- Title: UNITED STATES: GERALD FORD SWORN IN AS VICE-PRESIDENT
- Date: 6th December 1973
- Summary: GV EXTERIOR Capitol building SV INTERIOR Mrs. Nixon with one of Ford's children STV Ford and Nixon walk through applauding Congressmen GV and SV Congressmen applauding and flag (2 shots) CU Nixon PAN ZOOM IN Ford taking oath: GV Delegates applauding SCU Ford speaking: MV Ford's children applauding SPEAKER CALL ALBERT: The Chair now request the Chief Justice of the United States to administer the oath of office to the Vice-President. CHIEF JUSTICE: Raise your right hand, Mr. Ford, Place your hand on the bible and repeat after me. I, Gerald R. Ford,, do solemnly swear....... FORD: I, Gerald R. Ford, do solemnly swear..... CHIEF JUSTICE: ...that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States.... FORD: ... that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States.... CHIEF JUSTICE: ... against all enemies foreign and domestic, ... FORD: ...against all enemies foreign and domestic,... CHIEF JUSTICE: ...that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same... FORD: ...that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same... CHIEF JUSTICE: ...that I take this obligation freely... FORD: that I take this obligation freely... CHIEF JUSTICE: ...without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion,... FORD: ...without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion,... CHIEF JUSTICE: ...and that I will well and faithfully discharge... FORD: ...and that I will well and faithfully discharge... CHIEF JUSTICE: ...the duties of the office.... FORD: ...the duties of the office CHIEF JUSTICE: ...on which I am about to enter FORD: ...on which I am about to enter CHIEF JUSTICE: ...So help me God FORD: ...So help me God FORD: I am deeply grateful to you, Mr. President, for the trust and confidence your nomination implies. As I have throughout my public service under six administrations, I will try to set a high example of respect for the crushing and lonely burdens that the nations lays upon the President of the United States. You have my support and my loyalty AE/17.38 AE/17.50
- Embargoed: 21st December 1973 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVASUUAMUV06QKPM8JG8MXUWZH0
- Story Text: Gerald Ford was sworn in as the Vice-President of the United States in the House of Representatives in Washington non Thursday (December 6th). A few hours earlier Senators and Congressmen had approved his nomination by an overwhelming 352-vote majority.
Ford, who was the Congressman for Michigan for 25 years, was warmly applauded by his colleagues. President Nixon looked on and smiled as he took the oath administered by Chief Justice, Mr. Warren Burger.
Ford's appointment aroused renewed speculation that pressure will be put on President Nixon to leave office. Republican Senator Javits of New York said that Ford's confirmation meant Republicans must start thinking about asking Nixon to resign.
Ford was nominated by President Nixon when former Vice-President Spiro Agnew resigned on October 8th. Mr. Agnew had decided not to fight charges of income tax evasion. Since then Ford's past has been minutely examined by a senatorial committee. Mr. Ford said in November that he was confident he could be a clam conciliator between the President and the House of Representatives.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Vice-President Ford made a speech expressing his gratitude to President Nixon. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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