Pelosi Remarks at Dedication of Statue of President Gerald Ford
Washington, D.C. - Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks in the Capitol this morning at the statue dedication ceremony for the late former President Gerald R. Ford. The Ford statue was chosen by the Michigan legislature to become part of the National Statuary Hall Collection, which is comprised of statues donated by individual states to honor men and women notable in each state's history. Below are the Leader's remarks:
"Good morning. I am pleased to join our Speaker, Speaker Boehner, Leader Reid, and Leader McConnell in welcoming our distinguished guests here today, especially to welcome the members of the Ford family.
"In 2003, when President Ford was observing his 90th birthday, he came to the floor of the House of Representatives. He was like a rock star. Everyone surrounded him. As he moved through the chamber, he was engulfed by Members: some who had served with him, from Michigan, Chairman Dingell, and Chairman Conyers; others who never served with him but wanted to greet him and welcome him to the Congress.
"When I went up to pay my respects, I said: ‘Mr. President, I have your job. I'm the Minority Leader.' He said: ‘I knew your father. He was my friend.' Isn't that just like Gerald Ford?
"As President Ford said himself, ‘The length of one's days matters less than the love of one's family and friends.' In his long life of great accomplishments, President Ford was most proud of his family. Today, we pay special tribute to his family: Michael, Jack, Susan, and Steven--three of whom are with us.
"We also send our love and respect to First Lady Betty Ford. Our nation owes her a great debt of gratitude for her role as First Lady but well beyond that affecting the lives millions of Americans. Please extend our respects to your mom.
"When we unveil a statue, Governor Snyder, it is always a special occasion for us in the Capitol, but when it happens to be one of one who has served in the Congress, that is a rarity. A President who has served in the Congress, that gets pretty personal as well. Because we come together here to honor the character, courage, and civility of a former proud Member of the House of Representatives - indeed, again, a former Minority Leader - President Ford.
"President Ford's leadership in the House was marked by fair and reliable leadership. He was effective and respected on both sides of the aisle - always bipartisan in his approach. Or as he said himself, ‘I have had a lot of adversaries in my political life, but no enemies that I can remember.'
"In 2001, President Ford was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. As Senator Ted Kennedy said that day, ‘At a time of national turmoil, America was fortunate that it was Gerald Ford who took the helm of the storm-tossed ship of state…His courage and dedication to our country made it possible for us to begin the process of healing and put the tragedy of Watergate behind us.' A lot of respect and admiration for President Ford was truly bipartisan.
"President Ford, as you know, spent a lifetime in service to his country - in uniform, in the Congress, and as our 38th President. Today, we proudly welcome him back to the Capitol, truly the gentleman from Michigan, a state which he loved.
"May this statue long stand in the United States Capitol as a testament of his leadership, values, and integrity. May it also stand as a sign of respect for all tourists, all visitors who come to this Capitol, of the respect that the American people have for President Gerald Ford."