(third update)

President Ford, died at the age of 93, his wife Betty Ford informed The Associated Press earlier.

It was expected for some time because of ailing health, former United States President Gerald Ford has passed away. In an inspirational life that would take him from the football field to the battle field, into politics, and ultimately into the Most Famous house in all the land. Gerald Ford became President of The United States in the most unusual way, the only President to have never won a national election.

The road to the Presidency was indeed the most unusual. On October 1973 Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned; a year later President Richard Nixon also resigned amidst The Watergate Scandal. And so, Gerald Ford was the only President to have never been elected into the office.

But, I think the most notable mark of The Gerald Ford Presidency and ultimately his political career was the pardoning of Nixon. The Nixon pardon would cost him reelection, but his loss to the eventual winner in Jimmy Carter was by a very close margin.

Most stories that you will hear in the coming days leading to his burial will be that of a man of integrity, a good friend, a man of humor, a family man, a man of God, and a patriot to his country. Most notable is that Gerald Ford was the healer of a nation.

STATEMENTS

President Bush:

Laura and I are greatly saddened by the passing of former President Gerald R. Ford.

President Ford was a great American who gave many years of dedicated service to our country. On August 9, 1974, after a long career in the House of Representatives and service as Vice President, he assumed the Presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the Presidency.

The American people will always admire Gerald Ford’s devotion to duty, his personal character, and the honorable conduct of his administration. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our Nation’s memory. On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to Betty Ford and all of President Ford’s family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them in the hours and days ahead.

Vice President Dick Cheney:

I am deeply saddened by the death of former President Gerald R. Ford.

President Ford led an honorable life that brought great credit to the United States of America. Throughout his career, as a Naval officer, Congressman, Vice President and President, Gerald Ford embodied the best values of a great generation: decency, integrity, and devotion to duty. Thirty-two years ago, he assumed the nation’s highest office during the greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War. In that troubled era, America needed strength, wisdom, and good judgment, and those qualities came to us in the person of Gerald R. Ford. When he left office, he had restored public trust in the presidency, and the nation once again looked to the future with confidence and faith.

I was proud to know President Ford, and to have served in the White House as his chief of staff. He was a dear friend and mentor to me until this very day. I feel a great sense of loss at his passing, and Lynne and our daughters join me in offering heartfelt sympathy to Betty Ford and her entire family.