Gerald R. Ford's Recent Activities

Gerald R. Ford's Recent Activities

President Ford turned 93 years old in July 2006, and resides in Rancho Mirage, California. He participates in many of the activities of both the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and his Presidential Library and Museum. President Ford serves on the Board of Directors of several U.S. corporations and contributes time and effort to many charities. He especially supports the Boy Scouts of America and the Betty Ford Center for addiction recovery. President Ford has continued to speak out on, and has remained involved in, important political causes. He served as honorary Co-Chair (with former President Carter) of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform in 2001. He has also contributed several opinion pieces to The New York Times and Washington Post on topics such as:
"The Path Back to Dignity," re: President Bill Clinton (1998)
"A Time to Heal Our Nation," re: Clinton Impeachment (written jointly with President Jimmy Carter) (1998)
"Inclusive America, Under Attack," re: Affirmative Action (1999)
"The Wisdom of Choosing Dick Cheney," re: George W. Bush running mate selection (2000)
"Curing, Not Cloning," (2002)
"The Friendship, and Toughness, of Hugh Sidey," (2005)

President Ford is committed to continuing to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for all Americans, and his commitment has been recognized by many organizations. In August, 1999 President Ford received the Medal of Freedom. This honor, the nation's highest civilian award, was presented by President Bill Clinton in recognition of President Ford's role in guiding the nation through the turbulent times of Watergate, the resignation of President Nixon and the end of the Vietnam War. In October, 1999 President and Mrs. Ford were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for "dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions." In 2000 the University of Michigan honored him by naming after him the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. In May, 2001 he received the Profiles in Courage Award from the Kennedy Foundation for placing the country's interest over his own political future in pardoning Richard Nixon. Although President Ford has cut back on his travel and public appearances in recent years, he did attend President Ronald Reagan's funeral at the National Cathedral in June 2004, and in November 2004 he participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Michigan School of Public Policy's new building.