Democrats on Death of President Gerald R. Ford
Here's some statements from leading Democrats on the death yesterday of former President Gerald R. Ford at the age of 93:
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of former President Gerald Ford. He was a devoted public servant who led our nation out of one of its darkest hours with grace and bipartisanship. His spirit and his contributions to our country will be missed, but they will never be forgotten. Landra and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Ford family, and we join a sorrowful nation in saying goodbye and thank you."
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)
"Gerald Ford dutifully assumed the presidency during a difficult time in our nation’s history. He served with integrity and will be remembered for restoring honesty and openness to that office, which had been so tainted by the Watergate scandal. Our country will be forever grateful for his leadership."
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
"Gerald Ford saw our nation through one of its darkest hours and his straightforward leadership helped steady the country. His foresight and determination to follow his convictions earned him the Profiles in Courage Award in 2001. At that ceremony I remarked, 'Unlike many of us at the time, President Ford recognized that the nation had to move forward, and could not do so if there was a continuing effort to prosecute former President Nixon. 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.'
"President Ford will always be remembered for his courage. And his life was a tribute to public service. We honor his memory and pray for his family."
Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)
"President Ford was one of the kindest, most sincere elected officials whom I have known and with whom I have worked. Although he and I were from different political parties, we often were able to find common ground and work together for our country."
Former President Jimmy Carter
“An outstanding statesman, he wisely chose the path of healing during a deeply divisive time in our nation’s history. He frequently rose above politics by emphasizing the need for bipartisanship and seeking common ground on issues critical to our nation. Rosalynn and I join the nation in mourning the loss of President Gerald Ford.”
Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) in a Joint Statement
"Gerald Ford brought Americans together during a difficult chapter in our history with strength, integrity, and humility. All Americans should be grateful for his life of service; he served our nation well. To his great credit, he was the same hard-working, down-to-earth person the day he left the White House as he was when he first entered Congress almost 30 years earlier.
"We were honored to know President Ford. We are saddened by his death, and our prayers are with Betty and the entire Ford family."
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of former President Gerald Ford. He was a devoted public servant who led our nation out of one of its darkest hours with grace and bipartisanship. His spirit and his contributions to our country will be missed, but they will never be forgotten. Landra and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Ford family, and we join a sorrowful nation in saying goodbye and thank you."
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)
"Gerald Ford dutifully assumed the presidency during a difficult time in our nation’s history. He served with integrity and will be remembered for restoring honesty and openness to that office, which had been so tainted by the Watergate scandal. Our country will be forever grateful for his leadership."
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
"Gerald Ford saw our nation through one of its darkest hours and his straightforward leadership helped steady the country. His foresight and determination to follow his convictions earned him the Profiles in Courage Award in 2001. At that ceremony I remarked, 'Unlike many of us at the time, President Ford recognized that the nation had to move forward, and could not do so if there was a continuing effort to prosecute former President Nixon. 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.'
"President Ford will always be remembered for his courage. And his life was a tribute to public service. We honor his memory and pray for his family."
Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)
"President Ford was one of the kindest, most sincere elected officials whom I have known and with whom I have worked. Although he and I were from different political parties, we often were able to find common ground and work together for our country."
Former President Jimmy Carter
“An outstanding statesman, he wisely chose the path of healing during a deeply divisive time in our nation’s history. He frequently rose above politics by emphasizing the need for bipartisanship and seeking common ground on issues critical to our nation. Rosalynn and I join the nation in mourning the loss of President Gerald Ford.”
Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) in a Joint Statement
"Gerald Ford brought Americans together during a difficult chapter in our history with strength, integrity, and humility. All Americans should be grateful for his life of service; he served our nation well. To his great credit, he was the same hard-working, down-to-earth person the day he left the White House as he was when he first entered Congress almost 30 years earlier.
"We were honored to know President Ford. We are saddened by his death, and our prayers are with Betty and the entire Ford family."
posted by Bob Geiger at 12/27/2006 11:56:00 AM
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