The original documents are located in Box 127, folder “Oct. 18, 1973 - Speech, 27th Annual Al Smith Dinner, New York, NY” of the Gerald R. Ford Vice Presidential Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 127 of the Gerald R. Ford Vice Presidential Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
I a' fiA_ly.C.QgM 'iu.~G~ vlULL I GANJAJJ,4. GOVERNOR ROCKEF~ER;-o?~Tl1fGU1s ~~TS A'0 FRIE OS : IT IS A PR JVIL EGE FOR E TO BE ITH YOU."°~~~ h- ~;.. ~~' 7· r; ~-~
H~I~ µt """. 7:) ~,;L. ~·4 - .. t "1' -p.,t I-'*"-,., ;i;. IA!. - AS YOU • AY K o· , TH PR SIDENT HI 1SELF ' AS ~OK I G ·oRVJARD TO 3 I NG HERE lh#. ~~~ TO I GHT ' AN°' 1 E'lSKED ME TO BR I NG YOU . IS BEST I SHES FOR THE OCCAS ION AND IS R GRETS THAT THE CRISIS SITUATIO I TH ID LE EAST ILL NOT PER IT HI. TO NJOY YOUR Fl E COMPA Y. . . -2- HAV I G ATTENDE THES DINNERS ~HEN HE AS A PR SIDENTIAL '0MIN E I 1960 AND 19 a, PR SIDENT 'IXON TOLD M IT . OUL BE GOOD LUCK FOR ~E TO DO TH ~~ 0 D~ ~ ::0
SAE AS TH VICE PRESIDENTIAL NONIN > IN 1973 . I ASKED HIM HO' HE COULD SAY IT 'AS GOOD LUCK AFT R JHAT HAPPU:Ef~ ~ TO I v1 IN THE 19 0 ELECT ION , UT }rt §MD 1 "DO ' T 0 RY , JERRY -- YOU ' RE NOT RUNNING AGA I 'ST N IR I SH MA • ''
BEFORE COMING UP HERE FRO AS I GTON THIS AFT R ooN , A MEMBER OF '). -Y STAFF REMINDED M TO E SURE AND ACKNOJLEDG IN , y RI ARKS THAT 1973 IS THE ON -HU DREDTH AN IVERSARY OF AL S ITH ' S BIRTH . I SAi TO HI , I ONDER O~ IT OULD FEEL TO BE HUNDRED YEARS OLD . . , ;'11~ -3- ~~ SAID , "AFTER YOU G T THR~ IT Y UR CONF I R1 .AT I ON H AR I GS YOU ···..,," ..... ~-.... 0 ' IT F LS."
UT TH FACT OF T
THAT I A ON V RY GOOD TER .S I TH t 1E ERS OF OTH PARTI ES IN OTH HOUSES OF CONGR ss , A 0 THAT(~ TH \AY I OPE
IT ' I LL RE ~A IN. I ENCOURAGE A D ELCO I
TH CLOS ST SCRUTINY BY TH ~ OF i aY UALIFICATIO S FOR THE.2"!.::zilH~ P,.,.ESIOE T
HAS ASKED 1 TO FI LL f I Tll I N!f;"" 0 THAT TO TH ANER ICAN P OPLE .
AND AHEN THAT PROC SS IS CO PL-T o, I LOOK FOR ARD TO S RVING THE NAT I ONAL I T R ST AN SERV I 'G THE PRES I DENT BY DO I NG VERYTH I 'G I CAN TO . . -4-
MOVE T L GISLATIVE -EXECUTIVE RELATI0 1SHIP ~ I ASH INGTO l A AY FRO,. PART I SANSH I P AND /f POLARIZATION 0 1TO A ORE CONSTRUCTIVE
ASIS OF PART ERSHIP A D COOPERATIO e fORo~ ----- 'C. :I> ~ I BELIEVE THAT IS PART OF HAT TH PR SIDENT MEA~T ~HEN HE SPOK OF A NE BEG I 'NI NG FOR A ER ICA ON FR ID Y NIGHT . A E BEGI NING IS BOTH N CESSARY AND POSSI L ' A 0 IF - ' ORK TOGETH R IN TH ONTHS AHEAD , NOT AS RE~ BLICANS A'0 Ei OCRATS UT AS A , RICA s, E CA AKE IT HAPPE •
T E GR AT TASK FACE IS THAT -. - OF REASSURING TH ~ ~RIC N PEOPLE THAT TH IR SYSTE OF R PR S NTATIVE GOVER • T STILL ~ORKS -- THAT IT ORKS j NOT Jus-r-F'OR . . -5- THE SELF-INTEREST OF THOSE IN OFFICE , BUT PRIMARILY. FOR THE PU LIC INTEREST OF ALL THE PEOPLE . NO 0 E, AS THIS AUDIENCE ~ELL KNO~s , UNDERSTOOD BETTER/ HO\ TO MAKE T AT SYST OR THAN ALFR D • SMITH .
AL s ITH STARTED our, OF COURSE , IN THt L GISLATURE OF N YORK STAT • THROUG' OUT IS LONG SERVIC THERE , H N VER LET PARTISA'SHIP STA DIN THE ~AY OF PUBLIC S RV IC , 0 ATTER HETH ER A t_~OPa ~,, C) 0 OCRAT OR A REPUBLICA 'AS OCCUPYING ~ ~ ? _/ THE GOVERNOR ' S CHAIR ' 0 ATTER HETHER AL S .ITH HAPPENED TO BE SERVING AS SPEA ER OF THE ASSEMBLY OR IN THE OPPOSIT ROLE -- AND ~ IGHT I ADJ ' THE UALLY ONORA LE ROL -- OF ~ I ORITY L ADER . . . -6- LATER IN IS CAR ER , THIS GI T D ' OVED OVE FRO THE L GISLATIV R NC o~fov R E TJ~~ fr.I.· TH X C TIVE , AS I 0 OP TO DO~ I AD IR A T E AY AL S ITH ~AD THAT TRA 'SITI N, IS IHA1 TH C A GE I JOBS ADE NO CHANGE HATEVER I HIS OUTLOOK AS A PU LIC SERVA T. I HOP TO ULATE I I . ' THAT REGARD . HE DI 0 OT SUD LY ECO . IN ADV ER SARY OF THE LEG I SLAT UR -- ATHER R ,A I 'ED A LEADER A D PART ER
0 I TH ST AT L GI SLAT I V- PROCESS • HI S .i R{) <' <:;:, ~ EXA. PL INT E 1920' S' I SU MIT 1 IS 0 THAT ALL OF US CA PROF IT FRO IN THE 1970 ' S. . ' .. -7- HE AS TH HAPPY ARRIOR, A D
W: ~A~: ~~ E .\~A~S H: M ~~T~ p~~ : I E~ TH
THE AR ~ ST AFFECT ION AND ' ITH THE GR ATEST RESP CT .
HAPPY ARRIOR OF TH CAMPAIG TRAIL AS ALSO A GENEROUS p ACE1~AKER AFT R T E VOT~s RE CO T o, D A SKILLED C CILIATO • E ' T E GOOD OF THE P~OPLE AS AT STA • E AS TOO BIG A .~AN FOR PARTISA SHIP H N PRINCIPLE AS 0 THE LI E' AND TOO ~--:·••a,,
r. PATRIOTIC FOR P TTY POLITICS' H IS U COU TRY 'S S CURITY AS THR AT NED . . . ..
-8- LOOK ING TO THE FUTURE , TO THE GREAT CHALLENGrS CONFRONTING Ar ERICA AT HOME AND ABR AD -- THE CHALLENG S OF REDEE~ING THE INTEGRITY OF PUBLIC SERVIC , PROTECTING OUR PROSP RITY , EXPANOI GOUR ERGY SUPPLY , AD PRESERVING THE PACE OF THE ' ORLD T ROUGH STRE GTH AND . NEGOTIATION -- , Y . GREAT HOP IS THAT ALL OF US ~ha Y 00 HON R 1!§ THE ~ ORY OF ALFR D E. S ~ ITH BY LOVI G THIS GOU TRY AS EPLY AS HE 010, ANO BY SERVING ER AS FAITHFULLY .
THANK YOU.
-- E D -- M 0 FF ICC: CC>PY
REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT-DESIGNATE GERALD R. FORD AT THE 27th ANNUAL AL SMITH DINNER AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 18, 1973
...... '' - J ·,.:' • •J Hold for release on delivery, -.-::... expected at 10:10 p.m. ,.,,: \~:,
' ...... ""'
Cardinal Cooke, Judge Mulligan, Governor Rockefeller, distinguished guests and friends: It is a privilege for me to be with you.
As you may know, the President himself was looking forward to being here tonight, and he asked me to bring you his best wishes for the occasion and his regrets that the crisis situation in the Middle East will not permit him to enjoy your fine .company.
Having attended these dinners when he was a Presidential nominee in 1960 and 1968, President Nixon told me it would be good luck for me to do the same as the Vice Presidential nominee in 1973. I asked him how he could say it was good luck after what happened to him in the 1960 election, but he said, "Don't worry, Jerry -- you're not running against an Irishman.
Before coming up here from Washington this afternoon, a member of my staff reminded me to be sure and acknowledge in my remarks that 1973 is the one-hundredth anniversary of Al Smith's birth. I said to him, I wonder how it would feel to be a hundred. He said, 11 After you get through with your confirmation hearings you may well know how it feels.n
But the fact of the matter is that I am on very good terms with members of both parties in both Houses of Congress, and that is the way I hope it will remain. I encourage and welcome the closest scrutiny by them of my qualifications for the job the President has asked me to fill; I think we owe that to the American people.
And when that process is completed, I look forward to serving the national interest and serving the President by doing everything I can to move the legislative-executive relationship
(more) -2-
in Washington away from partisanship and polarization onto a more constructive basis of partnership and cooperation.
I believe that is part of what the President meant when he spoke of a new beginning for America on Friday night. A new beginning is both necessary and possible, and if we work together in the months ahead, not as Republicans and Democrats but as Americans, we can make it happen.
The great task we face is that of reassuring the American peop that their system of representative government still works -- that it works not just for the self-interest of those in office, but primarily for the public interest of all the people. No one, as this audience well knows, understood better how to make that system work than Alfred E. Smith.
Al Smith started out, of course, in the legislature of New York State. Throughout his long service there, he never let partisanship stand in the way of public service, no matter whether a Democrat or a Republican was occupying the Governor's chair, no matter whether Al Smith happened to be serving as Speaker of the Assembly or in the opposite role -- and might I add, the equally honorable role -- of minority leader.
Later in his career, this gifted man moved over from the legislative branch of government into the executive, as I now hope to do. What I admire about the way Al Smith made that transition is that the change in jobs made no change whatever in his outlook as a public servant. I hope to emulate him in that regard. He did not suddenly become an adversary of the legislature -- rather he remained a leader and partner in the State legislative process. His example in the 1920's, I submit, is one that all of us can profit from in the 1970's.
He was the Happy Warrior, and millions of Americans in both parties will always remember him that way, with the warmest affection and with the greatest respect.
We will also remember that this Happy Warrior of the campaign trail was also a generous peacemaker after the votes were counted, and a skilled conciliator when the good of the people was at stake. He was too big a man for partisanship when principle was on the line, and too patriotic for petty politics when his country's security was threatened.
(more) -3-
Looking to the future, to the great challenges confronting America at home and abroad -- the challenges of redeeming the integrity of public service, protecting our prosperity, expanding our energy supply, and preserving the peace of the world through strength and negotiation -- my own great hope is that all of us may do honor to the memory of Alfred E. Smith by loving this country as deeply as he did, and by serving her as faithfully.
Thank you.
# # # October 1 7, 1973 5:30 pm
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SCHEDULE
VICE PRESIDENT-DESIGNATE FORD'S ATTENDANCE AT THE AL SMITH DINNER
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel New York City Thursday, October 18, 1973
ATTIRE: White Tie for Head Table Guests Black Tie for all others
4:35 pm ARRIVE Andrews AFB and board Convair. (EDT
DEPART Andrews AFB via Convair en route La Guardia Airport, New York City.
[Flying time: 55 minutes] [No time change]
ARRIVE La Guardia Airport and board motorcade.
5:40 pm DEPART via motorcade en route Waldorf A storia Hotel.
[Driving time: Approximately 30 min.]
ARRIVE Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and proceed to Suite.
PERSONAL/STAFF TIME [30 mtnutes]
NOTE: Room 7T has been reserved for Mr. Hartrnann and Mr. Milti ch. -2-
6:40 pm DEPART Suite and proceed to Regency Suite (Fourth Floor).
6:43 pm ARRIVE Regency Suite.
You will be met by: Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York. Judge William Mulligan, 2nd U.S . . District Court of Appeals. Mr. Charles Silver, Dinner Host. Mr. &: Mrs. Edward Cox.
They will accompany you to the Astor Gallery for Photo Opportunity.
ARRIVE Astor Gallery for Press Photo Opportunity with Cardinal Cooke, Judge Mulligai Mr. Silver and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cox.
PRESS PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Photo Opportunity concludes.
DEPART Astor Gallery and proceed to Basildon Room for dinner reception, escorted by Cardinal Cooke, Judge Mulligan, Mr. Silver and Mr. and Mrs. Cox.
ARRIVE Basildon Room and form receiving line to receive dinner guests. •
Receiving line as follows:
Terence Cardinal Cooke Vice President-Designate Gerald Ford Mr. Charles Silver Judge William Mulligan Mrs. Tricia Nixon Cox Mr. F.::dward Cox Governor Nelson Rockefeller (R-N. Y.) Mayor John Lindsey (D-N. Y. C.) Senator Jacob Javits (R-N. Y.) Senator James Buckley (R-C, N. Y.) -3-
7:45 pm Receiving line concludes. . DEPART Basildon Room en route Jade Room escorted by Cardinal Cooke, Judge Mulligan, Mr. Silver, and Mr. & Mrs. Edward Cox.
NOTE Guests will proceed to dinner seats, while Head Table guests will proceed to Jade Room to prepare for entry to Grand Ballroom.
7:50 pm ARRIVE Jade Room and await entry to Grand Ballroom.
7:55 pm
9:50 pm Cardinal Cooke remarks.
9:55 pm Judge Mulligan remarks. l~O~p=m.._~.._. C::;...... Vice President-Designate Ford remarks.
10:15 pm Remarks conclude.
DEPART Grand Ballroom escorted by Cardinal Cooke en route motorcade for boarding.
NOTE: Mr. & Mrs. Edward Cox will depart Grand Ballroom at same time.
10:20 pm ARRIVE motorcade and board.
10:25 pm DEPART via motorcade en route La Guardia Airport.
rDriving time: 30 minutes]
ARRIVE La Guardia Airport and board Convair. -4-
11:00 pm DEPART La Guardia Airport via Convair en route Andrews AFB.
[Flying time: 5 5 minutes J [No time change]
ARRIVE Andrews AFB.
..