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Ford Press Releases - Fifth District, 1966-1968
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The original documents are located in Box D7, folder "Ford Press Releases - Fifth District,
1966-1968" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File 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. The Council 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Re: Ionia J.R. TAR
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1966
WASHINGTON--Kent and Ionia County high school leaders are receiving
invitations from Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Michigan) to attend a Teen Age Republican
(TAR) Leadership Conference on Saturday, September 24.
The House Republican Leader is sending personal letters to some 300 high
school students inviting them to take part in the conferences, one of which will
be held in Grand Rapids at the Pantlind Hotel, and the other in Ionia at the
Ionia High School. Ford will give the keynote address at both meetings.
The conference in Grand Rapids, held for Kent County students, will begin
at 1:00 p.m. The Ionia Conference, for Iosia County Students, will begin at
3:00 p.m. A reception attended by Sounty officials, State legislators, and GOP
officials will follow both conferences.
In his letter of invitation Ford said, "The Republican Party, nationwide,
is placing increased emphasis on programs that involve young people. We believe
that a high school student who becomes active in a major political party takes a
giant step toward accepting his responsibilities as a citizen in our nation."
The conferences are organized by the Fifth District Teen Age Republican
Advisory Council. Paul Yhouse, a senior at East Grand Rapids High School is
Chairman.
####
FORD if LIBRARY GERALD
Digitized from Box D7 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE THURSDAY. JAN. 26, 1967
A young man from Fortland with a yen to enter the Foreign Service
is absorbing some political savvy while working in the office of
Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich.
Charles A. Leik, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Leik of 9338 Keefer
Highway, has joined Ford's staff while studying for a Master's degree
in Foreign Service at Georgatown University is Washington, D. c.
A quiet, industrious chap, Leik took the job with Ford to obtain
"experience in government" while piling up points toward his future goal.
Leik, 23, was graduated from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids in May
1965 with a major in economics and minors in History and accounting.
He was active in the Social Science Form and People-to-People group and
was elected secretary of Michigan's College Young Republicans in 1963.
He taught economics and bookkeeping at St. Mary's High School in
Jackson for a year before traveling in Europe last summer and taking
intensive German language courses there.
A veteran of a hosteling trip in Europe in 1963, Leik is more than
a carefree "Wanderjunge." He is a serious young man with a mission--
world service for his country--end is the first person from Ionia County
to serve on Rep. Ford's staff.
# # #
GERALO FORD LIBRAGE
Re: POLICEMEN FIREMEN SS, LEGIS-
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 1967
A shotgun blast through the window of a Grand Rapids bar, and a policeman's
wife and six children are left grieving, alone and bewildered.
The people of Grand Rapids have opened their hearts to the family of Police
Sgt. Stanley Van Tuinen and have established a trust fund for them.
In the view of Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Sgt. Van Tuinen's tragic death
last December 3 dramatizes the urgent need to permit Social Security coverage for
Michigan police and firemen.
Ford has introduced a bill to make possible police-firemen Social Security
benefits in Michigan. It was one of the first pieces of legislation he dropped into
the hopper in the 90th Congress.
Sgt. Van Tuinen died in line of duty at age 35. Although he had attained
sergeant's rank and therefore was earning $6,864 year, he was forced to "moon-
light" to provide adequately for his wife and oungsters.
Because of his part-time job, Sgt. Van Tuinen's family may be entitled to
the minimum Social Security surv vor benefits of $150 monthly. But had Sgt.
Van Tuinen been covered by Secial Security as a policeman, his wife and children
would now receive the maximum family payment of $368 a month--more than twice as
much.
Ford today said he will make a concerted effort this year to win congressional
approval of his police-firemen's Social Security bill.
"The Van Tuinen case points up clearly the need to permit Social Security
coverage for Michigan's policemen and firefighters," Ford said. "Most city and
village officials in the Fifth District of Michigan are behind my bill. Their
firemen and policemen support it. It's time we wrote this legislation into the
statute books."
Contacted by Ford in a current check on home sentiment for the bill, Grand
Repids City Manager Henry Nabers said: "I think it would be great if your Social
Security bill were enacted."
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 1967
A shotgun blast through the window of a Grand Rapids bar, and a policeman's
wife and six children are left grieving, alone and bewildered.
The people of Grand Rapids have opened their hearts to the family of Police
Sgt. Stanley Van Tuinen and have established a trust fund for them.
In the view of Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Sgt. Van Tuinen's tragic death
last December 3 dramatizes the urgent need to permit Social Security coverage for
Michigan police and firemen.
Ford has introduced a bill to make possible police-firemen Social Security
benefits in Michigan. It was one of the first pieces of legislation he dropped into
the hopper in the 90th Congress.
Sgt. Van Tuinen died in line of duty at age 35. Although he had attained
sergeant's rank and therefore was earning $6,864 a year, he was forced to "moon-
light" to provide adequately for his wife and youngsters.
Because of his part-time job, Sgt. Van Tuinen's family may be entitled to
the minimum Social Security survivor benefits of $150 monthly. But had Sgt.
Van Tuinen been covered by Social Security as a policeman, his wife and children
would now receive the maximum family payment of $368 a month--more than twice as
much.
Ford today said he will make a concerted effort this year to win congressional
approval of his police-firemen's Social Security bill.
"The Van Tuinen case points up clearly the need to permit Social Security
coverage for Michigan's policemen and firefighters," Ford said. "Most city and
village officials in the Fifth District of Michigan are behind my bill. Their
firemen and policemen support it. It's time we wrote this legislation into the
statute books."
Contacted by Ford in a current check on home sentiment for the bill, Grand
Rapids City Manager Henry Nabers said: "I think it would be great if your Social
Security bill were enacted."
# # #
SCRIPT FOR 5TH DISTRICT RADIO STATION TAPE, RECORDED WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1967
This is your congressman, Jerry Ford, reporting to you from Washington.
Today I'd like to talk with you about a topic which is very much in the news-the
Selective Service System, or as we call it, the draft.
The Congress must act by July 1 to extend the present draft law in some
form. The present law will expire at midnight June 30.
To help Congress decide what to doabout the draft, President Johnson has
sent us recommendations based on a study by a presidential commission. The House
Armed Services Committee, which will handle the draft legislation, also has
received the advice of a study group headed by former Gen. Mark Clark of World
War II fame.
There seems to be little disagreement that the draft should be changed so
that 19-year-dlds are called first. In fact, the President plans to put this
change into effect by his own order without waiting for any kind of action by Congress.
The President's draft law proposals are arousing controversy in Congress,
however. Most of the argument involves Mr. Johnson's plan to start using a lottery
system to pick draftees.
What's wrong with using a lottery system? The President knows it's going
to be hard to sell and so he has hung a special name tag on it. He calls it FAIR
F-A-I-R...for "fair and impartial random," a blind system of selecting young
American men for military duty.
Maybe that's just what's wrong with a lottery system of compulsory military
service. It's a blind kind of justice that dehumanizes the draft. It's been tried
before and it just hasn't worked.
GERALD
-2-
A lottery would blindly take some of the best young brains in the country.
It would take some of the best young farmers in the country. It would take some
of the best young workers in the defense industries of the Nation.
The President passed over the question of eliminating local draft boards,
as recommended by his presidential commission. But if you have a national lottery
system for picking draftees, what will local draft boards have to do?
I think our friends and neighbors have been doing a real good job of
handling their draft board chores. They have been performing a very important
service. I like the idea of giving a local board the discretion to grant deferments
in deserving cases. They know each case because they are familiar with local
situations. This is important. It preserves what I call "the human element
in the draft. I'd hate to see the draft made a purely mechanical, computerized
kind of operation. Blind Justice can lead to much injustice, it seems to me.
The President also skipped over the subject of deferments for college students.
There is no question the present system of deferments needs tightening up.
College should not become a haven for draft dodgers. For this reason I agree with
the President that graduate students should not be deferred unless they are studying
medicine or dentistry. However, many of these prospective doctors and dentists
under deferment should be required to serve in the Armed Forces after completing
their medical and dental training.
I would like to see the day when our Armed Forces are made up entirely of
volunteers. Unfortunately, we must keep 3 million 300 thousand men under arms
today to carry our out mission in Vietnam and guard the rest of our defense line
-3-
around the world. Experience indicates that an entirely volunteer force of men
would total no more than about 2 million.
Let us, then, see to it that we are as fair and as sensible as possible
in imposing on our young men the military obligation which is required of them as
the price of our Nation's freedom. I believe Congress will act in that spirit in
revising our draft law in the months ahead.
This is your congressman, Jerry Ford, reporting to you from Washington.
I'll be talking with you again next week over this same station.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR USE THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1967
Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., today had high praise for the nationwide Jaycee
program aimed at honoring outstanding young American educators.
"It is civic programs of this kind that help build America by focusing
attention on the tremendous contribution made by good teachers," Ford said in a
statement issued by his Washington office.
"I have always maintained," Ford said, "that a great teacher is great whether
he is sitting on a log talking to his pupils in an open field or is standing behind
a desk in a new classroom." "We must have enough classrooms to accommodate our
young people, but it is imperative that we have teachers who are dedicated and well-
trained."
Ford said the Jaycee program serves to upgrade the teaching profession and
make it more attractive to capable young men and women who are needed for teaching
duties in the Nation's schools.
"We should constantly be striving to improve the quality of education in
America," Ford said. "The best way to do that is to keep the school curriculum
abreast of the times and try to bring the best talent we can into the teaching
profession. One means of doing this is to honor the outstanding people now teaching
in our Nation's classrooms. I congratulate the Jaycees, those teachers to be honored
and the teaching profession."
The Jaycees in Kent and Ionia communities and elsewhere in the country
presently are selecting elementary and secondary school teachers to be honored for
their achievements.
###
For Release on Thursday, July 25, 1968.
Rep. Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids is not about to hang an Employment
Service shingle above the door of his office in the U.S. Capitol but he is glowing
with pleasure over his latest job assist.
The story begins with graduation ceremonies at Gallaudet College, famous
school for the deaf in Washington, D.C., where David Othal Riker of 1948
Burlingame Avenue S.W., Wyoming, proudly received a bachelor of arts degree in
mathematics in June. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Othal N. Riker of Wyoming were
equally proud.
Nobody who has full possession of all his faculties can appreciate the
trepidation with which Dave began his quest for a position as a mathematician
with a Federal agency. Fortunately, it occurred to him to ask Congressman Ford's
help.
When Dave walked into Ford's office a few days after his graduation, Ford
immediately promised to do everything in his power to help him line up a position.
Since Dave cannot hear and can lip-read only a little, he and Ford staff
members carried on extensive "conversations" on sheets of note paper. Together
they tackled the task of contacting the various Federal agencies through their
coordinators for employment of the handicapped.
Dave and Rep. Ford were discouraged at first. The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration people were "working on something" for Dave but it didn't
look promising. The Department of the Navy, the Department of Commerce and the
Goddard Space Flight Center were among the "possibles" on Dave's list.
Ford staff members spent many hours making inquiries and setting up
appointments.
The Department of Commerce prospect fell through. Dave twice visited the
Goddard Space Flight Center but that did not prove out. Then happiness hit. Dave
received word from Earl L. Payne, coordinator for employment of the handicapped
at the Defense Department, that a job was waiting for him at the Pentagon. He
reported for work the very next day.
Dave now is working as a mathematician in the Office of the Comptroller for
the Assistant Secretary of Defense.
"I have no problems," he wrote confidently. "I am enjoying the job very
much."
(more)
-2-
As for Ford, he was delighted that he could help. He was especially
pleased when Dave's sister, Mrs. Kenneth Gager of Rockford (11181 - 13 Mile Rd. NE,
RD 3), wrote and thanked him for the assistance given to Dave.
"I was talking to my mother yesterday, " Mrs. Gager wrote, "and she was
telling me about the phone calls and other services performed for Dave and I
must say it is wonderful to know there are people around who will help other
people."
"Dave has had a nard time of it, all through his life, "Mrs. Gager continued,
"not only because of his hearing handicap but because of other circumstances.
Therefore, to think that he has come this far is really an accomplishment, and we
all hope and pray that he will continue to progress as he has the last several
years. He deserves every good thing that comes his way and I'm sure he appreci-
ates all that you are doing for him. Again, many thanks to you all for your
kindness and thoughtfulness."
Dave does indeed deserve all good things. A thumbnail biographical sketch
shows that he was one of the top 10 students in his graduating class at Lee High
School in Wyoming and won the Top Salesman Award and Best Achiever Award in the
Junior Achievement of Grand Rapids Program. Since that time he has worked as a
printer and pressman in Grand Rapids and in Maryland, worked on the Gallaudet
College newspaper as business manager and was also business manager of the
college's Student Body Government and its ice hockey team.
A fine, clean-looking chap, Dave has a secret and unusual hobby. He's
something of a judo expert. Maybe he'll give mathematics at the Pentagon a new
twist.
# # #
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford re: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968
For Fifth District News Media
A greater opportunity to meet hospital construction needs has opened up for
Kent and Ionia County communities as a result of legislation I sponsored in the
90th Congress.
A bill I introduced in April 1967 has been enacted as part of the 1968
Housing and Urban Development Act, just approved by Congress. This legislation
makes FHA-type loans available for hospital construction by insuring the mortgages
of nonprofit hospitals.
The federally-insured mortgage also may be used to cover the cost of major
items of equipment needed to operate the hospital.
Community leaders in Grand Rapids tell me that hospital construction needs
there will total an estimated $35 million over the next 10 years. It was at
their urging that I drafted and sponsored the FHA-loans hospital construction
bill. I managed to keep it in the omnibus housing bill only by exerting every
possible effort.
This new program of FHA-type loans for hospital construction will not supplant
the familiar Hill-Burton program of federal grants for such projects. It will
supplement Hill-Burton. It recognizes the fact that funds for hospital construc-
tion are in constantly short supply and that, nationwide, there is a minimum
need for an estimated $3.7 billion worth of hospital facilities.
My program fills an unmet need. Nonprofit hospitals have found mortgage
lenders reluctant to provide construction loans on such terms that the loan could
be paid back without an undue increase in hospital charges and fees. My program
will make longterm mortgage financing possible for nonprofit hospitals.
I believe communities in Michigan and throughout the United States will
benefit in improved health care as a result of this new program.
The new Housing Act also contains another provision of special interest
in Kent and Ionia Counties. It establishes a national flood insurance program
which will make flood insurance available to families and small businessmen in
areas frequently troubled with flooding.
(more)
-2-
The people of Grandville may be among the first to become eligible for this
new flood insurance because the Army Corps of Engineers has already completed a
study of Grandville as a "flood-prone area."
The flood insurance coverage will be limited to one-to-four family
residential properties and to smaller businesses such as the typical neighborhood
family enterprise.
The insurance will be a joint venture between the Federal Government and the
private insurance industry. The Government will make payments to the participating
insurance companies in high flood-loss years, and the companies in turn will pay
the Government a premium in low flood-loss years.
The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 is landmark legislation.
There are some features I do not like, but on balance the pluses outweigh the
minuses.
The main thrust of the bill is a new Republican concept which enlists
private resources to help provide decent homes for more than six million
American families now living in slums or dilapidated rural dwellings.
The measure will establish the National Home Ownership Foundation which was
conceived by Sen. Charles Percy, R-I11., and supported by me. Eventually it
should attract many billions in private funds into low-cost housing and
rehabilitation.
There are 13 million American families with incomes under $5,000 a year.
They represent 28 per cent of all the families in the country. Not all of them
live in unsatisfactory quarters, but the latest housing survey shows that
6,353,000 housing units in America are substandard. These units should be
replaced or renovated.
I think we should help those who cannot decently house themselves, making
certain that housing produced with Government assistance be devoted only to
low-income families. And the major emphasis must be on federal guarantees,
guidance and support rather than on big federal outlays.
But we must help slum dwellers and the rural poor obtain decent housing.
We must act if we are to build a sound future for all Americans.
# # #
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
For Release the Week of August 18-24, 1968
and thereafter
New Law
Bars Age
Job Bias
BY JERRY FORD
In this time when so many Americans worry so much about growing old, it seems
appropriate to report that a new Federal law prohibits employers and labor unions
from discriminating against workers on account of age.
Although the law is very new, the U.S. Labor Department states that already
there are workers in the age bracket covered--40 to 65--who have been hired for
jobs that were closed to them before the law against age discrimination went into
effect.
I am pleased to say that I strongly supported this legislation when it was
before the Congress.
The new law does not mean that an employer must hire a person in the 40 to 65
age group regardless of any and all circumstances. But an employer may only
refuse to fill a vacancy with an otherwise qualified older worker in cases where
age is "a bona fide occupational qualification necessary to the normal operation
of the particular business."
Labor unions may no longer shut out workers in the 40-65 age bracket from
membership or refuse to refer older members to employers simply because of their
age. Employment agencies also are barred from discriminating against older job
seekers.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies to some 350,000 employers,
employment agencies which serve them, and to labor organizations across the
country. It involves employers with 25 or more workers and labor organizations
with 25 or more members in industries affecting interstate commerce.
The U.S. Labor Department anticipates investigating 20,000 to 25,000
complaints regarding age discrimination in employment in the 12 months ending
next June 30.
Following guidelines laid down by Congress, the department will seek to
(more)
-2-
remedy all justifiable complaints through mediation. Cases will be taken to
court only where all other attempts to settle the issue fail.
The new law against age bias in hiring and firing is aimed at promoting the
employment of older Americans.
There are 37 million Americans in the age 40-65 age bracket. An average of
850,000 persons in this group are unemployed. These 850,000 account for
27 per cent of all the unemployed in this country and 40 per cent of the longterm
unemployed.
The fact that these people are jobless results in an unemployment
compensation bill of $750 million a year.
For years some employers have been shunning the older worker on the ground
that he or she is physically weaker, has a high rate of absenteeism and is not
adaptable to change. But study after study has shown that older workers
generally have lower absenteeism rates, change jobs less frequently, and do their
jobs more enthusiastically than younger workers.
# # #
august 22, 1968
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
Rep. Jerry Ford Plays Cupid
In Trans-Atlantic Romance
The fellow who first remarked that the course of true love seldom runs
smooth might have added: If you have a problem, take it to your congressman.
That's what sweet young Maureen Szymczak of Grand Rapids did when she ran
into bad luck with love last Spring. With the help of Rep. Gerald R. Ford,
wedding bells will ring for her in October.
For Maureen, love was a grand adventure that happened to her in Europe in
the summer of 1967. It budded and bloomed in Munich when she remained on the
continent after a three-week Grand Rapids Junior College tour in 1966.
She lived in Europe for a year and a half, first visiting with a sister
married to a U.S. serviceman stationed in Bremerhaven and then working in
Copenhagen. She vacationed in Greece and Spain during the summer of 1967 and
then found work at a hotel in Munich, Germany when she ran out of money.
It was at the hotel that she met Giancarlo Vanin, an Italian who was an
on-the-job trainee in hotel administration.
"I was working as a chambermaid," she said, "and I literally met Giancarlo
over my mop and pail."
They fell madly in love, and when Maureen returned to Grand Rapids last
Christmas and then enrolled at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo it was
with plans for a Fall, 1968 wedding.
Maureen and Giancarlo agreed that he should come to Grand Rapids on a
visitor's visa in August so he could meet her family and they could be married
in September at St. James Catholic Church. After their marriage, they would
travel to Munich where Giancarlo would resume his training in hotel administration.
But then the blow fell. Giancarlo was turned down cold when he went to
the American consulate in Munich and applied for a visitor's visa so he could
go to Grand Rapids to marry Maureen. The official at the consulate told him
he would have to apply for an immigrant visa under the quota system, a procedure
which would take years because of the long waiting list.
(more) FORD LIBRARY
-2-
Maureen wrote to the Immigration and Naturalization Service Office in
Detroit but received no help.
Then she appealed to Congressman Ford, detailing how the American consulate
official in Munich insisted there was no assurance that Giancarlo would marry
during his visit to the United States and that he would return to Europe with
his bride.
Ford went to work on the case. Four months, seventeen letters, three
telephone calls and one notarized statement later, the American consulate informed
Ford that a visitor's visa had been granted to Giancarlo. With Ford's assistance,
Maureen and Giancarlo had finally satisfied the consul that they would in fact
be married in Grand Rapids and would then leave for Europe.
Bubbling over with happiness, Maureen wrote Congressman Ford:
"I would like to sincerely thank you for your assistance in helping my
fiance obtain the visa. We are so thrilled and excited. It's hard to believe
he actually has it! It's a nice feeling to know that when you have a problem
you can take it to your congressman--and get results!"
Expressing his gratitude, Giancarlo wrote Ford: "I want you to know that
all my life I will never forget you. I will never forget what you did for me.
I will never forget the man who with his help gave me the opportunity to go to
America and marry the girl I love so much."
A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Szymczak, 731 Stocking, N.W., Maureen
will be married to Giancarlo Vanin at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at St. James Catholic
Church with Msgr. Walter Grill reading the Nuptial Mass. There will be a
reception at St. Hyacinth's Club.
True to the word given the American consul in Munich, Germany, Maureen and
Giancarlo will make their home there for four months after the wedding and
then will live for two or three years in Rome where Carlo will complete his
hotel management training. They plan untimately to live in America.
Mrs. Szymczak hasn't met her future son-in-law yet but already she is
proud of him.
"He speaks five languages," she said. "I am very happy for Maureen
although I am sad at losing her." "You should have seen all the letters they
wrote to each other after she came home last Christmas. This just has to be
the real thing."
And that is how the course of true love was made smooth by a congressman.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
Rep. Jerry Ford Plays Cupid
In Trans-Atlantic Romance
The fellow who first remarked that the course of true love seldom runs
smooth might have added: If you have a problem, take it to your congressman.
That's what sweet young Maureen Szymczak of Grand Rapids did when she ran
into bad luck with love last Spring. With the help of Rep. Gerald R. Ford,
wedding bells will ring for her in October.
For Maureen, love was a grand adventure that happened to her in Europe in
the summer of 1967. It budded and bloomed in Munich when she remained on the
continent after a three-week Grand Rapids Junior College tour in 1966.
She lived in Europe for a year and a half, first visiting with a sister
married to a U.S. serviceman stationed in Bremerhaven and then working in
Copenhagen. She vacationed in Greece and Spain during the summer of 1967 and
then found work at a hotel in Munich, Germany when she ran out of money.
It was at the hotel that she met Giancarlo Vanin, an Italian who was an
on-the-job trainee in hotel administration.
"I was working as a chambermaid," she said, "and I literally met Giancarlo
over my mop and pail."
They fell madly in love, and when Maureen returned to Grand Rapids last
Christmas and then enrolled at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo it was
with plans for a Fall, 1968 wedding.
Maureen and Giancarlo agreed that he should come to Grand Rapids on a
visitor's visa in August so he could meet her family and they could be married
in September at St. James Catholic Church. After their marriage, they would
travel to Munich where Giancarlo would resume his training in hotel administration.
But then the blow fell. Giancarlo was turned down cold when he went to
the American consulate in Munich and applied for a visitor's visa so he could
go to Grand Rapids to marry Maureen. The official at the consulate told him
he would have to apply for an immigrant visa under the quota system, a procedure
which would take years because of the long waiting list.
(more)
-2-
Maureen wrote to the Immigration and Naturalization Service Office in
Detroit but received no help.
Then she appealed to Congressman Ford, detailing how the American consulate
official in Munich insisted there was no assurance that Giancarlo would marry
during his visit to the United States and that he would return to Europe with
his bride.
Ford went to work on the case. Four months, seventeen letters, three
telephone calls and one notarized statement later, the American consulate informed
Ford that a visitor's visa had been granted to Giancarlo. With Ford's assistance,
Maureen and Giancarlo had finally satisfied the consul that they would in fact
be married in Grand Rapids and would then leave for Europe.
Bubbling over with happiness, Maureen wrote Congressman Ford:
"I would like to sincerely thank you for your assistance in helping my
fiance obtain the visa. We are so thrilled and excited. It's hard to believe
he actually has it! It's a nice feeling to know that when you have a problem
you can take it to your congressman--and get results!"
Expressing his gratitude, Giancarlo wrote Ford: "I want you to know that
all my life I will never forget you. I will never forget what you did for me.
I will never forget the man who with his help gave me the opportunity to go to
America and marry the girl I love so much."
A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Szymczak, 731 Stocking, N.W., Maureen
will be married to Giancarlo Vanin at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at St. James Catholic
Church with Msgr. Walter Grill reading the Nuptial Mass. There will be a
reception at St. Hyacinth's Club.
True to the word given the American consul in Munich, Germany, Maureen and
Giancarlo will make their home there for four months after the wedding and
then will live for two or three years in Rome where Carlo will complete his
hotel management training. They plan untimately to live in America.
Mrs. Szymczak hasn't met her future son-in-law yet but already she is
proud of him.
"He speaks five languages," she said. "I am very happy for Maureen
although I am sad at losing her." "You should have seen all the letters they
wrote to each other after she came home last Christmas. This just has to be
the real thing."
And that is how the course of true love was made smooth by a congressman.
# # #
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford
For Release by Kent and Ionia County News Media on Oct. 17, 1968.
Extent of flooding hazards in the Grand Rapids area will be studied
intensively by the Army Corps of Engineers, Rep. Gerald R. Ford reported today.
Ford said the Corps will gather data which then will be available to
the public and to State and local agencies. It is expected the study will be
completed within 12 months and will cost about $24,000.
Information to be put together by the Corps will describe basic flood
hazards in the Grand Rapids area -- frequency of flooding, the areas involved,
relative height of the flooding, measurements of water velocity.
"This will be an important study," Ford said. "The information to be
assembled by the Corps of Engineers will be useful as a basis for all kinds of
planning decisions. The extent to which flooding hazards in Kent County have
increased has not been fully recognized."
Funds for the study were contained in the Federal Government's fiscal
1969 budget, Ford said.
# # #
M allice Copy
NEWS RELEASE
AMERICANS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ACTION
20 E STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON 1, D.C.
737-0937
Charles A. McManus, Executive Director
FOR RELEASE: October 24, 1968
WASHINGTON, D. C. - Representative Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Minority
Leader of the United States House of Representatives, was endorsed for re-election
today by ACA (Americans for Constitutional Action). The non-partisan National
organization, headquartered here, said it was endorsing Michigan's Fifth District
Congressman because of his consistent voting record for constitutional principles.
Charles A. McManus, Executive Director of ACA, stated, "Representative Ford
is best judged by his performance during the 20 years he has served in the House.
His legislative record gives factual evidence of his valuable service to our Nation.
He stands firm against the liberal pressures in Washington, the wild spending schemes,
and the permissive society offered by the proponents of the Great Society."
"Congressman Ford has repeatedly stood for fiscal responsibility; firm
responsible opposition to the Communists; and for law and order for our Nation."
Americans for Constitutional Action (ACA) periodically rates all members
of Congress on issues which are of major National importance and adherence to
constitutional principles. ACA's Executive Director stated, "If every member of
Congress voted like Congressman Ford, there would be no Federal debt, inflation
would not be a problem, our National military strength would not be in question,
Americans would be paying lower taxes, and our wives and children would not be in
constant fear for their safety."
Mr. McManus cited Congressman Ford's voting record as outstanding and
asserted that he is the kind of Congressman of which we need more. "He puts the
interest of the United States first and works continually for the preservation of
constitutional government."
The endorsement by ACA brings to the Congressman the support of highly
distinguished citizens, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, who are members
of ACA's Board of Trustees.
Congressman Ford is now serving his 10th term in Congress. He is married
to the former Elizabeth Bloomer and has four children.
-30-
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
November 14, 1968
Veterans and their dependents in the Grand Rapids area soon will be as
close to the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Detroit as they are to
their telephone, Congressman Gerald R. Ford announced today.
Congressman Ford said, effective November 22, 1968, a new VA FX telephone
system linking the Grand Rapids area with the Detroit Regional Office will be
put into operation.
He emphasized that the cost of such calls will be no more than the cost
of a call to their next door neighbor -- there is no long distance charge.
Under the FX system, Congressman Ford explained, a veteran can pick up
the telephone in his home, shop, or office, dial a local Grand Rapids number,
456-8511, and talk with a VA representative in the Detroit Regional Office
where files for Grand Rapids veterans are located.
Calls may be made Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
VA representatives in Detroit will provide assistance on all VA programs,
including education and training, insurance, compensation and pension,
vocational rehabilitation, medical care, and G.I. loans, as well as on veterans
benefits administered by other Federal agencies, the Congressman said.
Congressman Ford noted that the telephone company information service
will carry the Veterans Administration FX number as a local listing and it will
appear in future telephone directories.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
November 15, 1968
The Ionia Recreation Area will swell to more than 3,000 acres as the
result of a fresh Federal grant, Rep. Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids announced
today.
Ford said the Michigan Conservation Department will receive $169,477.50
in Federal funds to add 941 acres of land to the existing 2,115-acre area.
Ford noted that this will bring the total Ionia Recreation Area acreage
to 3,056.
He said the ultimate goal is to expand the area to perhaps 3,500 acres,
according to the U.S. Department of Interior.
With the new grant, the Federal Government has put $520,049 of matching
money into the recreation area, Ford said. Since this money is matched by the
State, total investment in Ionia Recreation Area land to date is $1,040,098,
Ford noted.
He said the Interior Department indicated there will be one final allo-
cation of funds to the State Conservation Department for purchase of still more
Ionia Recreation Area land.
The original Ionia project was approved in April 1967.
The area is used for hunting, hiking, camping, nature study, canoeing and
winter sports.
The federal funds for the project come from the Federal Land and Water
Conservation Fund. That Fund is built up from sale of the annual $7 Golden
Eagle Permit which admits a carload of people to all Federal areas, other
Federal outdoor recreation entrance and user fees, the sale of Federal surplus
real property, and the Federal motorboat fuels tax.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
November 21, 1968
A surveillance radar system estimated to cost $270,000 will be installed
at Kent County Airport by the Federal Aviation Agency, Rep. Gerald R. Ford of
Grand Rapids announced today.
It will be two years before the system is in operation, he said.
Ford said FAA Administrator David D. Thomas notified him that funds had
been earmarked for the project. The FAA now will prepare the specifications
and seek bids. The contract will be awarded about next June, the FAA told Ford.
It then will take about 18 months for delivery of the equipment and
another 90 to 180 days for FAA to install it, Ford said.
The surveillance radar system will be a big safety plus for Kent County
Airport, Ford declared. He noted that it is used by air traffic controllers to
separate aircraft approaching the Grand Rapids area. It is particularly useful
in bad weather.
The FAA approves an airport for surveillance radar when a survey shows
at least 20,000 annual instrument approaches by aircraft landing at the airport
and at least 1,000 itinerant operations.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
November 22, 1968
A new bathhouse estimated to cost roughly $66,750 will be built in Long
Lake Park with the help of federal funds, Rep. Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids
announced today.
Ford said the Kent County Road and Park Commission will receive a
$33,378.48 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant from the Interior Department.
The federal funds are to be matched by Kent County.
The new bathhouse will replace an old Long Lake Park bathhouse building.
The park is due north of Grand Rapids between 16 and 17-Mile Roads.
The federal grant for the project comes from a fund built up with
revenues from sale of the $7 Golden Eagle permit which admits a carload of
people to Federal recreation areas, other Federal outdoor recreation entrance
and user fees, the sale of Federal surplus real property, and the Federal
motorboat fuels tax.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
November 26, 1968
Pine Rest Christian Hospital and Sheltered Workshop will receive a
Federal grant of $86,622 to expand a building serving retarded and mentally
ill persons and to augment other services and programs, Rep. Gerald R. Ford of
Grand Rapids announced today.
Pine Rest, located at 6850 South Division in Grand Rapids, will put
$28,874 of its own funds into the project for a total investment of $115,496
in the expansion program, Ford said. The federal funds come from the
Rehabilitation Services Administration of the Health-Education-Welfare Department.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
November 27, 1968
Davenport College of Business in Grand Rapids will launch a $526,000
college housing program with the aid of a $500,000 Federal loan, Rep. Gerald R.
Ford of Grand Rapids said today.
Ford reported approval by the Housing and Urban Development Department
of a $500,000 loan to Davenport College to be repaid over a 30-year period at
3 per cent interest.
The Federal loan, supplemented with $26,000 of the college's own funds,
will be used to buy two apartment buildings and convert them into student
housing, Ford said.
The converted buildings will provide housing for 94 men and 36 women
students.
Architectural work for the conversion project will be done by Wold,
Bowers, De Shane & Covert of Grand Rapids.
###
Note to Editors: If any further information is desired, it is suggested you
contact Robert E. Schmiedicke, Vice-President, Davenport
College of Business, 415 East Fulton Street, Grand Rapids.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT--
December 5, 1968
The Grand Rapids Housing Commission will be handed nearly $2 million
in federal loan funds to buy 100 row-style homes for rental to low-income
families, Rep. Gerald R. Ford announced today.
Ford said the Housing and Urban Development Department has just earmarked
loan funds for purchase of the housing. The homes will be located in an area
bounded by Barnett, Lafayette, Clancy and Cedar Streets.
Tempo Construction, Inc., of Grand Rapids will build the homes. The
Grand Rapids Housing Commission then will buy them, using up to $1,911,047 in
federal money. That is the amount of the financial assistance contract approved
by HUD.
This new-style public housing project is part of a HUD program called
Turnkey.
The new program permits a local housing authority to buy housing
produced by private developers on their own land.
Under the Grand Rapids contract approved by HUD, the $1.9 million loan
will cover land, construction and equipment, utilities, planning and design,
space for management and maintenance and for tenant or neighborhood services
and activities, contingencies, and administrative costs.
The Grand Rapids Housing Commission will sell long-term bonds to
private investors and use the proceeds to repay the $1.9 million loan to the
Federal Government.
This is taxpayer-subsidized housing. The financial assistance contract
provides for annual federal contributions to the Grand Rapids Housing
Commission to keep the rent low on the row-style homes.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON RECEIPT
December 20, 1968
When Mrs. Florence Kent thought of her teenage soldier sons, Arthur and
Darcy, spending their first away-from-home Christmas in faroff Vietnam, she felt
heartsick.
Then she hit on an idea. Art was at Chu Lai; Dart, at Phu Bai. Wouldn't
it be wonderful if the military authorities would bring them together on Christmas
Day!
With that in mind, Mrs. Kent, of 3900 Flamingo, S.W., Wyoming, wrote to
Congressman Gerald R. Ford and asked if he could help.
Ford promptly fired off a request to the Commanding General of the U.S.
Army in Vietnam asking if the two young men could possibly be reunited for
Christmas. Ford noted that the two boys, 18 and 19, had not only enlisted in the
Army but had volunteered for duty in Vietnam.
In passing along Mrs. Kent's request, Ford noted that she is "a fine,
courageous woman who raised her children (seven of them) alone, without outside
help of any kind, since these two soldiers were nine and 10 years old respectively.
Days passed. Then came a wire from the commanding general informing Ford
that Pfc. Darcy Kent would be transported on December 23 to the spot where his
brother, Pfc. Arthur Kent, is stationed.
"The two brothers will be together for the Christmas holidays," the
general promised.
In a letter to Mrs. Kent, Ford said: "Having two teenage sons who not only
enlisted but volunteered for Vietnam duty as well is almost unbelievable in this
time when so many are doing everything they can to avoid their military obligation.
When you tell me that you raised your seven children from early childhood alone,
without any outside help, I am filled with tremendous admiration for you. The fine
spirit of your sons in Vietnam is a reflection of the wonderful courage and spirit
of you, their mother."
Ford figures that the reuniting of Art and Dart in Vietnam at Christmastime
is perhaps the best present Mrs. Kent could receive, short of having her sons back
home with her.
#######
GERALD LIBRARY FORD