H. Res. 15
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
January 11, 2007.
Whereas all American Presidents affect the history of the 
United States, but President Gerald Rudolph Ford leaves 
a legacy of leadership and service that will endure for 
years to come; 
Whereas millions of men and women across America mourn 
the death of the 38th President of the United States; 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford is the only person from the State 
of Michigan to have served as President of the United 
States; 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford graduated from the University of 
Michigan with academic and athletic excellence; 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford attended Yale University Law 
School and graduated in the top 25 percent of his class 
while also working as a football coach; 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford joined the United States Navy Re-
serves in 1942 and served valiantly on the U.S.S. 
Monterrey in the Philippines during World War II; 
Whereas the U.S.S. Monterrey earned 10 battle stars, award-
ed for participation in battle while Gerald R. Ford served 
on the ship;
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Whereas Gerald R. Ford was released to inactive duty in 
1946 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander; 
Whereas in 1948, Gerald R. Ford was elected to the House 
of Representatives, where he served with integrity for 25 
years; 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford’s contributions to the foreign oper-
ations and defense subcommittees of the Committee on 
Appropriations earned him a reputation as a ‘‘congress-
man’s congressman’’; 
Whereas in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Ger-
ald R. Ford to the Warren Commission investigating the 
assassination of President John F. Kennedy; 
Whereas from 1965 to 1973, Gerald R. Ford served as mi-
nority leader of the House of Representatives; 
Whereas from 1974 to 1976, Gerald R. Ford served as the 
38th President of the United States, taking office at a 
dark hour in the history of the United States and return-
ing the faith of the people of the United States in the 
Presidency through his wisdom, courage, and integrity; 
Whereas the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford is remembered for 
restoring trust and openness to the Presidency; 
Whereas President Gerald R. Ford followed a steady, sensible 
course to cope with the Nation’s economic problems and 
during his Administration halted double-digit inflation 
and lowered unemployment; 
Whereas President Gerald R. Ford worked to solidify Presi-
dent Nixon’s accomplishments in China, bring represent-
atives of Israel and Egypt to the conference table, and 
provide developmental assistance to poor countries;
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Whereas in 1975, under Gerald R. Ford’s leadership, the 
United States signed the Final Act of the Conference on 
Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly known as 
the ‘‘Helsinki Agreement’’, which ratified post-World 
War II European borders and supported human rights; 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford, together with Betty Ford, was 
awarded the Congressional Gold Metal in 1999 in rec-
ognition of dedicated public service and outstanding hu-
manitarian contributions to the people of the United 
States; 
Whereas in 1999, Gerald R. Ford received the Medal of Free-
dom, the Nation’s highest civilian award, for his role in 
guiding the Nation through the turbulent times of Water-
gate, the resignation of President Nixon, and the end of 
the Vietnam War, and for restoring integrity and public 
trust to the Presidency; 
Whereas since leaving the Presidency, Gerald R. Ford has 
been an international ambassador of American goodwill, 
a noted scholar and lecturer, and a strong supporter of 
the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the Uni-
versity of Michigan, which was named for the former 
President in 1999; and 
Whereas Gerald R. Ford’s life has been characterized by hon-
esty, integrity, and dedication of purpose: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) expresses its appreciation for the profound pub-
lic service of President Gerald Rudolph Ford;
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(2) tenders its deep sympathy to Betty Ford; to Mi-
chael, Jack, Steven, and Susan; and to the rest of the 
family of the former President; and 
(3) directs the Clerk of the House to transmit a 
copy of this resolution to the family of President Gerald 
Rudolph Ford. 
Attest:
Clerk.