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And Gerald Ford never forgot that day either - and three decades later, he proudly supported the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the United States Congress. The stand Gerald Ford took that day was never forgotten by his friend. He agreed to play only after Willis Ward personally asked him to.

Gerald Ford was furious at Georgia Tech for making the demand, and for the University of Michigan for caving in. Georgia Tech said they would not take the field if a black man were allowed to play. One of Michigan's best players was an African American student named Willis Ward. As a star football player for the University of Michigan, he came face to face with racial prejudice when Georgia Tech came to Ann Arbor for a football game. Long before he was known in Washington, Gerald Ford showed his character and his leadership. In President Ford, the world saw the best of America - and America found a man whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation's history. He grew to manhood under the roof of a loving mother and father - and when times were tough, he took part-time jobs to help them out. He belonged to a generation that measured men by their honesty and their courage. Gerald Ford was born and reared in the American heartland. We are here today to say goodbye to a great man.

Ford, the Ford family distinguished guests, including our Presidents and First Ladies and our fellow citizens: