Mourning The Passing Of President Gerald R. Ford

MOURNING THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT GERALD RUDOLPH FORD -- (Extensions of Remarks - January 11, 2007)

* Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Res. 15, a resolution honoring the life of President Gerald R. Ford. As America remembers President Ford's leadership and service to the American people, I offer my condolences to the Ford family.

* While attending former President Ford's funeral, I had the opportunity to converse with Dr. David Mathews, a community leader in my district. Dr. Mathews served as Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Ford and shared with my office some personal stories of the President's legacy. Dr. Mathews recalled:

Ford was a reconciler. While there was a great balance in Ford, he was also tough as nails. He did what he believed the country needed and was never motivated by polls.

In 1976 one U.S. soldier stationed at Fort Dix died of the swine flu. There was some concern that the potential for an epidemic existed. A panel of the best and brightest scientists of the day was convened. That panel included Doctors Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, who did much of his research at the University of Cincinnati. Both were pioneers in developing polio vaccines. Some of the panelists counseled the president to quickly begin creating vaccine and getting the word out to the nation. Others thought it prudent not to risk a panic, and wait. President Ford was decisive and unwilling to risk an epidemic, giving the order to produce the vaccine. To emphasize the point President Ford and I received the first and second doses of the vaccine.

The working relationship and personal friendship between President Ford and I continued after the Ford administration. In the early 1980s, when I became president of the Kettering Foundation, I suggested to Ford that he invite former president Jimmy Carter to the first conference at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. That conference addressed the public's reaction to proposals to strengthen the Nation's Social Security program. The meeting was based on results from a citizens' briefing book prepared for the National Issues Forums.

Characteristically, President Ford agreed, not just begrudgingly, or acquiescing, he was enthusiastic about inviting Carter ..... That was the first project Presidents Ford and Carter did together. It resulted in a life-long friendship.

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