Remembering Ford For The Right Reasons

Isn’t it strange how, in death, some of the most remembered acts of our lives are not the most important? Former President Gerald Ford is just such a case. Probably most widely known as the only president never elected and the one who pardoned President Richard Nixon of his Watergate crimes, these facts become almost insignificant when compared to Ford’s support of legislation that changed the country.


Consider the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As a congressman, Ford supported and voted for these two pieces of legislature, while all Democratic congressmen from the South and many conservatice Republicans, such as Senator Barry Goldwater, voted against it. These Acts had far-reaching effects and opened new doors for blacks that had been previously slammed shut and locked.


The 1964 Civil Rights Act established as law the following:
1. All persons shall be entitled to full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, advantages, and accommodations of any public place without regards to race, color, religion, or national origin, to include:
a. any inn, hotel, motel, or any other place of lodging
b. any restaurant, cafeteria, lunchroom or other facility that serves food, including gas stations
c. any motion picture house, theater, concert hall, sports arena, stadium, or any other facility for entertainment.


The 1965 Voting Rights Act outlawed literacy tests and poll taxes as a way to decide whether anyone was fit or unfit to vote. The impact was quick and dramatic. Within a year, only 4 of the traditional 13 southern states had less than 50% of African Americans registered to vote. Long-term results of the legislation were far more blacks elected to public office. This Act was the boost that the civil rights cause needed to move it along at a much faster pace.


During his presidency, Ford appointed William Coleman as Secretary of Transportation, only the second black to serve in a presidential Cabinet and the first appointed by a Republican administration.


As one can easily see, we should remember the great things that Gerald Ford accomplished during his life; things that many are apt to take for granted. This country has lost a great statesman, one who was truly for all the people. We could use more like him.