President Ford Inauguration
CU Kissinger talking with two others. Ex-speaker of the House McCormick. General Haig? Ford children seated. VIPs being directed to seats.
Chief Justice Warren Burger arrives and announces Vice-president Ford & Mrs Ford. Ford & Betty enter to loud applause.
07:44:24 Ford sworn in - takes oath of office. Ford children applaud.
07:46:02 Gerald Ford’s inauguration speech:
“... I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans. This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.... I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots... I have not campaigned either for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency. I have not subscribed to any partisan platform. I am indebted to no man... Those who nominated and confirmed me as Vice President were my friends... They were of both parties... I will be the President of all the people...
I intend... to request... the privilege of appearing before the Congress to share ... my views on the priority business of the Nation and to solicit your views and their views.
... We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.... To the peoples and the governments of all friendly nations... I pledge an uninterrupted and sincere search for peace...
... I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together... That bond, though strained, is unbroken at home and abroad.... honesty is always the best policy in the end.
My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.
... As we bind up the internal wounds of Watergate, more painful and more poisonous than those of foreign wars, let us restore the golden rule to our political process, and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and of hate.
... I ask again your prayers, for Richard Nixon and for his family. May our former President, who brought peace to millions, find it for himself....
... I now solemnly reaffirm my promise I made to you last December 6 ... I will not let you down.”
07:53:59 End of speech and applause. President Ford and Betty Ford exit.
NB - Reporters voices may not be used
We can provide the transcript of the entire speech.
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President Ford Inauguration CU Kissinger talking with two others. Ex-speaker of the House McCormick. General Haig? Ford children seated. VIPs being directed to seats. Chief Justice Warren Burger arrives and announces Vice-president Ford & Mrs Ford. Ford & Betty enter to loud applause. 07:44:24 Ford sworn in - takes oath of office. Ford children applaud. 07:46:02 Gerald Ford’s inauguration speech: “... I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans. This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.... I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots... I have not campaigned either for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency. I have not subscribed to any partisan platform. I am indebted to no man... Those who nominated and confirmed me as Vice President were my friends... They were of both parties... I will be the President of all the people... I intend... to request... the privilege of appearing before the Congress to share ... my views on the priority business of the Nation and to solicit your views and their views. ... We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.... To the peoples and the governments of all friendly nations... I pledge an uninterrupted and sincere search for peace... ... I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together... That bond, though strained, is unbroken at home and abroad.... honesty is always the best policy in the end. My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. ... As we bind up the internal wounds of Watergate, more painful and more poisonous than those of foreign wars, let us restore the golden rule to our political process, and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and of hate. ... I ask again your prayers, for Richard Nixon and for his family. May our former President, who brought peace to millions, find it for himself.... ... I now solemnly reaffirm my promise I made to you last December 6 ... I will not let you down.” 07:53:59 End of speech and applause. President Ford and Betty Ford exit. NB - Reporters voices may not be used We can provide the transcript of the entire speech.