GERALD R. FORD CONGRESSIONAL PAPERS, 1949-73 BILLS AND VOTING RECORD FILE SUB-GROUP, 1949-73

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