Former President Gerald Ford has died. President George W. Bush has released a statement saying that
“President Ford was a great American who gave many years of dedicated service to our country. On August 9, 1974, after a long career in the House of Representatives and service as Vice President, he assumed the Presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the Presidency” (source).
There are many people who probably don’t know that Ford was the only U. S. President who was never elected either to the presidency or the vice presidency. He was appointed vice-president after sitting vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned while being investigated for accepting bribes and kickbacks (source).
President Ford will always be remembered for his role in the national healing that took place after the Watergate scandal, though some will only remember him for pardoning President Richard Nixon.
President Ford was 93.
R.I.P.
