President
George W. Bush
National
Cathedral
Washington,
D.C.
January
2, 2007
Mrs. Ford, the Ford family; distinguished guests, including our Presidents and First Ladies; and our fellow citizens:
We are here today to say goodbye to a great man. Gerald Ford was born and reared in the American heartland. He belonged to a generation that measured men by their honesty and their courage. He grew to manhood under the roof of a loving mother and father -- and when times were tough, he took part-time jobs to help them out. In President Ford, the world saw the best of America -- and America found a man whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation's history.
Long before he was known in Washington, Gerald Ford showed his character and his leadership. As a star football player for the University of Michigan, he came face to face with racial prejudice when Georgia Tech came to Ann Arbor for a football game. One of Michigan's best players was an African American student named Willis Ward. Georgia Tech said they would not take the field if a black man were allowed to play. Gerald Ford was furious at Georgia Tech for making the demand, and for the University of Michigan for caving in. He agreed to play only after Willis Ward personally asked him to. The stand Gerald Ford took that day was never forgotten by his friend. And Gerald Ford never forgot that day either -- and three decades later, he proudly supported the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the United States Congress.
Gerald
Ford showed his character
in the devotion to his
family. On the day he
became President, he
told the nation, "I
am indebted to no man,
and only to one woman
-- to my dear wife." By
then Betty Ford had
a pretty good idea of
what marriage to Gerald
Ford involved. After
all, their wedding had
taken place less than
three weeks before his
first election to the
United States Congress,
and his idea of a "honeymoon" was
driving to Ann Arbor
with his bride so they
could attend a brunch
before the Michigan-Northwestern
game the next day. (Laughter.)
And that was the beginning
of a great marriage.
The Fords would have
four fine children.
And Steve, Jack, Mike,
and Susan know that,
as proud as their Dad
was of being President,
Gerald Ford was even
prouder of the other
titles he held: father,
and grandfather, and
great-grandfather.
Gerald
Ford showed his character
in the uniform of our
country. When Pearl
Harbor was attacked
in December 1941, Gerald
Ford was an attorney
fresh out of Yale Law
School, but when his
nation called he did
not hesitate. In early
1942 he volunteered
for the Navy and, after
receiving his commission,
worked hard to get assigned
to a ship headed into
combat. Eventually his
wish was granted, and
Lieutenant Ford was
assigned to the aircraft
carrier, USS Monterey,
which saw action in
some of the biggest
battles of the Pacific.
Gerald Ford showed his character in public office. As a young congressman, he earned a reputation for an ability to get along with others without compromising his principles. He was greatly admired by his colleagues and they trusted him a lot. And so when President Nixon needed to replace a vice president who had resigned in scandal, he naturally turned to a man whose name was a synonym for integrity: Gerald R. Ford. And eight months later, when he was elevated to the presidency, it was because America needed him, not because he needed the office.
President
Ford assumed office
at a terrible time in
our nation's history.
At home, America was
divided by political
turmoil and wracked
by inflation. In Southeast
Asia, Saigon fell just
nine months into his
presidency. Amid all
the turmoil, Gerald
Ford was a rock of stability.
And when he put his
hand on his family Bible
to take the presidential
oath of office, he brought
grace to a moment of
great doubt.
In
a short time, the gentleman
from Grand Rapids proved
that behind the affability
was firm resolve. When
a U.S. ship called the
Mayaguez was seized
by Cambodia, President
Ford made the tough
decision to send in
the Marines -- and all
the crew members were
rescued. He was criticized
for signing the Helsinki
Accords, yet history
has shown that document
helped bring down the
Soviet Union, as courageous
men and women behind
the Iron Curtain used
it to demand their God-given
liberties. Twice assassins
attempted to take the
life of this good and
decent man, yet he refused
to curtail his public
appearances. And when
he thought that the
nation needed to put
Watergate behind us,
he made the tough and
decent decision to pardon
President Nixon, even
though that decision
probably cost him the
presidential election.
Gerald
Ford assumed the presidency
when the nation needed
a leader of character
and humility -- and
we found it in the man
from Grand Rapids. President
Ford's time in office
was brief, but history
will long remember the
courage and common sense
that helped restore
trust in the workings
of our democracy.
Laura
and I had the honor
of hosting the Ford
family for Gerald Ford's
90th birthday. It's
one of the highlights
of our time in the White
House. I will always
cherish the memory of
the last time I saw
him, this past year
in California. He was
still smiling, still
counting himself lucky
to have Betty at his
side, and still displaying
the optimism and generosity
that made him one of
America's most beloved
leaders.
And
so, on behalf of a grateful
nation, we bid farewell
to our 38th President.
We thank the Almighty
for Gerald Ford's life,
and we ask for God's
blessings on Gerald
Ford and his family.