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9/30/75 - Remarks of the President at the Illinois State GOP Fundraiser
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1252529
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9/30/75 - Remarks of the President at the Illinois State GOP Fundraiser
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
Reading Copies of Presidential Speeches and Statements
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Soviet Union
Illinois
Republican National Committee (U.S.)
Inflation (Finance)
Vetoes
Speeches, addresses, etc.
Grain sales
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1975-09-30
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1975
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30
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1975-09-30
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 17, "9/30/75 - Remarks of the President at the
Illinois State GOP Fundraiser" of the President's Speeches and Statements: Reading
Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 17 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - - ILLINOIS GOP DINNER
THANK YOU, JIM BERE (Dinner Chairman) (Phonetic: BEAR-RAY)
DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE
-- CHUCK PERCY
-- BOB MICHEL
-- JOHN ANDERSON
-- BOB McCLORY
-- GEORGE O'BRIEN
BILL SCOTT
DON ADAMS (State Chairman), JERIMIAH MILBANK,
HAROLD SMITH (Finance Chairman)
MY GOOD FRIENDS, LES ARENDS, MARGUERITE CHURCH,
and
DICK OGILVIE
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT THE
ILLINOIS STATE GOP FUNDRAISER
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1975
- 1 -
THIS HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A RATHER UNUSUAL EVENING
FOR ME. ONE OF YOUR NEWSPAPERS SUGGESTED VERY STRONGLY
THAT I NOT COME TO CHICAGO AND MAYOR DALEY SUGGESTED
VERY STRONGLY THAT I DO COME.
I HOPE YOU GOOD
REPUBLICANS DON'T MIND IF ON THIS OCCASION I CAME DOWN
ON THE SIDE OF MAYOR DALEY.
- - 2 -
I'M ESPECIALLY PLEASED TO BE HERE AT A TIME WHEN THE
OUTLOOK FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN ILLINOIS IS so BRIGHT.
YOU ARE DEVELOPING A STRONG STATE TICKET.
YOU HAVE
EXCELLENT CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL AND STATE OFFICES AND FOR THE
CONGRESS.
YOUR PARTY LEADERS HERE ARE ENTHUSIASTIC AND
so AM 1.
- 3 -
LET'S REMEMBER THIS
-
AS REPUBLICANS, WE HAVE ONE
POWERFUL RESOURCE WHICH THE DEMOCRATS LACK: THE MAJORITY
OF AMERICANS
-
REPUBLICANS
INDEPENDENTS AND DISCERNING
DEMOCRATS -- BELIEVE IN THE SAME BASIC PRINCIPLES WE DO.
- 4 -
THEY WANT FISCAL SANITY RESTORED TO OUR NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT.
\
THEY WANT THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM FREED
FROM THE SHACKLES OF OVER-REGULATION.
THEY WANT A STRONG
NATIONAL DEFENSE WHICH IS STILL THE BEST ASSURANCE OF PEACE.
THEY WANT LOCAL PEOPLE TO HANDLE LOCAL AFFAIRS.
\
AND THEY
WANT TO PRESERVE AND EXPAND THE DIGNITY AND THE FREEDOM
OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
- 5 -
THE FRENCH HAVE A SAYING THAT THE MORE THINGS CHANGE,
THE MORE THEY ARE THE SAME.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED BY THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1860 -- HELD RIGHT HERE
IN CHICAGO -- ATTACKED -- IN THESE WORDS -- II THE
RECKLESS EXTRAVAGANCE WHICH PERVADES EVERY DEPARTMENT
OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT."
- 6 -
IT COMMENDED THE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM,
ADVOCATED LOCAL CONTROL OVER LOCAL AFFAIRS AND STRESSED
INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM AS BASIC "TO THE PRESERVATION OF OUR
REPUBLICAN INSTITUTIONS."
- 7 -
I AM PROUD TO ADVOCATE THESE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH
ABRAHAM LINCOLN CAMPAIGNED IN 1860.
I INVITE EVERYBODY
WHO BELIEVES IN THEM TO JOIN US IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND
TO FIGHT FOR THEM TODAY.
- 8 -
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OFF-YEARS IN THE
HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
THIS IS THE YEAR WE MUST
ORGANIZE TO ELECT REPUBLICANS AT EVERY LEVEL NEXT YEAR.
YOUR PARTY ORGANIZATIONS WILL PLAY A VITAL ROLE.
- 9 -
THROUGH SUCH PROJECTS AS YOUR "TASK FORCE 75-76" --
WHICH WAS HEADED BY BILL DuVALL AND INSPIRED BY CHUCK PERCY --
YOU ARE LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE VICTORIES OF 1976.
- 10 -
SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION DRIVES THIS FALL IN EVERY
SECTION OF THIS STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ESSENTIAL
WE MUST FIND PARTY WORKERS
WE MUST IDENTIFY OUR
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.
WE MUST FINE-TUNE OUR PARTY'S
ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGNS AHEAD.
WE MUST
DEMONSTRATE THAT OUR PARTY IS DETERMINED TO SELECT AND ELECT
THE BEST POSSIBLE CANDIDATES AND THAT THE PARTY ORGANIZATION
IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE.
federal - 11 -
THE NEW 1974 CAMPAIGN LAW REQUIRES A STRONGER WORKING
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTY ORGANIZATIONS AND CANDIDATES.
THE ABILITY OF REPUBLICANS TO WIN ELECTIONS AT EVERY LEVEL
WILL DEPEND ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR REGISTRATION DRIVE AND
ON OUR DETERMINATION TO KNOCK ON DOORS.
IT WILL DEPEND
ON STRONG PARTY ORGANIZATION AND ON GOOD FINANCING.
IT WILL DEPEND ON YOU.
- 12 -
SINCE TAKING OFFICE AS PRESIDENT, I HAVE GONE TO
38 STATES TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING
TO DO IN WASHINGTON -- AND TO LEARN WHAT CONCERNS
our
MY
FELLOW AMERICANS.
1 can't of discuss
all both e of the me home concentrate q alood on several. 190
let
- 13 agreentture is a great industry & from
are wonderful people
ONE OF THESE CONCERNS IS FARM PRICES.
LAST YEAR,
1
AMERICAN FARMERS RESPONDED TO MY CALL FOR FULL PRODUCTION.
THIS YEAR, THEY HARVESTED A RECORD WHEAT CROP.
THEY EXPECT
A RECORD CORN CROP BY THE END OF THE HARVEST YEAR.
- 14 -
AMERICAN FARMERS WANT -- AND HAVE EVERY GOOD REASON
TO EXPECT -- TO SELL ALL THEY PRODUCE EITHER AT HOME OR ABROAD.
I INTEND TO SEE THAT THEY DO -- IN A FREE MARKET AND AT FAIR
PRICES.
PROFITABLE AND STEADY GRAIN TRADING RELATIONS
HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BUYERS IN EUROPE, JAPAN AND ELSEWHERE.
&
significant
WE CAN COUNT IN ADVANCE ON REGULAR PURCHASES BY THOSE
FOREIGN CUSTOMERS.
- 15 -
WITH THE SOVIET UNION,
A RELATIVELY NEW CUSTOMER,
5/
WE DO NOT
YET HAVE THAT ASSURANCE.
SOVIET GRAIN PURCHASES HAVE
FLUCTUATED GREATLY IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
Let me illustrate
- 16 -
IN 1971 - 72, THE RUSSIANS BOUGHT 182 MILLION BUSHELS
OF GRAIN FROM US.
IN 1972 - 73, THE FIGURE SOARED TO
524 MILLION BUSHELS.
IN 1973 - 74, IT DROPPED TO 252 MILLION
BUSHELS, AND THEN FELL SHARPLY TO ABOUT 74 MILLION BUSHELS
IN 1974 - 75.
DURING THIS CROP YEAR, THE RUSSIANS HAVE
ALREADY BOUGHT 399 MILLION BUSHELS AND WANT TO BUY MORE.
- - 16a -
THESE WIDE FLUCTUATIONS DISRUPT OUR MARKETS AND
MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR FARMERS TO PLAN PROPERLY. Furthomore,
these wide fluctuations have an undessrable
impact on our overall lconomy.
Toachieve n The better consumer, rhalt our for commy - 17 - as whole
the former, THAT'S WHY I AM GIVING PRIORITY ATTENTION TO
AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SOVIET UNION THAT WILL PUT AGRICULTURAL
far more certin of
TRADE ON A PREDICTABLE BASIS -- AN AGREEMENT ALONG THE
LINES OF THE ONE WE ARE NOW CONCLUDING WITH POLAND TO
-
ASSURE GRAIN SALES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AT LEVELS
CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN IN THE PAST.
- 17a -
I AM CONFIDENT WE WILL SOON REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
RUSSIANS TO FACILITATE THE SALE OF THIS YEAR'S BUMPER CROP
-
WITH ASSURANCES OF SIMILAR SALES IN FUTURE YEARS --
ALL WHILE MEETING NEEDS AT HOME AND KEEPING FOOD PRICES STEADY,
certainly within masonable limits.
- 18 -
ANOTHER PROPER CONCERN OF ALL AMERICANS IS THE
CONDITION OF OUR ECONOMY.
TONIGHT, I CAN TELL YOU THIS: THE RECESSIONARY TREND
We are the night track.
HAS BEEN REVERSED.
THERE IS ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM THE
SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER RETAIL STORES OF AMERICA.
- 19 -
A YEAR AGO -- IN SEPTEMBER OF 1974 -- THE COST
OF LIVING WAS RISING AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF MORE THAN 15 PERCENT,
FOR ALL OF LAST YEAR, THE RATE ROSE BY MORE THAN 12 PERCENT
YET, THE FIGURES JUST IN FOR AUGUST SHOW THE COST OF LIVING
ROSE ONLY TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT -- AND THAT IS
ENCOURAGING NEWS.
- 20 -
BUT THIS DOESN'T MEAN THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION
IS WON.
FAR FROM IT.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO APPLY
RESTRAINT, PARTICULARLY ON INFLATIONARY SPENDING BY THE
DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED CONGRESS.
WITH THE REPUBLICANS
Presidential
IN THE CONGRESS OUTNUMBERED ALMOST TWO TO ONE, MY VETO
IS OFTEN THE ONLY WEAPON AVAILABLE TO DEFEND FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY AGAINST THE ASSAULTS OF THE BIG SPENDERS.
The vito must be used and will be used
to maintain america's francial integraty
- 21 -
LET ME EMPHASIZE THIS:
THE EXERCISE OF A
PRESIDENTIAL VETO IS A POSITIVE ACTION, AS THE FRAMERS
OF OUR CONSTITUTION INTENDED IT TO BE.
FOR ONE THING,
THE LEGISLATION I HAVE VETOED TO DATE WILL SAVE THE TAXPAYERS
MORE THAN SIX BILLION DOLLARS BY 1977 -- AND THAT'S POSITIVE!
- - 22 -
FURTHERMORE, WHEN THESE VETOES WERE SUSTAINED --
AS MOST OF THEM WERE -- THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY WAS
FORCED TO COME BACK WITH REASONABLE LEGISLATION WHICH
in Congress
REPUBLICANS COULD SUPPORT.
AND THAT'S POSITIVE ACTION.
IT NOT ONLY SAVED THE TAXPAYERS BILLIONS, BUT RESULTED
IN BETTER LEGISLATION.
- 23 -
BUT THE VETO ISN'T THE LONG-TERM ANSWER.
THE LONG-TERM ANSWER IS FOR REPUBLICANS IN ILLINOIS AND
IN EVERY STATE TO ELECT MORE REPUBLICANS TO THE CONGRESS.
- 24 -
THE WAY TO ELECT MORE REPUBLICANS TO THE CONGRESS
IS THE SAME WAY WE CAN ELECT MORE REPUBLICANS TO STATE
GOVERNORSHIPS STATE LEGISLATURES $1 AND OTHER ELECTIVE OFFICES
HERE IN ILLINOIS AND ACROSS AMERICA.
THAT IS BY EFFECTIVE
ORGANIZATION AND HARD WORK.
IT IS BY SUPPORTING STRONG
CANDIDATES BOTH FINANCIALLY AND WITH UNITED PARTY EFFORT.
- - 25 -
IT IS BY CONCENTRATING OUR RESOURCES ON DEFEATING
DEMOCRATS RATHER THAN DISCREDITING OTHER REPUBLICANS.
LET'S START WINNING ELECTIONS INSTEAD OF ARGUMENTS.
- 26 -
I HAVE READ A LOT OF COLUMNS AND ARTICLES LATELY
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
MANY OF THEM
ARE, \ YOU MIGHT SAY GLEEFULLY PESSIMISTIC.
THEY CITE
THE DWINDLING PERCENTAGES OF VOTERS REGISTERED BY BOTH
MAJOR PARTIES AND THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF AMERICANS WHO
PREFER TO CALL THEMSELVES INDEPENDENTS.
- 27-
THEY CONCLUDE THAT THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IS JUST ABOUT DEAD IN
THE UNITED STATES, WHERE IT HAS WORKED so WELL FOR ALMOST
TWO CENTURIES.
- 28 -
FOR MY PART, I BELIEVE OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL
BOUNCE BACK DRAMATICALLY IN 1976 AS WE DID IN 1966.
I SAY
THIS NOT BECAUSE WE POSSESS ANY MONOPOLY OF POLITICAL
WISDOM AND VIRTUE BUT BECAUSE WE ARE MOVING TO MEET THE
DEEPLY-HELD DESIRES OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
FOR FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT,
FOR FIRM BUT RESTRAINED
LEADERSHIP IN WORLD AFFAIRS, FOR DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY AT
HOME,
FOR FREEDOM IN PERSONAL DECISION-MAKING,
FOR PRACTICAL
COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS TO LONG-RANGE PROBLEMS FACING OUR
NATION.
- 29 -
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT ONLY GOOD PEOPLE -- THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SMART PEOPLE. NEITHER THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY NOR ANY OTHER PARTY CAN REPEATEDLY SELL THEM A BAD BILL
OF GOODS.
BUT IF THEY GET THE SIMPLE TRUTH AND THE PLAIN
FACTS THEY WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS, AND IF YOU DON'T
BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS IN POLITICS.
- 30 -
I HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING AROUND THIS GREAT COUNTRY
TRYING TO TALK STRAIGHT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I HAVE
ALSO DONE A LOT OF LISTENING.
IF I WERE AN ORATOR PERHAPS I COULD SAY MORE
ELOQUENTLY WHAT I FORESEE FOR AMERICA,
AND IF I WERE A POET
PERHAPS I COULD SUM UP MORE MOVINGLY WHAT I HEAR.
- 31 -
BEING WHAT I AM, \ I CAN ONLY SAY THAT TWO-WAY
COMMUNICATION WITH MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW-AMERICANS IS FOR
ME AN ESSENTIAL PART OF DOING MY JOB PROPERLY.
I INTEND
TO KEEP MY COMMUNICATIONS OPEN, \ NOT IN ANY FOOLHARDY SPIRIT,
BUT BY EVERY PRUDENT AND PRACTICAL MEANS.
- 32 - -
I HAVE COMPLETE FAITH IN THE GOOD WILL AND GOOD SENSE OF
AMERICA AND IN THE ABILITY OF OUR COMPETITIVE POLITICAL SYSTEM
TO PRODUCE RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP FOR OUR
COUNTRY'S FUTURE.
- 33 -
THAT FUTURE WILL BE FAR BRIGHTER THAN OUR PAST,
IF WE ALL PITCH IN AND WORK AT IT.
I KNOW THAT ILLINOIS
WILL SET THE PACE.
THAN YOU VERY MUCH.
END OF TEXT