President George W. Bush
Documents & Texts from the White House
Office of the Press Secretary
27 December 2006
Announcing the Death of Gerald R. Ford
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:
It is my sad duty to announce officially the death of Gerald R. Ford, the
thirty-eighth President of the United States, on December 26, 2006.
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.
During his time in 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. We mourn the loss of such a leader,
and our thirty-eighth President will always have a special place in our
Nation's memory.
President Ford lived 93 years, and his life was a blessing to America. 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, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the
United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Gerald R. Ford, and as
an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the
United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all
buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a period of
30 days from the day of his death. I also direct that for the same length
of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries
shall make similar arrangements for the display of the flag at half-staff
over their Embassies, Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all
military facilities and stations.
I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the Armed
Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.
In a further expression of our national grief, I will appoint in a
subsequent proclamation a National Day of Mourning throughout the United
States when the American people may assemble in their respective places of
worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President Ford.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty seventh day
of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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