Gerald Ford always believed in the importance of
answering the call to duty, and he was there for the Nation when we
needed him most. In December 1973, he accepted the responsibilities of
the Vice Presidency; and the following August, he became President of
the United States without ever seeking the office. Providence gave us
Gerald Ford's steady hand and calm leadership during a time of great
division and turmoil. He guided America through a crisis of confidence,
and helped our Nation mend its wounds by restoring faith in our system
of government.
In his two-and-a-half years as President, Gerald Ford distinguished
himself as a man of integrity and selfless dedication. He always put the
needs of his country before his own, and did what he thought was right,
even when those decisions were unpopular. Only years later would
Americans come to fully appreciate the foresight and wisdom of this good
man.
In recent years, Americans have honored Gerald Ford with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Through it all, Gerald Ford stayed true to the values that first led
him to a life of public service, and he helped share that spirit with a
future generation of leaders. He served as a mentor for Vice President
Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, former
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan, and many others. He
brought out the best in those around him, and in our whole Nation.
To the end, Gerald Ford never lost the spirit that Americans grew to
admire so much. This spring, I visited President and Mrs. Ford at their
home in Rancho Mirage, California. At age 92, and battling health
problems, he was still telling jokes and displaying the optimism that
helped guide our Nation through some of its darkest hours.
Now America will stand with the members of the Ford family in the
difficult hours and days ahead. Across the country, there has been an
outpouring of grief and affection for President Ford. I've ordered flags
to fly at half staff for 30 days in his honor. This weekend, his body
will lie in state at the United States Capitol. And on Tuesday, Laura
and I will join former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Carter at a funeral
service at the National Cathedral as part of a National Day of Mourning.
Gerald Ford's life spanned nine decades, and took him from the
football fields of his boyhood in Michigan to the halls of power in
Washington, D.C. At every stage of his journey, he displayed a decency,
patriotism, and courage that Americans will always admire. As we say
goodbye to the year 2006, we bid farewell to one of the finest public
servants America has ever known. We give thanks for the gift of his
remarkable life, for the caring man who touched so many lives, and the
wise President who helped heal our Nation.
May God bless Gerald R. Ford. Thank you for listening.
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