"With the death of President Gerald Ford the country has lost a tremendously decent public servant.
"Throughout his life he fought hard for his beliefs, but he respected those who disagreed with him. When he succeeded Richard Nixon as President, he brought a healing hand to the office and reaffirmed people's belief that those who govern could be fair and decent.
"We were of different political parties, but I regard him as a friend and feel privileged to have served and worked with him."
-- U.S. Rep. Dave Obey
