2006年VOA标准英语-President Bush Pays Tribute to Gerald Ford(在线收听) |
By Paula Wolfson President Bush says former U.S. President Gerald Ford will be remembered as a man of great integrity, who led the nation at a time when it needed healing. VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson reports President Ford died late Tuesday at his California home at the age of 93. "He assumed power at a period of great division and turmoil," he said. "For a nation that needed healing and for an office that needed a calm and steady hand, Gerald Ford came along when we needed him most." President Bush learned of Mr. Ford's passing late Tuesday. Early the next morning, he went on national television from his Texas ranch to pay his respects. "During his time in office, the American people came to know President Ford as a man of complete integrity, who led our country with common sense and kind instincts," he said. In 1974, the Watergate debacle brought an end to Richard Nixon's presidency and the once-obscure congressman from Michigan, was sworn into office. He said from the start his goal was to help the country heal its wounds and move on. In order to do so, Mr. Ford pardoned his predecessor - a move that may have destroyed his chances of winning the 1976 presidential election against Democrat Jimmy Carter. "Americans will always admire Gerald Ford's unflinching performance of duty and the honorable conduct of his administration," he said. Mr. Bush was first informed of President Ford's passing late Tuesday by his chief-of-staff Josh Bolten. He immediately called former First Lady Betty Ford to express his personal condolences, and is expected to lead the nation in mourning at President Ford's funeral. |
原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/voastandard/2006/12/36326.html |