President Ford assumed office in a time of crisis and led us with strength and dignity that helped the nation heal.  We are fortunate and grateful for his lifetime of public service.  He will be remembered as a true patriot and a most honorable man.  I join with all Americans in offering condolences to Mrs. Ford and his family.

President Ford was a man of strong character and unshakable values. He led the country through a tumultuous period in our nation’s history and restored certainty to the White House. America is forever indebted to President Ford for his leadership throughout that troubled era.

I was lucky enough to meet President Ford on several occasions and I think he was the most ‘non-political’ seasoned politician I have ever known.  He did not make decisions the way so many politicians do these days. Kay and I want to extend our condolences to the Ford family and all citizens who grieve the loss of this great American.

Gerald was a kind and decent man who led this nation in a difficult and divisive time. A respected leader in the House, he brought a conciliatory, frank, and open attitude to the White House which gave him the respect of people on both sides of the aisle. He was a wonderful person to know and will always have a warm spot in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Betty Ford and his family.

With the passing of Gerald Ford, our nation has lost a strong leader and true patriot, who stepped into the presidency during a national crisis and earned the respect and affection of millions of Americans.

Gerald Ford was a kind hearted man who embodied the qualities that our citizens expect in a Commander in Chief: strength, resolve, honesty and a deep appreciation for our constitutional democracy. I personally worked with President Ford on several issues over the years, and always found him to be pleasant, gracious and thoughtful.

President Ford’s elevation to the presidency from the U.S. House - and the manner in which he helped bind our nation’s wounds - will never be forgotten. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Betty, his children and all his family and loved ones.

Gerald Ford will be remembered for the strength, dignity and return to normalcy his leadership brought during one of the most turbulent times in America’s history.  He was also a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  President Ford served his country well, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.

President Gerald Ford assumed office during one of the greatest times of challenge for our nation and provided Americans with the steady leadership and optimism that was his signature.

As a fellow House Minority Leader, I have great respect for the fair and reliable leadership President Ford displayed throughout his service in the House. He was effective and respected on both sides of the aisle. He recognized that however much we may disagree on political questions, we serve all of the people of the nation in a great institution: the House of Representatives.

It is with great sadness and respect that I extend deepest condolences to Mrs. Ford and all of the Ford family. I hope it is a comfort to them that so many people mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.

President Ford was a leader who set a gold standard for public service. He conducted his duties with intelligence, integrity, and a passion for the common good. A Midwesterner through and through, President Ford brought Michigan values to the highest office in the land. He served with honor and distinction during one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history. In doing so, he made his home state very proud.

Gerald Ford helped guide our country through a difficult time by taking hold of the reins of a presidency in shambles. His new direction brought honesty and integrity back to the White House.

I hope as we take this opportunity to reflect on his life and his service to the United States, we realize the sacrifices he made as a public servant - sacrifices that enabled him to help make our country a better place to live.

Gerald Ford’s career of service to our nation spanned generations, beginning in World War II and continuing through three decades in government. He will, however, be remembered most for his leadership as our President in the difficult months following the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His courageous, if unpopular, decision to pardon President Nixon healed many deep wounds and allowed our nation to move forward.

President Ford is deeply respected and will be remembered fondly by the people of Louisiana, and he, his wife Betty, and their family will remain in our hearts and in our prayers.

I have the honor and privilege of representing some of the very same folks in Southwest Michigan that President Ford did during his time in Congress.

When one reflects upon President Gerald Ford, the first things that come to mind are honesty, integrity, an ability to rise above when the going got tough - never losing sight of his faith, family and his beloved roots of Southwest Michigan.

His upbringing in Michigan molded the man that Gerry Ford became - growing up in an environment that encouraged him to pursue his vision of what America should and could be.

He is a Michigan original, and folks throughout the state saw the ordinary man become extraordinary….but he was always our native son.

All our hearts go out to Betty and the entire Ford family during this difficult time.

He will soon make his final homecoming, after an extraordinary journey, to be laid to rest….with the fanfare fit for our remarkable, common man.