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[ Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford ]

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation with former President Gerald R. Ford bestowed the 2005 Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service on Betty Ford, his wife of 57 years, at the annual dinner of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation in Rancho Mirage, CA on June 7, 2004. Vice President Dick Cheney, a trustee of the Foundation, presented the award.

The Ford Medal is given annually to a person who has served the public good in the private or public sector. Previous recipients of the award, which was established in 2001, are Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

In making the award, President Ford observed “Her total dedication to openness, frankness, her real strong belief in equal rights for women, her handling of her breast cancer, her forthrightness of dealing with her chemical dependency are the strong character evidences of a lady I tremendously admire.”

During his remarks, Vice President Dick Cheney added that “In her good life Betty Ford has connected with Americans on a deep, personal level – probably more so than any previous First Lady. You do not have to know Betty Ford to realize that she is the epitome of courage, class, and dignity. Those of us who do know this wonderful woman consider ourselves very fortunate indeed. There is nobody quite like her – and all if us are truly blessed by her friendship.”

Betty Ford’s Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service Citation states:

” Betty Ford earned the nation’s respect for her dignity and self-confidence both as a First lady an din her life before and after the White House. As First Lady she championed the causes of women, the arts, and children with disabilities. She also worked toward the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. In speaking frankly about her survival of breast cancer and in co-founding the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment of drug and alcohol dependency, Betty Ford used her public platform effectively to raise awareness of these issues. She has inspired millions of Americans to restore their health, protect their dignity, and establish full lives for themselves. Throughout her life, Betty Ford has demonstrated the same qualities exemplified by President Ford: courage, strength of character, integrity, diligence, and determination in the face of adversity.”

Following the award presentation Betty Ford provided remarks, touching on her family and her husband. She said: “A man’s legacy is his accomplishments. A mother’s legacy is her children, and their children, and their children, along with the values that one generation passes to the next…I couldn’t be more proud of my legacy. And there’s no honor to compare with having Susan, Mike and Jack here – with Steve here in spirit – to share their love.

“It’s rather unique for a wife to receive such recognition from her husband – but for nearly 57 years, Jerry has been much more than my partner – he has been my ideal of the perfect mate. He has stood by me in more ways than one – Yes, even when questioning the outcome and I became a little too vocal.”

“And if I have achieved anything to merit such recognition, it is in no small measure because of his unwavering support and encouragement. Thank you, Jerry, for selecting me to receive this prestigious award. I also want to thank the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and its members for confirming his selection.”

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