Ford, Gerald R. (1913–)

GERALD RUDOLPH FORD, the 38th president of the United States, was born on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the only child of Leslie Lynch King and Dorothy Gardner King, and was originally named Leslie Lynch King, Jr. When his parents divorced, Ford, who was only two years old, and his mother moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she married Gerald Rudolph Ford and renamed her child, giving him the same name as her new husband. Ford went to local grade school and South High School in Grand Rapids, where he participated in a wide range of sports. Athletic and extremely competitive, Ford loved being outdoors and became an accomplished Eagle Scout.

After completing high school, Ford studied law at the University of Michigan, entering in 1931. His love of sports continued and Ford competed on Michigan's football team, which won national championships in 1932 and 1933. Although he was offered opportunities with several professional football teams following his graduation in 1935, Ford decided to accept a position as an assistant football coach at Yale University. While there, Ford continued his study of law and even found time to coach a freshman boxing team. In 1941, Ford graduated from Yale, receiving his law degree.

Next, Ford passed the bar examination and returned to Grand Rapids, opening his own law office with a business partner and friend from college. His new practice was put on hold, however, following the entrance of the United States into World War II. Ford joined the navy, going on to serve for over four years, of which he spent almost 18 months in the Pacific theater. Entering the navy with the rank of ensign, Ford retired with the rank of lieutenant commander after having accumulated 10 battle stars. Following the conclusion of the war, he returned to his law practice.

Shortly thereafter, Ford started to become more and more active in local politics and established a friendship with Arthur Vandenberg, a U.S. senator from Michigan. With Vandenberg's help and encouragement, Ford was able to secure a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, as a member of the Republican Party.

Winning election after election every two years, Ford remained in the House of Representatives until 1973, when he became vice president. During his tenure in the House, he advocated strict money management and strong national defense programs. He quickly gained bipartisan recognition of his political skill, integrity, and openness. Instead of authoring landmark legislation, Ford preferred to drum up support for bills that he favored. His attendance throughout his tenure was over 90 percent, which is and was a remarkable number considering all the time constraints and requirements facing a member of Congress.

His strength and longevity in Congress made him an excellent candidate for executive office. In 1960, Michigan's Republican Party endorsed Ford as a potential vice presidential candidate, but he was not selected by presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon. By 1964, [Page 644]Ford attained the powerful post of House Minority Leader, in response to congressional Republicans' concern over a lack of strong leadership. Catapulted into the spotlight, Ford soon gained national recognition as one of his party's main public spokesmen. Ford's career took a drastic turn following Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation on October 10, 1973. President Nixon, empowered to nominate a vice president by the Twenty-Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, selected Ford, who was subsequently confirmed by a majority vote in Congress. Consequently, Ford became the first vice president to be appointed to his position.

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