Congressional Record—Senate S7681
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
July 16, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7681 ‘‘The Cubist Cockatoo: Preliminary Explo- and President Gerald R. Ford turned 88 Staff to President Ford and Secretary of De- ration of Joseph Cornell’s Hommages to on July 14. A birthday tribute to our fense in the first Bush administration. Juan Gris,’’ Philadelphia Museum of Art 38th President was written by White On May 21st, at the John F. Kennedy Li- Bulletin, June 1978. brary and Museum in Boston, Mass., Mr. ‘‘The Fist of Boccioni meets Miss FlicFlic House correspondent Trude B. Feldman Ford was the recipient of the John F. Ken- ChiapChiap,’’ Art News, November 1980. for the New York Times Syndicate; and nedy Profile In Courage Award. Presented by Introductory essay to exhibition catalogue it includes reflections by former Presi- the former President’s daughter, Caroline, for Futurism and the International Avant- dents Richard Nixon and Ronald and his brother, Senator Edward M. Kennedy Garde (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1980). Reagan, given to Ms. Feldman for Ger- (D-Mass.), the award cites President Ford’s ‘‘We have eyes as well as ears,’’ essay for ald Ford’s 80th birthday. I ask unani- courage in making the controversial decision publication accompanying exhibition ‘‘John mous consent that the article be print- of conscience to pardon former President Cage: Scores and Prints’’, 1982. Richard M. Nixon. ed in the RECORD. ‘‘Duchamp, 1911–1915,’’ in the exhibition Twenty seven years ago on August 9, 1974, catalogue Marcel Duchamp (Tokyo, The President Ford was a healing force at Richard Nixon resigned the presidency of the Seibu Museum of Art). Reprinted as ‘‘Before a time of much greater political up- U.S. and Vice President Ford became the the Glass: Reflections on Marcel Duchamp heaval than we have today. The lessons 38th president. A month later (September 8), before 1915’’ in the exhibition catalogue to us today are that: disagreements President Ford granted a ‘‘full, free and ab- Duchamp (Barcelona: Fundacio Joan Miro, should not become divisive; and polit- solute pardon’’ to Nixon ‘‘for all offenses 1984). ical revenge is a vicious cycle without against the U.S. which he . has com- Preface to ‘‘Marcel Duchamp, Notes’’, ar- winners. mitted or may have committed or taken part ranged and translated by Paul Matisse (Bos- Most important, as President Ford in’’ while he was president. ton: G. K. Hall & Company, 1983). Today, Mr. Ford concedes that he did not Preface to ‘‘Marcel Duchamp, Manual of reiterates in this interview, is that expect such a ‘‘hostile’’ reaction. ‘‘That was Instructions for Etant Donne´s ...’’ (Phila- ‘‘truth is the glue that holds govern- one of the greatest disappointments of my delphia Museum of Art, 1987). ment together—not only our govern- presidency,’’ he told me. ‘‘Everyone focused ‘‘Paying Attention,’’ in the exhibition ment, but civilization itself.’’ on the individual instead of on the problems catalogue Rolywholyover/A Circus/John Cage He tells Ms. Feldman, who has also the nation faced. I thought people would con- (Los Angeles: Museum of Contemporary Art, written numerous articles on Mr. Ford sider Richard Nixon’s resignation sufficient 1983). and his family for McCall’s Magazine, punishment, even shame. I expected more that his main ambition was to become forgiveness.’’ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ROGER W. SANT In accepting the Profile In Courage Award, Speaker of the House of Representa- Mr. Sant is Chairman of the Board of the Mr. Ford told members of the Kennedy fam- AES Corporation, which he co-founded in tives ‘‘because the legislative process ily and some 250 guests: ‘‘No doubt, argu- 1981. AES is a leading global power company interested me and was the kind of chal- ments over the Nixon pardon will continue comprised of competitive generation, dis- lenge I enjoyed . .’’ for as long as historians relive those tumul- tribution and retail supply businesses in 27 Gerald Ford concluded this inter- tuous days. But I’d be less than human if I countries. The company’s generating assets view—which I recommend to my col- didn’t tell you how profoundly grateful I am include interests in one hundred and sixty- leagues and our staff—with his beliefs for this recognition. The Award Committee six facilities totaling over 58 gigawatts of ca- that during his 29 months as President, has displayed its own brand of courage . pacity. AES’s electricity distribution net- But here, courage is contagious. he had steered the U.S. out of a period ‘‘To know John Kennedy, as I did, was to work has over 920,000 km of conductor and of turmoil, making it possible to move associated rights of way and sells over 126,000 understand the true meaning of the word. He gigawatt hours per year to over 17 million from despair to a renewed national understood that courage is not something to end-use customers. In addition, through its unity of purpose and progress. ‘‘I also be gauged in a poll or located in a focus various retail electricity supply businesses, reestablished a working relationship group. No adviser can spin it. No historian the company sells electricity to over 154,000 between the White House and Congress, can back date it. For, in the age old contest end-use customers. AES is dedicated to pro- one that had been ruptured,’’ he notes. between popularity and principle, only those viding electricity worldwide in a socially re- ‘‘All that made an important dif- willing to lose for their convictions are de- serving of posterity’s approval.’’ sponsible way. ference. I consider that to be my great- Mr. Sant chairs the Board of The Summit Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg said the Foundation, and is a Board Member of Mar- est accomplishment as President.’’ award was inspired by her father’s Pulitzer riott International, WWF-International, Re- There being no objection, the mate- Prize winning book, Profiles In Courage sources for the Future, The Energy Founda- rial was ordered to be printed in the (first published in 1955 by Harper & Row) and tion, and The National Symphony. He re- RECORD, as follows: was ‘‘instituted to celebrate his life and be- cently stepped down as Chairman of the [From the New York Times] lief that political courage must be valued and honored. And that Gerald Ford had World Wildlife Fund-US after six years in GERALD R. FORD AT 88: A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE that capacity and now serves on the Na- proved that politics can be a noble profes- (By Trude B. Feldman) tional Council. sion. .’’ Prior to funding AES, Mr. Sant was Direc- On July 14, Gerald R. Ford will celebrate Sen. Kennedy said President Ford had tor of the Mellon Institute’s Energy Produc- his 88th birthday. Having fully recovered ‘‘withstood the heat of controversy and per- tivity Center. During this period he became from a stroke last August, the former presi- severed in his beliefs about what was in our widely known as the author of ‘‘The Least dent says he is now in excellent health— country’s best interest. History has proved Cost Energy Strategy’’—where it was shown alert, active and keeping up with world af- him right. that the cost of conserving energy is usually fairs. ‘‘At a time of national turmoil, our nation much less than producing more fuel. Asked—in a birthday interview—how he was fortunate that he was prepared to take Mr. Sant earlier served as a political ap- feels about turning 88, he says: ‘‘Age doesn’t over the helm of the storm-tossed ship of pointee in the Ford administration and was bother me. I’m not as mobile as I was 25 state. He recognized that the nation had to a key participant in developing early initia- years ago, but I feel fortunate to still have get on with its business and could not, if tives to fashion an energy policy in the US. my zest for life. I have more enthusiasm now there was a continuing effort to prosecute Before entering government service, he was because of the care I take of myself. I follow former President Nixon. So President Ford active in the management or founding of sev- a good diet, I don’t smoke or drink, and I made a tough decision and pardoned him. eral businesses, and taught corporate finance keep busy.’’ ‘‘I was one of those who spoke out against at the Stanford University Graduate School In association with the American Enter- his action. But time has a way of clarifying of Business. He received a B.S. from Brigham prise Institute, one of Washington, D.C.’s things, and now we see that President Ford Young University and an MBA with Distinc- leading think tanks, Mr. Ford established— was right.’’ tion from the Harvard Graduate School of in 1982—the AEI World Forum which he hosts General Alexander M. Haig Jr., Mr. Nixon’s Business Administration. annually in Beaver Creek, Colorado. White House Chief of Staff, concurs. ‘‘The He is a co-author ‘‘Creating Abundance— The forum is a gathering of former and passage of time has once again favored the America’s Least-Cost Energy Strategy’’ by current international world leaders, business truth and Gerald Ford has rightfully McGraw Hill and numerous articles and pub- and financial executives and government of- emerged as one of our nation’s most coura- lications on energy conservation. ficials who discuss political and economic geous leaders,’’ he told me in an interview, issues. adding: f This year—in late June—the participants ‘‘Despite the risks, President Ford per- BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO included Valery Giscard d’Estaing, former formed a singular and selfless act of courage.