The original documents are located in Box 133, folder “June 4, 1974 - Speech, American Apparel Manufacturers' Association, New York, NY” of the Gerald R. Ford Vice Presidential Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 133 of the Gerald R. Ford Vice Presidential Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
AMERICAN APPAREL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AMERICANA HOTEL) NEW YORK) NEW YORK TUESDAY) JUNE 4) 1974
I AM VERY PLEASED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL MEETING
BREAKFAST OF THE AMERICAN APPAREL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION HELD
THIS MORNING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OPENING OF TEXPO '74 --- THE
FIRST AMERICAN FASHI ONTEXTILES EXPOSITION.
( - 2 -
THE APPAREL AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES ARE TO BE COMMENDED
FOR DEMONSTRATING THROUGH TEXPO '74 THE GROWTH AND PROGRESS OF THE
UNITED STATES AS THE LEADER OF WORLD FASHION. NEVER BEFORE HAS OUR
NATION OFFERED SUCH A DRAMATIC DEMONSTRATION OF THE AMERICAN LIFESTYLE
IN FIBER) FABRICS AND APPAREL. I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT
MORE THAN A SCORE OF COUNTRIES HAVE SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO VIEW OUR
NEW PRODUCTS AND NEW CONCEPTS. - 3 -
A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN AMERICAN FAS HION -- AND IN THE
WORLD -- SINCE I SPOKE AT A MEETING OF THE APPAREL MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION IN DALLASJ ~TEXAS IN 1967. Gt) !I ~r~ TODAY I WANT TO DISCUSS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO /j KINDS OF FABRIC --- THE FABRIC USED SO CREATIVELY BY THE APPAREL INDUSTRY
AND THE FABRIC OF WORLD PEACE. - 4 -
YOUR THEME THIS YEAR, "LIFESTYLE USA," HELPS US TO
REAFFIRM OUR BELIEF IN OURSELVES. THE APPAREL AND TEXTILE
INDUSTRY EMPLOYS 2.4 MILLION PERSONS --- APPROXIMATELY ONE IN
EVERY 8 ENGAGED IN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING. THIS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER OF MANUFACTURING LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
ADD FIBER PRODUCERS --- COTTON, WOOL, AND MAN-MADES --- AND MILLIONS
MORE ARE INVOLVED. - 5 -
ASPIRATIONS FOR WORLD PEACE REST UPON THE STRENGTH AND
VIABILITY OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. YOU ARE REAFFIRMING HERE AT
TEXPO '74 THAT OUR PRODUCTIVITY REMAINS A MODEL FOR THE WORLD. YOU
ARE REASSERTING THE INDUSTRY AND GENIUS OF AMERICA THAT OTHER
NATIONS HAVE SOUGHT TO EMULATE. YOU ARE SHOWING THAT WE CONTINUE
TO SET THE PACE FOR STYLE AND FASHION_, THAT THE LABEL "MADE IN USA/'
IS PROUDLY WORN., AND THAT YOU ARE A PART OF WHAT'S RIGHT WITH AMERICA. - 6 -
YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR DOMESTIC CAPABILITIES --
ESPECIALLY THE JOB SECURITY OF AMERICAN WORKERS. A MULTILATERAL
APPAREL-TEXTILE-FIBER TRADE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY SOME 50 NATIONS
IN GENEVA LAST DECEMBER. IT ESTABLISHED A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ORDERLY
GROWTH OF WORLD MARKETS IN APPAREL AND TEXTILES.
x - 7 -
MANY OF THE AMERICAN WORKERS WHOSE JOBS WERE MADE MORE
SECURE BY THIS AGREEMENT WERE THOSE LEAST ABLE TO SURVIVE LAYOFFS
AND CURTAILED WORKWEEKS CAUSED BY LOW-WAGE COMPETITION FROM ABROAD.
I SPEAK OF THE SPECIAL CATEGORY OF WORKERS THAT THE APPAREL
INDUSTRY EMPLOYS IN INCREASING NUMBERS. AMONG THEM ARE HANDICAPPED
~ ,~ARM WORKERS WHO FIND SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT ~AND PERSONS ON
WORK-RELEASE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM BECOME PRODUCTIVE
AND USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. - 8 -
YOUR INDUSTRY DESERVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR ITS SOCIAL
CONCERNS.
DESPITE THE LABOR-INTENSIVE NATURE OF APPAREL MANUFACTURE
AND RISING PRODUCTION COSTS) U.S. WORKERS RECEIVE AN AVERAGE OF
8 TO 10 TIMES THE WAGES OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS ABROAD. THIS IS A
TRIBUTE TO THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM. - 9 -
OUR NATION'S 23JOOO APPAREL PLANTS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS
THE MOST COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY REMAINING IN AMERICA TODAY. COMPETITION
HAS KEPT PRICES RELATIVELY LOW COMPARED TO OTHER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
MANY SMALLER COMPANIES HELP PERPETUATE A FREE AND OPEN MARKETPLACE
WHICH THIS ADMINISTRATION IS STRIVING TO PRESERVE.
WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY
IS DEMONSTRATING HERE IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR
THEMSELVES AND FOR OUR NATION. YOUR LEADERSHIP LOOKS TO THE DEVELOPMENT
OF EXPORT MARKETS TO IMPROVE OUR BALANCE OF TRADE. YOU ARE SELLING
MORE THAN OUR PRODUCTS --- YOU ARE SELLING OUR LIFESTYLE. - 10 -
THROUGH LEADERSHIP IN FASHION AND CREATIVE MERCHANDISING)
YOUR INDUSTRY IS NOT ONLY SURVIVING BUT GROWING. YOU MUST CONTINUE
YOUR CREATIVITY IN DE~, /TECHNOLOGY,~AND .MARKETING. AND THE
GOVERNMENT MUST FACILITATE MARKETING ABROAD BY CONT INU ING EFFORTS TO
REDUCE FOREIGN RESTRICTIONS ON OUR PRODUCTS AND BY OPENING NEW
MARKETS SO WE MAY COMPETE ON A FAI R BASIS. - 11 -
WHEN SHAKESPEARE WROTE THAT "THE APPAREL OFT PROCLAIMS THE
MAN)" HE ADVISED NOT ONLY ON FASHION BUT IN THE VERY SAME PASSAGE
ISSUED SOME GUIDELINES ON DIPLOMACY. SAID SHAKESPEARE) "GIVE EVERY
MAN THY EAR) BUT FEW THY VOICE; TAKE EACH MAN'S CENSURE) BUT RESERVE
THY JUDGMENT."
THIS IS PRECISELY HOW SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY KISSINGER
PROCEEDED IN NOT ONLY RESTORING THE BADLY-TORN FABRIC OF PEACE IN THE
MIDDLE EAST BUT IN DESIGNING A NEW PRODUCT THAT CAN BE WORN WITH
PRIDE BY BOTH SIDES. HE HAS MADE PEACE FASHIONABLE. - 12 -
;J_ a--~ LC:~ TELL YO ll HAW PROllB I AM TO BE A CITIZEN OF A NATION THAT COMMANDS RESPECT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD NOT ONLY FOR OUR -----PRODUCTS AND LIFESTYLE BUT ALSO FOR OUR IDEALS AND OUR HONESTY. DESPITE OUR
DETRACTORS AT HOME AND ABROAD) LET US OBSERVE THAT IT WAS THE
REPUTATION AND GOOD NAME OF THE UNITED STATES --- AND THE AMERICAN
FLAG ON SECRETARY KISSINGER'S AIRCRAFT --- THAT ENABLED THE SECRETARY
TO NEGOTIATE SO EFFECTIVELY FOR PEACE. - 13 -
JUST AS YOUR PRODUCTS PROUDLY BEAR THE LABEL, "MADE IN
USAJ" SO IT IS THAT A NEW ERA IN WORLD HISTORY) AN ERA OF NEGOTIATION - · AND RECONCILIATION) WAS "MADE IN USA."
SO MUCH ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON CONTROVERSIAL
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON) I FEAR WE ARE LOSING SIGHT OF THE NIXON
ADMINISTRATION'S CREATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD. - 14 -
SECRETARY KISSINGER'S MOST RECENT MISSION WAS FACILITATED
BY THE NEW CLIMATE THAT EXISTS WORLDWIDE. THIS IS THE CLIMATE THAT
ENSUED FROM THE PRESIDENT'S HISTORIC INITIATIVES IN VISITING MOSCOW
AND PEKING AND IN UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED THERE AND IN SUBSEQUENT
EXCHANGES. THIS IS THE CLIMATE THAT FLOWS FROM PRESIDENT NIXON'S
MASTERFUL EXTRICATION OF THE AMERICAN ARMED FORCES FROM THE WAR IN
VIETNAM) THE FREEING OF OUR POW'SJ THE TERMINATION OF THE DRAFT)
AND OTHER GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. - 15 -
I HAVE SAID BEFORE --- AND I REPEAT TODAY --- THAT
PRESIDENT NIXON HAS INNOVATED AND CARRIED FORWARD A BOLD AND
COURAGEOUS FOREIGN POLICY THAT HISTORY WILL CREDIT IN DUE PERSPECTIVE.
IT WAS PRESIDENT NIXON WHO CHOSE AND SUPPORTED SECRETARY KISSINGER
AND GAVE FULL CONFIDENCE AND SCOPE TO OUR DISTINGUISHED
SECRETARY OF STATE. I WOULD BE LESS THAN CANDID IF I DID NOT SAY
TODAY) SHORTLY BEFORE PRESIDENT NI XON'S DEPARTURE OVERSEAS TO
CONSOLIDATE AND STRENGTHEN THE BRIDGEHEAD OF PEACE) THAT REGARDLESS
OF OUR VIEWS ON DOMESTIC CONTROVERSIES IN WASHINGTON) THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES SPEAKS FOR ALL OF US WHEN HE SEEKS PEACE ABROAD. - 16 -
OUR NATION AND OUR WORLD MUST MOVE FORWARD TO MEET THE
CHALLENGES OF INFLATION,~OF SHORTAGES OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES,,,/
OF FOOD SHORTAGES ~ OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, OF PROVIDING MEANINGFUL
EDUCATION, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, MEDICAL CARE. THIS IS THE WAY TO
PRESERVE THE FREEDOM AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN INDIVIDUAL. TO MOVE
AHEAD WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE CAN
NO LONGER CONSIDER WAR AS JUST ANOTHER EXTENSION OF FOREIGN POLICY.
THAT IS WHY THE PURSUIT OF PEACE BY THIS ADMINISTRATION IS SO
IMPORTANT. - 17 -
IT WAS WITH A DREAM OF PEACE THAT ALBERT EINSTEIN
CAME TO AMERICA FROM GERMANY. EINSTEIN BROUGHT MORE THAN THE
GENI US THAT INTRODUCED THE NUCLEAR AGE. HE ALSO BROUGHT THE
INSIGHT THAT WE MUST EVOLVE A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS IN WHICH ALL MANKIND
ASCENDS TO HIGHER LEVELS OF HUMAN COMPASSION) IMAGINATION) AND
COOPERATION.
EINSTEIN KNEW THAT PEACE CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY FORCE.
PEACE CAN ONLY BE CREATED BY UNDERSTANDING. - 18 -
ANOTHER VISIONARY CAME TO THE UNITED STATES FROMGERMANY.
HE IS HENRY KISSINGER1 WHOSE DIPLOMATIC GENIUS IS BRINGING
FULFILLMENT TO ALBERT EINSTEIN'S DREAM.
HENRY KISSINGER'S HANDIWORK HAS ONCE MORE RELIEVED A
DANGEROUS GLOBAL PRESSURE POINT. ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO HE BROUGHT
ABOUT A DISENGAGEMENT OF ISRAELI AND EGYPTIAN FORCES. GUNS ARE NOW
SILENT ALONG THE SUEZ CANAL. MEN ARE NO LONGER DYING ~MOT~
CRYING. - 19 -
EACH SIDE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CARRY OUT THE SUEZ
AGREEMENT IN SUCH MANNER AS TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN THE OTHER SIDE
THAT AGREEMENTS CAN SUCCEED AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE BUILDING OF PEACE.
NOW SYRIA AND ISRAEL HAVE AGREED TO A SIMILAR DISENGAGEMENT OF FORCES.
GUNS THAT ROARED DAY AFTER DAY HAVE BEEN UNLOADED. SYR IANS AND
ISRAELIS ARE NO LONGER DYING.
ALL THE CREDIT DOES NOT BELONG TO AMERICAN DIPLOMACY. A
LARGE SHARE ACCRUES TO THE COURAGEJ GOODWILLJ AND VISION OF THE LEADERS
OF EGYPTJ SYRIA AND ISRAEL. I SALUTE THEIR STATESMANSHIP. - 20 -
SECRETARY KISSINGER'S GENIUS WAS IN NARROWING THE DISTANCE
BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITHOUT IMPOSING A SETTLEMENT. HE ACTED AS A
TIRELESS GO-BETWEEN FOR THE TWO SIDES. THIS WAS FAR BETTER THAN
COERCION. IT ENHANCES AMERICA'S MORAL STANDING WITH BOTH PARTIES)
INCREASES OUR INFLUENCE FOR PEACEFUL CHANGE AND DECREASES THE
CHANCES OF GREAT POWER CONFRONTATION. - 21 -
I AM CONVINCED THAT THE BITTER DISPUTE BETWEEN ARAB AND
ISRAELIS CAN BE TRANSCENDED JUST AS WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD IN OUR
OWN RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET UNION AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA. ACCORDINGLY, WE LOOK TOWARD THE CONTINUED MOMENTUM OF
ARAB-ISRAELI SETTLEMENT. BOTH SIDES NOW HAVE MUCH TO GAIN BY NOT
PERMITTING THE SITUATION TO STAGNATE WHERE IT IS, BUT TO TRANSLATE
IT INTO STEADY PROGRESS TOWARD FURTHER AGREEMENTS ENCOMPASSING- THE REMAI NING ISSUES, RESULTING IN A JUST AND DURABLE PEACE IN ------THE MIDDLE EAST. - 22 -
THIS IS A TEST FOR THE PARTIES DIRECTLY INVOLVED AS WELL
AS FOR ALL POWERS WITH INTERESTS IN THE AREA1 AND ALSO FOR THE
UNITED NATIONS FORCES ENTRUSTED WITH PEACEKEEPING BY THE WORLD
COMMUNITY.
THE ISRAELI AND SYRIAN FORCES ARE NOW PHYSICALLY DISENGAGING)
WITH THE U.N. FORCES TO SERVE AS A BUFFER IN BETWEEN. BOTH SIDES
HAVE THE CHANCE TO EMULATE THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION IN THE SUEZ ZONE. - 23 - {JJi ~14o- ~ I WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED AT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RELEASE
OF THE ISRAELI AND SYRIAN PRISONERS OF WAR. WE RECALL ALL TOO VIVIDLY
THE TORMENT OF AMERICANS OVER THE FATE OF OUR OWN POW'S IN NORTH
VIETNAM. - 24 -
SECRETARY OF STATE KISSINGER JUDGED VERY ASTUTELY THE MOMENT
WHEN SYRIA AND ISRAEL WERE EQUALLY READY TO GO FROM A STATE OF
PERMANENT HOSTILITY TO A STATE OF POSSIBLE ACCOMMODATION. HE
CONVERTED THAT READINESS INTO A FORMULA THAT BOTH SIDES COULD ACCEPT.
WE PRAY THAT THE ORDERLY PROCESS OF PEACE WILL PROCEED WITHOUT BEING
JEOPARDIZED BY THE TERRORIST EXTREMISM THAT CANNOT BE TOLERATED BY
CIVILIZED HUMANITY. - 25 -
IT IS OUR INTENTION TO HONOR OUR CO MM ITMENT TO HELP
ISRAEL MAINTAIN AN ARMS BALANCE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DEFENSE
CAPABILITY. WE ARE MINDFUL OF THE CONTINUING FLOW OF SOVIET ARMS
TO THE MIDDLE EAST. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT JUST AS WE SEEK AGREEMENT
WITH THE SOVIET UNION ON SALT AND OTHER EFFORTS FOR ARMS REDUCTION,
THE ARABS AND ISRAELIS CAN TURN THEIR RESOURCES TO MORE FRUITFUL USES.
INSTEAD OF A MIDDLE EAST POLARIZED BY AN ENDLESS ARMS RACE, WE
ENVISAGE NORMALIZED RELATIONS WITH ALL THE STATES OF A PEACEFUL AND
COOPERATING REGION. - 26 -
A PROCESS OF AWAKENING HAS STARTED IN THE AREA WHERE
FEAR AND DEATH HAVE STALKED FRONTIERS FOR OVER A QUARTER C~NTURY / , / ~ .ftv1YV'- IT HAS COME AT A TERRIBLE COST. I AM VERY PROUD OF THE ROLE OUR
COUNTRY HAS TAKEN. THE PRESIDENT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IN EVERY
WAY TO ENCOURAGE A PERMANENT SETTLEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO ALL SIDES.
IT IS MY FERVENT HOPE THAT FROM SUCH A PEACE WILL FLOW A SPIRIT OF
GREATER COOPERATION NOT ONLY BETWEEN THE ARABS AND ISRAELIS BUT
AMONG ALL PEOPLES. - 27 -
OUR ENEMIES ARE NOT OTHER NATIONS OR PEOPLES DIFFERENT
FROM OURSELVES. OUR ENEMIES ARE HUNGER) DISEASE) POVERTY) IGNORANCE)
HO PELESSNESS) FEARJ- AND HATRED. OUR GREAT CHALLENGE IS NOT IN MILITARY CONFRONTATION BUT IN HARNESSING THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND
INDUSTRIAL GENIUS OF HUMANITY TO ASSURE BETTER LIVES FOR ALL AMERICANS
AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF MAN. - 28 -
THE GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WESTERN WORLDJ CHRISTIANITY
AND JUDAISMJ EMERGED IN THAT HOLY LAND WHICH IS AT LONG LAST ON THE
THRESHOLD OF PEACE. THAT LAND IS ALSO SACRED TO THE BELIEVERS
IN THE MOSLEM FAITH. ALL OF US --- CHRISTIANJ JEWJ AND MOSLEM --
SHARE THE SAME SUPREME CREATOR. - 29 -
IN THAT SPIRITJ I PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS OUR COUNTRYJ
THAT IT MAY EVER BE A STRONGHOLD FOR PEACEJ AND THE ADVOCATE OF
PEACE IN THE COUNCIL OF NATIONS. MAY HE STRENGTHEN THE BONDS OF
FRIENDSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF ALL LANDS.
I THANK YOU......
~~·4 ~ ~~0-tl OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
NEW YORK CITY
June 4, 1974
ADVANCEMAN: G. Gowen MILITARY AIDE: Cmdr. H. Kerr
9:55 pm ARRIVE Andrews AFB. Board Air Force II
10:00 pm WHEELS UP en route La Guardia Airport, Marine Air Terminal, New York City
[flying time: 1 hour] [no time change]
11:00 pm ARRIVE La Guardia Airport. Proceed to motorcade
11:05 pm DEPART La Guardia via motorcade en route Americana Hotel [driving time: 35 minutes]
11:40 pm ARRIVE Americana Hotel.
Proceed to suite
Remain overnight. .. . . : : ..'4>~~11 OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
NEW YORK CITY
June 4, 1974
ADVANCEMAN: G. Gowen MILITARY AIDE: Cmdr. H. Kerr
7:35 am DEPART suite en route Regency Foyer, Americana Hotel, for head table reception
EVENT NO. l HEAD TABLE RECEPTION ATTIRE: Business suit 7:40 am ARRIVE Regency Foyer
NOTE: You will be greeted by James Chamber lain, incoming President of the American Apparel Manufacturer's Association
Mingle
Attendance: 50
7:55 am Dais guests line up for entrance to Georgian Ballroom
EVENT NO. 2 AMERICAN APPAREL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION BREAKFAST ATTIRE: Business suit
8:00 am ARRIVE Georgian Ballroom
Proceed to head table
Seated at the head table will be:
Sen. Jacob Javits James Chamberlain, incoming President William Flanigan, outgoing President 9 members of the American Apparel Manufacturer's Association ,·~ 4': ' 3 •
page two June 4, 1974 Proposed schedule
8:05 am Invocation
8:10 am Breakfast is served - 8:12 am Introduction of the head table
8:45 am Flanigan presents gavel to James Chamberlain
8:50 am Chamberlain introduces the Vice President
8:55 am Vice Presidential remarks begin FULL PRESS COVERAGE
9:15 am Vice Presidential remarks conclude
9:16 am DEPART Georgian Ballroom en route holding room
9:18 am ARRIVE holding room
9:30 am DEPART holding room en route motorcade
9:32 am DEPART Americana Hotel via motorcade en route La Guardia Airport, Marine Air Terminal
[driving time: 45 minutes]
10:17 am ARRIVE La Guardia Airport, Marine Air Terminal.
Board Air Force II
10:25 am WHEELS UP en route Andrews AFB. [flying time: 55 minutes] [no time change]
11:20 am ARRIVE Andrews AFB. Proceed to motorcade •
REMARKS OF VICE PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD AMERICAN APPAREL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AMERICANA HOTEL NEW YORK, NEW YORK Tve vA-71 JUNE 4, 1974
I am very pleased to participate in the Annual Meeting
Breakfast of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association held
this morning in conjunction with the opening of TEXPO '74 the
first American Fashion Textiles Exposition.
The apparel and textile industries are to be commended for
demonstrating through TEXPO '74 the growth and progress of the United
St ates as the leader of world fashion . Never before has our Nation
offered such a dramatic demonstration of the American lifestyle in fiber,
fabrics and apparel I am particularly pleased that more than a score of
ne~ countries have sent representatives to view our,'1[)roducts and new concepts .
A lot has happened in American fashion -- and in the world - - - since
I spoke at a meeting of the Apparel Manufactu!'.ers Association in Dallas, Texas,
in 1967
Today I want to discuss the relationship between two kinds of
fabric - - - the fabric used so creatively by the apparel industry
and the fabric of world peace .
Your theme this year, "Lifestyle USA\t.;J helps us to reaffirm our
b }lief in ourselves . The apparel and textile industrr
employs 2 . 4 million persons --- approximately one in every 8 enga~ep_ • - 2 -
in American manufacturing This industrial complex is the largest
employer of manufacturing labor in the United States. Add fiber producers
cotton, wool , and man-mades --- and millions more are involved .
A~pirations for world peace rest upon the strength and viability of
the American economy . You are reaffirming here at TEXPO '74 that
our productivity remains a model for the world . You are reasserting
the industry and genius of America that .other nations have sought to
emulate . You are showing that we continue to set the pace for ~ style
and fashion , that the !cf}:..el) "made in USA>" is proudly worn , and that
you are a part of what's right with America •
You have contributed to our domestic capabilities --- especially
the job security of American workers . A multilateral apparel-textile-
fiber trade agreement was signed by some 50 nations in Geneva last
December . It established a framework for the orderly growth of world
markets in apparel and textiles .
Many of the American workers whose jobs were made more secure
by this agreement were those least able to survive layoffs and curtailed of the special category of workers that the apparel industry employs in increasing numbers . Among them are handicapped persons, farm workers who find seasonal employment , and persons on work- release rehabilitation programs to help them become productive and useful members of society ~ €.CO(;llJ ; r ! "V Your industry deserves special t ·1 al for its social concerns . 11 • - 3 - Despite the labor-intensive nature of apparel manufacture and rising production costs, U.S. workers receive an average of 8 to 10 times the wages of their counterparts abroad . This is a tribute to the free enterprise system Our Nation's 23, 000 apparel plants have been described as the M osr fl..€~/f 1µ//fl(;. l Lal B competitive industry in America today . Competition has kept /'- prices relatively low compared to other products and services Many smaller companies help perpetuate a free and open marketplace which this Administration is striving to preserve . We are very pleased that the textile and apparel industry is demonstrating ,.... a11-:d he re in New York this week what they can do for thems el;;-~~ our Nation . Your leadership looks to the development of export markets to improve our ~ / balance of trade. Yo~sef'ling more than our products ...,...,,,.you are selling our lifestyle Through leadership in fashion and creative merchandising, your industry is n ot only surviving but growing . You must continue your creativity in design, technology, and marketing . And the Government must facilitate ~ ... "1151£ 11::sff~-0 mar~%;; ts abroad by continuing efforts to reduce ~ We ~re ign restrictions on our products and by opening new markets so ~ may compete J' ..._,, on a fair basis . When Shakespeare wrote that "the apparel oft proclaims the man" he 1- advised not only on fashion bu/in the very same passage J issued some g..... uidelines on diplomacy . 81iiHMC]J_fl5J5¥?7 W C Said S~akespeare , ''Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment . 11 This is precisely how Secretary of State Henry Kissinger proceeded in .,,.-..... r ...._ ~~riff3'.i:laif!jgijll~~lll!!llf~Ji!riiiiiiiii]illitit not only a restoring the bad1 y - torn fabric of peace in the Middle East but in designing a new product that can be worn with h .,,,; pride by both sides . H1'made peace fashionable . - 4 - Let me tell you how proud x to be a citizen of a Nation that commands respect throughout/\world not only for our products and lifestyle but also for our ideals and our honesty . Despite our detractors at home and abroad , let us observe that it was the reputation a.Ed good name of the United States --- and the American flag on Secretary Kissinger's airuraft --- that enabled the Secretary to negotiate so effectively for peace . Just as your products proudly bear the label/'made in 1ltS A;>" so it is that ~ a new era in world history, an era of negotiation and reconciliation) was "made in us~ So much attention has been focused on controversial events in Washington f~ fear we are 1 osing sight of the Nixon Administration's creative relationship with the rest of the world . Secretary Kissinger 1 s most recent mission was facilitated by the new climate that exists worldwide . This is the climate that ensued from the President's historic initiatives in visiting Moscow and Peking and in ...MZJZ&'M ij understandings reached there and in subsequent exchanges. This is the climate ~ ,. . rJ~ I~~ that flows from ..._. Presid~ extrication of the American armed forces from the war in Vietnam, the freeing of our POW 1 s, the termination of t' he draft, and ot~omplishments . I have said before --- and I rep eat today -- - that President Nixon~ -- ~J innovated andrHBl!~f!J\ a old and courageous foreign policy that history will credit in due perspective . It was President Nixon who chose and and ~~oxi~~--ci~~~. ~ ~~d--:'imim:m~nt:;ti:m.W~t£it.M-~dli istinguished Secretary of State . I would be • • - 5 - sa less than candid if I did not,Atoday, shortly before President Nixon's departure ~!!!!!!--!ll••••••••it:••~ overseas to consolidate and strengthen the bridgehead of peace , that --1 lllMihpt II & i~ X ~ ~ "- ti housing , employment, medical care. This is the way to preserve the freedom and dignity of the human individual . To can no longer lllllll•K consider war as just Put It was with a dream of peace that Albert Einstein came to America from Germany Einstein brought more than the genius that introduced the nuclear age. He also brought the insight that we must ev0lve a new consciousness in which all mankind ascends to higher levels of human compassion, imagination, and cooperation . - 6 - ...... Einstein knew that peace cannot be llliji1••11iiii•1e.achieved by force. ~Peace can only be created by understanding . Another visionary came to the United States from Germany. He is Henry Kissinger, whose diplomatic genius is bringing fulfillment to Albert Einstein's dream . Henry Kissinger 1 s handiwork has once more relieved a dangerous global pres sure point. Only a few months ago he brought about a disengagement of Israeli and Egyptian forces . Guns are now silent along the Suez Canal # Men are no longer dying ~ ' Each side .-e · he opportunity to carry out the Suez agreement in such manner as to instill confidence in the other side that agreements 7 c an succeed and contribute 1•••( to the building of peace . Now Syria ll ------and Israel have agreed to a similar fj. • ;,,.------.... disengagement of forces. Guns that roared . -- -~- ...... --,_. __ · day after day have been unloaded . Syrians .-- a nd Israelis are no longer dying . __... All the credit does not .. belong to American diplomacy . A large share accrues to the courage, goodwill, and vision of the leaders of f!-lrt~ Syria and Israel I salute their statesmanship . Secretary Kissinger's genius was in narrowing the distance between ,-~- ,- ul_t.? • 1t I t "• the parties without imposing a iorrn1:1la. h~. He acted as a tireless go-bet.v 1lt.€ n for the two sides. This was far better than coercion . It increases our influenc~ ~ f ~ RJO( 116Rtc l • • - 7 - f\..-...... _-..._,.... __ ~n~~f- ~ I am convinced that the bitter dispute between Ara)i and Israeli can be transcended just as we have moved forward in our own relations with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China . Accordingly, we look toward the continued momentum of Arab-Israeli settlement. Both sides now have much to gain by not permitting the situation to stagnate where it is, but to translate it into steady progress toward further agreements encompassing the remaining is sues, resulting in a just and durable peace in the Middle East . This is a test for the pn ties directly involved as well as for all powers with interests in the are_:,and also for the United Nations B/'" forces entrusted with peacekeeping I ll&li a f t . Pd the /\.... world community . The Israeli and Syrian forces are now physically disengaging ~ ') t fl:em:seive!$111> with the U. N. forces to ~ as .jhuffer in between . --~ Both sides have the chance to emulate the peaceful transition in the Suez z one . r uryfMt •r unru-,rw1ur:su4 g &&&tnrnHH uu•n1Manx tPRE I was particularly pleased at the arrangements for release of the Israeli and Syrian 'if S prisoners of war. We recall all too vividly the torment of Americans over the fate of our own POW 1 s in North Vietnam . - 8 - Secretary of State Kissinger judged very astutely the moment when Syria and Israel were equally ready to go from a state of permanent hostility to a state of possible accommodation. He converted that readiness into a formula that both sides could accept. We pray that the orderly process /!::) t 'i\...6v-f \-:...'> ~ 4 ~11 ~ J.....11" ·~ ~ i of peace will proceed 1.=~·dtb al] parbe oCLeratin.g--t-&·~~the terrorist UGCT T lmI extremism that cannot be •••••tolerated by ~ civilized humanity . It is our intention to honor our commitment to help Israel maintain an arms balance to provide the necessary defense cap~bility. ~ - ~ M.~ M4- -- we are mindful of the continuing flow of Soviet arms to S¥ · rl •f!J~ It is our hope that just as we seek agreement with the Soviet Union4Ri. o/V s s J . &- SALT;,_a J ,. ,~ .! and other /efforts for arms reduction , the A:iabs and Israelis can turn their resources to more fruitful uses . Instead of a Middle East polarized by an endless arms race, we. envisa.ge normalized relations with all the states of a peaceful and cooperating region. ,---. n R.£14 A process of awaken ing has started in the )t' n where fear and death have stalked frontiers for over a quarter century. It has come at a terrible ~ f~ ;1 ,-./ cost . I am very proud of the role our country has taken. We-will continue to • work in every way to encourage a permanent settlement acceptable sides. It is my fervent hope that from such a peace will flow a spirit of greater cooperation not only between the Arabs and Israelis but among all peoples. O~nemies are not other nations or peoples different from ourselves. Our enemies are hunger, disease, poverty, ignorance, hopelessness, fear, and hatred. Our great challenge is not in military con rontation but in harnessing the natural resources and industrial genius of Mii I U humanity to assure better lives for all Americans and the entire family of man . • • . . 9 The great religions of the Western world, Christianity and Judaism, emerged in that holy land which is at long last on the threshold of peace. That land is also sacred to the believers in the Moslem faith. All of us --- Christian, Jew, and Moslem --- share the same supreme Creator . In that spirit, I pray that God will bless our country, that it may ever be a stronghold for peace, and the advocate of peace in the council of nations May He strengthen the bonds of friendship and fellowship among the inhabitants of all lands . I thank you . REMARKS BY VICE PRFBIDEm' GERALD R. FORD AMERICAN APPAREL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AMERICANA HOI'EL NEW YORK, NE"1 YORK TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1974 FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY AT 8:55 A.M. 2 TUESDAY I am very pleased to participate in the Annual Meeting Breakfast of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association held this morning in conjunction with the opening of TEXPO '74 -- the first American Fashion Textiles Exposition. The apparel and textile industries are to be ccmnended for demonstrating through TEXPO '7 4 the growth and progress of the United States as the leader of world fashion. Never before has our Nation offered such a dramatic demonstration of the American lifestyle in fiber, fabrics and apparel. I am particularly pleased that more than a score of countries have sent representatives to view our new products and new concepts. A lot has happened in American fashion -- and in the world ~ since I spoke at a meeting of the Apparel Manufacturers Association in Dallas, Texas, in 1967. Today I want to discuss the relationship between two kinds of fabric - the fabric used so creatively by the apparel industry and the fabric of world peace. Your theme this year, "Lifestyle USA," helps us to reaffirm our belief in ourselves. The apparel and textile industry employs 2.4 million persons - approximately one in every 8 engaged in American manufacturing. This industrial ccmplex is the largest employer of manufacturing labor in the United States. Add fiber producers -- cotton, wool, and man-ma.des -- and millions more are involved. Aspirations for world peace rest upon the strength and viability of the American econc:Jt\Y. You are reaffirming here at TEXPO '74 that our productivity remains a model for the world. You are reasserting the industry and genius of America that other nations have sought to emulate. You are showing that we continue to set the pace for style and fashion, that the label, "made in USA," is proudly worn, and that you are a part of what's right with America. You have contributed to our domestic capabilities - especially the job security of American workers. A multilateral apparel-textile-fiber trade agreement was signed by sane 50 nations in Geneva last December. It established a (more) • Page 2 framework for the orderly growth of world markets :in apparel and textiles. Many of the American workers whose jobs were made more secure by this agreement were those least able to survive layoffs and curtailed workweeks caused by low-wage canpetition from abroad. I speak of the special category of workers that the apparel :industry employs :in increasing numbers. Among them are handicapped persons, fann workers who f:ind seasonal employment, and persons on work-release rehabilitation programs to help them becane productive and useful members of·society. Your :industry deserves special recognition for its social concerns Despite the labor-intensive nature of apparel manufacture and rising production costs, U.S. workers receive an average of 8 to 10 times the wages of their counterparts abroad. This is a tribute to the free enterprise system. Our Nation's 23, 000 apparel plants have been described as the most competitive industry remaining in America today. Competition has kept prices relatively low canpared to other products and services. Many smaller ccmpanies help perpetuate a free and open marketplace which this Administration is striving to preserve. We are very pleased that the textile and apparel industry is demonstrating here in New York this week what they can do for themselves and for our Nation. Your leadership looks to the development of. export markets to improve our balance of trade. You are selling more than our products - you are selling our lifestyle. '1111.rough leadership in fashion and creative merchandising, your industry is not only surviving but growing. You must continue your creativity :in design, technology, and marketing. And the Goverrment must facilitate marketing abroad by cont:inuing efforts to reduce foreign restrictions on our products and by opening new markets so we may canpete on a fair basis. When Shakespeare wrote that "the apparel oft proclaims the man, 11 he advised not only on fashion but in the very same passage issued sane guidel:ines on diplomacy. Said Shakespeare, 11Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; Take each man's censure, but reserve thy ju.d@nent." This is precisely how Secretary of State Henry Kissinger proceeded in not only restoring the badly-torn fabric of peace in the Middle East but in designing a new product that can be worn with pride by both sides. He has made peace fashionable. Let me tell you how proud I am to be a citizen of a Nation that carmands respect throughout the world not only for our products and lifestyle but also for our ideals and our honesty. Despite our detractors at home and abroad, let us observe that it was the reputation and good name of the United States - and the (more) Page 3 American flag on secretary Kissinger's aircraft - that enabled' the Secretary to negotiate so effectively for peace. Just as your products proudly bear the label "made in USA," so it is that a new era in world history, an era of negotiation and reconciliation, was "made in USA." So much attention has been focused on controversial events in Washington I fear we are losing sight of the Nixon Administration's creative relationship with the rest of the world. Secretary Kissinger's most recent mission was facilitated by the new cl:ima.te that exists worldwide. This is the climate that ensued fran the President's historic initiatives in visiting Moscow and Peking and in understandings reached there and in subsequent exchanges. This is the climate that flows from President Nixon's masterful extrication of the American aimed forces fran the war in Vietnam the freeing of our POW' s, the termination of the draft, and other great accomplishments. I have said before - and I repeat today -- that President Nixon has imovated and carried forward a bold and courageous foreign policy that history will credit in due perspective. It was President Nixon who chose and supported Secretary Kissinger and gave full confidence and scope to our distinguished Secretary of State. I would be less than candid if I did not say today, shortly before President Nixon's departure overseas to consolidate and strengthen the bridgehead of peace, that regardless of our Views on danestic controversies in Washington, the President of the United States speaks for all of us when he seeks peace abroad. Our Nation and our world must move forward to meet the challenges of inflation, of shortages of energy and natural resources, of food shortages, of environmental problems, of providing meaningful education, housing, employment, medical care. This is the way to preserve the freed.an and dignity of the human individual. To move ahead we must learn to live together in the knowledge that we can no longer consider war as just another extension of foreign policy. That is why the pursuit of peace by this Administration is so important. It was with a dream of peace that Albert Einstein came to America from Germany. Einstein brought more than the genius that introduced the nuclear age. He also brought the insight that we must evolve a new consciousness in which all mankind ascends tio higher levels of human canpassion, :imagination, and cooperation. Einstein knew that peace cannot be achieved by .force. Peace can only be created by understanfilng. Another Visionary came to the United States fran Germany, He is (more) Page 4 Henry Kissinger, whose diplomatic genius is bringing fulfillment to Albert . Einstein's dream. Henry Kissinger's handiwork has once more relieved a dangerous global pressure point. Only a few months ago he brougtt about a disengagement of Israeli and Egyptian forces. Guns are now silent along the Suez Canal. Men are no longer dying, mothers no longer crying. Each side has the opportunity to carry out the Suez agreement in such manner as to instill confidence in the other side that agreements can succeed and contribute to the building of peace. Now Syria and Israel have agreed to a similar disengagement of forces. Guns that roared day after day have been unloaded. Syrians and Israelis are no longer dying. All the credit does not belong to American diplanacy. A large share accrues to the courage, goodwill, and vision of the leaders of Egypt, Syria and Israel. I salute their statesmanship. Secretary Kissinger's genius was in naITOWing the distance between the parties without jmposing a settlement. He acted as a tireless go-between for the two sides. This was far better than coercion. It enhances America's moral standing with both parties, increases our influence for peaceful change and decreases the chances of great power confrontation. I am convinced that the bitter dispute between Arabs and Israelis can be transcended just as we have moved forward in our own relations with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. Accordingly, we look toward the continued momentum of Arab-Israeli settlement. Both sides now have much to gain by not permitting the situation to stagnate where it is, but to translate it into steady progress toward further agreements encompassing the remaining issues, resulting in a just and durable peace in the Middle Ea.st. This is a test for the parties directly involved as well as for all powers with interests in the area, and also for the United Nations forces entrusted with peacekeeping by the world camnunity. The Israeli and Syrian forces are now physically disengaging, with the U.N. forces to serve as a buffer in between. Both sides have the chance to emulate the peace~ transition in the Suez zone. I was particularly pleased at the arTangernents for release of the Israeli and Syrian prisoners of war. We recall all too vividly the torment of .Americans over the fate of our own POW's in North Vietnam. Secretary of State Kissinger judged very astutely the moment when Syria and Israel were equally ready to go fran a state of pennanent hostility to a state of possible accomnodation. He converted that readiness into a formula that both (more) Page 5 sides could accept. We pray that the orderly process of peace will proceed without being jeopardized by the terrorist extremism that cannot be tolerated by civilized humanity. It is our intention to honor our conmitment to help Israel maintain an anns balance to provide the necessary defense capability. We are mindful of the continuing flow of Soviet anns to the Middle Fast. It is our hope that just as we seek agreement with the Soviet Union on SALT and other efforts for anns reduction, the Arabs and Israelis can turn their resources to more fruitful uses. Instead of a Middle Fast polarized by an endless anns race, we envisage nonna.lized relations with all the states of a peaceful and cooperating region. A process of awakening has started in the area where fear and death have stalked frontiers for over a quarter century. It has cane at a terrible cost. I am very. proud of the role our country has taken. The President will continue to work in every way to encourage a permanent settlement acceptable to all sides. It is my fervent hope that from such a peace will flow a spirit of greater cooperation not only between the Arabs and Israelis but among all peoples. Our enemies are not other nations or peoples different fran ourselves. Our enemies are hunger, disease, poverty, ignorance, hopelessness, fear, and hatred. Our great challenge is not in military conf-rontation but in harnessing the natural resources and industrial genius of humanity to assure better lives for all Americans and the entire family of man. The great religions of the Western world, Christianity and Judaism, emerged in that holy land which is at long last on the threshold of peace. That land is also sacred to the believers in the Moslem faith. All of us - Christian, Jew, and Moslem - share the same supreme Creator. In that spirit, I pray that God will bless our country, that it may ever be a stronghold for peace, and the advocate of peace in the council of nations~ May He strengthen the bonds of .friendship and fellowship among the inhabitants of all lands. I thank you. # # #