12130682
AI Summary
This document contains a series of news releases and statements by Congressman Gerald R. Ford, primarily addressing various political issues including the Vietnam War, domestic policies, and a call for congressional investigation into UFO sightings.
Key Findings
- Ford calls for a congressional investigation into UFO sightings, expressing concern over the lack of conclusive explanations from the Air Force. - He criticizes the Johnson Administration's handling of the Vietnam War and domestic economic issues, particularly inflation. - Ford emphasizes the need for accountability in government spending and the importance of addressing social issues like poverty and education. - He highlights the inadequacies in medical aid for South Vietnamese civilians and calls for improvements in healthcare facilities in Vietnam.
OCR Text
The original documents are located in Box D4, folder “Ford Press Releases, January - April 1966” of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. . ·'i. CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER NEWS RELEASE For release Jan. 26, 1966 WASHINGTON, n.c.---A "just and secure peace" is the United Statest "only objective" in Viet Nam and "our only aim is to promptly bring home all American servicemen---alive and whole, 11 Congressman Gerald Ro Ford said today. The House Republican leader said in a newsletter to Fifth District constituents "our only opposition is to getting bogged down in an extended and massive land war in the jungles of Southeast Asia." Ford predicted that this type of war 11 could go on for many years and produce thousands of casual ties." President Johnson can expect Republican support in his peace efforts~ Ford said in pledging similar backing of 11 mili tary efforts." "~Te will support anything which Mr. Johnson does to obtain a prompt, just, and secure peace, 11 Ford said. 11 If this can be accomplished by immediate negotiations to achieve freedom and independence for the Vietnamese, we will support such actiono 11 Ford concluded, "knowing that there is no substitute for victory, we will back the President in his every effort to achieve military or diplomatic success" in Viet Nam 0 Turning to the Administration's so-called war on poverty, Ford said Republicans are 11 pleased 11 that the President 11 has finally named a full-time commander-in-chief" of the big program. Referring to Sargeant Shriver, who recently was relieved of his Peace Corps assignment, Ford said he hopes the new fulltime director of the Office of Economic Opportunity "will change the course of the war (on poverty) and bring some sort of order out of the present chaos." Rapping the handling of the poverty program, Ford cited "misuse of poverty funds,_ disastrous results", arguments among administrators 1 and resignations of top officials. -more- ' ·., Digitized from Box D4 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library --· 11 0ur Nation can afford to help all of our less fortunate citizens," Ford said, "but it cannot afford to squandor any of the hard-earned dollars collected from taxpayerso "Tragically, little of the $2.3 billion appropriated to date for the war on poverty has actually been received by the Nationrs poor. But, the army of officials---certainly those in the higher echelons---has been well taken care ofo" Ford said Republicans "will push for a complete and independent audit" of the use of poverty program funds, calling for a "thorough_, bipartisan investigation of the anti-poverty war." The House Republican leader called for a "war" against both inflation and taxes, pointing to a cost of living that is two percent higher than a year ago and the President's demand that excise taxes on telephones and automopiles be again levied on the 1965 levelo ])escribing the living cost increase as a "secrets ales tax," Ford said a remedy is to "hold down non-essential, non-defense spending~" Opposing 11 new taxes," Ford urged "prudent restraint" in spending public money. Ford also recommended a "war for advancement" to solve most social problems in education and trainingo "The poor, the unemployed, the handicapped, and all youth need education:, a skill or training to meet job opportunities, 11 Ford saido Republican-introduced legislation calls for an income tax credit "for those who pay the education bill in the form of tuition, books, taxes, and other expenses," Ford said. The House Minority Leader said he favors "returning some federal funds to the states for educational use without federal control." The GOP "Human Investment Act, 11 Ford said, also would encourage industry to train more persons on the job. "The war to advance the position and skill of all our people is another war we must win," Ford concluded 0 # # # # ' CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD NEWS RELEASE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER For release February 2, 1966 WASHINGTON"--A White House proposal to double the length of terms for House members was swatted tod~ by Congr…
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