Ford UFO Files

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Fifth District Radio script
for taping March 2, 1966
This is your Congressman Jerr.y Ford reporting to you from Washington.
After weeks of public debate, Congress has overwhelmingly approved an
emergency $4.8 billion bill to finance the Viet Nam War. I voted for
this spending because I believe in a policy of firmness against
Communist aggression. However, I believe Congress must keep a close watch
on the w~ the money is used under the direction of President Johnson,
the Commander-in-Chief ~ ...·,·3xz conducting this war. We did NOT
give him a blank check, but we did reaffirm our support of the fighting
men in Vet Nam.
I emphasize that I oppose a blind escalation of force that ~ pull us
toward a wider war. The goal of the United States, as I see it it, is
two-fold---- we must prevent the success of aggression and the forceful
conquest of South Viet Nam by a tough, well-trained, determined Communist
enerrtr•
In voting for the emergency spending bill, I did so believing that the
people of South Viet Nam should have an opportunity t6 live their lives in
peace under a government of their own choice--free from Communistist aggression.
I am deeply disturbed with the deep division with the party of the
Johnson-Humphrey Administration at this crucial time in our histor,y.
The bickering and political brawling is prolont"ng the war ••• this t «:)
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or.
conduct denies essential support to our fighting men, del~s the tf
we can bring our troops home, and encourages the enerrtr.