Gerald FordGerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States has passed away at the age of 93 years.

Reuters

“My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, has passed away at 93 years of age,” Bette Ford said in a statement.

“His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country.”

Her statement was released by the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, where Ford has been treated.

Bloomberg provides some history of Ford’s presidency.

Newsday provides dates in President Gerald Ford’s life.

Michelle Malkin has coverage including information from the Ford Library and Museum website.

Ford survived two assassination attempts.

President Ford’s official White House biography can be found here.

Gerald and Betty Ford were a recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal.

When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, he declared, “I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances…. This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.”

It was indeed an unprecedented time. He had been the first Vice President chosen under the terms of the Twenty-fifth Amendment and, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, was succeeding the first President ever to resign.

Ford was confronted with almost insuperable tasks. There were the challenges of mastering inflation, reviving a depressed economy, solving chronic energy shortages, and trying to ensure world peace.

President Bush has issued as statement regarding the death of President Gerald Ford.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

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.

Ford

Webloggin has posted information from Betty Ford’s statement as to when we can expect to hear more on funeral arrangements.

The BBC has published an obituary.

The Political Pitbull has an excellent biography.

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