Remembering a President

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Volume 6, Issue 3

Paying Respect in Ceremony and Personal Gestures

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vice President Gerald Ford addresses the media Aug. 9, 1974, after President Richard Nixon announced his resignation.

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Remembering a President Print Resources

“My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our Gerald R. Ford: July 14, 1913, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, has passed to Dec. 26, 2006 www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ away at 93 years of age,” Betty Ford shared in a written statement on content/politics/special/9/index. Tuesday, December 26, 2006. In the days that followed, the family html — and the nation — would mourn and remember the 38th president of the United States, the longest living and the only one not to be elected Discussions Archives: Ford www.washingtonpost.com/wp- to the presidency or the vice presidency. dyn/content/linkset/2006/12/27/ In grand ceremonies and in simple gestures, the nation honors and LI2006122701292.html expresses its respect for the president and the office. Each living Transcripts of online Q&A with president, current or former, must now have funeral plans in place upon Post reporters, historians and other experts becoming president. As time passes, the former president and his family may review and modify the details of the services Camera Works and the place of final burial with officials of the www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ Military District of Washington who then content/photo/?nav=globetop Collections include “Honoring Gerald arrange all the logistics of the state funeral. Ford” and “Gerald R. Ford 1913- Personal preferences and tradition blend 2006” in the state funeral. Wanting to remove themselves from the pomp of British rulers, Remarks Delivered at Ford’s Funeral at the National Cathedral the funerals of the Founding Fathers were www.washingtonpost.com/wp- much simpler. George Washington’s service and dyn/content/article/2007/01/02/ burial was held at Mount Vernon. The funerals of AR2007010200418.html the first two presidents to die in office were held at the White House CQ Transcripts Wire which was draped in black ribbon. Abraham Lincoln, the first president Review the Web sites of other news to lie in state at the Capitol, shortly after the Rotunda and current dome organizations for the archived were completed, was the first president for whom a nationwide period material they may have available to of mourning was declared. The black catafalque built for Lincoln and the the public. basic plan for the ceremony have been used since 1865. The individual’s faith, style and time period influence aspects of the NIE Online Guide funeral. Ford is the eleventh president to lie in state in the Rotunda. Editor: Carol Lange Layout: Bill Webster The state funerals of U.S. President Gerald Ford as well as Dwight Eisenhower (1969) and Ronald Reagan (2004) were held at the Send comments about this Washington National Cathedral. All four living U.S. presidents plan to guide to Margaret Kaplow, hold funeral services at the Cathedral. Educational Services Manager, [email protected]. Protocol may determine where dignitaries and mourners sit, but the final resting place returns to the family members who have shared their private grief with a nation — and observing world. President Woodrow Wilson is entombed at Washington National Cathedral. Kennedy and Taft are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Other presidents are buried on their presidential library grounds and in their home states.

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Remembering a President On the Web

Depending on the grade level of your students and course of study, there Gerald R. Ford are many possible activities for using the material in this guide. We are www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ providing a quick list to stimulate discussion and vary approaches. gf38.html White House bio of the 38th President • Aspects of the funeral events 1. What are the national and and services will reflect the international accomplishments of Gerald Ford personal faith, life of the deceased the Ford presidency? http://www.loc.gov/today/ford/ and family choices. Other elements 2. What essential contributions Library of Congress site includes an essay will reflect tradition, such as the did Gerald Ford make to American on Ford at the time of the inauguration of use of the Lincoln catafalque. society as president of the U.S.? the Gerald R. Ford Foundation journalism Others will recognize the role of 3. What suggestion would you prizes (1988), photographs and links to his the U.S. President as Commander make to one of the living presidents Presidential Inaugural Address. in Chief; this category includes the for his funeral events? What would Armed Forces pallbearers and music this add to the ceremony? Why do Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum provided by military bands and you think it should be included? www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/ choirs. Make three columns, one for • The four living presidents, Introduction to the person and president, each category. Read the articles and their spouses, and Nancy Reagan timeline, photographs; link to library and list items that are appropriate for attended the funeral service for museum programs including permanent and each dimension of the ceremonies. Gerald Ford at Washington National online exhibits. • Compare and contrast the Cathedral. Dignitaries from what funeral events and services of other branches of government and Gerald R. Ford Foundation presidents who died in office and agencies would you expect to be http://geraldrfordfoundation.org/ those who died after leaving the invited to a state funeral? Select Exhibits, speakers and excellence in presidency. one of the current living presidents journalism awards and scholarship grants. • After reading about the state and make a list of five international funeral for President Ford, do some leaders whom you think should be Letter from House Minority Leader Ford to research. In groups find out about invited to attend his state funeral. President Nixon the funeral services of President Why is each selected? http://www.archives.gov/education/ Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, • Group students by six stages lessons/ford-nixon-letter/ Richard Nixon, Dwight Eisenhower, in the life of Gerald Ford: Birth National Archives lesson in its Teaching Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to College, College and Graduate with Documents materials. Then House Theodore Roosevelt, William School, Military Experience and Minority Leader Ford provides suggestions Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln Early Career, Political Involvement for replacing Vice President Spiro Agnew and Thomas Jefferson. Compare and Member of the House of who had resigned. and contrast the state funerals: Representatives, Family and how they reflect the individual, Personal Life, and Vice Presidency C-SPAN Ford Coverage the time period, communication and Presidency. Students are to www.c-span.org/executive/ford.asp and transportation, and national read and summarize the articles Material includes American Presidents: Life awareness. and review the photographs about Portraits and compilation DVD/VHS videos • Read the commentary pieces their focus. You may give them the of the Ford funeral ceremonies. and “Warm Memories of a Leader.” Web resources as well. They are to Have students assume different correctly quote and give credit to personas to discuss the impact of sources. In addition to the written President Ford on the people he summary, they are to evaluate met, the nation and the world. Ford’s character, career and choices. • After reading the articles in this guide, answer the following questions:

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program December 26, 2006 Gerald R. Ford, 93, Dies; On the day after Christmas, the nation learns of the passing of Gerald Ford, the Led in Watergate’s Wake 38th President of the United States. By J.Y. Smith and Lou Cannon President Bush, on Special to The Washington Post vacation in Texas, expresses condolences and offers one • Original Date of Publication: of the executive jets normally Wednesday, December 27, 2006 used as Air Force One to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., 93, who the Ford family. Members of became the 38th president of the United Congress are on break and States as a result of some of the most preparing for the change of extraordinary events in U.S. history and leadership from Republican sought to restore the nation’s confidence to Democratic members in in the basic institutions of government, January. has died. His wife, Betty, reported the Word of the former death in a statement last night. president’s death is received “My family joins me in sharing the late on the East Coast, but difficult news that Gerald Ford, our in time for newspapers to beloved husband, father, grandfather and pull their Dec. 27 front page great grandfather has passed away at 93 stories and replace them with years of age,” Betty Ford said in a brief an obituary. Most newspapers statement issued from her husband’s have prepared obituaries office in Rancho Mirage, Calif. “His life for older statesmen and was filled with love of God, his family community leaders. The obit and his country.” Grand Rapids, Mich., he always claimed can be updated with the most The statement did not say where that his highest ambition was to be recent information, but the Ford died or give a cause of death. speaker of the House of Representatives. details of the individual’s life Ford had battled pneumonia in January He had declined opportunities to run have been verified and the and underwent two heart treatments for the Senate and for governor of essay written without the — including an angioplasty — in August Michigan. rush of a deadline. at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He was sworn in as president Aug. 9, “With his quiet integrity, common 1974, when Richard M. Nixon resigned sense, and kind instincts, President Ford as a result of the Watergate scandal. helped heal our land and restore public “My fellow Americans, our long confidence in the Presidency,” President national nightmare is over,” Ford said in Bush said last night in a statement. his inaugural address. Bush was notified of Ford’s death shortly “I believe that truth is the glue that before 11 p.m., the White House said. holds government together, not only our Ford was the longest-living president, government, but civilization itself. That followed by Ronald Reagan, who also bond, though strained, is unbroken at died at 93. Ford had been living at his home and abroad.” desert home in Rancho Mirage, about Ford had become vice president 130 miles east of Los Angeles. Dec. 6, 1973, two months after Spiro Ford was the only occupant of the T. Agnew pleaded no contest to a tax White House never elected either to evasion charge and resigned from the the presidency or the vice presidency. A former Republican congressman from continued on page

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page nation’s second-highest office. The former Maryland governor was under investigation for accepting bribes and kickbacks. In the 2 1/2 years of his presidency, Ford ended the U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam, helped mediate a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Egypt, signed the Helsinki human rights convention with the Soviet Union and traveled to Vladivostok in the Soviet Far East to sign an arms limitation agreement with Leonid Brezhnev, the Soviet president. Ford also sent the Marines to free the crew of the Mayaguez, a U.S. merchant vessel that was captured by Cambodian communists. On the domestic front, he faced BY NICK UT — ASSOCIATED PRESS some of the most difficult economic Ford takes the oath of office, administered Aug. 9, 1974, in the East Room of the conditions since the Great Depression, White House, by Chief Justice Warren E. Berger, with his wife, Betty, at his side. with the inflation rate approaching 12 “The long national nightmare is over,” Ford said in his inaugural address. percent. Chronic energy shortages and price increases produced long lines and The president resisted turning them He was “acutely aware,” he said in his angry citizens at gas pumps. In the field over on the ground that this would inaugural address, that he had not been of civil rights, the sense of optimism violate executive privilege, but in July elected to the position he held, and he that had characterized the 1960s had 1974, a unanimous Supreme Court ruled asked Americans “to confirm me as your been replaced by an increasing sense of against him. Within days, prosecutors president with your prayers.” He said he alienation, particularly in inner cities. found a tape on which Nixon apparently had neither sought the presidency nor The new president also faced a political ordered a coverup. The House judiciary made any “secret promises” to attain it. landscape in which Democrats held large committee approved three articles of “In all my public and private acts as majorities in both the House and the impeachment. Faced with the virtual your president, I expect to follow my Senate. certainty of a trial by the Senate, Nixon instincts of openness and candor with But Ford’s overriding priority was resigned. full confidence that honesty is always the ending the constitutional and political Ford said he believed that his signal best policy at hand. … crisis known as Watergate. It had begun achievement was healing the national “Our Constitution works; our great June 17, 1972, when five operatives divisiveness caused by the “poisonous republic is a government of laws and not of Nixon’s reelection campaign were wounds” of Watergate, as he put it in his of men. Here the people rule. But there caught breaking into Democratic inaugural speech. “There is no question is a higher power, by whatever name National Committee headquarters in the that this is the thing I contributed,” Ford we honor Him, who ordains not only Watergate office building. said 30 years later, in an Aug. 25, 2004, righteousness but love, not only justice The White House denied any interview with The Washington Post but mercy. involvement. But as the situation at his summer home in Beaver Creek, “As we bind up the internal wounds unfolded, the central question was Colo. of Watergate, more painful and more whether Nixon had tried to obstruct When he assumed office, Ford poisonous than those of foreign wars, let the subsequent investigation. A special immediately made clear his intention us restore the golden rule to our political prosecutor sought answers on tapes to change what historian Arthur M. Nixon had made of his Oval Office Schlesinger Jr. called “the imperial conversations. presidency.” continued on page

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page process and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and hate.” A new spirit was soon evident in the nation’s leadership. The Oval Office, long a fortress for an embittered president who frequently fled its confines to his homes in San Clemente, Calif., or Key Biscayne, Fla., was thrown open to members of Congress, old friends, public officials and reporters. The president’s approval rating reached 71 percent. He was photographed making his own breakfast. He was freely contradicted by his eldest son, and his aides said what was on their minds without waiting for official clearance. In the press office, he appointed Jerald F. terHorst, a respected Washington correspondent, as his chief spokesman. BY NICK UT — ASSOCIATED PRESS This euphoric honeymoon lasted President Bill Clinton helps former President Gerald Ford affix the Medal of Freedom precisely one month. around his neck at the White House in Washington in August 1999. On Sept. 8, Ford granted Nixon a full pardon for all federal crimes he had Democratic landslide. TerHorst resigned Ronald Reagan of California, the darling “committed or may have committed” in protest. of the right wing of the GOP, announced when he was in the White House. The It was widely assumed that Ford his intention to seek the Republican only acknowledgement he received in had doomed his political career. By presidential nomination in 1976. return was a six-paragraph statement January 1975, his approval rating had Ford beat back the Reagan challenge, from Nixon in San Clemente saying that plummeted to 36 percent. Not even but he narrowly lost the general election “I can see clearly now that I was wrong two assassination attempts, both in in November 1976 to the Democratic in not acting more decisively and more California in 1975, generated significant candidate, former governor Jimmy forthrightly in dealing with Watergate, popular support. Carter of Georgia. particularly when it reached the stage The consequences included a three- Asked in his 2004 interview with The of judicial proceedings and grew from a month delay in confirmation of Ford’s Post whether the pardon had hurt him political scandal into a national tragedy.” choice of former governor Nelson in the 1976 election, Ford replied, “It Ford said the pardon was necessary A. Rockefeller of New York as vice probably did. It was a close election, to bring Watergate to a close, that president. In congressional hearings, as you know. … There is a group of he would have had to pardon Nixon it was disclosed that Rockefeller had bitter people who never forgave me and sometime in any case and that it was made large private gifts to employees probably voted against me, and the net easier to do it sooner than later. on the New York state payroll and that result is that they probably helped that I The response was a tidal wave of he had played a hidden role in financing didn’t win.” criticism. Every opinion poll showed a a campaign book against Democratic Ford closed strongly against Carter large majority of Americans opposed the gubernatorial nominee Arthur Goldberg. after trailing by as much as 30 points in pardon. It was denounced in Congress, The disclosures undermined his ability the polls but was damaged by asserting including by members of Ford’s own to play an influential role in the Ford during a debate that Poland was not party. Republican officials gloomily administration. under Soviet domination. Against the and accurately forecast that it had Many conservative Republicans in advice of aides who told him this was a reintroduced the Watergate issue into Congress joined Democrats in opposing the 1974 elections, which proved to be a Ford’s programs. In mid-1975, Gov. continued on page

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page notable aspects of his character, and he In Years of Renewal, the third volume never wavered from it. of his memoirs, which was published in blunder, Ford stubbornly waited several In 1983, he told The Post that losing 1999, Henry Kissinger, Ford’s secretary days before correcting himself. The to Carter “truly hurt” but that he had of state, offered this assessment of the impression of bumbling was exacerbated been “doing as good a job as possible former president: by reports of his purported clumsiness. under very difficult circumstances” and “With Ford, what one saw was During a trip to Austria, he tripped and that he was not going to “sit around and what one got. Providence smiled on fell while leaving Air Force One, and cry about it.” Americans when — seemingly by there were several photographs of him Instead of complaining, Ford happenstance — it brought forward a falling while skiing. pitched in to help his party. In 1980 president who embodied our nation’s But Carter began his own term he campaigned hard for his old foe, deepest and simplest values.” with a graceful tribute that stands as Reagan, who decisively defeated Carter. In a passage on present-day politics, the general assessment of the Ford “I’m a political realist,” Ford told The Kissinger drew an implicit distinction presidency: “For myself and for our Post in 2004 in looking back on that between Ford and subsequent White nation,” he said in his inaugural address, election. “You win some and you lose House occupants. “I want to thank my predecessor for all some, and you have to accept the “The modern politician is less he has done to heal our land.” responsibility to do what you think in interested in being a hero than a Throughout his years in Washington, the bigger perspective. I sure didn’t want superstar,” he wrote. “Heroes walk Ford had a reputation for hard work, Jimmy Carter to be president again in alone; stars derive their status from patience and self-confidence. These 1980 because I was very sour on his approbation. Heroes are defined by qualities gained him a place in the performance as president.” inner values, stars by consensus. inner circles of the Congress. He was In the late 1970s, the Ford family When a candidate’s views are forged also helped by the fact that politically received expressions of respect and in focus groups and ratified by he was a man of the center. He was sympathy from all over the country television anchorpersons, insecurity an internationalist in foreign affairs, when former first lady Betty Ford and superficiality become congenital. a moderate on civil rights and social described her successful struggle with Radicalism replaces liberalism, and questions and a conservative on fiscal addiction to alcohol and prescription populism masquerades as conservatism.” matters. drugs and how her husband and children In Kissinger’s view, Ford was a leader His standing in the government had convinced her that she needed help. in the heroic mold. was evident in 1963 when President The Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage Lyndon B. Johnson named him to was named in her honor and became * * * the commission that investigated one of the nation’s leading centers for Born Leslie Lynch King Jr. on July 14, the assassination of President John the treatment of substance abuse. 1913, in Omaha, the future president F. Kennedy. In 1965, he was elected In 1981, at the request of President was the offspring of a brief, failed minority leader of the House, the top Reagan, Ford joined Nixon and Carter marriage between Leslie King, a wealthy Republican position in a Congress in representing the United States at the Wyoming wool merchant, and Dorothy controlled by Democrats. He held that funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Gardner King. The Kings divorced the post until he became vice president. Sadat. The three former chief executives following January, and she returned to When he left the White House, Ford flew to Cairo aboard Air Force One. Ford her parents’ home in Grand Rapids. wrote his memoirs, established his and Carter began a warm friendship Soon thereafter, Dorothy King married presidential library at the University during the flight. Gerald R. Ford, a young paint salesman of Michigan, served on the boards of In 1999, President Bill Clinton she had met at an Episcopal church various corporations, gave hundreds of conferred on Ford the Medal of social. He formally adopted her child, speeches, played golf and divided his Freedom, the nation’s highest who was renamed Gerald R. Ford Jr. time between homes in Rancho Mirage civilian honor. He also received the The Fords subsequently had three other and Beaver Creek. Congressional Medal of Honor. In 2000, boys. He apparently had no second thoughts when he was hospitalized after suffering Both Grand Rapids and Gerald Ford’s about his career. “Once I determine to minor strokes during the Republican paint-selling business prospered in the move, I seldom, if ever, fret,” he wrote National Convention in Philadelphia, first years of the marriage. TerHorst, in his memoirs. It was one of the most there was an enormous outpouring of public affection and concern. continued on page

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page the former press secretary turned biographer, recounts that Gerald Ford Sr. “owned a touring car and there was enough money to take Mrs. Ford and young Jerry to Florida for vacations.” Ford was athletic, outgoing and happy in his youth. He became an adequate student, an outstanding football player and an Eagle Scout. Later, when his father’s business declined during the Depression, he tried to help by taking a $2-a-week lunch counter job. In the custom of those years, he had not been told that he was an adopted child. He found out abruptly when his well-to-do father, on the way to Detroit to pick up a new Lincoln, dropped by the lunch counter where his son worked and told him. Leslie King invited his son to spend BY NICK UT — ASSOCIATED PRESS the summer with him in Wyoming after As a child, Gerald Ford was athletic, outgoing and happy. He became an adequate he graduated from high school. Ford student, an outstanding football player and an Eagle Scout. turned him down, but he was shocked by the discovery of his adoption. Not until 1934, in his senior year, Returning to Grand Rapids, he As terHorst recounted in Gerald did Gerald Ford win a starting place founded a law practice with Philip A. Ford and the Future of the Presidency: on Michigan’s football team. Then he Buchen, a fellow Michigan graduate “Inside Jerry Ford, the hurt was deep.” was voted the most valuable player on who had been partly crippled by polio in He quoted Ford as saying: “I thought, a team that lost seven of eight games childhood. ‘Here I was, earning $2 a week and and was offered professional football Already Ford was drawn to politics. trying to get through school, my contracts with the Green Bay Packers He had become active in Grand Rapids stepfather was having difficult times. Yet and Chicago Bears. But Ford said in his the previous summer in the campaign here was my real father, obviously doing autobiography that he thought the law of Republican presidential candidate quite well if he could pick up a new would be a better career. Wendell Willkie, who went down Lincoln.’” Ford graduated from the university under Franklin Roosevelt’s third-term This incident occurred in 1930, the in 1935 with a B average. He accepted candidacy, but who carried Michigan. year Ford turned 17 and was a senior a $2,400-a-year offer to serve as boxing Ford’s interest in Willkie revealed a at South High School in Grand Rapids. coach and assistant football coach at consistent internationalist bent that was He was an all-city center on the South Yale University, meanwhile applying to evident in all of his succeeding political High football team, which won the state Yale Law School. The law school turned conflicts. championship that year. him down in the belief that he would not The Willkie campaign also drew Ford Ford’s football prowess opened a be able to do well in his studies while into local Republican affairs, where he window to college, and his coach coaching. sided with a reform group known as the and some alumni from the University Ford was accepted on a trial basis in Home Front, which was seeking to break of Michigan provided him with a 1938 and did well enough in a couple the power of an entrenched Republican scholarship and a job waiting tables. of courses to be allowed to enroll full boss. He was a benchwarmer behind an all- time. He graduated in 1941 in the upper Ford’s budding political interests American center for two years, while third of his class with his best work in a were interrupted by World War II. He Michigan won back-to-back Big Ten course on legal ethics. football championships. continued on page 11

Volume 6, Issue 1

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page considered by some local Republicans Ford admired almost reverentially to be spending too little time in his and who in turn considered the new joined the Navy and spent 47 months home district. Ford waged a vigorous congressman something of a protege. on active duty, two years of this time handshaking campaign, aided by When Vandenberg died in 1952, Ford on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Monterey, members of the reform group he sided briefly considered running for his seat where he was once nearly swept over with before the war. He had the support but decided to stay in the House. the side during a typhoon. He left the of the largest daily newspaper in the Ford became as popular among his Navy in 1946 with the rank of lieutenant district, the pro-Vandenberg and anti- House colleagues as he had been in commander. isolationist Grand Rapids Press. Grand Rapids. He found time to golf, He resumed his legal career in Grand In the September primary, Ford swim and ski, and he was accepted into Rapids and became active in a variety defeated Jonkman, 23,632 votes to the Chowder and Marching Society, of community projects, culminating in 14,341. He won the general election a group of House members that has 1949 when the national Junior Chamber with more than 60 percent of the always welcomed former athletes. of Commerce selected him as one of the votes, a feat he repeated in each of the nation’s “10 most outstanding young following 12 elections. * * * men.” Ford had proposed marriage in The new congressman was named The year of 1948, when President February 1948, to Elizabeth Bloomer to the assignment of his choice, the Harry S. Truman was confounding Warren, a dancer and former model, and politically helpful House Public Works pollsters by winning an upset victory she had accepted. But the couple kept Committee, in his first term. In his over Thomas Dewey, was a time of their plans secret out of concern that her second term, in 1951, he was appointed decision for Gerald Ford. He ran for the background as a dancer and a divorced to the influential House Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives in what woman would have an adverse effect in Committee. seemed to be a hopeless battle against the Republican primary among Dutch On foreign policy, Ford remained true the entrenched Republican conservative, Calvinist voters in the district. to the issues he had espoused in his Bartel J. Jonkman, of western Michigan’s They were married Oct. 15, 1948, first campaign. He supported President 5th congressional district. in Grace Episcopal Church, which Truman’s “Point Four” program for Jonkman was of Dutch descent, and Ford attended. They had four children, aiding underdeveloped countries, and the Dutch were the largest single ethnic Michael Gerald Ford, John Gardner he consistently favored foreign military group in the district. He was considered Ford, Steven Meigs Ford and Susan Ford aid. His internationalism displayed itself an isolationist who opposed American Vance. again in candidate preferences, and he involvement overseas in general and In Washington, Ford occupied an office supported the nomination of Dwight aid to Europe as proposed by President in what is now the Cannon House Office D. Eisenhower at a time when Sen. Truman under the European Recovery Building. Next door was a Democrat Robert Taft of Ohio was favored by most Plan in particular. from Massachusetts named John F. Midwestern Republicans in Congress. In retrospect, Ford seems to have Kennedy. Ford also formed a friendship On domestic issues, Ford was an been in tune with the changing times. with Richard Nixon, then a second-term orthodox Republican. He voted against American involvement in World House member from California. public housing, against the minimum War II had dissipated isolationist Ford quickly established himself as wage and against repeal of the “right-to- sentiment in the nation’s heartland. The a district-service congressman who work law” provision of the Taft-Hartley internationalist Willkie had done well answered every letter and made himself Act. in Michigan as early as 1940, and Sen. available to visitors from his state. He On civil rights issues, he was Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan, the staffed a trailer with aides who traveled considered a Republican moderate senior Republican on the Senate Foreign from town to town in his district. He during most of his career. He voted Relations Committee, had dramatically won political points by taking stands against the poll tax, a device to keep shifted from an isolationist to an that struck responsive chords among his the poor — especially blacks – from internationalist position during the war. constituents, such as a 1953 appeal that voting, and he voted for the 1964 Civil Vandenberg was a political opponent the United States admit 50,000 Dutch Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights of Jonkman, the senior Republican on immigrants after disastrous floods in the Act. But he also opposed school busing the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Netherlands. to achieve racial integration, a position and he encouraged Ford’s seemingly Constituent service also was the hopeless candidacy. Jonkman also was watchword of Vandenberg, whom continued on page 12

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 11 Ford except he played football too long He later gave Nixon full credit for without a helmet.” withdrawing U.S. troops from the war. that disappointed members of the Ford incorporated the latter remark The new Nixon administration Congressional Black Caucus, all of them into some of his own speeches, correctly changed Ford’s role from leader of the Democrats estranged from the policies giving the original authorship to former usually loyal opposition to outspoken of the Nixon administration. Only one Detroit Mayor Gerald Cavanaugh. advocate of the Republican president. member of the caucus, Rep. Andrew J. However, House colleagues on both Ford’s loyalty was rewarded after Young of Georgia, voted to confirm Ford sides of the aisle disputed the idea that Agnew’s resignation when Nixon as vice president. Ford was less than bright. They pointed nominated him for the vice presidency. Republican colleagues in the House to his shrewd, effective leadership in Ford was the second choice after considered him progressive on making the House and his mastery of such former secretary of the treasury John the House a more responsive institution. complexities as the defense budget. B. Connally, but Nixon was persuaded His first vote in Congress was in Ford’s accomplishments as a House by various Republicans that Congress favor of changing House rules to make leader were based not upon his public would not confirm Connally, a former it easier to bring a bill up on the floor pronouncements but upon a talent for Democrat. without clearance from the House Rules friendly persuasion attested to by many Ford’s nomination was the first made Committee. members on both sides of the aisle. under the 25th Amendment, and it During the two Eisenhower “It’s the damnedest thing,” said Rep. touched off a detailed inquiry into Ford’s administrations, Ford gradually advanced Joe Waggonner (D-La.). “Jerry just puts background and financial affairs by the toward House leadership. He held a his arm around a colleague or looks him two congressional judiciary committees. senior position on the Appropriations in the eye, says, ‘I need your vote,’ and He was confirmed by a 92-to-3 vote Committee and played a growing role in gets it.” in the Senate and by a 387-to-35 vote in GOP strategy councils. In a 1960 poll of … the House. Ford spent the better part Washington correspondents, Newsweek Ford’s consistent advocacy of military of the next 10 months trying to defend rated him second among the ablest preparedness and his internationalism President Nixon on the Watergate issue, members of Congress. made him an early supporter of the while at the same time condemning the Ford’s breakthrough into a major Vietnam War. When President Johnson practices of political espionage, lying and position of leadership occurred in 1963 sent a half-million troops to Vietnam in obstruction of justice uncovered in the when he was the candidate of a group 1965, Ford emerged as a partisan critic Watergate scandal. of younger Republicans, slightly to their who said the United States should take While he never criticized Nixon party’s left of center, to challenge 67- sterner measures, such as the bombing personally, he tried on several occasions year-old Charles B. Hoeven of Iowa for of North Vietnam and a naval blockade, to distance himself from the Nixon chairmanship of the House Republican in an effort to end the conflict. White House, most noticeably on March Conference. “It is President Johnson’s war, because 31, 1974, when he told a Midwestern One of the public highlights of the the president plays everything close Republican conference in Chicago that Ford minority leadership was a weekly to the vest,” Ford said on June 18, the party must “learn the lessons of news conference with Sen. Everett M. 1966. “He has an unhealthy passion for Watergate.” Dirksen (R-Ill.), which quickly became secrecy.” But it was not until the weekend know as the “Ev and Jerry Show.” Ford The use of the phrase “Johnson’s before Nixon’s resignation that Ford lacked Dirksen’s oratorical talents, and war” brought Ford a rebuke from some stopped proclaiming belief in Nixon’s he sometimes found himself on the Republicans, among them his fellow personal innocence. And it was not until losing end of exchanges with the Illinois minority leader, Sen. Dirksen. the day before Nixon bade farewell to senator. Ford served as permanent chairman of his high office in a nationally televised It was during this period of his career the 1968 Republican Convention, which speech that Ford actually assembled a that Ford was on the receiving end of nominated Nixon for president. When transition team. two well-publicized gibes from President Nixon became president, Ford loyally In the aftermath of the pardon, Ford’s Johnson. The president once suggested supported his Vietnam policy, including political vulnerability was evident in that Ford couldn’t “chew gum and walk the incursions into Laos and Cambodia at the same time” and also commented and the bombing of North Vietnam. that “there’s nothing wrong with Gerald continued on page 13

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 12 The communist offensive began that decision while I was in the White in April 1975, and Ford ordered the House but in reflection, there is no his efforts to deal with Vietnam and its small remaining contingent of U.S. question.” legacy. embassy and security personnel to Ford continued the Nixon policy of He surprised many Americans by leave. The final evacuation produced using Kissinger as a mediator between unveiling, in a speech to a Veterans of painful pictures of Americans in retreat Israel and the Arab states in the Middle Foreign Wars convention, a conditional- — officials scrambling to get aboard East. An agreement signed in September amnesty plan for Vietnam-era draft helicopters while Marines held back 1975, halted fighting between Israel and evaders and deserters. The proposal crowds of Vietnamese who had loyally Egypt. drew a swarm of critics. Veterans supported the United States. In the previous month, Ford had groups opposed any amnesty program On April 23, 1975, in a speech at traveled to Helsinki to sign an accord at all, while organizations such as the Tulane University, Ford announced that that recognized the existing frontiers American Civil Liberties Union called the war in Vietnam was “finished as far between states, including the border for unconditional amnesty. Of the as America is concerned.” between East and West Germany. This estimated 100,000 draft evaders, only A week later, Saigon fell to the implicitly recognized Soviet domination about 20,000 took advantage of the communists and the long war was over. of Eastern Europe. In return, Moscow program. Although U.S. combat troops Ford later came to the view that agreed to respect basic human rights had been withdrawn by the time Ford U.S. policy in Vietnam was mistaken. and to ease restrictions on the free took office, the president proposed an He blamed this on an unthinking exchange of information and on increase in aid for the South Vietnamese inheritance of French colonial policy. emigration and travel within the Soviet government to help it resist what was “The French had the wrong policy, Union. expected to be a major effort by the and we inherited it, and our State Ford was criticized for signing the North Vietnamese communists to drive Department was not smart enough to Helsinki Accords at a time when it out of the country. realize that we should have been more the press was reporting numerous There was little support for this in the objective about our policy in Vietnam,” human rights violations in the Soviet new Congress. Early in 1975, it rejected Ford said in the 2004 interview with Union. But the president said in his Ford’s proposals, turning a deaf ear to The Post. Asked if the United States autobiography, A Time to Heal (1979), arguments that Washington had to stand should have withdrawn sooner than it he regarded the agreement as “a real by its beleaguered ally to maintain its did, he said: “Absolutely, in retrospect. credibility in world affairs. Now, I wasn’t strong enough to make continued on page 14

ASSOCIATED PRESS From left, sons John Ford and Steven Ford, First Lady Betty Ford, President Gerald Ford, daughter Susan Ford and daughter-in- law Gayle Ford with husband Michael Ford pose in the Oval Office after the president’s inauguration on Aug. 9, 1974.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program

by david hume kennerly — reuters via gerald r. ford library Secretary of State Henry Kissinger gives President Gerald Ford the latest information on the situation in South Vietnam during a meeting at the White House in April 1975. victory for our foreign policy” because In January 1975, the president all oil tariff increases to lessen American the Soviets had conceded that national but declared a ceasefire in his war on dependence on foreign oil. borders could be changed by peaceful inflation and turned his attention to Despite the seriousness and the means. growing unemployment and sinking variety of the problems that confronted But it was the domestic economy productivity. him, Ford maintained his even-tempered that proved the touchstone of Ford’s In one of the most candid State of composure and his optimism. He presidency. The problems included the Union messages ever presented to met frequently with a wide range of inflation, rising unemployment Congress, Ford in 1975 said: legislators, businessmen, labor officials, — it passed 9 percent, the highest level “I must say to you that the state of the heads of state, reporters and other since the Great Depression — and union is not good. Millions of Americans visitors. skyrocketing energy costs. are out of work. Recession and inflation He knew that his chances of winning Soon after taking office, Ford said are eroding the money of millions more. a full term in 1976 were not good, but inflation was “public enemy No. 1.” Prices are too high and sales are too he approached it in the spirit of Harry S. To fight it, he vetoed more than 50 slow.” Truman, whose bust he placed next to spending bills. He also announced a Ford followed this message with a his desk in the Oval Office. 32-point program for fighting it, which budget proposal that predicted long-term Truman, Ford used to say, “had guts, he called “WIN,” an acronym for “Whip unemployment and massive deficits. His he was plain-talking, he had no illusions Inflation Now.” essential answer to what he conceived about being a great intellectual, but he Congress declined to enact most of as the twin problems of the economy seemed to make the right decisions.” Ford’s anti-inflation proposals, however, and the energy crisis was a quick tax Many would say the same of Gerald and the WIN program was overtaken rebate to stimulate the economy and Rudolph Ford. by the events of deepening recession.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program

AN APPRECIATION December 29, 2006 Services and viewing are held Ford Always Managed in the community that has been the Ford family’s home for the 30 years since he left To Be a Good Sport the White House. By William Gildea and especially at Andrews Air Force Base. 12:20 p.m.: President Washington Post Staff Writer It was a fun time.” Ford’s casket arrives at St. Later, they continued playing golf Margaret’s Episcopal Church • Original Date of Publication: Thursday, together, usually in California, where in Palm Desert, Calif., for a December 28, 2006 Ford spent much of his time after his family prayer service. Without question, Gerald R. Ford was presidency. They also exchanged greeting one of the most athletic presidents in cards because they shared the same 1:15 p.m.: Private visitation history. birthday, July 14. “I also had lunch with at St. Margaret’s for close Ford, who died Tuesday night at age him a couple of times in Palm Springs,” friends and guests. 93, loved to take part in sports from his Elder said. “He told me he was keeping days as a youth in Grand Rapids, Mich., active, playing nine holes.” 4:20 p.m.: Public repose until he occupied the White House and During his formative years, Ford begins. The church is open during the many years afterward. He excelled in football, playing linebacker until approximately 8:00 a.m. is best known for playing center at the as well as center in high school and Saturday. University of Michigan, where he was on then for Michigan. During a speech the Wolverines’ national championship when he was president, he made light of In the days that follow the football teams of 1932 and 1933 and was his accomplishments as a player while announcement of former the team’s most valuable player in 1934. noting that 1934 was a down season for President Ford’s passing, Even after he became president in the Wolverines after their back-to-back most sections of The 1974, Ford still found the time to follow national titles. Washington Post — News, sports avidly — and to participate. “That was the year we lost seven out of Metro, Style and KidsPost, “I’ve always loved sports,” he told eight of our scheduled games,” he said. Sports and Business — cover a Washington Post reporter in 1976. “But, you know, what really hurt me the an aspect of the former “When I was a boy, I knew every batting most was when my teammates voted me president’s life. average in the big leagues. I still look at their most valuable player. I didn’t know the standings and I feel a day is wasted if whether to smile or sue.” I don’t read the sports pages.” Nevertheless, Ford indicated a number As president, Ford engaged in an array of times that he derived much satisfaction of sports: swimming, golf, tennis, skiing. from playing big-time football at As a younger man especially, he loved Michigan. The 6-foot, 198-pound center, sailing. whose jersey number 48 has been retired “He was a good athlete and a wonderful by the school, was named to play in person,” said pro golfer Lee Elder, two major all-star games after his senior originally from Washington and now year, for the East squad in the East-West living in Florida. “One time the phone Shrine Game in San Francisco on Jan. 1, rang and the operator came on and said: 1935, and that August for the college all- ‘This is the White House. The president stars against the NFL champion Chicago is calling.’ I thought, ‘Sure, sure.’ But Bears at Soldier Field. it turned out that we played quite a Two NFL teams gave Ford the chance lot together when he was in the White to turn pro, but instead he went to Yale House and I was living in Washington. to earn his law degree. While there, he We played at Congressional Country Club continued on page 16

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 15 take part in a multiracial sports event in But as people who played different South Africa and the first to play on the sports with Ford in his later years served as an assistant football coach and U.S. Ryder Cup team. Ford paid tribute would agree, he possessed a typical a boxing coach. to Elder at a reception honoring the athlete’s sense for what he was doing “When I got through Michigan, I golfer at the Washington Hilton in 1974, — in tennis, for example, he had a was offered opportunities at the Green and played in Elder’s celebrity pro-am feel for how a ball might bounce when Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions,” he tournaments for charity. sliced or drop-volleyed. “There is no told CNN’s Larry King during a 1999 “He was strong and could drive the ball question that he thoroughly enjoys it,” interview. “But I had a chance to go to a long ways,” Elder said. “He and I played Rear Adm. William M. Lukash, then Yale as an assistant football coach and go in the Bob Hope Classic and I remember the presidential physician, told Tennis to law school at the same time. So that him making several nice drives. At magazine in 1976. “He’s an athlete and opportunity was so wonderful I couldn’t Congressional, he chipped up on one hole a competitor, and to that kind of a man, turn down the chance to further my for a birdie. He had a great smile.” tennis is a very satisfying sport.” education and earn some money in the Before the 1975 Jackie Gleason Those who played tennis doubles meantime. … Inverray Classic golf tournament in or a round of golf with him usually “I would, in retrospect, have liked to Florida, the comedian presented Ford came away impressed by his genial have played one year just to prove that I with a set of gold-plated golf clubs. personality, which he managed to retain could. But the opportunity to go to Yale But because Ford participated so often even while trying to play his best. and be an assistant coach and go to law in sports as president, it almost was One particularly happy day for Ford school at the same time might not have inevitable that he would be caught by brought him together with his Grand been available.” reporters and photographers committing Rapids South High School football At Yale, he learned that “The Game” some gaffe. teammates for a reunion at the White against Harvard “was as big as any One front-page photo showed him House in 1974. The president took game Michigan had with Ohio State,” tumbling on the ski slopes, and on the them out to the Rose Garden and according to a 1993 USA Today article. golf course he plunked some spectators. later showed them the Oval Office. With admiration, he recalled a pregame But he remained active, expressing The team’s coach, Clifford Gettings, pep talk by Yale coach Raymond “Ducky” strong feelings about the importance described Ford as a hard worker who Pond before the 1935 game with Harvard. of keeping physically fit. At age 62 developed into an excellent player. The coach seemed to make his points in 1975, he told a Post reporter: “My “He came to me a spindly, awkward in much the same manner as Ford often health is the best. I’d be delighted to kid. ‘What position shall I play?’ he would in public speaking throughout his have my health record put on the table. asked. I said, ‘Center,’ and he’s been in life. … I think it’s good. I’d lay mine against the center of things ever since. He had “Ducky wasn’t a fiery speaker, but anybody else’s.” a lot of drive. He always had a football he spoke very movingly,” Ford said. He described himself as “kind of in his hand and must have practiced “He talked about the Yale alumni, his amused” by depictions of him as centering that ball day and night. I experiences and what ‘The Game’ clumsy. “Most of the critics … have used the Pop Warner double wing and meant to him. In a quiet way, it was very never played in a ballgame, never the Fielding Yost short punt formation, emotional.” skied,” he said. “I guess you have to live so Jerry had to center the ball long and In 1975, the NCAA named Ford the with it. The main thing is, you don’t short. I never saw him make a bad pass. winner of the Theodore Roosevelt Award, have to believe it.” He was all-city three years and all-state given to a prominent American “for But he didn’t take himself so seriously in his senior year.” whom competitive athletics in college that he couldn’t laugh at quips by the Notably, the group from Grand and attention to physical well-being likes of Bob Hope. “I love playing golf Rapids found Ford the president as thereafter have been important factors with Gerald Ford,” Hope was quoted in unpretentious as they had remembered in a distinguished career of national the 2003 book Bob Hope: My Life in him. significance and achievement.” Jokes. “He makes me feel like I’m back “He was always a guy I loved,” said Elder said that Ford gave him both performing in a war zone.” Silas McGee, a teammate. “He was “encouragement” and “praise” for And Ford himself once was quoted always down to earth like the rest of breaking racial barriers as the first as saying, “I know I am getting better this group.” African American to compete in the at golf because I’m hitting fewer Staff researcher Julie Tate Masters golf tournament, the first to spectators.” contributed to this report.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program Ford’s Economic Record Belies His Reputation Better Known for a Failed Anti-Inflation Gimmick, His Policies Helped Get U.S. Back on Track

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum Washington Post Staff Writer

• Original Date of Publication: Thursday, December 28, 2006 The economic policies of Gerald R. Ford are usually remembered as a joke. Soon after he took over as president, in August 1974, he tried to tame runaway price increases by urging Americans to wear round red lapel pins emblazoned with the initials WIN, for “whip inflation now.” That didn’t work, of course, and the pins soon disappeared amid public ridicule. But Ford didn’t give up the fight against what was then called stagflation: a debilitating mix of rapid inflation, high unemployment and slow BY NICK UT — ASSOCIATED PRESS economic growth. In fact, before his President Gerald R. Ford congratulates Alan Greenspan, the new chairman of Ford’s 30-month administration ended, he Economic Council, in 1974. discarded his original plans and cobbled together an unconventional set of Unemployment approached 9 percent, and, for a short period, he embraced programs that succeeded, at least for a inflation ran at a 12 percent annual the idea of a voluntary wage-price while, in slowing the country’s financial rate, and the gross domestic product freeze. slide. was flat or declining. Energy prices, Ford also hoped to jawbone his Among his economic policies, “what in particular, soared due to an oil way out of the crisis by going on President Ford is most remembered shortage. national television in October 1974 for is the inflation campaign, which “The ‘70s were probably the most and urging citizens to “make up a list was kind of silly,” said Alice M. Rivlin, difficult decade in which to formulate of 10 ways you can save energy and a former vice chairman of the Federal economic policy,” Rivlin recalled. fight inflation.” In a separate speech to Reserve Board and a director of The “Economists don’t know how to Congress, Ford declared that inflation Washington Post Co. “But in the end, I cope with inflation, slow growth and was “public enemy number one” and think, he did quite well.” unemployment at the same time.” asked Americans to wear the anti- The U.S. economy was in sad shape Initially, Ford believed that fiscal inflation pins. when Ford replaced the disgraced austerity, a tenet of his Republican WIN was laughed into oblivion Richard M. Nixon to become the Party, would solve the country’s as a hollow gimmick, and Ford was nation’s 38th president. Then it got woes. He convened a summit called forced to regroup. Under the tutelage worse. The economy fell into the the Conference on Inflation, with of Alan Greenspan, then chairman of steepest recession since World War II, economists and leaders of business and the Council of Economic Advisers and coupled with an upward price spiral labor focusing on recommendations to later Federal Reserve chairman, Ford that was faster than at any time in slow price increases. He then proposed modern memory. to cut federal spending and raise taxes continued on page 18

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 17 In March 1975, Ford signed into to 4.8 percent, and the gross national law a bill that provided individuals product was humming along at a robust was persuaded that the most pressing with a 10 percent rebate on their rate of growth. problems were unemployment and 1974 tax liability, a fattened standard “We were headed in the right sluggish economic growth, not inflation. deduction, and a temporary $30 tax direction,” Ford later boasted. As a result, Ford decided to accept credit for each taxpayer and dependent. Ford offered other ideas that might exactly the opposite remedy that he For companies, the investment tax have benefited the economy even prescribed at first. Under pressure from credit was temporarily increased to 10 further. He proposed a long list of the Democratic-controlled Congress, percent. deregulatory measures, for industries he endorsed measures that increased Ford also accepted spending increases ranging from trucking to airlines, as spending and cut taxes rather than that he originally opposed. When, a way to make the economy more the other way around. The goal: to early on, Congress passed an anti- efficient. They didn’t come to fruition stimulate economic growth despite recessionary spending package, Ford until after he left the White House, the danger, which he continued to was urged by his economic advisers to however. His efforts to increase energy battle with dozens of vetoes, that those veto it. But he solicited other advice, supplies also foundered on Capitol Hill. actions might widen the federal budget including from his political staffers and The economy faced tough times after deficit. Democratic economists such as Walter Ford left office. An oil embargo further “When the chips were down, in Heller and Arthur Okun. They told him fueled inflation until Paul A. Volcker, the interest of providing stimulus, he the economy needed a boost. So Ford the new chairman of the Federal agreed to a tax cut and other measures executed what his press secretary Ron Reserve appointed by Ford’s successor, that helped the economy recover from Nessen termed a “179-degree” turn and Carter, began a painful increase in the 1975 recession,” said Charles L. signed the measure. interest rates that finally squeezed rapid Schultze, chairman of the Council of By 1976, these controversial efforts inflation out of the system but also Economic Advisers under President to rev up the economy had begun to threw the economy into recession and Jimmy Carter. “He came around to pay off. When Ford ran for president, caused unemployment to skyrocket. realize that the economy would be the economy was showing signs of Finally, under President Ronald better off with a stimulus than without recovery. Unemployment had dipped to Reagan in the 1980s, a full-fledged one. about 7 percent, inflation had abated recovery got underway — and it is that recovery that has stuck in the public mind as the real end of the disastrous economy of the 1970s. Ford’s own temporary economic uptick had been so uneven and came so late in his short stay at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. that it went largely unheralded. Voters focused instead on a non- economic issue: Ford’s unconditional pardon of Nixon. After issuing that pardon, “he could not convince the American people that he deserved another shot at the presidency,” said Bernard Firestone, a political science professor at Hofstra University and an organizer of a Ford retrospective. Nevertheless, Firestone predicted that historians will eventually see Ford “as a much more capable president GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY than the public gave him credit for,” in Alan Greenspan with President Gerald Ford, his mother, Rose Goldsmith (left), large measure because of his economic Ayn Rand and her husband, Frank O’Connor, at his swearing in as chairman of the policies. Council of Economic Advisers, Sept. 4, 1974.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program December 30, 2006 A Solemn Homecoming The transition from private to state funeral takes place. Modest Salutes Mark 38th President’s Return to Washington 9:00 a.m.: Departure ceremony from St. Margaret’s By Michael E. Ruane hands on the flag that covered it. It was 9:40 a.m.: Ford’s body Washington Post Staff Writer Washington’s second presidential state transported to Palm Springs funeral in 31 months and different from Regional Airport • Original Date of Publication: Sunday, the more elaborate leave taking accorded 10:15 a.m.: Remains flown December 31, 2006 Reagan. But there was elegance to last to Andrews Air Force Base To the strains of a Navy piper’s farewell, night’s proceedings, as the former chieftains (AFB). (EST) the clank of sword scabbards and the bang of 30 years ago, several using canes, stood 5:20 p.m.: Arrival ceremony of an artillery salute, Washington welcomed by with younger mourners who said they at Andrews AFB the body of former president Gerald R. knew little more than that the former 5:35 p.m.: A motorcade Ford last evening. president had been an honorable and takes Ford’s remains to The ceremonies began four days of decent man. the U.S. Capitol, traveling services and tributes in the city he left three “It was this man, Gerald R. Ford, who through Alexandria in decades ago. led our republic safely through a crisis that remembrance of his residence The journey of the president’s body, could have turned to a catastrophe,” said in the city as a Congressman from its arrival at Andrews Air Force Base Cheney, among those who eulogized Ford and Vice President. The about 5:15 p.m. to its installment in the at the service. “We do know this: America motorcade pauses at the Capitol Rotunda about two hours later, took was spared the worst, and this was the World War II Memorial. The place in the early evening darkness that doing of an American president. For all the tribute is open to the public. was broken by floodlights, streetlights and grief that never came, for all the wounds 6:20 p.m.: The casket is simple holiday decorations. that were never inflicted, the people of the carried up the east steps of It was attended by modest but United States will forever stand in debt to the Capitol to the door of the somber crowds that lined the avenues of this faithful servant we mourn tonight.” House of Representatives, to Alexandria, where the former president U.S. Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R), who honor Ford’s time in Congress. once lived. People also gathered in silence represents the Grand Rapids, Mich., district 6:30 p.m.: Rotunda arrival as his hearse, and the limousine bearing his where Ford was a congressman decades ceremony, open to President wife, Betty, 88, paused beside the flickering ago, teared up as he said, “People are finally Ford’s immediate family, fountains of the World War II Memorial. starting to realize what he did for this members and members-elect The cortege of about 40 vehicles then country and how special he was.” of the House and Senate, moved slowly along the broad and empty President Bush did not attend last night’s visiting heads of state and expanse of Constitution Avenue toward ceremonies. He and first lady Laura Bush invited government officials. the gleaming dome of the Capitol, bright plan to pay respects tomorrow, when they 7:00 p.m.: State funeral against the night sky. The casket bearing return to Washington from Texas. Bush also begins in the Rotunda. Ford’s body was carried up the steps to the plans to speak at Ford’s funeral Tuesday at 8:20 p.m. to midnight: grand, columned east entrance of the House Washington National Cathedral. Ford’s body lies in state until of Representatives. Bush, in his weekly radio address Monday night; the rotunda is The casket was placed on the same bier yesterday, said: “Gerald Ford distinguished open to the public. as the one used for Abraham Lincoln 141 himself as a man of integrity and selfless years ago and Ronald Reagan 2 1/2 years dedication. He always put the needs of December 31, 2006, ago. his country before his own, and did what In the ceremony that followed, Betty Ford he thought was right, even when those and January 1, 2007 looked composed as she sat between Vice decisions were unpopular. Only years later President Cheney and House Speaker J. would Americans come to fully appreciate Sunday-Monday, Ford’s Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). The service closed body continues to lie in state. with the former first lady bowing her head over her husband’s casket, her clasped continued on page 20

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 19 twin stone arms of the Mall’s World War II Memorial plaza. the foresight and wisdom of this good Ford served as a navigator and gunnery man.” officer on the aircraft carrier USS Monterey “In the nation’s darkest hour, Gerald Ford at the height of the war in the Pacific, and lived his finest moment. … He knew the one of the memorial’s 24 metal relief panels road to national healing began with the depicts a frenetic moment on the deck of a courage to forgive,” said Sen. Ted Stevens carrier, with a plane about to take off amid (R-Alaska), the Senate’s president pro tem, hurrying pilots and crew. who also spoke at the state funeral. As the hearse stopped, Navy Chief Outside the Capitol, hundreds of people Boatswain’s Mate Carlos Ribbot, 41, waited to pay their respects. Some waited stepped forward, saluted with his right five hours or longer before getting into the hand and with his left raised a stainless steel Rotunda late in the night. boatswain’s pipe hanging from an ornately … braided rope lanyard around his neck. As midnight approached, the crowd Ribbot, a native of Humacao, Puerto diminished, but people continued to come. BY NICK UT — ASSOCIATED PRESS Rico, played the three long, solemn notes The day began with private services at Betty Ford reflects at the casket of her that constitute “piping the side,” the Navy’s Ford’s church in California. Then his body husband in the Capitol Rotunda. traditional farewell. was carried aboard an official presidential As Ribbot piped, a group of 12 Eagle jumbo jet for the cross-country flight to was briefly closed, to Alexandria, where the Scouts from local Boy Scout troops gave Andrews Air Force Base. Fords lived when the former chief executive their three-fingered salute as they stood at The plane arrived in darkness, and Ford’s represented his Michigan district in the attention in olive green pants and tan shirts, flag-covered casket was carried from the U.S. House. draped in merit badge sashes. Ford is the aircraft to a black hearse by eight uniformed Along Washington Street, a crowd of only president to have been an Eagle Scout, service members. several hundred assembled around the said Alan F. Lambert, scout executive of the Black artillery pieces fired a 21-gun intersection with King Street, and those National Capital Area Council. salute, belching smoke that drifted like fog who went to pay respects were joined by a … across the tarmac, as a military band played throng of shoppers. Word spread through The cortege moved along Constitution “Hail to the Chief” and “America (My the crowd that Ford had once lived in Avenue and just before 7 p.m. wheeled Country ‘Tis of Thee),” which had been Alexandria. slowly around a corner into the Capitol requested by the family. Sylvia Lukens, a 37-year resident of plaza, which was illuminated by floodlights. Standing by in the evening chill were Alexandria, waited in the cold for about American flags on the front fenders of several dozen honorary pallbearers, an hour to see the president who had the hearse barely fluttered in the evening including former secretaries of state Henry once lived a few blocks from where the stillness, as the hearse pulled up in front A. Kissinger and James A. Baker III, motorcade was passing. “I liked that Ford of the broad stone steps leading up to the former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, still had affection for this town,” Lukens House chamber. In two lines, flanking the former transportation secretary William said. “Even when he entered the high path of the coffin, stood dignitaries and T. Coleman Jr. and Cheney, who had once echelons of power he stayed here. That says celebrated figures from Ford’s past. been Ford’s chief of staff. a lot about the man.” After cannon volleyed again in salute, Once the music stopped, the quiet was As the motorcade drove through, the Ford’s casket was carried slowly up the broken only by a long roll of drums and the crowd burst into soft applause. “He had no steps to the House portico. At 7:43 p.m., shouted orders of the military commanders. pretenses, that was what was so refreshing with the coffin on the Lincoln bier, in the Betty Ford, looking tiny on the arm about the man,” Lukens said. Rotunda, beneath the dome, the service of white-gloved Army Maj. Gen. Guy The procession then made its way began. C. Swann III, watched as the casket north, crossing Memorial Bridge over the Ford joins a list of presidents who have was carried by and then took a seat in a Potomac River and heading for the World lain in state beneath the Rotunda. It limousine, where she could be seen wiping War II Memorial. includes Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower, her face with a handkerchief. At the Ford family’s request, the cortege William H. Taft, Warren G. Harding, The cortege left the air base at 5:53 p.m. paused on floodlit 17th Street before the William McKinley Jr., James A. Garfield and traveled via the Capital Beltway, which and Herbert Hoover.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program January 2, 2007 In State Funeral, President Bush declared Tuesday, January 2, a national day of mourning and ordered a Farewell to Ford the federal government to close to mark the death of First Families and Other Dignitaries Honor Him Gerald R. Ford. 8:30 a.m.: The casket is During a Fifth Day of Official Services moved from the Rotunda to the U.S. Senate door for a By Peter Baker Betty Ford, 88, endured the fifth period of repose. Washington Post Staff Writer straight day of official ceremony with grief playing out on her face, and yet 9:15 a.m.: Departure • Original Date of Publication: Wednesday, the former first lady never lost her ceremony on the east steps January 3, 2007 composure and even smiled wistfully as of the U.S. Senate followed Gerald Rudolph Ford, the Boy Scout, Bush recounted funny stories from the by procession to Washington football star and congressman thrust early days of her 58-year marriage. She National Cathedral. by history rather than ambition into and her family then headed to Andrews the presidency at a fateful moment Air Force Base, boarded one of the 10:00 a.m.: Ford’s remains for his nation, was bidden farewell by presidential jets that serve as Air Force arrive at the Cathedral. Washington in a regal state funeral One and took her husband’s body to yesterday and taken home to Michigan Grand Rapids, Mich., where more than 10:30 a.m.: Funeral services for burial. 10,000 people waited in lines as long begin. As cannons boomed and bells pealed as a half-mile to visit his casket during and 10,650 organ pipes echoed through an all-night repose at his presidential 11:30 a.m.: Casket leaves the cavernous Washington National museum. the Cathedral for Andrews Cathedral, Ford received a sendoff he The day’s events brought together AFB. could hardly have imagined as a young all four living presidents and leaders of Midwestern boy abandoned by his both parties for Washington’s second 12:15 p.m.: Casket leaves father shortly after birth 93 years ago. state funeral in 2 1/2 years. Incoming for Grand Rapids, Mich. A “Norman Rockwell painting come to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) life,” as former president George H.W shook hands and sat behind outgoing 2:15 p.m.: Ford’s remains Bush described him, Ford was honored Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), arrive in Michigan. as a man of little pretense whose while former presidents Bill Clinton impact extended beyond his 895 days and the elder Bush cheerfully renewed 3:30 p.m.: Casket arrives in office. their friendship. But as Democrats at the presidential museum “Gerald Ford assumed the presidency assume control of Congress tomorrow, in Grand Rapids. An arrival when the nation needed a leader of the bipartisanship that many extolled ceremony for Mrs. Ford and character and humility, and we found in Ford appears little more than a guests follows. The body will it in the man from Grand Rapids,” testimonial to the past. Just minutes lie in public repose through President George W. Bush told 3,772 before Ford’s casket was brought into the night. heads of state, justices, lawmakers, the cathedral, the office of House military officers, Cabinet secretaries, Republican leader John A. Boehner diplomats and other mourners. (Ohio) e-mailed reporters a statement “President Ford’s time in office was assailing Democrats for being partisan brief, but history will long remember in their plans for the new Congress. the courage and common sense that Ford knew what it was like to be helped restore trust in the workings of in the minority. A lawyer who served our democracy.” continued on page 22

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program

Staff sgt. d. myles cullen — department of defense via associated press President George Bush delivers one of four eulogies for former President Gerald R. Ford during a State Funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. continued from page 21 in chief never to have been elected “In recent days, the deserved president or vice president. commentary on Gerald Ford’s character in the Navy during World War II, the His pardon of Nixon for any crimes has sometimes obscured how sweeping Republican was elected to the House in he may have committed became Ford’s and lasting were his achievements,” 1948 and over the course of a quarter- signature decision, one that may have former secretary of state Henry A. century rose to be minority leader in a cost him the 1976 election but over Kissinger said in a eulogy at the chamber long dominated by Democrats. time has come to be seen as an act of cathedral. His greatest aspiration was to be statesmanship that saved the nation the The state funeral was a classic speaker, but his fate changed when his wrenching ordeal of putting a former Washington affair, soaked in power and party was engulfed by scandal. president on trial. Ford’s eventful pageantry even if not quite as elaborate President Richard M. Nixon presidency also saw the ignominious as the one held for Ronald Reagan in appointed him vice president in 1973 to end of the Vietnam War, a stubborn June 2004. For two hours before it replace Spiro T. Agnew, who was forced recession at home, a Middle East cease- began, many of the men and women from office by corruption allegations, fire, a daring raid to rescue a merchant who have run the country for the past and then on Aug. 9, 1974, Ford marine crew captured by Cambodians, three decades flowed into the vaulted succeeded Nixon, who was forced from and arms control and human rights cathedral. office by Watergate. In the process, treaties with the Soviet Union. Ford became the first commander continued on page 23

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 22 initially brought to the House doors to “Farewell, Mr. President. Thank you, remember his time there, was moved Citizen Ford.” As Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for yesterday morning to the Senate doors In his homily, Ford’s pastor from the Common Man” was played, Boy to mark his service as vice president California, the Rev. Robert G. Certain, Scouts stood at strategic points holding and Senate president. recalled that the former president up signs reading “SS” and “Green” Draped in a flag and borne aloft by shortly before his death raised with him to indicate sections where guests a nine-man military honor guard, the the subject of the Episcopal Church were supposed to sit, according to a casket left the Capitol to a 21-gun schism over the consecration of a gay peculiar Washington hierarchy that salute, and the motorcade paused bishop and the blessings of same-sex distinguishes between political rock by the White House en route to the unions. “He said that he did not think stars and the merely powerful. The cathedral, where it was welcomed to they should be divisive for anyone who south transept was for congressional the strains of “Hail to the Chief.” As the lives by the great commandments and leaders and Supreme Court justices, organ played “America, the Beautiful,” the great commission to love God and including John Paul Stevens, the oldest President Bush escorted Betty Ford to love neighbor,” Certain said. member of the court and Ford’s only down the center aisle, her eyes focused After two hours, the casket was appointee. The north transept was for forward, never glancing at the crowd. brought out of the cathedral and the the diplomatic corps and the honorary She stood in the front row amid her bourdon bell tolled 38 times for the pallbearers. children, Michael, Jack, Steven and 38th president as the cortege made its In front of the altar sat the honored Susan, as the honorary pallbearers way to Andrews for the final trip home. guests: the Ford family and the former entered, including Vice President Accompanying the family was Jimmy presidents. Before the service began, Cheney, former defense secretary Carter, who defeated Ford in 1976 but Jimmy Carter, sitting in the front row Donald H. Rumsfeld, former national later grew to be a close friend. At Ford’s with his wife, Rosalynn, leaned back security adviser Brent Scowcroft, request, Carter will speak at today’s over his chair to chat with Clinton, as former Federal Reserve chairman interment. Chelsea Clinton talked with Secretary Alan Greenspan and former secretary In contrast to the Washington pomp, of State Condoleezza Rice. When the of state James A. Baker III, all Ford Ford’s return to Grand Rapids took elder Bushes arrived, Barbara headed administration veterans. The honor place on a more personal scale. The straight to her seat, while the 41st guard brought in the casket and lay it casket was greeted at Gerald R. Ford president stopped to shake hands with on a catafalque before the pulpit. International Airport by the marching former Israeli prime minister Shimon Jack Ford recited a passage from band from the University of Michigan, Peres. Isaiah and Susan Ford Bales from where Ford was a football star, playing As Carter, Clinton and the elder James. Her voice quavered a bit as she the school’s rousing fight song. Bush greeted one another, it served read. The elder Bush lightened the As thousands of Michigan residents as a reminder that the world’s most atmosphere, telling stories illustrating lined the streets near the Gerald R. exclusive club has shrunk considerably the former president’s less serious side. Ford Presidential Museum on a cold, in the past few years. Nancy Reagan, Ford, he said, understood the value of windy afternoon, a sign in Beaner’s last at the cathedral to memorialize laughing at himself. Bush said he could Coffee read, “Gerald Our Ford.” her own husband, arrived wearing elaborate but would not, then imitated Outside the Gerald R. Ford Federal dark glasses. When former NBC News comedian Dana Carvey imitating Bush: Building, a young fan wore a Michigan anchor Tom Brokaw forgot to mention “Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent.” football jersey and draped a school flag her as he greeted the first families in Brokaw likewise mixed seriousness over his shoulders in Ford’s honor. Boy his eulogy, she whispered to Rosalynn and humor, joking that some of Ford’s Scouts from the Gerald R. Ford Council Carter, then made a slight, sardonic 1970s-era jackets should be “eligible for saluted the passing hearse. wave in Brokaw’s direction. a presidential pardon.” But he praised “Michigan’s president,” he was called Ford’s Washington farewell began him as “the most underestimated” by the state’s Democratic governor, at the Capitol, where his casket lay in president. “Gerald Ford brought to Jennifer Granholm. A man of intellect state over the weekend. About 36,000 the political arena no demons, no and achievement, she said, “in a plain people came through the Rotunda to hidden agenda, no hit list or acts brown wrapper.” pay respects, a considerable showing of vengeance,” Brokaw said. As he but a fraction of the estimated 100,000 finished, he turned to the casket: Staff writer Peter Slevin in Grand who showed up for Reagan. The casket, Rapids contributed to this report.

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January 3, 2007 After individuals in his A Final Return Home home state have been given opportunity to express their Ex-President Is Laid to Rest in His Beloved Grand Rapids respect and affection, services are held in the church where By Peter Slevin thrust Ford into the Oval Office on Gerald Ford married Betty Washington Post Staff Writer Aug. 9, 1974. It was a time when “the Bloomer and which they pressures were enormous … and the attended whenever in their • Original Date of Publication: Thursday, American people were holding their hometown. After the funeral January 4, 2007 breath, wondering what would happen service, Gerald Ford’s body next.” is taken to its final resting GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 3 When Ford reassured the country, place. — Gerald R. Ford’s family and closest Rumsfeld said, “his special magic” was friends laid the former president to that few doubted his word. 1:00 p.m.: Casket departs rest beside a fast-flowing river in the Historian Richard Norton Smith, who the museum with ceremony heart of a city that adored him. During often visited Ford, described him to for trip to Grace Episcopal the last stretch of a somber week of mourners as “utterly without pretense.” Church, arriving at 1:30 pm. benedictions, an admirer praised him He recalled that in the last chapter of as a courageous leader “who never his life, the former president told him, 2:00 p.m.: Funeral services confused moderation with weakness “When I wake up at night and can’t at Grace Episcopal Church in nor compromise with surrender.” sleep, I think of Grand Rapids.” Grand Rapids A once bright winter sun melted The city returned the favor Tuesday into twilight as Ford’s widow, Betty, and Wednesday. Tens of thousands of 3:00 p.m.: Casket leaves received from Vice President Cheney residents lined the streets to glimpse for the Ford Presidential the American flag that had adorned his passing hearse or stood for hours in Museum. the coffin of the 38th president. Ford’s the windy cold to view his coffin. death Dec. 26 at age 93 ended an It seemed every third mourner had 3:30 p.m.: Casket arrives odyssey that carried him from a humble a personal story to share. Often, it at the museum, with the start in the Midwest to a heartfelt was about a good deed that Ford had private internment service national farewell. done, or a recollection that suggested immediately following. The Former president Jimmy Carter, a simpler, more civil time when the president is interred at a who defeated Ford in 1976 and later people felt closer to those in power. hillside site north of the became a friend, began and ended Eagle Scout Jason Beaton, 18, related museum. his benediction the way he began his that his grandmother used to double- inaugural address. Now white-haired, date with Ford. Linda Komejan, 52, his voice breaking, Carter repeated: said Ford interceded to get a driver’s “For myself and for our nation, I want license for her mentally handicapped to thank my predecessor for all he did uncle, allowing him to get to work. to heal our land.” Retired teacher Marian Krupiczewicz, The memorial service, held at Grace 59, recalled going to Ford’s Capitol Episcopal Church, where Gerald and Hill office in the 1960s as a teenager Betty Ford were married in 1948, and sitting in his chair: “There’d even brought together a lifetime of friends be papers on his desk. It was different and acquaintances from the highly then.” placed to the less than mighty. “I remember as a kid going out to Among the eulogists was former East Grand Rapids, riding my bike defense secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, out there, because the president was who recalled the calamity of President Richard M. Nixon’s resignation, which continued on page 25

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program continued from page 24 coming to town,” said William Dekker, 46. “Thirty years later, it’s the same thing.” Handmade signs declared, “Welcome Home, Mr. President.” As the Episcopal service of thanksgiving began, many of the 31 men and women named honorary pallbearers took their seats, among them Cheney and golfer Jack Nicklaus. A maize-and- blue University of Michigan football blanket marked the pew that former coach Bo Schembechler, who died in November, would have occupied. Son Michael Ford read the “23rd Psalm” and son Steven read in a quavering voice from Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Rumsfeld, who served as Ford’s White House chief of staff, recalled that Ford never lowered himself to the partisanship that often marked Washington dealings. “He reminded Americans of who they were and he put us on the right path when the way ahead was at best uncertain,” Rumsfeld said, recalling Ford’s 895-day presidency. “It is commonly said that Ford healed the nation, and he did.” After the church service, the cortege made its way back across town to the gravesite beside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. A military band played “Ruffles and Flourishes” for the final time, followed by a medley of patriotic songs, among them “The Star- Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” The family followed the pallbearers and the coffin, Betty Ford helped from a wheelchair by Steven Ford and her military escort. As artillery fired a 21- gun salute and 21 military jets staged a precision flyover, the coffin lay beneath an inscription chosen by the Fords: His voice breaking, President Jimmy Carter said of President Gerald R. Ford, “For “Lives committed to God, country and myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he did to heal our love.” land.” Carter defeated Ford for the presidency in 1976, but the two became friends.

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David S. Broder A Time to Reflect As 2006 closed and 2007 How Ford’s Legacy began, columns, editorials, news reports and analyses and letters to the editor Still Serves appear in publications across the country — another step • Original Date of Publication: Thursday, Don Rumsfeld, both former chiefs in writing the first draft of December 28, 2006 of staff to Ford, and former Federal the history of a presidency. Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, The standard tribute to Gerald R. Ford’s chairman of the Council of The following columns, Ford is that he served the nation best Economic Advisers. letter to the editor and simply by stepping into the presidency In all his years, Greenspan articles reflect the diversity for the disgraced and banished Richard observed, he has never been part of Gerald Ford’s influence M. Nixon. of a more talented administration. and the personal side of the But to those who served with the Henry Kissinger was secretary of “accidental” president. man from Michigan, his achievements state, and Brent Scowcroft headed did not begin or end with his being the National Security Council staff. available to help “heal our land” from Kissinger’s personal staff included the wounds of the Nixon presidency, as Lawrence Eagleburger, later secretary his successor, Jimmy Carter, said on the of state himself, and L. Paul Bremer. day he took over from Ford. William Colby headed the CIA, and The alumni of the Ford Daniel Patrick Moynihan was U.N. administration — a notable group ambassador. — insist that though he had never When Rumsfeld served as Ford’s particularly aimed for the presidency, defense secretary, his deputy was the “accidental president” developed William P. Clements Jr., later governor a considerable mastery of the job and of Texas. The economic policy team was on his way to building a legacy included James Lynn and Paul O’Neill when the voters sent him into early at the Office of Management and retirement. Budget, William Simon at Treasury, L. Instead of great deeds, they say, he William Seidman and Greenspan at the left behind a great model of decency White House, John Dunlop at the Labor and integrity in office — and a Department, Carla Hills at Housing generous gift of friendship that has and Urban Development, Rogers C.B. endured for many of them for the Morton at Commerce, Clayton Yeutter three decades since they served under at the Office of the Special Trade him. The annual gatherings of Ford Representative, and Russell Train at the administration alumni are unique in the Environmental Protection Agency. modern presidency and offer evidence The Justice Department was headed of the loyalty he commanded. by Edward H. Levi, a former University Many of those alumni who first of Chicago president and perhaps the exercised real power under Ford most nonpolitical attorney general in remained active in government. For modern times. Serving under him, in all that he has borrowed from Ronald various high staff positions, were such Reagan, President Bush owes the people as Rudolph Giuliani, Robert greatest debt to three stalwarts of Bork and Antonin Scalia. And Nelson economic and national security policy Rockefeller was vice president. inherited from Ford — Vice President Cheney and former defense secretary continued on page 27

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It took a while for Ford to replace some of the key players he had inherited from Nixon, but when he was finished, he had a remarkably cohesive, competent group. The overall tone of the Ford Cabinet and White House reflected the moderate conservatism of Ford’s own Grand Rapids, Mich., background — with more than a tinge of the progressivism embodied in the term “Rockefeller Republicanism.” In terms of the subsequent development of the Republican Party — and the character of later Republican administrations — it is difficult to say that Ford left a lasting imprint. He was challenged for the 1976 nomination by Reagan, whose ambitions nearly thwarted the incumbent at the Kansas City convention. When Ford lost to Carter, Reagan was perfectly positioned to inherit the party leadership and, ultimately, the presidency. So Ford’s legacy lies more in his personal character than in his political inheritance. That character was epitomized by the strength of his friendships, which were far deeper than any partisan or ideological lines. Only days before Nixon resigned under threat of impeachment, Ford traveled to the home state of his political rival but friend, Democratic Rep. Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill of Massachusetts, to play with him in a golf tournament. In the final days of the Nixon presidency, Ford made a memorable visit to The Post. As vice president, he had defended Nixon against the Watergate charges, but he recognized in our meeting that he had a responsibility larger than any further claims of BY BURI GRIPAS — REUTERS personal loyalty from Nixon. “I want Former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, and Vice President Dick Cheney you to know I am someone who were former chiefs of staff to President Gerald Ford. enjoys having adversaries who are not enemies,” he told reporters and editors. It turned out to be a shorter period It was a signal, understood by in office than Ford expected, but the For more photos of Gerald Ford’s funeral, go everyone in the room, that a new — standard of civility and good will he set to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ and welcome — era was about to begin. for himself is an example that endures. content/politics/special/9/index.html

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Ron Nessen Moral Leadership

• Original Date of Publication: Thursday, Vietnam War ended during his December 28, 2006 presidency. By what he did and what he said after the last helicopter lifted off One reason Gerald R. Ford was a the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, good president was because he never Ford headed off a bitter postwar wanted to be president. campaign of recrimination about “Who After 25 years as a congressman from lost Vietnam?” Grand Rapids, Mich., he told his wife, One day during that dark period, Betty, that he was going to run for I walked into the Oval Office and one more term in the House and then showed Ford an Associated Press story retire to spend more time with her and reporting that the House had rejected their children. Then, suddenly, he was a bill providing funds to help resettle appointed vice president (after Spiro hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Agnew’s resignation) and succeeded to refugees who would probably be targets the presidency (after Richard Nixon’s Navy steward rushed to clean it up. “I’ll of imprisonment and execution by the resignation). do that,” Ford said. “No man should victorious North Vietnamese and Viet Unlike politicians who carefully have to clean up after another man’s Cong. I’d never heard Ford curse before, calculate for decades how their every dog.” As I say, it was nice to have a but he did that day when he read the word and deed will sound and look regular person as president. story. when they eventually run for the White Unlike some of his predecessors, Ford He undertook a public lobbying House, Ford moved into the Oval Office didn’t take himself too seriously. He campaign, including visits to refugee without having his persona distorted by taped short bits making fun of himself camps in Arkansas and Florida, which lust for the presidency. for Saturday Night Live, then in its turned around public and congressional And the public sensed this first season. He invited Chevy Chase, opposition to helping the refugees. genuineness. What a relief to have a who made his reputation on the show It was his greatest display of moral regular person as president, particularly by spoofing Ford’s foibles, to play leadership. after the imperial presidencies of Nixon tennis on the White House courts. And Ford also had a knack for finding and and Lyndon B. Johnson. Ford was “the after Chase had performed his “clumsy recruiting talented people to serve in man next door.” Ford” routine at the White House government. After the resignation, it took the Correspondents’ Association dinner, the Henry Kissinger, Ford’s secretary Nixons a few days to move their president took the podium and topped of state, gave a talk at the National belongings out of the White House. the professional comic with a brilliant Archives a few months ago assessing It took a few more days to freshen up routine of self-deprecating humor. Ford’s presidency. Kissinger noted that the paint in the second-floor living One of Ford’s favorite sayings about judgments about events and leaders quarters. So for 10 days after he the political and legislative debates in made in the heat of the moment often became president, Gerald Ford, Betty Washington was that “you can disagree must be modified or reversed when and their children Susan, Steve and without being disagreeable.” He not those events and leaders are reassessed Jack continued to live in their modest only said it, he lived it. How nostalgic from the perspective of 30 years of suburban rambler on Crown View Drive that seems in these days of angry, subsequent history. in Alexandria. I always thought: What divisive, polarized, downright nasty President Ford and his presidency are a perfect symbol for an ordinary-guy Washington rhetoric. viewed much more favorably today than president. But as president, Gerald Ford did they were the day he left office. It’s One day Ford’s dog, Liberty, made a more than change the post-Watergate good to know that he lived long enough mess on the rug in the Oval Office. A atmosphere in Washington. The to enjoy the reassessment.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program Quang X. Pham Ford’s Finest Legacy • Original Date of Publication: Saturday, Years later Ford wrote a letter to the this had something to do with the anti- December 30, 2006 group of Marines who had evacuated the refugee emotion. In Larry Engelmann’s U.S. Embassy in Saigon. In it he said, “April Tears Before the Rain: An Oral History “Today, America can regain the sense of 1975 was indeed the cruelest month. The of the Fall of South Vietnam, Julia pride that existed before Vietnam. But it passage of time has not dulled the ache of Vadala Taft, head of the interagency task cannot be achieved by refighting a war that those days, the saddest of my public life.” force for refugee resettlement, recalled is finished as far as America is concerned. But Ford became the savior to those such opposition. “The new governor … [T]hese events, tragic as they are, lucky enough to escape the taking of Saigon of California, Jerry Brown, was very portend neither the end of the world nor of by the North Vietnamese army. “I pray no concerned about refugees settling in his America’s leadership in the world.” American president is ever again faced with state. Brown even attempted to prevent President Gerald R. Ford uttered those this grave option,” Ford said at a public planes carrying refugees from landing at words in a speech at Tulane University on forum on the legacy of the Vietnam War Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento. … April 23, 1975, in the final days of Vietnam’s 25 years later. “I still grieve over those we The secretary of health and welfare, Mario long war. The rowdy crowd roared and were unable to rescue.” He added that he Obledo, felt that this addition of a large gave him a standing ovation. The military was thankful America was able to relocate minority group would be unwelcome in draft had ended and American troops and 130,000 Vietnamese refugees (less than 1 California. And he said that they already POWs had returned home two years earlier. percent of South Vietnam’s population) and had a large population of Hispanics, America had washed its hands of Vietnam, that “to do less would have added moral Filipinos, blacks, and other minorities.” yet millions of lives were still at stake. shame to humiliation.” The refugees were extremely fortunate. My family and those other blessed South Halfway around the world, my family Our biggest supporter, outside of Julia Taft, Vietnamese found ourselves stuck in refugee experienced the unfolding of those tragic was the president of the United States. camps across the United States. Outside events in South Vietnam. For us, it was the Even though he had described the Vietnam the camps, public sentiment against worst of times. It seemed like the end of the conflict as “a war that is finished as far as Vietnamese refugees ran high, although world to me. I was only 10. America is concerned,” Ford’s attention at the time we did not feel it directly. The Dwight D. Eisenhower had sent was now focused on the refugees. In May book on Vietnam had been closed for American military advisers to Vietnam to 1975 he visited the camps, and soon after most Americans until the refugees arrived help contain communism and prevent the in unprecedented numbers. Only the refugees began leaving to start new lives “dominoes” from falling in Southeast Asia. Hungarian and Cuban refugee resettlements across America. The government wanted John F. Kennedy dispatched thousands were of comparable scale. Newspapers to disperse the refugees to spread the cost more in a graduated response to a portrayed the country as split on what to do among many states and communities. By burgeoning insurgency. Lyndon B. Johnson with the refugees. Christmas of that year, all refugee camps broke his promise not to send “American In a May 1975 article in the New York had been closed, and the refugees were boys nine or ten thousand miles away from Times, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) resettled in every state. home to do what Asian boys ought to be commented that “barmaids, prostitutes I am not aware of any other politicians, doing for themselves.” Richard M. Nixon and criminals” should be screened out antiwar protesters, esteemed journalists or prolonged the killing for another three years as “excludable categories.” Sen. Joe celebrities visiting Fort Chaffee, Ark., where despite having a secret plan to end the Biden (D-Del.) “charged that the [Ford] my family was temporarily housed for two longest American war ever. Administration had not informed Congress months. But Gerald Ford did. In the end, after two decades of flailing adequately about the number of refugees” April 1975 was indeed the cruelest diplomacy in that tiny peninsula, Gerald — as if anyone actually knew during the month for us. But thanks to President Ford dealt with the aftermath: empty chaotic evacuation. “I think the Vietnamese Ford’s leadership, we experienced America’s guarantees made to an ally, promises he are better off in Vietnam,” sniffed George kindness and generosity during our darkest could not keep and a “peace with honor” McGovern in Newsweek. days. We owe him our deepest gratitude in that the congressional Watergate class At the time, unemployment in the United remembrance. would not enforce. States hovered near double digits. Perhaps

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program A Final Public Service By a Steadfast First Lady By Neely Tucker always worried about her, but she was The Lincoln assassination a century Washington Post Staff Writer the one who really took over, really earlier proves the point via an opposite watched out for him.” example. Mary Todd Lincoln, already • Original Date of Publication: Wednesday, Though Betty Ford has spoken unstable of emotion and personality, January 3, 2007 no public word since her husband dissolved after her husband was shot. Betty Ford, observed in these days of died (her statement announcing his She offered the nation no such grace national mourning: death was a written release) she has note. Frail. Determined. Quiet. Tired. nonetheless had a public role to play. Since the Civil War, only three She was 88 and clearly exhausted. First ladies leave the White House, but presidents have outlived their wives. She was resting on the arm of the they never leave the job. They become president of the United States when the public face of the nation’s grieving “The first lady is not a private person she emerged from the darkness of when their spouses die. Their role grieving, they’re a public icon, and we Washington National Cathedral into blends public duty and private emotion, look to them for strength and how to the weak January sunlight yesterday, but the public is expected to hold sway. behave,” says Myra Gutin, professor of following her husband’s coffin. She did “When I reflect upon my Washington communications at Rider University not speak during the service, except to career I wonder how I ever faced it,” and author of The President’s Partner: turn to her daughter, Susan, and mouth Grace Coolidge observed late in life, The First Lady in the Twentieth the word “beautiful” after a moving after burying her husband. “There was Century. rendition of “O God, Our Help in Ages a sense of detachment. This was I, and Past.” She was surrounded by family, She says it has left one constant: yet not I — this was the wife of the “If they cry, it seems like they did it including her three sons. president and she took precedence over She will bury her husband today on a privately, not on the public stage,” she me; my personal likes and dislikes must hillside back home in Michigan. says. be subordinated to the consideration Then, three decades after leaving Betty Ford spent her last official of those things which were required of the White House, she will finally be weekend in Washington with her her.” relieved of the duties of being first lady, When Woodrow Wilson suffered a family at the Renaissance Mayflower a job that comes with no description Hotel, a few blocks from the White but endless expectations. The final massive stroke in office, paralyzed but not yet dead, his wife, Edith, virtually House. She walked, resting on arms duty is burying one’s husband under of a family member, a military official, the glare of public attention. This has took over. She refused to let people the vice president, the president. She become a de facto job requirement see him, becoming the intermediary in the past century, when first ladies through which the nation dealt with its kept her gaze level, her eyes steady. began to routinely outlive their president. It caused a crisis and a furor. She attended services at the Capitol husbands. She was unmoved: “I am not thinking Rotunda, the cathedral, the landmarks “This is a very frail woman, and by of the country now, I am thinking of my of official Washington. God, she’s in charge,” says Dick Capen, husband.” Her lips were pursed, save for offering a longtime family friend, a newspaper This is understandable but not a quiet smile to family or friends. She publisher and diplomat who visited practical: The love of one’s spouse must shed no public tears. take second place to national need. with Betty Ford at the family’s private She was being strong; maybe for the It is the consensus among historians service in Palm Desert, Calif. “You nation, maybe for herself. could see it in her face. She’s 88 years that Jacqueline Kennedy, in her Then, yesterday afternoon, the plane old, and she wasn’t going to sit down. bloodstained dress while Lyndon B. lifted her and her family up into the She’s an incredible lady.” Johnson took the oath of office in “She’s been great,” says Melvin Laird, Dallas, is the model image of this. She bright blue sky, heading north, heading the former congressman and defense walked into the White House as the home. secretary, and a close family friend Queen of Camelot and walked out as One last funeral, and then no more. for nearly half a century, speaking by a woman whose dignity helped hold Leaving the pages of history must phone from his Florida home. “Jerry together a shocked nation. sometimes be an answered prayer.

An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program Warm Memories of a Leader in Everyday Life By Sue Anne Pressley Montes minority leader, until he became president “The White House is the first stage of Washington Post Staff Writer in 1974. “Maybe it was because of how he the world, and the president, whether grew up or where he came from, but he was it’s Reagan or Clinton or Kennedy, [is • Original Date of Publication: a gentleman and a half.” a performer], and Ford was not a very Friday, December 29, 2006 Ford would always hurry in with a sheaf good performer. He was a plain-spoken Even in the barber’s chair, he brought of papers to study, but he never failed to Midwesterner, and acting was not among along a handful of papers to work on. ask Quattrone how he was doing. “We his attributes,” Cannon said. In his Alexandria neighborhood, he was didn’t talk about politics,” the barber said. Sometimes, attempts to jazz up the an ephemeral figure, known for his early- “Sometimes I would say, someday he’s stolid Ford image backfired. Former White morning splash in the swimming pool going to be a good speaker of the House, House photographer David Hume Kennerly before he reported to Capitol Hill. At night, and he would say, ‘It would be nice.’” recalled the time he enlisted Los Angeles neighbors would note the limousine idling Those plans, of course, did not work comic Don Penny to coach the president outside the red-brick Colonial, waiting to out. After Ford became vice president in on his speech delivery during the 1976 take him to another function or another 1973, “I said, ‘Now I’m going to lose you,’” campaign. “It took a lot for him to be vote, his long workday not yet over. Quattrone recalled. “And he said, ‘No, you’ll Gerald R. Ford returns to Washington angry,” Kennerly said. never lose me.’ He came back after he was But during a practice speech in the tomorrow, a setting where he was both vice president. He came to me until the day the most powerful man in the world and Cabinet Room, after Penny had interrupted before he got sworn in as president. the president several times, instructing him Everyman. The longtime congressman and “He didn’t talk too much that day — he 38th president of the United States spent to speak his words as if he meant them, was kind of sad.” Ford blew up. He reached into a pocket, nearly three decades in the Washington For years, neighbor Nancy Smith could area and has been gone for three decades pulled out a Cross pen and lobbed it at the practically tell time from the sounds of the more. But long before the rest of the nation comedian, missing and chipping the wall future president doing his morning swim in recognized his signature qualities — his above Penny’s head. the pool outside her kitchen window. “I’d hardworking manner, his kind regard for “He always had such a calm about him; it hear him hit the water when I was getting others, his basic decency — friends and was great to get a rise out of him,” Penny breakfast,” said Smith, now 76, whose associates in the D.C. area knew that Gerry said yesterday. “It was a pleasure to work family moved into the Fords’ neighborhood Ford was a prince of a guy. with him. He was a wonderful man.” “Oh, he was the nicest man who ever in 1962. Ford did not make it to many community Even his political opponents agreed. lived,” said Nancy Smith of Alexandria, the For 17 years, Ford and U.S. Rep. John Ford family’s “backdoor neighbor” for many cookouts or parties, she said. “My sense was they just didn’t have time D. Dingell both represented Michigan in years. Congress — Ford as a Republican, Dingell Many of the people who knew Ford well to do neighborhood things — they were too busy.” When he was present, Smith added, as a Democrat. are gone now. But as Americans mourn the “Gerry Ford was a good, hard fighter, passing of a leader who soothed a troubled “we would talk about our kids. He was but he also knew how to come together on nation at a critical time, those whose lives never the big shot, which was very nice. He a set of common purposes,” said Dingell, intersected with his in the Washington area didn’t have any inflated opinions of his own the longest-serving current member of cherish a special collection of memories. importance, as so many politicians do.” Every 10 days, like clockwork, Ford would James Cannon, a former Newsweek Congress. settle into Joseph Quattrone’s big leather editor who served as Ford’s domestic policy “From time to time, events happen that chair at the congressional barbershop for adviser, said that description was always apt change the outlook, that cause people to a 75-cent trim. Between cuts yesterday, — sometimes to the president’s detriment. reflect and perhaps change the way they Quattrone, 72, recalled his former customer “He was not a charismatic man. He was function,” Dingell said. “And frankly, Gerry “with a tear in my eye.” a workhorse, not a show horse, and he was Ford in his passing has reminded people “I have all nice people, but he was much better in person than on television,” that a White House and a Congress, even exceptional,” said Quattrone, who manages said Cannon, a Georgetown resident who if they are opposing parties, can work the Rayburn Building shop and cut Ford’s wrote the 1994 book Time and Chance: together in the public interest of the hair from 1970, when he was House Gerald Ford’s Appointment With History. country.”