MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Doxey, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Horhn, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Simmons, Thames, Thomas, Walley, White, Wilemon, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE DEATH OF GERALD R. FORD, THE 38TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that the State of Mississippi received notice of the death of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, on December 26, 2006; and
WHEREAS, President Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his life to serving the United States of America. He was also a true gentleman who reflected the best in America's character. Before the world knew his name, he served with distinction in the United States Navy and the United States House of Representatives. As a Congressman from Michigan, and then as Vice President, he commanded the respect and earned the goodwill of all who had the privilege of knowing him. On August 9, 1974, he stepped into the presidency without having ever sought the office; and
WHEREAS, despite the fact that President Gerald Ford didn't ask for the task of being the leader of the free world, the uncommon tasks embodied in holding the presidency fell to this common, decent man from the Midwest; and
WHEREAS, President Ford took office during the Watergate scandal and led the country through the end of the Vietnam War, an inflationary recession and mounting energy shortages. Ford continued and built upon the Nixon-era foreign policies of detente and shuttle diplomacy, policies that paved the way for the erosion and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union a decade later; and
WHEREAS, during his time of office, the American people came to know President Ford as a man of complete integrity, who led our country with common sense and kind instincts. Americans will always admire Gerald Ford's unflinching performance of duty, the honorable conduct of his administration, and the great rectitude of the man himself; and
WHEREAS, we mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our Nation's memory; and
WHEREAS, President Ford's common touch, his simple Midwestern values and his lifelong record of personal integrity and devotion to his country leave Americans mourning the passing of this reliable statesman; and
WHEREAS, President Ford lived 93 years, and his life was a blessing to America and to the State of Mississippi. Now this fine man will be taken to his rest by a family that will love him always and by a Nation that will be grateful to him forever:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby express the public sorrow of the Legislature on the death of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, and express to his surviving family our sympathy on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the surviving family of President Gerald Ford, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, and to members of Mississippi's congressional delegation, and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.