Posted on 08/14/2004 10:34:56 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
Former U.S. Rep. William D. Ford dies at 77
The Associated Press
8/14/2004, 7:04 p.m. ET
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. William D. Ford, a Democrat who spent three decades on Capitol Hill and was recognized for helping expand educational opportunities for students, has died. He was 77.
Ford died early Saturday at his Washtenaw County home of complications from a stroke that he suffered about six weeks ago, said Adam Benson, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Dearborn.
A House member from 1965 to 1995 representing Michigan's 15th and 13th Congressional Districts, Ford served as Chairman of the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and as Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor.
"He believed that the government has an obligation to give its citizens a chance at success," Dingell's office said in a statement. "He worked every day of his life to be the champion of the working poor and the middle class."
Ford was the oldest child of immigrant Scottish parents and the first member of his family to attend college. Following his service in the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Denver on the GI Bill.
He authored of the Middle Income Student Assistance Act and the Plant Closing Act and orchestrated the passage of the Family Medical Leave Act. In 1994 The Federal Direct Student Loan Program was named for him.
Prior to serving in Congress, he was a delegate to the Michigan Constitutional Convention and a member of the Michigan Senate.
Ford is survived by three children, three grandchildren, a sister and a brother.
Memorial services were being planned for Michigan and Washington, Dingell's office said.
This man served his country and was elected by the American people, yet you are gleeful about his death as an old man? That is truly scary, my friend.
Lepidopteran
Gleeful? Hardly. Perhaps I was a bit callous.
My friend, the six words I employed made a statement about Ford's politics, not his military service record. He was a social liberal and those policies have cost America some $7 trillion of taxpayer money over the last 40 years. Starting in 1965, Ford was at the forefront of LBJ`s Great Society social entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid. I can't think of one program that Ford supported, which is consistent with my conservative politics.
Hey Reagan Man, I voted for Reagan to rid the country of Jimmy Carter. You were not "a bit callous". You were truly awful. I guess that is why your words were removed by the moderator. This gives me hope for this forum. It is NEVER EVER appropriate to gloat about the death of any elderly American for his service to this country, no matter what your politics are.
Lepidopteran
You are a bold face liar. I never questioned Ford's service to his country and you know it. And I did not gloat about his death.
>>>Hey Reagan Man, I voted for Reagan to rid the country of Jimmy Carter. You were not "a bit callous". You were truly awful. I guess that is why your words were removed by the moderator.
What does your vote for Reagan have to do with your lies and distortions of my words? I'll tell you. Absolutely nothing. You found it necessary to hit the abuse button. That was your choice. You have shown your true colors. Support for social liberals isn't part of my agenda. Too bad its part of your agenda.
I think you meant to say bald-faced liar, Reagan Man, but I forgive you. I didn't hit the abuse button. The moderator did. Have a nice day!
Lepidopteran
Wrong. I missed the "d" in bold faced liar, as in brazen arrogance and cocky impudence. See for yourself here and here.
>>>>I didn't hit the abuse button.
You lied about my remarks. Now expect me to believe you. Not on your life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.