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Skriven 2007-01-16 23:31:08 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0701162) for Tue, 2007 Jan 16
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Vice President's Remarks at the Naming Ceremony of the USS Gerald R. Ford
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
January 16, 2007

Vice President's Remarks at the Naming Ceremony of the USS Gerald R. Ford
The Pentagon



11:25 A.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. And, Secretary Winter and Chairman
Levin, Senator Warner, Chief Mullen, it's great to be here this afternoon
to participate in a very special ceremony that has great meaning,
obviously, for our late President's family, for the men and women of the
Navy, and of course, for the nation.

I've been looking forward to this gathering of friends and colleagues, and
President Bush asked me to come this morning and extend his good wishes to
everybody, as well.

If the purpose of naming an aircraft carrier is to convey the confident
spirit of our military, and the good and just causes that America serves in
the world, then we have certainly accomplished that purpose here today. The
name Gerald R. Ford belonged to a man who gave a lifetime of devoted
service to our country, reflecting honor on the United States Navy, on the
House of Representatives, on the Vice Presidency, and on the Presidency.
The naming of a carrier is a fitting tribute to the man, and it's thrilling
for all of his family and friends.

Known before today only as CVN 78, the Gerald R. Ford already has years of
planning behind it, and will join the fleet seven or eight years from now.
The construction of these carriers represents a bipartisan commitment by
the United States Congress to carefully prepare our military for challenges
far into the future. One of the very practical lessons I learned at the
Pentagon is that every President, every Secretary of Defense, and every
military chief of staff deploys a force that is, in large part, the result
of decisions made many years earlier by his predecessors. Because our own
generation is taking that responsibility seriously, the Gerald R. Ford, and
sister ships in the new class of nuclear-powered carriers, will help ensure
the sea power of the United States for the next half century.

President Ford himself, with his background and the good common sense we
all remember, was deeply committed to an active foreign policy, and to
maintaining the strength of our military. Having fought for our country in
the Second World War, he understood that events on distant shores can have
a direct impact on our own security. He understood that protecting the
American people requires defending our interests in far-away places. He
understood that for our forces to be credible, they must be able to deploy
wherever and whenever needed -- and this, in turn, requires the power to
sail the oceans of the world, in control of the surface, the sub-surface,
and the skies overhead.

As Commander-in-Chief, Gerald R. Ford applied American influence with
wisdom and foresight. He stood firmly by the men and women of the armed
forces, and left office with the military in a higher state of readiness
and morale than when he found it.

President Ford was rightly proud of his record on national security. And,
like the team player he always was, he was quick to share the credit with
the fine people who served alongside him -- from Henry Kissinger to Brent
Scowcroft to Don Rumsfeld and Jack Marsh. It was my privilege, as well, to
be on Jerry Ford's team, both during a difficult transition and through all
the challenges of his time in office. All of us who were there count the
experience as one of the truly great periods in our lives, when we worked
for one of the most genuine, upright, and considerate men we have ever
known.

Only three weeks after President Ford's passing, there is still a sense of
loss for all of us, most especially for Betty and her children. This has
been a time of reflection for everyone who had the honor of knowing
President Ford and of serving with him. It's also been a time for
re-connecting with old friends, reliving the things we shared, and looking
back with gratitude on the good life of the man we were proud to call our
leader. President Ford will always be an example to us of personal
kindness, of loyalty, and of coolness under pressure. We remember how this
longtime legislator proved to be a natural-born executive with a decisive,
well ordered mind. He was comfortable with responsibility -- and because of
his sturdy character and his Navy experience, Jerry Ford knew a thing or
two about riding out a storm.

He didn't shrink from a tough call. In such a moment, even with a popular
choice in plain view and the easy path laid straight out in front of him,
President Ford asked only what was right for the United States of America,
and acted accordingly. When criticism came, he kept his head about him,
focused on his job, and persevered. History looks favorably on such a man,
and President Ford's reputation has, indeed, grown even greater in the
three decades since he left this city.

Today in our country, and at posts around the world, the flag of the United
States remains at half-staff in memory of President Gerald Ford. But I
think it would please him to know that today we're also looking to the
future. He always reminded us that there's work to do; servicemen and women
who need our support; and a call to duty in a world that benefits greatly
from American power and American values. He would be proud, as well --
modestly so, but proud nonetheless -- of this coming addition to the Navy
he joined 65 years ago, led as Commander-in-Chief, and respected all the
days of his life.

When completed, the USS Gerald R. Ford will be a sight to behold: 100,000
tons of American ingenuity and power; rising 20 stories above water level;
about as long as the Empire State Building; and able to sail the oceans for
20 years without refueling. We look forward to the day she joins the fleet
and begins her long and steady service to the United States of America.
(Applause.)

END 11:31 A.M. EST
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