The addresses are separated by three asterisks: ***
Dates of addresses by Gerald R. Ford in this eBook:
January 15, 1975
January 19, 1976
January 12, 1977
***
State of the Union Address
Gerald R. Ford
January 15, 1975
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of the 94th Congress, anddistinguished guests:
Twenty-six years ago, a freshman Congressman, a young fellow with lots ofidealism who was out to change the world, stood before Sam Rayburn in thewell of the House and solemnly swore to the same oath that all of you tookyesterday--an unforgettable experience, and I congratulate you all.
Two days later, that same freshman stood at the back of this greatChamber--over there someplace--as President Truman, all charged up by hissingle-handed election victory, reported as the Constitution requires onthe state of the Union.
When the bipartisan applause stopped, President Truman said, "I am happy toreport to this 81st Congress that the state of the Union is good. OurNation is better able than ever before to meet the needs of the Americanpeople, and to give them their fair chance in the pursuit of happiness.[It] is foremost among the nations of the world in the search for peace."
Today, that freshman Member from Michigan stands where Mr. Trumanstood, and I must say to you that the state of the Union is not good:
Millions of Americans are out of work.
Recession and inflation are eroding the money of millions more.
Prices are too high, and sales are too slow.
This year's Federal deficit will be about $30 billion; next year's probably$45 billion.
The national debt will rise to over $500 billion.
Our plant capacity and productivity are not increasing fast enough.
We depend on others for essential energy.
Some people question their Government's ability to make hard decisions andstick with them; they expect Washington politics as usual.
Yet, what President Truman said on January 5, 1949, is even more true in1975. We are better able to meet our people's needs. All Americans do havea fairer chance to pursue happiness. Not only are we still the foremostnation in the pursuit of peace but today's prospects of attaining it areinfinitely brighter.
There were 59 million Americans employed at the start of 1949; now thereare more than 85 million Americans who have jobs. In comparable dollars,the average income of the American family has doubled during the past 26years.
Now, I want to speak very bluntly. I've got bad news, and I don't expectmuch, if any, applause. The American people want action, and it will takeboth the Congress and the President to give them what they want. Progressand solutions can be achieved, and they will be achieved.
My message today is not intended to address all of the complex needs ofAmerica. I will send separate messages making specific recommendations fordomestic legislation, such as the extension of general revenue sharing andthe Voting Rights Act.
The moment has come to move in a new direction. We can do this byfashioning a new partnership between the Congress on the one hand, theWhite House on the other, and the people we both represent.
Let us mobilize the most powerful and most creative industrial nation thatever existed on this Earth to put all our people to work. The emphasis onour economic eff