Just six weeks after pardoning former President Richard M. Nixon in 1974, President Gerald R. Ford keynoted Illinois' United Republican Fund's 40th Anniversary Dinner at Chicago's Conrad Hilton Hotel.
In the audience that night were notables such as Bears' owner George Halas, Mrs. Everett Dirksen, Senator Chuck Percy, Gov. Richard Ogilivie and at least one URF Board member who still serves the URF today -- Chicago businessman Bill Croft.
That night, Ford told a personal story about Senator Dirksen that would behoove us all to hear today . . .
I vividly recall one afternoon when Ev and I were talking, just chatting before one of these press conferences--television programs--in Ev's office. Ev was a giant among giants. I have always wished that I had some of the qualities and capabilities that Ev had.
But anyhow, at that time the war in Vietnam was going full blast, inflation was then a problem, the Democrats had swamped us in 1964, and a lot of people were saying that the Republican Party was finished.
Well, frankly, I was feeling a little blue, let down, and quite frankly, very discouraged. And I told Ev of my reaction. Ev, in his inimitable way, paused for a moment, looked at me and said, "Jerry, don't let it get you down. You just keep in there doing your best for the people, and the people will do their best for you."
I think that was the best advice I ever got in a political sense. Ev was right then as he was right for many, many years.
Gerald R. Ford, 93, will be laid to rest next Tuesday in Grand Rapids, MI.
