For Immediate Release: February 5, 2007

Senator Mike Morgan	Senator Glenn Coffee

Senate Honors President Ford

One of the first official votes in the State Senate in the 2007 session was the unanimous approval of a resolution honoring President Gerald R. Ford, who died this past December at the age of 93. The resolution was authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee.

“President Ford was a common man who was called upon to do extraordinary things. This gentle, kind man came into office under difficult circumstances. Yet with his quiet leadership, he was able to help our nation heal and move us forward,” said Morgan, D-Stillwater. “With the passage of time, we’ve all been able to better see the greatness in this humble public servant. Those qualities should serve as an inspiration for all of us.”

Ford, who was the 38th president, became vice president following incumbent Spiro Agnew’s departure from office. Ford’s selection came at the recommendation of Carl Albert, the only Oklahoman ever to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ford then became president after Richard Nixon’s resignation.

“There is no doubt that Gerald Ford was the right man at the right time to lead our nation. Perhaps without even realizing it, he’d been preparing his entire life for that role,” said Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “As a youth, he was an Eagle Scout, the only president to have earned that honor. An outstanding athlete, he turned down a career in professional football to attend Yale Law School. He went on to serve in the Navy in World War II and later served nearly 25 years in Congress. President Ford was a man of faith and a true patriot, and we will always honor his memory.”

For more information contact:
Senate President Pro Tem's Office - (405) 521-5605
Senate co-President Pro Tem's Office - (405) 521-5654