President Gerald R. Ford Commemorative Stamp Image Unveiled

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Gerald R. Ford’s four children joined Postmaster General John E. Potter this evening in unveiling the commemorative stamp image honoring their father, the Nation’s 38th President, during the annual Gerald R. Ford Foundation dinner.

The 41-cent commemorative stamp will be issued nationwide August 31, with special stamp dedication ceremonies taking place in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Throughout his more than three decades of public service, Gerald Ford gave so much to this Nation,” said Potter before an audience of nearly 200, including many who had served with President Ford during his congressional and White House years. “This stamp personifies his strong character as a courageous and principled leader who successfully healed the nation at a critical time in our history.”

President Ford’s daughter Susan Ford Bales stated, “Dad would be very proud to be honored by the Nation through this U.S. postage stamp. Mother and our family are deeply grateful to the Postal Service for creating this wonderful tribute to Dad.”

President and Mrs. Ford’s children, Mike, Jack, Steve and Susan, joined by Vice President Cheney and Postmaster General Potter, unveiled an 11 ft. image of the stamp at the Foundation dinner.

The stamp art is a portrait of President Ford painted by award-winning artist Michael J. Deas, who has produced several stamps for the Postal Service. His work has also appeared on the cover of Time magazine.

The Foundation dinner also included presentation of the 2007 Gerald R. Ford Medals for Distinguished Service to former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III and former Congressman Lee Hamilton (D) Ind. They received the medals in recognition of their decades of extraordinary service to the Nation.