2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Praises Former President Gerald Ford

By Scott Stearns
White House
30 December 2006

The body of former U.S. President Gerald Ford¹ is to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol until Tuesday, when a memorial service will be held. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, President Bush says America's 38th president helped heal a nation traumatized by war in Vietnam and political scandal at home.

 
President George Bush pauses while delivering a statement in Crawford, Texas about death of former President Gerald Ford, 27 Dec 2006
President Bush says Gerald Ford always believed in the importance of answering the call to duty, and was there for Americans when they needed him most.

The then-vice-president took power in 1974, when President Richard Nixon resigned under threat of impeachment² for his role in the Watergate political scandal.

"Providence³ gave us Gerald Ford's steady hand and calm leadership during a time of great division and turmoil," said President Bush. "He guided America through a crisis of confidence, and helped our nation mend its wounds by restoring faith in our system of government."

 
President Ford announces his decision to pardon former President Richard Nixon, 8 September 1974
President Ford pardoned Mr. Nixon for any crimes during Watergate, and many historians believe that decision cost him the 1976 election won by Jimmy Carter.

President Bush says Mr. Ford distinguished⁴ himself as a man of integrity, who put the needs of his country before his own, doing what he thought was right even when it was unpopular.

In his weekly radio address, Mr. Bush said, only years later, would Americans come to fully⁵ appreciate President Ford's foresight⁶.

He said, "At every stage of his journey, he displayed a decency⁷, patriotism⁸, and courage that Americans will always admire. As we say goodbye to the year 2006, we bid farewell to one of the finest public servants America has ever known."

"We give thanks for the gift of his remarkable⁹ life, for the caring man who touched so many lives, and the wise president who helped heal our nation," he added.

 
Hundreds stand in line outside the U.S. Capitol to pay their last respects to former President Gerald Ford
A state funeral will be held for President Ford in the capitol's Rotunda¹⁰. Thousands of people are expected to file past the flag-draped casket before it is taken to Washington's National Cathedral Tuesday for a memorial service.

President Bush has made Tuesday a national day of mourning, and will be joined at the memorial service by the three remaining former presidents - his father, President George Herbert Walker Bush, President Carter, and President Bill Clinton.

Mr. Ford will be buried Wednesday on the grounds of his presidential museum in the state of Michigan.

1 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

2 impeachment   

n.弹劾；控告；怀疑

参考例句：

• Impeachment is considered a drastic measure in the United States.在美国，弹劾被视为一种非常激烈的措施。
• The verdict resulting from his impeachment destroyed his political career.他遭弹劾后得到的判决毁了他的政治生涯。

3 providence   

n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝

参考例句：

• It is tempting Providence to go in that old boat.乘那艘旧船前往是冒大险。
• To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence.照你的所作所为那样去行事，是违背上帝的意志的。

4 distinguished   

adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的

参考例句：

• Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
• A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

5 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

6 foresight   

n.先见之明，深谋远虑

参考例句：

• The failure is the result of our lack of foresight.这次失败是由于我们缺乏远虑而造成的。
• It required a statesman's foresight and sagacity to make the decision.作出这个决定需要政治家的远见卓识。

7 decency   

n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重

参考例句：

• His sense of decency and fair play made him refuse the offer.他的正直感和公平竞争意识使他拒绝了这一提议。
• Your behaviour is an affront to public decency.你的行为有伤风化。

8 patriotism   

n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• They obtained money under the false pretenses of patriotism.他们以虚伪的爱国主义为借口获得金钱。

9 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

10 rotunda   

n.圆形建筑物；圆厅

参考例句：

• The Capitol at Washington has a large rotunda.华盛顿的国会大厦有一圆形大厅。
• The rotunda was almost deserted today,dotted with just a few tourists.圆形大厅今天几乎没有多少人，只零星散布着几个游客。