The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 7.

            A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for President Gerald R. Ford.

            Whereas, With the passing of Gerald R. Ford, we in Michigan mourn deeply and join our nation in remembering the contributions of our 38th President of the United States. Yet, as a new year begins, our state's only President provides us an opportunity to look forward with the optimism and confidence that Gerald Ford felt. Gerald R. Ford learned to see possibilities where others saw only problems. He believed in the dream of America and strove to make our country even better; and

            Whereas, Born in Nebraska, Gerald Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, coming of age during the Great Depression. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he played football for the Wolverines. He went on to graduate from Yale University law school and returned home to start a law practice. When we were attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Gerald Ford immediately joined the United States Navy. Lieutenant Ford volunteered for combat duty and served in the Pacific Theater. His actions to save the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey, which was foundering in a severe typhoon in 1944, demonstrated great personal courage; and

            Whereas, Returning home following the war, Gerald Ford was determined to make a difference in bettering his country. He became involved in Grand Rapids civic life and resolved to enter the public arena. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1948, where he served nearly 25 years. Gerald Ford's distinguished legislative career showed him to be a man of conviction and honesty. He was called on to serve on the Warren Commission in 1963, and in 1965 was selected by his colleagues to be the House Minority Leader. In 1973, during a trying time in American politics and abroad, Gerald Ford was called upon to serve as Vice President in the waning months of the Nixon administration; and

            Whereas, After only eight months as Vice President, Gerald Ford was sworn in as our 38th President when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency. In this tumultuous time, President Ford's courage, dedication to public service, and basic integrity and decency proved to be just what our country needed to heal. He restored our faith in our Constitution and government, ensuring that our Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 was as much about looking ahead with confidence as looking back with pride. He was a great American and beloved Michiganian. We mourn Gerald R. Ford's passing, yet celebrate his calm and steady hand when our country most needed a common man of uncommon character; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer our highest expression of tribute to honor the memory of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Ford family as evidence of the esteem and respect that the people of Michigan will always hold for the memory of Gerald R. Ford, our state's President.