and Bill, but as I stand before all of you golfing
immortals, one thought keeps running through my mind. I
have an 18 handicap, and I guess I played it that way
today in between the first and 18th hole. You need
me as a good golfer like Sam Snead needs another
tomato can. (Laughter)
They say you can always tell a good player
by the number of people in the gallery. You have heard,
and we have all heard, of Arnie's Army. My group
is called Ford's Few. (Laughter)
I figured it out, that my problem is I have
a very wild swing and I demonstrated it on a number of
occasions for Patty and some of the others this afternoon. Back
on my home course in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they
don't yell "Fore," they yell "Ford."
And you know, all of these fine Secret Service
men you have seen around me today, and elsewhere. When I play
golf, I am told they qualify for combat pay. (Laughter)
But I try to keep my hands in whenever I can.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy playing golf with Henry
Kissinger. Henry is undoubtedly one of the greatest,
one of the finest, and one of the very best diplomats
the world has ever known, and fortunately for us, he has
been carrying out that responsibility on behalf of
our country. I will tell you why I say that: Last
week, I was in a sand trap, which I frequently find
myself in. There was a water hazard beyond that, and
then some 95 feet or more to the pin, and Henry conceded
the putt. (Laughter)
But this afternoon, I had one of the greatest
thrills of my lifetime, the chance to play a few holes
with the super stars of world golfing and I thoroughly
enjoyed it and they were most considerate of my diffi-
culties.
MORE
Page 3
I can't tell you how I felt out there surrounded
by such legendary names as Berg, Hogan, Nelson, Nicklaus,
Palmer, Player, Sarazen, Snead. And in all honesty,
it was something like being in a golfer's heaven, and
I appreciate the opportunity to be there.
But as the cliche goes, tonight I have good news
and some bad news. The good news, that four of our honorees,
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Sam Snead,
will be competing in the World Open beginning tomorrow.
The bad news is today they shared the course
with me. And I will tell you what I mean.
In 1972, I played with Sam Snead in the Pro-Am
before the Kemper Open, and he didn't win. (Laughter)
In 1973, I played with Miller Barber before the Kemper
Open, and he didn't win. And this year, I played
with Tom Weiskopf before the Kemper Open and then
I played with Dave Stockton up at Pleasant Valley in the
Pro-Am, and neither of them won the tournament.
Now, you know why, I am sure, in Washington
I am known as the President of the United States, and
in golf, I am sort of known as the jinx of the links.
(Laughter)
Frankly, I figured it out, that Snead, Barber,
Weiskopf and Stockton blew about $165,000 in prize
money by their performance with me in the several
Pro-Am tours that I indicated. But if you think they
are unhappy, you should see the Internal Revenue
Service. (Laughter)
As you undoubtedly know by now, I thoroughly
enjoy golf, not only the competition, but the people.
I enjoy the exercise it provides, the competitive
challenge, the good fellowship before and after
each game.
MORE
Page 4
But if I had to single out one attribute
of golf above all others, it would be found in the
very simple statement from the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITTANICA,
and I quote, "Golf is played on the honor system. A player
is expected to count his own strokes even though he may
miss the ball completely, to acknowledge the fact promptly
if he violates a rule and incurs a penalty, and to avoid
interfering in any way with his opponents or his fellow
competitor's play.
Golf is one of the few games where honor is
more important than the rules. Without good sportsman-
ship, golf could not exist. Without trust, another
name for good sportsmanship, governments cannot exist.
But there is still one more lesson to be
learned from golf and I have never seen a tournament,
regardless of how much money, or how much fame, or
prestige, or emotion was ever involved, that didn't end
with the victor extending his hand to the vanquished.
I have enjoyed sitting there watching on
television the pat on the back, the arm around the
shoulder, the praise for what was done right, and the
sympathetic nod for what wasn't. These are as much a
part of golf as life itself, and I would hope that
understanding and reconciliation are not limited to
the 19th hole.
Before I leave -- and let me express to Don
and Bill my great enjoyment to be with all of you -- I
would like to thank them and you for asking me. It was
a delightful day, after a few kind of tough ones.
(Laughter)
This afternoon for a few hours, quite unsuccess-
fully, I tried to make a hole in one. Tomorrow morning
I will be back in Washington trying to get out of one.
(Laughter)
And thank all of you for making this a most
welcome "mini" vacation.
Thank you, and good night.
END
(AT 10:35 P.M. EDT)
70.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 10, 1974
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
(New York City, New York)
THE WHITE HOUSE
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
TO THE
NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
AND
HALL OF FAME
THE GRAND BALLROOM
9:26 P.M. EST
Chris, Your Eminence, Dick Kasmaier, distinguished
guests:
It is a very high honor and a very great privilege
to have the opportunity of participating in this
program this evening, and may I at the outset congratulate
the new inductees as well as the scholar athletes.
Bob Hope and I were commenting,as all of these fine
young athletes were being introduced, that we never saw
such a packaging of brains, appearance and skill, and I
congratulate each and every one of you.
Let me thank you, Chris, for that introduction.
It is kind of the routine introduction that comes with
this office. (Laughter) You know, since I became
President, I am usually introduced in a more dignified and
stately manner.
On some occasions there is a variation, however.
But there was one dinner a few weeks ago when I was
introduced by a former teammate of the University of
Michigan back a good many years, and frankly I will never
forget that introduction.
He said, "Ladies and gentlemen, it might interest
you to know that I played football with Jerry Ford for
two years and it has made a lasting impression on me. I
was a quarterback, Jerry Ford was a center, and you might
say it gave me a completely different view of the President."
(Laughter)
If you stopped to think about it, there are many
similarities between football and Government. For instance,
in both areas nothing is ever done without discussing it
first. In football you call it a huddle; in Washington
you call it a debate, and sometimes the talk goes on for
many, many hours without really saying anything.
MORE
Page 2
In Washington it is called a filibuster; in
football it is called Howard Cosell. You know, Howard
Cosell takes a lot of kidding, but in all fairness,
someone once said, "To me, Howard Cosell will always
look ten feet tall." I don't know who said it, but I
think it was Abe Beame. (Laughter)
It is a real honor to be here tonight because
football has meant so much to me for a good many years. You
might be interested to know that I have put together
over the years a small collection of memorable football
quotations, and I would like to share with you tonight two
of them.
The first quotation is from Grantland Rice, who
was a great sports writer many years ago, and he said,
"When the one Great Scorer comes to write against your name,
he marks not that you won or lost, but how you played the
game. " And the other is from Woody Hayes: "Bah, humbug!"
Incidentally, I wish Woody Hayes -- he is an
ex-Big Tenner -- and the Ohio State Buckeyes good luck in
the Rose Bowl.
But as a former Michigan football player and a
12- term Congressman from Michigan, I think that is about as
far as I ought to go.
You know, I may cook my'own breakfast, but I am
not about to cook my own goose. (Laughter)
MORE
Page 3
Well, obviously the Michigan Wolverines are not
the only team I root for. In fact, back in the capital we
have a professional team we are very, very proud of, the
Washington Redskins, more affectionately known as the
Over-The-Hil1-Gang.
You know, it is always exciting to watch the
Redskins play, because you are never quite sure what they
are going to reach first -- the playoffs or social security.
And the Redskins have one of the most colorful
quarterbacks in the history of the game, Sonny Jurgenson.
And isn't George Allen lucky to have two great quarterbacks
like Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgenson?
Well, earlier I was saying a word or two about my
good friend Woody Hayes. I think it is well known that
Sonny Jurgenson has a nuch more relaxed attitude toward the
game.
I can remember back in 1968 when Sonny, throwing
with a very, very sore arm scored five touchdown passes
against the Chicago Bears. And as he came off the field
at the end of the game Otto Graham, who was then the coach
of the Redskins asked him, "Sonny, how's your arm?"
Sonny said, "It hurts me awful."
Graham looked worried. He said, "It is going
to be a problem.'
Sonny said, "It is. Did you ever try to drink
left-handed?" (Laughter)
Well, somewhere between Sonny Jurgenson and Woody
Hayes I think there is a little room for compromise.
In my lifetime I have attended a lot of sports
dinners, and it has been something of a ritual to honor
the exercise, the sportsmanship, the teamwork, the good
fellowship that we receive and have received from football,
and that is as it should be.
But what about winning? How about a good word
for the ultimate reason any of us have for going into a
competitive sport? As much as I enjoyed the physical and
emotional dividends that college athletics brought me, I
sincerely doubt if I ever suited up, put on my helmet --
and, yes, I did wear a helmet -- without the total
commitment of going out there to win, not to get exercise,
gold or glory, but simply to win.
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Page 4
To me, winning is not a shameful concept.
I would like to think that winning is in the great
American tradition.
Two hundred years ago we fought for our
freedom, and we won, and for the next hundred years we
challenged the continent, and we won.
But somebody once said, "The problem with
winning is you have to keep on doing it". And so
today we Americans face another historic struggle to
maintain our strength as a Nation, as a people, and our
economic well being for all of us, and believe me in
this battle against inflation, or recession, there are
no playoffs, and there is no "till next year," It is
winner take all, or loser have nothing.
As I see it, WIN, it is a very small word,
but let's be careful not to lose it.
Tonight I have come to New York for a very,
very personal reason, and it also has something to do
with winning. I have come to do honor and to pay tribute
to a man who has won the admiration, the affection and the
everlasting gratitude of all Americans --- a superstar
before the term was ever thought of.
Bob Hope has consistently brought to our lives
the warm glow and the sustaining lift of that precious
gift of laughter, and to those of us who served in the
armed forces, Bob's eagerly awaited visits brought
home an awful lot closer.
But Bob Hope is more than a superlative enter-
tainer -- much, much more. His dedication to the needs
and the welfare of Americans has made him a leader in
humanitarian activities. It would be a monumental task
to list all of the charities and causes that have said
thanks for the memory of Bob Hope's helping hand.
Throughout the years I have always looked
forward to sharing a head table, a foursome, and many
a memorable hour with Bob Hope. I am proud to call him
my friend.
And so it gives me a great deal of personal
pleasure to present tonight the Distinguished American
Award of the National Football Foundation and Hall of
Fame to Bob Hope --patriot, ardent sportsman, indomitable,
courageous, unselfish American whose lifetime credo is the
lifting of the human spirit.
Gentelmen, Bob Hope.
END
(AT 9:34 P.M. EST)
Bistm
SUNDAY HERALD ADVERTISER, MARCH 2, 1975
SECTION FIVE
70
A2
SWIMMING: "The Ideal conditioner
How he keeps in shape
Ford is most athletic
President since JFK
:: He hits well off the tee
SKIING: "He's done very well
White House Correspond-
and exercise room for the President, and
Ford sustained a cartilage tear while
passions, and he enjoys weekend rounds
sets," Dr. Lukash admits, and
OC-
because there isn't the susceptibility to
Hill News.
equipped with an exercise bike and what
he was in junior high and in 1929 had a
with close Washington associates. "He
casionally he is a little overcompetitive,
wear and tear on joints and ankle In-
Dr. Lukash describes as an ex-
meniscectomy on his left knee. Ford had
tries to play every Sunday," Dr. Lukash
EE WALCZAK
trying for the rougher shots. He's taken
juries. And there are no side effects like
tensorflexion weight machine. Ford now
a right lateral meniscectomy in 1972, and
says. "He hits well off the tee, has good
a few falls at Camp David, but he
the general aching and muscle-tightening
N-In the beefy, square-
rises at 5:30 a.m. and launches into a 25-
minute fitness program prescribed by
Dr. Lukash says that "It would appear
iron shots, and could lower his handicap
bounces right up."
that many joggers go through. It has a
D Ford
from 18 to 10 or 12 just bv sharnening un
tramandous tonic effect bacquee all the
n,
0-
DS
S
18
in
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th
is
n
6
y
5,
of
S
Delieving mat ne noat. taking on everything, manucuming
buancu
prece
WITHING
ONE OF THE MOST famous ships to
"Atalanta
vanished in the same area.
Sports ustrated
JULY 8, 1974 60 CENTS
MY VIEW OF SPORT
122,
1
VICE-PRESIDENT GERALD FORD
DAAGO,
MR 75 888 88999992X52 05 05:00 00
LIBRARY
RM 02 E0B
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON DC 20500
®
IN DEFENSE OF THE
COMPETITIVE URGE
by GERALD R. FORD
with JOHN UNDERWOOD
*16
The Vice-President reflects fondly on his "halcyon days" as a
Michigan football star and Yale coach, and ponders the current
state of sport, arguing that winning is a necessary goal; that
international athletic victories serve nations well; and that
the preoccupation with money may end up alienating the fan
ne lesson to be learned in reaching an age where
home-cooked psychology in recent years that winning isn't
you are both a viable politician and a washed-up line-
all that important anymore, whether on the athletic field or
man is that past glories are not negotiable in the open
in any other field, national and international. I don't buy
market. When you stop winning they not only start boo-
that for a minute. It is not enough to just compete. Win-
ing, they start forgetting.
ning is very important. Maybe more important than ever.
I used to think of myself as a pretty dashing figure on the
Don't misunderstand. I am not low-rating the value of
ski slopes of the East and in northern Michigan, and could
informal participation. Competing is always preferable to
at least count on outstripping my children on the various
not competing, whether you win or not, and one reason is
runs we tried. Nowadays, when the family gets together at
as good as another for getting involved. Swimming laps,
Vail for our annual Christmas ski reunion, my sons and my
for example, is preferable to doubling your waistline. As a
daughter go zooming by, usually with just the encourage-
young man I took up skiing in order to get to know a cer-
ment to make me boil. Such as: "Hurry up, Dad." They
tain young lady better. happened to be a devotee, and I
see themselves getting faster and faster as I get slower and
an eager beginner. I lost the girl but I learned to ski. The
slower. They forget all the times I picked them out of the
subject used to be a sensitive one with my wife, who came
snowbank.
along afterward, but I have reminded her that that was in-
When I was House Minority Leader and a regular ad-
structive athletics, not competitive athletics. The important
versary of Lyndon Johnson's, he once said-with minimum
thing was I learned to ski.
affection-'There's nothing wrong with Jerry Ford except
If you don't win elections you-don't play, so the impor-
that he played football too long without his helmet." Lyn-
tance of winning is more drastic in that field. In athletics
don got a lot of mileage out of that quote, and I used it my-
and in most other worthwhile pursuits first place is the man-
self one year when I addressed the Gridiron Club in Wash-
ifestation of the desire to excel, and how else can you achieve
ington. I said he was wrong, that I always wore my helmet
anything? I certainly do not feel we achieved very much as
on any gridiron, and I picked up my old leather bonnet and
a Michigan football team in 1934. And I can assure you we
put it on, right on top of my white tie and tails. It had been
had more fun on those championship teams in 1932-33.
a while, though> I had a hard time getting it down over my
Broadly speaking, outside of a national character and an
ears. Of course, heads do have a tendency to swell here in
educated society, there are few things more important to a
Washington.
country's growth and well-being than competitive athletics.
My playing days at Michigan are now a standard intro-
If it is a cliché to say athletics build character as well as mus-
duction in magazine stories such as this, usually accom-
cle, then I subscribe to the cliché. It has been said, too, that
panied by a picture (page 19) of a rugged-looking hairy
we are losing our competitive spirit in this country, the thing
young man (me) hunched over a ball in the center's po-
that made us great, the guts of the free-enterprise system. I
sition, and the notation that Ford was "the most valuable
don't agree with that; the competitive urge is deep-rooted in
player on a losing Michigan team." I always feel damned
the American character. I do wonder sometimes if we are ad-
with faint praise when I read that. I'd much rather have
justing to the times, or if we have been spoiled by them.
been the "least valuable player on a winning Michigan
For one, do we realize how important it is to compete
team," the kind we had my sophomore and junior years
successfully with other nations? Not just the Russians, but
when we were undefeated and won national championships.
many nations that are growing and challenging. Being a
Those were what sportswriters up on their clichés would
leader, the U.S. has an obligation to set high standards. I
call my "halcyon days." Certainly they offer brighter mem-
don't know of a better advertisement for a nation's good
ories than my efforts to stay competitive-and fit-since.
health than a healthy athletic representation. Athletics hap-
Today I am a habitual exerciser--a 15-minute swim twice a
pens to be an extraordinarily swift avenue of communica-
day in the backyard pool, slower-and-slower. skiing near
tion. The broader the achievement the greater the impact.
our place in Vail, and an occasional round of golf with
There is much to be said for Ping-Pong diplomacy.
fellow hackers around Washington.
With communications what they are, a sports triumph
The reason I make reference to those winning seasons at
.can be as uplifting to a nation's spirit as, well, a battlefield
Michigan is that we have been asked to swallow a lot of
victory. And surely no one will argue that it is not more
continued