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Skriven 2006-12-30 23:31:16 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (061230) for Sat, 2006 Dec 30
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President's Radio Address
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 30, 2006

President's Radio Address


ÿÿÿÿÿ Audio ÿÿÿÿÿ Remembering President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) ÿÿÿÿÿ

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, as Americans prepare to welcome a
new year, we do so with heavy hearts and fond memories of our 38th
President, Gerald R. Ford. We mourn the passing of a courageous leader, a
true gentleman, and a loving father and husband. On behalf of all
Americans, Laura and I send our prayers and condolences to Mrs. Ford and
the entire Ford family.

Gerald Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his long life to
public service. He fought for his country during World War II. After
returning home, he won the first of 13 elections to the United States
Congress. The people of Michigan admired his dedication and decency, and so
did his fellow members of Congress. Gerald Ford rose to become a leader of
his party, and he earned the respect and good will of all who had the
privilege of knowing him.

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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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