Whereas, The Presidential Museum is one of West Michigan’s most important civic spaces and one of our greatest community assets. It both connects residents and visitors to the lives of President and Mrs. Ford and serves as a gateway to the American presidency, inspiring a commitment to our shared democratic values and the type of active citizenship necessary for the health of our state and nation; and
Whereas, The reflecting pool and fountain are part of this inspiring history. They are not only reminiscent of the reflecting pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and, at nearly 100 yards long, commemorative of Ford’s football career as a player and a coach, but also an integral connection between the Museum and downtown Grand Rapids. As an extension of the design of the Museum itself, its mirroring of Ford’s hometown allows for people to see themselves in both Ford and the presidency, thus continuing his representation of those in our community; and
Whereas, When the reflecting pool and fountain stopped operating in 2019, a special aspect of the Museum was lost, leaving an empty cement pool that visually detracts from the campus and downtown Grand Rapids. Many in our community think that now is the time to restore these important features as the 50th anniversary of President Ford’s call to service as our nation’s 38th president approaches; and
Whereas, The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is ready to engage with our community for support, but their work cannot begin until your commitment to the restoration is obtained. On behalf of our constituents, we encourage you to embrace this project and commit the National Archives and Records Administration funding to advance it; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we request support and funding from the National Archives and Records Administration for the restoration of the reflecting pool and fountain at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Archivist of the United States.
Co-sponsored by Sens.
Adopted in the Senate by voice vote
