GERALD R. FORD CONGRESSIONAL PAPERS, 1949-73

LIST OF SUB-GROUPS

A - General and Case File, 1963-73.  (190 linear feet)
Correspondence, notes, printed materials, clippings and other papers concerning Ford's political activities on behalf of the Republican Party, both national and local, and especially on his efforts to solve constituent problems. See series descriptions.

B - Legislative File, 1963-73.  (262 linear feet)
Correspondence exchanged between Ford and Members of Congress or the public; pamphlets, bills, reports and other papers concerning legislation and other matters considered by the Congress. See series descriptions.

C - Control File. 1965-73.  (29 linear feet)
An index to select files of the congressional papers, consisting of copies of outgoing correspondence, in six-month segments, arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent. See series descriptions.

D - Press Secretary and Speeches File, 1948-73.  (47.6 linear feet)
Information on the public relations activities of Con­gressman Ford and on the functions and activities of the press secretary in preparing and distributing speeches, newsletters, press releases, magazine articles and similar materials. See series descriptions.

E - Warren Commission File, 1963-76.  (17 linear feet)
Materials accumulated by Ford while serving on the Warren Commission, drafting a book about that experience, and answering inquiries about the Commission's conclusions. See series descriptions.

F - Bills and Voting Record File, 1949-73.  (12 linear feet)
Case files of bills and resolutions sponsored or co­sponsored by Ford, information on his voting record in the House, and miscellaneous reference materials on House procedures and activities. See series descriptions.

G - Campaign File, 1948-73.  (14.8 linear feet)
Material on each of Ford's election campaigns, Fifth District election returns, redistricting in 1964, and Ford's use of a mobile office to contact his constituents. See series descriptions.

H - Committee File, 1948-54, 1959-65.  (3.2 linear feet)
Correspondence, reports and other papers from Ford's service on the Committee on Public Works and fragmentary correspondence, notes, printed materials and subcommittee bill prints from his service on the Defense and Foreign Operations subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations. See series descriptions.

I - Legislative Assistant (Josephine Wilson) File, 1965-73.  (9.6 linear feet)
Routine correspondence and other papers concerning Republican-appointed employees of the House, and appointments of Republican Members of Congress to committees and special boards and commissions.  A control file indexes out­going correspondence. See series descriptions.

J - Special Files, 1948-73.  (13.6 linear feet)
Information on Ford's handling of problems raised by individuals, businesses and local educational and govern­mental institutions, most spanning several years; and on many of Ford's more personal interests and activities. See series descriptions.

K - Fifth District Post Office File, 1949-73.  (3.6 linear feet)
Correspondence and memoranda concerning Ford's role in local post office Matters, particularly job appointments and postal service problems. See series descriptions.

L - Grand Rapids Office File, 1960-74.  (2.8 linear feet)
Miscellaneous papers on the administration of the Grand Rapids office and the interim district office, scholarship programs, and constituent case problems handled locally, including a card-index of correspondence sent to Washington. See series descriptions.

M - Washington Office File, 1949-74.  (24.4 linear feet)
A composite of files, many routine in nature, concerning the administration of Ford's office, his official activities and his personal interests. See series descriptions.

N - Trip File, 1954-73.  (9.8 linear feet)
Material on Ford's political, business and vacation trips. See series descriptions.

O - Invitations File, 1962-73.  (25.2 linear feet)
Invitations to Ford from various local, national and international groups, including his notations on acceptances and regrets. See series descriptions.

P - Service Academy File, 1958-74.  (7.5 linear feet)
Inquiries, applications, form letters, general academy information, and other materials on potential and selected candidates to United States service academies from Ford's congressional district. See series descriptions.

Q - Printed Materials, 1949-73.  (230 linear feet)
Printed materials accumulated by Congressman Ford's office, including Appropriations Committee hearings and reports, the Congressional Record, federal budgets, Congressional Directory, "hand-out" publications for constituents, and other material. See series descriptions.

R - Robert T. Hartmann Files, 1965-73.  (13.6 linear feet)
Hartmann assisted House Republicans, 1966‑69, as editor for the House Republican Conference and as Minority Sergeant‑at‑Arms.  He then served Ford as Legislative Assistant.  Relatively little material reflects his duties as Conference editor or Minority Sergeant‑at‑Arms.  Of his work on Ford's staff, some subject areas are better documented than others, most notably the investigation of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. See series descriptions.

General and Case File, 1963-73.  (Boxes A1-A190, 190 linear feet)
The General and Case File consists of routine correspondence concerning Gerald Ford's Congressional and political activities.  Ford's political activities are reflected in large files on the Republican Party, both national and local, containing correspondence with party officials, material relating to GRF's service on various party committees, fund‑raising plans, state and county party directories, and public committees on Republican candidates and policies.  Files relating to Ford's campaign for reelection, however, are located in the Campaign File series.  The General and Case Files also include his schedules, radio and TV appearances; invitations; requests for speeches, photographs, flags, government publications, and other materials; and letters of congratulations and condolences to constituents.  The bulk of the file, however, concerns efforts to help constituents with their problems with the Federal Government on such matters as social security, veterans benefits, income taxes, Medicare payments, small business loans, the draft, military assignments, immigration, even the adoption of foreign orphans.  Similar case file material is located in Special Files but appears to deal with cases of unusual complexity or duration.

The General and Case File dates from 1963.  Prior to 1964 when they were solicited by the Bentley Library, Ford's papers were destroyed as they became two years old because of lack of storage space.  This series contains correspondence, telegrams, memoranda, resumes, legal documents, manuals, notes, invitations, appointment books, form letters, printed materials, and clippings.  The file is arranged by year and thereunder alphabetically by subject.  Within each folder, documents are arranged either chronologically or alphabetically by name or correspondent or subject.  Most case file correspondence from individual constituents is filed by name under headings A‑Miscellaneous, B‑Miscellaneous, etc.  Other case file letters are filed topically under such headings as "Social Security", "Veterans Administration", or "Welfare" but these files will also contain general comments on the subject in addition to the case letters.

Compiled by Jeanne Schauble, March 1979

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Legislative File, 1963-73.  (Boxes B1‑B262, 262 linear feet)
The Legislative File, also known as the Issues File, consists of routine letters, postcards, telegrams, newspaper clippings, press releases, and publications concerning Congressional legislation and public issues.  This file does not contain material on bills introduced by Gerald R. Ford; that material appears in the Bills and Voting Record File.

The bulk of the correspondence is with constituents concerning their views on issues and legislation.  In some cases incoming mail is the product of organized campaigns by pressure groups with the files yielding many form cards and letters.  Considerably smaller amounts of correspondence are between Ford and his colleagues concerning hearings, proposed amendments, and other legislative activity; and between Ford and lobbyists or officers of organizations and companies which had interests at stake in certain bills.

This file reveals Ford's views over time on such issues as agriculture, civil rights, defense, foreign affairs, taxes and the war in Vietnam.  Further significance of this file lies in showing public opinion on these issues.  The file also includes material relating to Ford's trip to the People Republic of China in 1972, and Republican leadership State of the Union addresses from 1966 to 1968.

All arranged by year and thereunder alphabetically by issue with correspondence for each issue arranged chronologically by month.  Following the correspondence for most issues are folders of published background information and unanswered correspondence.  For issues on which Ford received a large volume of mail there are folders of letters answered only by form response.  Individually answered letters are indexed by the Control File.

The Legislative File for the years before 1963 was destroyed by the Ford staff before he began depositing his papers at the Bentley Historical Library in 1965.  All of this file was sent to the Bentley Library between 1965 and 1974 and transferred to the Ford Library in September 1977.

Compiled by Bill McNitt, January 1980

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Control File, 1965-73.  (Boxes C1‑C96, 38.4 linear feet)
This file serves as an index by correspondent name to communications in select files of the Congressional Papers.  Carbon copies of outgoing letters are marked to show the location of the complete correspondence set and arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.  Separate A-Z control files exist for each six month period with the exception of 1965 and 1966, which have one file for the entire year.

The files indexed include the post‑1964 portions of:

• Series A ‑ General and Case File
• Series B ‑ Legislative File
• Series F ‑ Bills and Voting Record File
• Series J ‑ Special File
• Series K ‑ Fifth District Post Office File
• Series M ‑ Washington Office File (office interns, suspense, visa, and office accounts series only)
• Series P ‑ Service Academy File

In addition, occasional letters are indexed from the following files:

• Series G ‑ Campaign File
• Series N ‑ Trip File
• Series O ‑ Invitations File

A series which has a separate control file located with the material is:

• Series I ‑ Legislative Assistant (Josephine Wilson) File

Series which have no control files are:

• Series D ‑ Press Secretary and Speech File
• Series E ‑ Warren Commission File
• Series H ‑ Committee File
• Series L ‑ Grand Rapids Office File

This control file indexes only correspondence answered by Ford or his staff and is not useful in locating unanswered letters, speeches, schedules, and other types of documents.  In addition to the alphabetical index there is a chronological index covering January to April 1965 only.  Apparently, the chronological index was discontinued by the Ford staff after that time.

This file was stored at the White House until January 20, 1977, when it was received by the Ford Library.  Upon request specific segments may be examined for opening.  Please consult the archivist.

Compiled by Bill McNitt, July 1979

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Press Secretary and Speech File, 1948-73. (Boxes D1‑D119, 47.6 linear feet)
This file illustrates the public relations activities of Congressman Ford, especially as evidenced in his speeches, newsletters, press statements, magazine articles, interviews, and local radio broadcasts.  The file likewise documents the functions of a press secretary in the preparation and distribution of such material and in related work.

GRF did not hire a press secretary until February 1965, shortly after becoming House Minority Leader.  Prior to that time, responsibility for press relations and public statements was shared by GRF and his small staff, notably administrative assistant Frank Meyer.  The first press secretary was James M. Mudge, formerly of the Grand Rapids Herald editorial staff 1949‑59, and Grand Rapids bureau chief for the Detroit Free Press 1959‑65.  Mudge remained with Ford only until March 1966, leaving to become city‑county bureau chief of the Detroit Free Press.  In November 1967, Mudge became press secretary to US Congressman Guy Vander Jagt of Michigan.

Paul Miltich succeeded Mudge and continued to serve Ford until March 1975, when he resigned as the President's Assistant Press Secretary.  Miltich had been a reporter‑assistant city editor for the Saginaw News, 1946‑57, and Washington correspondent for Booth newspapers of Michigan, 1957‑66.

This file was created by combining the press secretary's files, which perforce dated only from 1965, with an older and overlapping collection of similar material dating from 1947.  The character of much of this combined file is that of a reference file of Ford public statements.  Although drafts, background material and related material are commonly interspersed, they are fragmentary in nature.  Because of vagaries in the file system, those in search of particular items are advised to consult various series.

Compiled by Dennis M. Lakomy, August 1979

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group D:

Newsletters, 1950-73. (Boxes D1‑D3, 1.2 linear feet)
"Your Washington Review" was Congressman Ford's newsletter, issued weekly during each session of Congress until April 1971, and thereafter at less frequent intervals.  It was occasionally issued for the full calendar year.  The first issue appeared in January 1949 and by January 1970 its mailing listhad grown to 25,000 names.  At the front of this file is a table of contents for each newsletter, 1963‑73.  Occasional related items are interspersed. Arranged chronologically. This seris has been digitized.

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Press Releases ‑ Chronological, 1964-73. (Boxes D4‑D5, 0.8 linear feet)
Two parts each chronologically arranged: a) Ford press releases and related materials, including drafts, handwritten corrections and notes, outlines and correspondence.  b) Joint Senate‑House Republican Leadership press releases 1965-68, press release transcripts of Ford/Dirksen and Ford/Scott press conferences 1969‑72, and miscellaneous press releases issued jointly by Ford and others, 1965 and 1972. This series has been digitized.

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Press Releases ‑ Subject, 1965-73. (Boxes D6‑D9, 1.6 linear feet)
Press releases issued by Congressman Ford, the Republican Leadership of Congress, and Republican National Committee.  Interfiled are a few related items such as miscellaneous press releases of others, Congressional Record reprints, and transcripts of Dirksen/Ford press conferences.  Some additional press releases issued only by Ford's Grand Rapids office may be found in the Ford Congressional Papers Grand Rapids Office File. Arranged alphabetically by subject. This series has been digitized.

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White House Press Releases, 1965-73. (Boxes D10‑D12, 1.2 linear feet)
White House press releases and some Senate and House documents, primarily presidential speeches, statements and messages to Congress.  Miscellaneous related items are interspersed. Arranged chronologically.

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Speech and Press Release Logs, 1948-73. (Box D12, 0.2 linear feet)
Logs listing date, location or occasion, and subject of Ford speeches, 1948‑73.  Press release logs, 1965‑73, are also included. Arranged chronologically. This series has been digitized.

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Speeches, 1948-73. (Boxes D13‑D35, 9.4 linear feet)
Ford speeches and public statements, primarily clean press release texts.  Also included, especially for earlier years, are: handwritten and typed speech outlines, drafts and corrections; reading texts and cards; annotated press releases; and excerpts.  One speech dates from 1947.  Related and supporting materials appear occasionally, including correspondence, memoranda, programs, and background information.  There are a very few references to John R. Stiles in 1951, Steven Hess in 1965, James Mudge in 1965, and to Paul Miltich as having reviewed or written some of these speeches.  Note ‑ Phonograph and tape recordings of some broadcasts are among the Library's audiovisual holdings. Arranged chronologically. This series has been digitized.

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Weekly Radio Reports, 1949-73. (Boxes D35‑D36, 0.8 linear feet)
Scripts of Ford radio tapes made for distribution to Fifth District radio stations, and some logs and correspondence relating to their distribution.  Prepared weekly while Congress was in session, these scripts were suspended during election campaigns, 1966‑72, under the Federal Communications Act's equal time provisions.  The scripts are finished texts, 1949‑52, and drafts and annotated texts, 1965‑73.  No scripts have been located for the period February 1952 to March 1965.  Interfiled are standardized radio‑television scripts prepared by the Republican Congressional Committee, 1965‑68.  Note ‑ Phonograph and tape recordings of some broadcasts are among the Library's audiovisual holdings. Arranged chronologically. This series has been digitized.

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Broadcasts, 1949-72. (Box D37, 0.2 linear feet)
Typed drafts, final copies, transcripts, and press releases of miscellaneous speeches, statements, campaign endorsements, promotional messages, and other audiovisual recordings made by Ford for radio, television, and film.  Some items have handwritten corrections and additions.  Related materials include occasional correspondence, background information, memoranda, and other miscellaneous items.  References to James Mudge and Paul Miltich indicate that they prepared many of these broadcasts in whole or part.  Note ‑ various Ford audiotapes, phonographs and films, including reports sent periodically to local television stations, are in the Library's audiovisual collection. Arranged chronologically. This series has been digitized.

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Interviews, 1948-73. (Boxes D37‑D38, 0.5 linear feet)
Transcripts of interviews of Ford on Meet the Press, Issues and Answers, Face the Nation, From the People, Capitol Cloakroom, other radio and television programs, and in two publications.  Occasional related material includes a Dirksen/Ford press conference interview, correspondence, and other items.  Of note is a September 1948 interview, in which Ford tells why he has decided to run for Congress. Arranged chronologically.

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Articles, 1952-73. (Box D38, 0.2 linear feet)
Arranged into three sections:

1. Finished copies of eight short articles by Ford for minor publications and very occasional related items.  Arranged chronologically. 
2. Drafts, background material, and related correspondence for a Fortune article, January 1965.  Includes a handwritten draft and corrections by Ford. 
3. Final carbon copies of "Your Washington Story," a column by Ford for Scuttlebutt, the American Legion's monthly Grand Rapids newsletter.  Also includes occasional drafts, background information, and other supporting materials.  Arranged chronologically.

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Chronological File, 1966-73. (Boxes D39‑D40, 0.8 linear feet)
Carbon copies of materials drafted or distributed by the press secretary, including Miltich and Ford correspondence, statements, Congressional Record remarks, Scuttlebutt articles, introductions, cutlines, and other miscellany.  There is very little incoming correspondence and other related and supporting materials. Arranged chronologically.

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Correspondence ‑ Ford, 1964-73. (Boxes D41‑D47, 2.8 linear feet)
Letters to Ford from the media; businesses and organizations; individual adults and children; and local, state, and Federal officials, offering opinions, and requesting information on a wide variety of subjects.  Many have Ford's brief, handwritten comments to Mudge and Miltich outlining a reply.  Almost all have a copy of a reply attached.  Also included is some Ford initiated correspondence, such as congratulations, letters to the editor, and Christmas greetings to servicemen. Arranged chronologically.

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Requests for Statements, 1965-72. (Boxes D48‑D49, 0.6 linear feet)
Requests to Ford from publications; political, business and civic groups; schools; and occasionally individuals, for statements, short articles, congratulations, answers to questionnaires, and similar matters.  Many have Ford's brief, handwritten comments to Miltich on how to best reply.  Almost all have a carbon copy of Ford's letter transmitting the requested item.  Occasional related materials included. Arranged chronologically.

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Statements, 1965-71. (Box D49, 0.2 linear feet)
Miscellaneous statements, remarks, tributes, announcements on office personnel changes, notices of federal grants, answers to questionnaires, and occasional similar items, all prepared by the press secretary, with infrequent background material.  Apparently not meant for general distribution, but for use in the Fifth District; for specific groups, publications, or events; and in the Congressional Record. Arranged chronologically.

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Fifth District Affairs, 1969-73. (Boxes D50‑D54, 2.0 linear feet)
Material concerning Fifth District matters used or prepared by the press secretary for reference, publicity, or in handling correspondence.  Included are letters; printed materials, including newsletters, reports, brochures, press releases, bills, and newspaper clippings; handwritten and typed notes; staff memoranda; and drafts of press releases.  A major subject is the constituent public opinion questionnaire, with information on its preparation, distribution, tabulation, and response. Arranged alphabetically by subject, thereunder unarranged within each folder.

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Individuals, 1966-69. (Box D55, 0.4 linear feet)
A reference file of newspaper clippings, brochures, press releases, occasional speeches, and other printed and supporting materials on prominent individuals (Nixon, Humphrey, Haynsworth, etc.). Arranged alphabetically by surname.

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Miscellaneous Subject File, 1966-73. (Boxes D56‑D57, 0.8 linear feet)
Miscellaneous items relating to the functions and information needs of the press secretary, including correspondence, schedules, bills, newspaper clippings, speech cards, and other materials. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Reference Materials, 1965-72. (Boxes D58‑D119, 24.8 linear feet)
Newsletters, newspaper clippings, press releases, booklets, speeches, reports, and other printed materials maintained by the press secretary for reference in drafting speeches, statements, and correspondence.  Appearing occasionally are related letters of transmittal, other correspondence, handwritten and typed notes, and miscellaneous materials. Arranged alphabetically by subject and unarranged within each folder.

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Warren Commission File, 1963-76. (Boxes E1‑E42, 16.8 linear feet)
On November 29, 1963, President Lyndon Johnson signed Executive Order 11130 appointing a commission of seven, including Congressman Ford, to investigate the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald.  From December 1963 to September 1964, the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy (Warren Commission) and its 26 member staff met in executive session and received sworn testimony from over 500 witnesses and experts.  In September 1964, the Commission published both a final report and 26 volumes of hearings and selected evidence, ultimately depositing all accumulated evidence, exhibits and other records in the National Archives as Record Group 272 for storage and eventual release to the public.

To enable him to carry out his duties and to maintain a certain degree of autonomy from the Commission, Ford hired three consultants.  Francis X. Fallon, a law student at Harvard and later attorney in Grand Rapids, John H. Ray, Former Congressman from New York, and John R. Stiles, former Ford campaign manager and close personal friend, had the same access to depositions, testimony and supporting materials as the staff of the Commission.  This trio advised Ford on the particulars of cross‑examination, reviewed and condensed testimony, posed questions for future witnesses, and offered their prepared responses to correspondence from the public on the Warren Commission.  Jack Stiles continued to handle queries for the remainder of Ford's Congressional career.

Following the publication of the Report, Stiles and Ford collaborated on a book, titled Portrait of the Assassin, summarizing the Commission's investigation of Oswald's personality.  The materials Stiles used to draft the book are located in the Bentley Library.  GRF also published articles in Life magazine and California Magazine recounting his experiences on the Commission.

This collection consists primarily of copies of exhibits, reports, proceedings and depositions sent to Ford for his use during the Commission's investigation.  The original texts, along with extensive supporting materials are part of NARA Record Group 272.  Other materials are unique, including personal notes and drafts, correspondence and Ford's writings about the work of the Commission.

The collection was assembled from scattered segments accumulated by Congressman Ford's office and forwarded to the Bentley Library.  Large segments were sent in July 1967 and April 1971, along with yearly installments of related correspondence, articles and other papers originally placed in the "Legislative" series of the Congressional papers.  During processing at the Ford Library, additional material, dated 1972‑76, was added from the "Special Files" Congressional series.  Current arrangement is based on the Bentley Library arrangement with minor changes.

Compiled by Paul Conway, October 1978

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group E:

Papers Concerning the Work of the Warren Commission, 1963-64. (Boxes E1‑E4, 1.6 linear feet)
Commission Exhibits, Commission Documents and other materials received by GRF; memoranda, notes, clippings, correspondence and other papers accumulated by or produced by GRF in connection with his service on the Commission.  The numbered Commission Exhibits published in the 26 volumes of evidence, Commission Documents produced by Federal agencies assisting the Commission, meeting agenda and other records accumulated by the Commission are duplicates of materials in NARA Record Group 272.  The remaining material, much of it handwritten and unique to this file, generally relates to Ford's efforts to organize the various strands of testimony and efforts by his consultants to condense the testimony of witnesses, monitor the progress of the Commission and criticize drafts of the final report.  Although the series appears to be a complete collection during his service, it does not fully record Ford's activities on the Commission nor detail his participation in the decision‑making process.  The material is arranged in two consecutive sequences: (1) miscellaneous papers in chronological order, (2) groups of records arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Warren Commission Proceedings, 1964. (Boxes E5‑E13, 3.6 linear feet)
Ford's copies of transcripts of executive sessions of the commissioners and testimony of principal witnesses before a quorum of Commissioners and the General Counsel.  Included are open sessions of the Commission during which testimony of Mark Lane, attorney for Lee Harvey Oswald's mother was heard (March 4 and July 2), and transcripts of executive sessions of January 21 (volume 4), February 24 (volume 16), March 16 (volume 24B), April 30 (volume 40), May 19 (volume 45), June 4 (volume 46), and June 23 (volume 55).  The remainder are closed sessions of testimony.  Volumes 1‑3,5,6 and 57 were not received by the Ford Library.  Some volumes contain passages highlighted by Stiles and Ray for use in advising GRF or documenting passages in Portrait of the Assassin.  Name indexes, including one prepared at the Bentley Library, are placed at the beginning of the series.  Transcripts of testimony and executive session are numbered consecutively and arranged chronologically by date of the proceeding.

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Warren Commission Depositions, 1964. (Boxes E14‑E32, 7.6 linear feet)
Ford's copies of transcripts of sworn testimony delivered before staff members of the Commission, usually in Dallas or New Orleans, but also in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., among other cities.  Most witnesses were of secondary concern to the investigation, but occasionally follow‑up interviews or testimony in connection with the proceedings were recorded.  Some volumes were marked in pencil by Stiles or Ford and some handwritten notes were attached, apparently in connection with the writing of Portrait of the Assassin. The notes highlight information emphasized in the book or discrepancies between testimony printed in these copies and the same testimony published in the 26 volume Hearings.  Name indexes, including one prepared at the Bentley Library, are placed at the beginning of the series. Arranged numerically by volume number.

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Drafts and Galley Proofs of the Warren Commission Report, 1964. (Boxes E32‑E35, 1.4 linear feet)
Portions of the Report dated from June to September, some of which are labeled "Draft", "Third Draft", "Proposed Final Draft", or "Final Draft"; and printer's galley proofs of certain chapters and appendices of the Report, containing editorial revisions.  Drafts and proofs are arranged numerically in separate sequences by chapter or appendix number.

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General Correspondence Concerning the Warren Commission, 1963-76. (Boxes E36‑E37, 0.8 linear feet)
Letters received from Ford's advisers, Commission staff members, Congressmen, interested citizens, and students offering suggestions and theories, criticizing the scope and progress of the commission, or requesting information for term papers or publications.  Although correspondence from Stiles, Ray and Commission staff members was constructive, correspondence from the public was generally critical and not answered by the Ford office.  After 1967, most letters concerning Ford's role in the Commission were answered by form letter. Arranged chronologically.

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Papers Concerning the Publications of Gerald Ford on the Warren Commission, 1964-67. (Boxes E38‑E39, 0.6 linear feet)
Correspondence, drafts and completed typescript for California Magazine; draft article for Life magazine; correspondence concerning gift copies and distribution of the Commission Report; correspondence concerning gift copies for Republican congressmen and other papers related to the writing of Portrait of the Assassin. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Magazines and Newspapers on the Warren Commission, 1963-73. (Boxes E39‑E41, 1.0 linear feet)
The series includes newspaper clippings, articles and complete publications, in separate sequences, on the Kennedy and Oswald assassinations and the work of the commission. Arranged chronologically.

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Warren Commission ‑ Miscellanea, 1961-72. (Box E42, 0.4 linear feet)
A miscellany of books, pamphlets, reports and journals containing articles or sections on the conclusions of the Commission, marked in pencil by Stiles or Ray with marginalia. Unarranged.

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Bills and Voting Record File, 1949-73.  (Boxes F1‑F29, 11.6 linear feet)
Administrative Assistant John Milanowski, who assisted Gerald Ford in his first congressional campaign, maintained case files and lists of bills and resolutions sponsored by Ford from 1949.  Frank Meyer, who succeeded Milanowski in 1957, expanded the collection by including files of bills and resolutions that GRF co‑sponsored.  These case files document Ford's concern for the private relief of individual constituents and public legislation on behalf of a variety of interests.  Examples of the latter are public works, tax and tariff reform measures of local interest, and Great Lakes development and agricultural reform measures of primarily regional concern.  As Minority Leader, Ford more frequently introduced legislation of national import, such as the 18 year old vote, pollution, health and safety measures, and voting rights guarantees.  After Richard Nixon's inauguration as President in 1969, Ford additionally sponsored legislation in support of administration policies.

The case files are complete or nearly so for bills sponsored from 1949 or co‑sponsored from 1957; and for resolutions sponsored from 1949 or co‑sponsored from 1969, (with the exception of an unexplained gap 1959‑62).  Type and quality of case file documentation varies but often include: urgings of constituents and others, bill or resolution texts, comments from federal agencies and departments, and supporting information on the purported necessity or effect of the measure.  Documentation is generally sparse, however, for legislation introduced solely for the record in support of Nixon administration policies.

Milanowski and Meyer also accumulated information on Ford's voting record in Congress and miscellaneous reference materials related to House legislative activities, 1951‑73.  During archival processing personalized voting record digests, provided Ford by the Clerk of the House, were added to these materials.

Compiled by Paul Conway, July 1978

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group F:

Legislation Rosters, 1949-73. (Box F1, 0.3 linear feet)
Two sets of rosters of bills and resolutions sponsored or co-sponsored by Ford, arranged by Congress and thereunder by enrollment number.  The first set, prepared on small ring binder sheets and complete for the 85th‑93rd congresses (1957‑73), indicates action taken and, if enacted, date and public law number.  The second set, spanning the 81st‑93rd Congresses (1949-73) but with the 84th Congress (1955‑1956) missing, simply indicates date of enrollment and title of measure.

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Ford Bills, 1949-73. (Boxes F2‑F20, 8 linear feet)
Case files of private relief and public bills sponsored by Ford and, after 1957, those co‑sponsored by him, including: committee reports, enrolled texts, newspaper clippings, handwritten notes, office memoranda, and correspondence with colleagues, federal officials, constituents, and others.  A "general" folder precedes the case files for each Congress and contains miscellaneous items and a master list of Ford bills. Arranged by Congress and thereunder by bill number with separate sequences for sponsored and co‑sponsored bills.

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Ford Resolutions, 1949-73. (Boxes F21‑F22, 0.8 linear feet)
House Resolutions, House Joint Resolutions and House Concurrent Resolutions introduced by Ford alone and, after 1968, with others.  Case files contain copies of enrolled measures, occasional correspondence or related material and the enacted legislation, if applicable.  The purpose of most resolutions was to confirm committee appointments or to place the Congress on the record concerning Administration policies. Arranged by Congress and thereunder by resolution number, with separate sequences for sponsored and co‑sponsored measures.

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Ford Voting Record, 1949-73. (Boxes F23‑F24, 0.8 linear feet)
Printed materials related to Ford's voting record in Congress, including a library of Congress analysis of Congressman Ford's overall voting record, prepared in 1973 in conjunction with his Vice Presidential confirmation hearings; pages of the Congressional Record with voting and attendance record summaries; and personalized voting record digests provided by the Clerk of the House.  After 1971, the Clerk shifted from manually tabulated summaries to a computerized tabulation system for greater detail and accuracy. Arranged chronologically.

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Reference Materials, 1951-73. (Boxes F25‑F29, 2 linear feet)
Miscellaneous and fragmentary reference materials, including: the subject indexed Calendar of the House of Representatives (1951-73); and, for 1969‑73 or portions thereof, Minority Leader form letters, Rules and Policy Committee Circulars, published committee reports, Whip notices, and News Digest and Legislative Digest reprints. Arranged alphabetically by subject and thereunder chronologically.

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Campaign Files, 1948-74.  (Boxes G1‑G37, 14.8 linear feet)
Materials relating to Gerald R. Ford's thirteen biennial congressional campaigns from 1948 through 1972 were maintained as a separate file.  Because of the need to consult these materials in succeeding campaigns, campaign files were saved when other files were discarded.  Although there is little surviving material from the first few campaigns, by 1956 the files are fairly complete and representative of those of later years.

The campaign files include the following series: Campaign Series, 1948‑74; Voting Statistics, 1920‑72; Michigan Redistricting, 1961-64; General Voting Information, 1952‑72; and the Mobile Office File, 1955‑73.  The mobile office, used for annual tours of the Fifth District, was an innovative method used by Congressman Ford to more effectively reach and serve his constituents.

Approximately three linear feet of early campaign material had been previously turned over to the Bentley Library, where it was arranged and place in new folders.  This material was turned over to the Gerald R. Ford Library, and accessioned on September 12, 1977.  Additional campaign files arrived at NLF in January 1977 with the bulk of historical materials donated to the United States by President Gerald R. Ford.  The papers arriving from Washington were contained in manila envelopes.  Although the envelopes were often labeled and grouped roughly by campaign year, there was little over‑all arrangement, and none within the envelopes.  Whenever possible, the file designations devised by the Ford staff have been retained, despite inconsistencies from year to year, usually with no obvious explanation.  Several categories which might be expected to contain large quantities of material, such as chron files and schedules, rarely include more than a few items.

Although much of this material is repetitious and low‑level in nature, the files are of value in documenting Ford's many successful congressional campaigns and his relationships with loyal constituents who supported him with their time and financial contributions year after year.  It is also interesting to note the increasing sophistication and expense of political campaigns as evidenced by the files.  In the 1948 campaign Ford's largest single expenditure was for postage stamps.  Later campaigns show extensive use of expensive television time and added emphasis on marketing the candidate's "image" through use of advertising techniques.  Several campaign years are of special interest, such as the 1960 Ford for Vice‑President drive.  Although there was no significant impact on Ford's winning vote percentages, correspondence in 1970-72 reflects the growing peace movement and disaffection with the Republican Administration.  The 1970 files also contain material concerning the controversial James R. Polk article on Ford's alleged failure to report all campaign contributions.

Less than 1% of this file has been closed under donor restrictions.  A large quantity of campaign memorabilia has been turned over to the Gerald R. Ford Museum collection; campaign tapes and photographs have been turned over to the audio‑visual collection.  Approximately one linear foot of material (duplicates, catalogues, and miscellaneous samples of campaign hand‑outs) has been removed from the collection for disposal.

Compiled by Marlee Horrocks, July 1978

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group G:

Campaign Series, 1948-74. (Boxes G1‑G23, 9.2 linear feet)
Correspondence, election filing forms, campaign finance information (checks, bank statements, receipts, Statements of Nomination and Election Expenses), nominating petitions with accompanying tally sheets and check lists, speech material, press releases, radio and television scripts, campaign brochures, memorabilia, audiovisual items, newsletters, publication, precinct maps, and other miscellaneous materials relating to Gerald R. Ford's congressional campaigns, 1948‑72.  The few items post‑dating 1972 relate to termination of the Friends of Jerry Ford Committee. Arranged chronologically by campaign year and thereunder alphabetically by subject.

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Voting Statistics, 1948-72. (Boxes G23‑G30, 2.8 linear feet)
Correspondence, election returns, computer print‑outs, maps, charts, various statistical analyses of election returns (primarily Michigan, but other states are included), publications and news clippings.  The bulk of the material is arranged chronologically; miscellaneous items are arranged by city and ward or county.

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Michigan Redistricting, 1961-64. (Boxes G30‑G32, 0.8 linear feet)
Correspondence, notes, bills, maps, charts, and news clippings relating to Michigan's reapportionment as a result of the 18th Decennial Census, by which Michigan gained a seat in Congress.  As a result of this redistricting, Ford's Fifth District lost Ottawa County and gained Ionia County.  Kent County was retained. Arranged chronologically.

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General Voting Information, 1952-72. (Boxes G32‑G33, 0.6 linear feet)
Miscellaneous publications relating to such matters as political activities; campaign expenditures; and election instructions, laws, and statistics.  Much of this material belonged to Frank Meyer, who served as Ford's Administrative Assistant 1955‑72. Arranged somewhat chronologically.

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Mobile Office File, 1955-73. (Boxes G34‑G37, 1.6 linear feet)
Correspondence (primarily invitations, thank you letters, arrangements to park the trailer, etc.) schedules, visitors' registers, press releases and newspaper clippings relating to Ford's use of a mobile home as a traveling "office" to reach constituents throughout his district. Arranged chronologically and thereunder by such file categories as correspondence, notes, schedules, etc.  An unexplained gap exists between 1962 and 1968.

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Committee File, 1948-65. (Boxes H1‑H8, 3.2 linear feet)
GRF served on the Committee on Public Works, which reviewed legislation on federal construction projects from 1949 to 1950.  Beginning in 1951 and continuing until his election as Minority Leader in 1965 ended his committee service, GRF served on the Committee on Appropriations.  Because of the complexity and scope of the committee's work, it was compartmentalized into subcommittees paralleling the structure of the executive branch.  Each subcommittee reviewed budget requests from a federal agency or department and prepared appropriations bills and reports, which were submitted to the full committee for approval.  Subcommittee members also organized and led the debate on the House floor until the bill was passed.  In 1951 and 1952, GRF served on the Deficiencies and Civil Functions Subcommittee (Army) and the General and Temporary Subcommittee (Korean Emergency Agencies).  He was appointed in 1953 to serve on the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and on the Department of Defense Subcommittee as Chairman of the Army section during the Republican congress and as ranking minority member thereafter.  In 1956, he was given additional responsibility as one of five Congressmen who reviewed the budget requests of the Central Intelligence Agency.  From 1957 to 1958, GRF served on the Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration that drafted legislation creating NASA.

Administrative assistant John Milanowski organized a file in 1949 to contain all material relating to GRF's committee service.  He and his successor, Frank Meyer, continued accumulating committee-related material for each successive Congress, apparently destroying older material as they judged it obsolete.  It was the general practice of the Ford staff to dispose of most records after two years.  Some portions of the formerly complete record survived, were transferred to the Bentley Library and given a preliminary arrangement.

The Committee File contains correspondence on the Public Works Committee, correspondence on GRF's service with the Appropriations Committee from 1952 to 1954 and subcommittee prints, correspondence and related papers from his work with the Defense and Foreign Operations Subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee from 1959 to 1965.  By nature of its fragmented condition, the collection is of limited research value.  Correspondence on both committees mainly reflects support or criticism of a particular Ford position rather than his specific activities.  Other subcommittee material consists primarily of circulars and memoranda sent to all subcommittee members and is not consistent in its documentation of GRF's work.

No materials from Ford's service on the Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration survived, save for bound volumes of hearings and reports located in the Library book collection.  No papers from the Civil Functions, the General and Temporary, or the CIA Subcommittees survived.  Some correspondence, dating from 1963, on general appropriations matters may be found in the Legislative File.

Compiled by Paul Conway, May 1979

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group H:

Committee on Public Works, 1948-50. (Box H1, 0.2 linear feet)
Correspondence, memoranda and other papers exchanged between Ford and constituents, colleagues and the public on Ford's efforts to seek committee authorization of federally funded construction projects in his district or region and report his progress.  Included is some constituent correspondence, pre‑dating his assumption of office, encouraging Ford to support specific projects. Arranged chronologically.

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Committee on Appropriations ‑ General Correspondence, 1952-54. (Boxes H1‑H2, 0.3 linear feet)
Miscellaneous correspondence, memoranda and other papers exchanged between Ford and constituents, government officials and colleagues on GRF's work, mainly as Chairman of the Army section of the Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.  Also included are scattered correspondence from his service on the Foreign Operations Subcommittee and some information on his interest in other appropriations matters. Arranged chronologically.

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Committee on Appropriations ‑ Subcommittee Bills, 1959-65. (Boxes H2‑H8, 2.7 linear feet)
Personal copies of draft appropriations bill prints from the Defense Subcommittee and the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, containing GRF's marginal comments; and related circulars, notes and charts attached or loosely interfiled.  Included as a separate sequence are general circulars, memoranda, charts and other papers used by the subcommittees in modifying draft appropriations bills; and some notes by GRF, correspondence and memoranda addressed to Ford on specific appropriations matters.  Much of this latter sequence originally had been interfiled in the subcommittee bill prints, but was separated for ease of storage.  Both sequences are arranged chronologically and thereunder alphabetically by topic.

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Legislative Assistant (Josephine Wilson) Files, 1965-73. (Boxes I1‑I24, 9.6 linear feet)
Josephine E. Wilson served on the staff of the House Minority Leader as a legislative assistant from 1956 to 1973, under Joseph W. Martin, Charles A. Halleck, and Gerald R. Ford.  In 1973, Ms. Wilson moved to the Office of the Vice President as legislative secretary in charge of monitoring House activities.

The files herein described reflect three principal duties assigned Ms. Wilson as legislative assistant, 1965‑73:

1. Clerk of the Republican Committee on Committees, which made all committee assignments of House Republicans;
2. Administrative assistant relating to the appointment of Republican Congressmen to special boards, committees, and commissions and international study groups;
3. Assistant with clerical and administrative duties relating to Republican‑appointed employees of the House.

Material concerning Wilson's duties in the Office of the Vice President will be found in the files of Walter Mote, Assistant to the President of the Senate, in the Ford Vice Presidential Papers.

Compiled by William McNitt, April 1979

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group I:

Control File, 1965-73. (Boxes I1‑I2, 0.8 linear feet)
An index to the other series, consisting of carbon copies of letters signed by Ms. Wilson or drafted by her for GRF.  Each item indicates file location of the complete correspondence. Arranged alphabetically by name.

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Republican Committee on Committees File, 1965-73. (Boxes I3‑I12, 4 linear feet)
Routine correspondence, lists of committee assignments, minutes of meetings, and resolutions relating to committee assignments of House Republicans. Arranged by Congress and thereunder by subject.

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Board Commission and Conference Appointments File, 1965-73. (Boxes I13‑I19, 2.8 linear feet)
Routine correspondence with Congressmen asking to be appointed to special boards, commissions, joint and special committees, and international conference groups.  Many files contain copies of the enabling legislation.Arranged alphabetically by name of board or commission.

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Republican Employees File, 1965-73. (Boxes I20‑I24, 2 linear feet)
Correspondence, job applications, resumes, and personnel files concerning Republican appointed employees of the House such as pages, members of the Capitol police force and employees of the several offices serving the House. Arranged alphabetically.

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Special Files, 1948-73. (Boxes J1‑J34, 13.6 linear feet)
Special Files appear to be files maintained on topics of particular concern to Ford professionally and personally.  Included are correspondence from the major industries, local governments, and colleges in the district about their problems and Ford's efforts to help them.  There are also individual case files similar to those in the General and Case File but those in Special Files seem to concern problems of unusual complexity or duration.  Many of the topics are subjects related to the welfare of the Fifth District such as Grand Rive Flood Control, the Great Lakes, or Poverty in the Fifth District.  Other subjects reflect Ford's more personal concerns and activities such as selecting and mailing Christmas cards or furnishing his Grand Rapids office.  Correspondence from personal friends is also included in Special Files.  Because of Ford's continuing interest in these subjects, most of the files in Special Files span several years.  Unlike the General and Case Files, which until 1964 were destroyed after two years because of lack of storage space, Special Files were retained indefinitely, although there is very little Special Files material from the period prior to the mid‑1950's.

The files contain correspondence, handwritten notes, draft letters, memoranda, reports, surveys, minutes, charts, bills and receipts, lists, newsletters, newspaper clippings, Congressional documents, printed material, and photographs.  Arranged alphabetically by subject and thereunder chronologically.

Compiled by Dennis Daellenbach, February 1979.

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Fifth District Post Office File, 1949-73. (Boxes K1‑K9, 3.6 linear feet)
Correspondence and memoranda relating to appointments, job endorsements, maintenance, repair, and construction of buildings, and complaints about service, all in the Fifth Congressional District.  Much of the file relates to the appointments of post office personnel.  Generally GRF assumed a substantial role in appointments, an activity he shared with local party organizations.  For post office appointments in Ottawa and Ionia Counties, GRF solicited the advice of the county GOP executive committee.  In Kent, he received recommendations from a Post Office Advisory Committee, chaired by John R. Stiles.

The Kent County file runs from 1949 to 1973, the Ottawa County file begins in 1949 and terminates in 1964, the year Ottawa County was transferred to the Ninth Congressional District.  Material relating to Ionia County runs from 1965‑1973.  An earlier Ionia County file, (1953‑1964), from this series is on loan to the Bentley Historical Library.  This file, 0.5 linear feet, does not contain information on GRF, but it does relate to Congressman Alvin Bentley, whose archival collection is among the holdings of the Bentley Library. Series arranged by county, thereunder by town or village and thereunder chronologically.

Compiled by Dennis Lakomy, May 1979.

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Grand Rapids Office File, 1960-74. (Boxes L1‑L9, 3.6 linear feet)
The Grand Rapids staff assumed much of the constituent caseload as well as providing assistance to the Washington Office.  Additionally, the Grand Rapids district office handled scheduling for GRF's home visits, represented the Congressman at local functions, prepared routine press releases, and managed the details of scholarship programs and service academy appointments.

The records do not reveal if GRF had a district office before July 1, 1950, but after that date he did maintain an office, first in the old Grand Rapids Federal Building and, successively, in the Michigan Trust Building, 1954‑60; at 425 Cherry Street, 1960‑73; and finally, in the new Federal Building.

John Milanowski, administrative assistant from 1949 to 1955, returned to Grand Rapids in 1955 serving as district representative until 1969.  His successor was Gordon Vander Till who remained until 1974.  (The records are incomplete, but there is no evidence of a paid district representative before Milanowski.

When GRF was confirmed as vice president on December 6, 1973, an interim office with staff in Washington and Grand Rapids was organized under Vander Till.  The intention was to provide constituent service until the election of Ford's successor.  The Washington interim office closed in the spring of 1974, while the Grand Rapids staff remained in place until the following December.

These files are judged marginal for research on issues and legislation but ought to be useful for following the day‑by‑day constituent obligations of a congressman.  This series was received by the Bentley Library on deposit in two installments; the first, consisting of 1962‑69 material, was removed from Washington on November 6, 1974; the second was transferred from Grand Rapids during February 1975.  All files were transferred to National Archives custody in September 1977.

Compiled by William McNitt, March 1979.

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group L:

Subject File, 1960-74. (Boxes L1‑L2, 0.6 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, press releases, district schedules, and telephone and visitor logs concerning the administration of the office, mostly from 1969. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Interim District Office Subject File, 1973-74. (Box L2, 0.2 linear feet)
Routine newsletters, press releases, publications, and form letters received from federal departments and agencies during the period December 6, 1973 to February 18, 1974, when the Fifth District seat in Congress was vacant. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Correspondence File, 1962-69. (Boxes L3‑L5, 1.2 linear feet)
Correspondence concerning requests for information, publications, appointments with Mr. Ford, and assistance in solving problems with visas, pensions, citizenship applications, the draft and children in the armed services.  After 1970 all correspondence with constituents was forwarded to Washington for filing. Arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the surname of the correspondent and thereunder chronologically.

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American Institute for Foreign Study Scholarship Applications, 1970-73. (Box L6, 0.4 linear feet)
Letters of application and recommendation, transcripts of grades, autobiographical statements, and photographs concerning applications for this scholarship program coordinated by Ford's district office. Arranged by year and thereunder alphabetically by name of applicant.

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Indexes to Correspondence Files Transferred to the Washington Office, 1971-73. (Boxes L7‑L9, 1.2 linear feet)
Index cards for correspondence handled in Grand Rapids and then sent to Washington for filing.  There are five alphabetical sequences for varying date spans.

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Washington Office File, 1949-74. (Boxes M1‑M73, 24.4 linear feet)
This is a collection of sixteen small series or file fragments formerly maintained by Ford's Washington office but otherwise unrelated.  These series relate to Ford's official activities, the administration of his office, his personal finances, his participation in various organizations, and other personal matters.  Many of the series are routine in nature.

Congressman Ford's Washington office handled most of his scheduling, speechwriting, press relations, correspondence, and constituent casework.  Before Ford was elected Minority Leader in 1965 his Washington staff consisted of an administrative assistant and two or three secretaries.  After 1965 the staff grew to about a dozen persons with the addition of a press secretary, two legislative assistants, and several more secretaries.

All files which comprise the Ford Congressional Papers were maintained by this Washington staff with the exception of the Grand Rapids Office File.  Approximately one‑third of the Washington Office File was deposited at the Bentley Historical Library between 1965 and 1974.  The remainder was kept in Washington and received by the Ford Library along with the Ford Presidential Papers on January 20, 1977.

Compiled by William McNitt, July 1979.

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group M:

Ford Schedules, 1965-73. (Boxes M1‑M2, 0.8 linear feet)
Schedules showing Ford's appointments, meetings, and trips.  Additional Ford daily schedules, mostly duplicates, appear in the General and Case file. Arranged chronologically by year and subdivided thereunder into the following categories: daily schedules, weekly schedules, monthly schedules, and travel schedules.

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Office Intern File, 1960-73. (Boxes M3‑M8, 2.2 linear feet)
Correspondence, applications, resumes, project reports, letters of recommendation, and a manual concerning the use of college students as summer interns.  This series was maintained by Ford's administrative assistant Frank Meyer until 1972 and after that time by Mildred Leonard and George Ter Horst. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Office Guest Books, 1949-73. (Boxes M8‑M10, 1.0 linear feet)
Guest books signed by visitors to the Washington office showing names, addresses, and occasional comments. Arranged chronologically.

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Ford Organizations File, 1954-72. (Boxes M11‑M13, 1.2 linear feet)
Correspondence, speeches, annual reports, and memberships lists concerning Ford's membership and activities in such organizations as the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and his participation in seminars and conferences, mostly from 1960 to 1968. Arranged alphabetically by name of organization or conference.

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Subject File, 1951-73. (Boxes M14‑M20, 2.8 linear feet)
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, form letters, and publications concerning personal matters (such as the summer camp his sons attended), miscellaneous official activities (such as Ford's trip to the Far East), or office administration (such as the office file manual).  This is an artificially constituted series of scattered folders grouped by the Ford Library staff and including some pre‑1963 fragments of the General and Case File or the Legislative File.  Also included is some Betty Ford correspondence with journalists, politicians, and wives of other Congressmen concerning arrangements for luncheons and projects of Committee of Congressional Wives and other groups. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Sympathy Notes Received on Parents' Deaths, 1962-67. (Boxes M21‑M22, 0.6 linear feet)
Condolences received by Ford from friends, constituents, and colleagues after the deaths of his step‑father Gerald R. Ford Sr. in 1962 and his mother Dorothy G. Ford in 1967. Arranged by decedent and thereunder chronologically.

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Reports on the Status of Major Legislation, 1969-71.  (Boxes M22‑M23, 0.6 linear feet)
Routine weekly reports sent to Ford by the White House Congressional Liaison Office showing the status of Nixon Administration bills and likely future action. Arranged chronologically.

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Speech Material File, 1959-64. (Box M24, 0.4 linear feet)
Newspaper clippings, magazine articles, press releases, publications, and reports on the budget, federal aid to education, and school prayer.  After 1965 such reference files were maintained by Ford's press secretary. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Republican Policy Committee Memos on Committee Action, 1973. (Box M25, 0.4 linear feet)
Routine weekly summaries of the activities of House standing committees submitted by committee staff members to the Republican Policy Committee. Arranged alphabetically by committee name.

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Personnel File, 1957-72. (Box M26, 0.4 linear feet)
Correspondence, resumes, and personnel action forms for members of the Ford staff who left his employ between 1957 and October 12, 1973; and calendars showing vacations taken by staff members, 1966‑72. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Suspense File, 1971-74. (Boxes M27‑M29, 1.2 linear feet)
Constituent casework such as appears in the General and Case File for cases opened prior to Ford's nomination as Vice President (October 12, 1973) and still pending at the time of his confirmation (December 6, 1973). Arranged alphabetically by name of constituent.

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Visa Case File, 1965-73. (Boxes M30‑M38, 3.6 linear feet)
Correspondence with constituents who wished to obtain U.S. visas for friends and relatives overseas and occasional letters from American citizens desiring visas to foreign countries.  This series was maintained by Esther Dukov, a secretary in the Washington office.  Included is the Dr. Albert Buytendorp case, which was the subject of scrutiny during the hearings on Ford's confirmation as Vice President. Arranged alphabetically by the name of the person for whom the visa was desired.

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Ford Personal Finances, 1956-70. (Boxes M39‑M42, 1.6 linear feet)
Correspondence, receipts, canceled checks, and bank statements concerning household expenses, insurance policies, the Gerald R. Ford Attorney Account and the Fifth District Account.  These two accounts were personal checking accounts that Ford used to pay miscellaneous personal expenses. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Rospatch Corporation File, 1964-73. (Boxes M43‑M45, 1.2 linear feet)
Correspondence, minutes of the board of directors' and annual meetings, balance sheets, press releases, and financial statements of the Rospatch Corporation of Grand Rapids, makers of labels for clothing manufacturers and retailers.  Ford served on the board of directors June 1964 ‑ November 1973. Arranged chronologically.

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Newsletter Mailing List, 1973. (Boxes M46‑M53, 2.4 linear feet)
Card file showing names and addresses of all persons receiving Ford's newsletter. Arranged by geographical areas and thereunder alphabetically by name.

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Office Accounts File, 1954-74. (Boxes M64‑M73, 4 linear feet)
Routine correspondence, order forms, and account statements concerning the purchase of office supplies and equipment, telephone and telegraph service, office rental, newsletter costs, and the sale of flags to constituents. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Trip File, 1966-73. (Boxes N1‑N26, 10.4 linear feet)
Correspondence, memoranda, telegrams, programs, invitations, speech drafts and notes, maps, fact sheets, contracts and receipts relating to business (and vacation) trips taken by GRF.  The trip file contains information on travel and contractual arrangements, correspondence concerning appearances, program planning, reference materials, and trip expenses.  The Trip File is arranged in strict chronological order and included GRF appearances at political rallies and fundraisers, parades, fairs, symposia, dedications and other civic occasions, and association meetings.

Although most file folders contain documents relating to a single trip, some folders may combine several stops, this is especially true of home trips.  The Trip File was not maintained as a separate file series until 1966.  Some trip material for earlier years may be found scattered throughout the General and Case File.

Compiled by Christine Ferretti, March 1979.

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Invitations File, 1962-73. (Boxes O1‑O63, 25.2 linear feet)
Invitations, cards, letters, occasional responses, and related materials dealing with invitations from foreign dignitaries, the military, legislators, and various political organizations and local groups, all wishing to meet Ford or have him appear at their particular event.  Events include numerous ship launchings and keel‑layings, charity events, prayer meetings, political meetings, rallies and fundraisers, golf outings, testimonials, civic events and graduation commencements.  The material is arranged chronologically by month of item and is unarranged.

The material was maintained by Mildred Leonard, who served as Ford's Executive Secretary and later as Administrative assistant.  Ford made the final decision on whether to accept or regret an invitation.  Consequently, much of the material contains notes in Ford's own handwriting.  Only about 20% of the invitations in this file required a personal response from Ford and a carbon copy of the response is attached to the correspondence.  There are very few cross references to this file in either the General File of the Control File.

The Invitations File was not maintained before 1962, as the Ford staff did not keep this type of material prior to that year.  The files contain both acceptances and regrets.  In 1965 only, a separate so‑called "appearances" series was created for invitations dealing with Republican Party related events.  After 1965, material of this nature was incorporated into the Trip File, although some accepted out‑of‑town invitations were kept in the Invitations File.

Compiled by Kenneth Hafeli, September 1979.

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Service Academy Appointment File, 1958-74. (Boxes P1‑P18, 7.2 linear feet)
This file concerns the selection of Fifth Congressional District high school students for appointment to the nation's five service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard).  In making these appointments Ford relied solely on the results of the Civil Service Designation Exam to compile a ranking of candidates.  He then submitted lists of nominees and alternates.  The nominees had to pass further scholastic and physical examinations given by the academies before finally obtaining the appointment.  Later the academies reported regularly to Ford on the academic progress of his appointees.

This collection documents the procedures used by the Ford staff, the background and test scores of each applicant, and the academic records of Ford appointees.  Virtually all of the material is routine in nature and is cross‑referenced in the Control File.  During most of the period covered by this file, the work was handled by Ford aide Ruth Kilmer.

Although some earlier materials were not disposed by the Ford staff, this file is complete only from 1962 to 1974.  The file was deposited at the Bentley Historical Library between 1965 and 1974 and was transferred to the Ford Library in September 1977.

Compiled by William McNitt, July 1979.

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group P:

Administrative Subject File, 1958-73. (Boxes P1‑P8, 3.1 linear feet)
Correspondence, candidate reports, applicant tabulations, forms and form letters concerning office procedures, test results, the admission of students to the academies, and reports on the status of Ford nominees. Arranged alphabetically by subject with file directory placed at the front of the series.

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Academy Inquiry and Applications File, 1958-74. (Boxes P8‑P18, 4.1 linear feet)
Correspondence, application forms, grade transcripts, letters of recommendation, test results, and other papers concerning inquiries from Fifth District high school students about procedures for applying, and the applications received, including those actually nominated. Arranged chronologically by year of class entry and thereunder subdivided into inquiries and applications.

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Printed Materials, 1947-73. (231 linear feet)
When Gerald Ford donated his congressional papers to the Library, he included a large collection of published materials which supplements those papers.  Included are congressional publications (especially those relating to committees on which he served), compilations of laws and regulations, reports of government commissions, publications concerning state government in Michigan, Republican Party publications, 5th Congressional District directories, and routine publications distributed to constituents.

While covering Ford's entire congressional career, this collection is especially strong for the years before he became Minority Leader in 1965.  Such publications as the "Congressional Record" (1949‑1973) and the volumes of committee hearings and reports concerning his work on the Public Works Committee (1949‑50), Appropriations Committee (1951‑64), and the Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration (1958‑59) will help researchers to fill in gaps in the Ford papers for the early years of his congressional career.

Compiled by William McNitt, June 1984

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Robert T. Hartmann Files, 1965-73. (Boxes R1‑R34, 13.6 linear feet)
Robert Hartmann assisted House Republicans, 1966‑69, as editor of the House Republican Conference and Minority Sergeant‑at‑Arms.  He then served Ford as Legislative Assistant to the Minority Leader, chief of staff to the Vice President, and Counsellor to the President.  To these posts he brought his years of experience with the Los Angeles Times and, more briefly, as information officer with the Navy 1941‑45 and the Food and Agriculture Organization 1964‑65.

In his 1980 memoir Palace Politics (p.45) Hartmann described his duties for Congressman Ford:

"I was responsible for almost everything unrelated to Ford's role as Representative of the Fifth District of Michigan.  I did the staff work connected with his role as Minority Leader.  When the House was in session I was usually within beckoning range, sometimes acted as lookout when he was off the floor.  I carried confidential messages to and from other Republican members and their aides, with my Democratic counterparts in the Speaker's and Majority Leader's offices.  People got to me when they couldn't get to Ford, or didn't want to bother him, to relay their concerns...

I was go‑between with the Senate leadership, the Republican National Committee, Governors' Association and Congressional campaign staffs.  When Nixon was nominated I was at Permanent Chairman Ford's side on the convention podium.  I represented him in Inaugural arrangements and became his liaison with White House and Executive departments.  I pushed Ford's requests and helped Nixon's lobbyists ‑ Harlow, Timmons and others ‑ push Administration programs in the House."

Hartmann's files document his diverse duties, but in an uneven and fragmentary fashion.  Relatively little material reflects his duties as House Republican Conference editor or Minority Sergeant-at‑Arms.  Of his work on Ford's staff, some subject areas are better documented than others, most notably the investigation of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.  In contrast the subject file is primarily from 1973 and the chronological correspondence file largely omits 1970.

Hartmann kept these files until the end of the Ford presidency.  He then relinquished this material, along with his vice presidential and White House files, to the Ford Library under the Ford deed of gift.  Hartmann also donated a collection of his personal papers to the Ford Library in 1992.

Described below are the series comprising Sub-Group R:

Appointments and Job File, 1969-73. (Boxes R1‑R6, 2.5 linear feet)
Material concerning Ford's and Hartmann's involvement in efforts by or on behalf of constituents, political colleagues, and others to secure positions in the Federal government, often Presidential appointments.  Types of material include: requests for and letters of recommendation from Ford and others; resumes; agency acknowledgments of forwarded material; brief records of telephone calls; White House courtesy clearances with Ford of appointments; and miscellaneous other memoranda and notes.  Many items were annotated by Ford. Arranged alphabetically by name of job candidate, boxes 1‑5.  Additional material arranged by subject in box 6.

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Business Luncheons File, 1965-73. (Box R7, 0.4 linear feet)
Invitations, arrangement plans, thank‑yous, guest lists, guest books, calendars, brochures, press releases and occasional meeting notes concerning informal business luncheons at the Capitol hosted by Ford in his capacity as House Minority Leader.  Begun in 1965, the luncheons were held in an effort to establish better communications between the Republican Party and leaders from business, labor, professional, academic, and civic constituencies.  Hartmann's secretary Neta Messersmith made many of the luncheon arrangements and apparently maintained the file. Arranged chronologically.

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Chronological Correspondence File, 1966-73. (Boxes R8‑R11, 1.5 linear feet)
Incoming and outgoing correspondence, mostly routine, handled by Hartmann for Ford on a wide variety of subjects such as: political concerns, campaigns, and contributions; Ford's public statements: the Vietnam War; revenue‑sharing; legislation; congressional housekeeping such as office supplies, telephones, parking permits; job applications; letters of congratulations or condolence; get-well messages; and information requests.  Only three 1970 items are included. Arranged chronologically.  A set of cross‑references arranged alphabetically by correspondent is in box 11.

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Justice William O. Douglas Investigation, 1969-73. (Boxes R12‑R18, 3 linear feet)
Correspondence with committee members, officials, and the general public; newsclippings; publications; press releases; background information; and miscellaneous notes and legal opinions concerning the investigation of Supreme Court Justice Douglas by Ford and the Celler Special Subcommittee. Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Subject File, 1965-73. (Boxes R19‑R34, 6.7 linear feet)
Correspondence, agendas, form letters, circulars, occasional notes, news releases, committee prints, and publications concerning miscellaneous House affairs, current and proposed legislation, Republican congressional matters, and disparate other topics.  Primarily 1973 but with some earlier items. Arranged alphabetically by subject. Folders from this series relating to Nixon White House meetings with Republican congressional leaders are available in digital form.

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