2007 -- H 5001
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LC00228
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STATE
OF
RHODE
ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2007
____________
HOUSE RESOLUTION
EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT GERALD
RUDOLPH FORD
Introduced By: Representatives Murphy, Watson, Fox, Kilmartin, and Costantino
Date Introduced: January 02, 2007
Referred To: House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the
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passing of President Gerald R. Ford, the 40th Vice President of the United States, appointed under
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the terms of the 25th Amendment, and the 38th President of the United States; and
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WHEREAS, Assuming the presidency upon the resignation of the former President,
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President Ford was immediately confronted with almost insurmountable challenges. Through his
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innate integrity and openness, he successfully calmed an unsettled nation, worked to revive a
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depressed economy, solved chronic energy shortages and endeavored to ensure world peace; and
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WHEREAS, Gerald Rudolph Ford was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. on July 14, 1913 in
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Omaha, Nebraska to Dorothy and Leslie Lynch King. Shortly thereafter, his parents divorced.
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His mother remarried Gerald Rudolff Ford and began calling her young son Gerald Rudolff Ford,
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Jr., but it wasn’t until December of 1935, that the future president legally changed his name. He
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also used the more conventional spelling for his middle name; and
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WHEREAS, A star athlete at Grand Rapids South High School, President Ford was
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named captain of the school’s state champion Trojans football team and was selected to the All-
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City team. In addition to his standout athletic accomplishments in high school, he attained the
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highest rank in scouting, the Eagle, an accomplishment he regarded as one of his proudest
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achievements; and
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WHEREAS, Recruited to play for the Wolverines at the University of Michigan,
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President Ford helped the team to undefeated seasons and national titles in 1932 and 1933 as a
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linebacker and center. He graduated from the University with a degree in political science and
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economics in 1935, and attained his law degree from Yale Law School in 1941. He was admitted
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to the Michigan bar shortly thereafter; and
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WHEREAS, In April of 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ford enlisted in the
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military, receiving a commission as ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. During his
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valiant service in the military, he participated in numerous actions in the Pacific Theater, earning
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a plethora of commendations and medals including the Asiatic -Pacific Campaign Medal with nine
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engagement stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze stars, and the American
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Campaign and World War II Victory Medals; and
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WHEREAS, On October 15, 1948, Ford married Elizabeth Bloomer Warren at Grace
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Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Shortly after his marriage, he was elected to his
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first term as a member of the United States House of Representatives. Over the succeeding years,
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the couple had four children, Michael, John, Steven and Susan; and
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WHEREAS, Congressman Ford served thirteen terms in the U.S. House of
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Representatives. In 1965, Ford was elected Minority Leader by Republican members of the
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House where he earned a reputation for being a fair and open leader during his eight year tenure.
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He was also appointed to the Warren Commission, a special task force set up to investigate the
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assignation of President John F. Kennedy; and
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WHEREAS, Upon the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew on October 10, 1973,
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Ford was nominated to the position under the provisions of the vice-presidential vacancy proviso
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of the 25th Amendment; and
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WHEREAS, When President Nixon resigned following the findings of the Watergate
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investigation, and within a year of assuming the Vice Presidency, Ford took the Presidential Oath
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of Office in the East Room of the White House, and became the 38th President of the United
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States; and
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WHEREAS, There is little doubt that President Gerald R. Ford’s integrity and common
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sense healed a troubled country and restored a standard of excellence in public service that
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inspired this nation. He will forever be remembered for his extraordinary leadership succeeding a
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tumultuous hour in our country’s history, and for his deep commitment to serving the citizens of
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the United States and the world community; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and
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Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the entire Ford family on the
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passing of President Gerald R. Ford; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Elizabeth Ford and Family.
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