Letter from Principal Michael E. Friedberg to President Gerald R. Ford Expressing His Views on the President’s Clemency Program and the Nomination of Nelson Rockefeller as Vice President of the United States

December 10, 1974 Dear Mr. Friedberg: Thank you for your comments in regard to the President's clemency program. Your thoughts, together with those of many other citizens, have contributed to the understanding and knowledge of the full spectrum of American opinion sought by the President. Sincerely, Theodore C. Marrs Special Assistant to the President Mr. Michael E. Friedberg Principal Skippack Elementary Creamery, Pennsylvania 19430 TCM:rg A FORD VIDRARA Pro Rocky/ Pro 8-19 PERKIOMEN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT J. GORDON PFLEIGER, PRINCIPAL MICHAEL E. FRIEDBERG, PRINCIPAL RICHARD C. ROBERTS, PRINCIPAL KULP-COPE ELEMENTARY SKIPPACK ELEMENTARY COLLEGEVILLE-TRAPPE ELEMENTARY SCHWENKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 19473 CREAMERY, PENNSYLVANIA 19430 COLLEGEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 19426 215 287-7861 215 - 489-4181 215 - 489-4128 August 21, 1974 President Gerald Ford United States of America Washington, D.C. 20000 Dear Sir: Your manner of taking over the Presidency of the United States almost makes me feel as though I've known you a good part of my life. In addressing this letter there was a strong complusion to address it, "Dear Jerry". I know that with a man who is straightforward as you are the course of the ship, United States of America, will also follow in that straight positive manner. I realize as do thousands of other Americans that coming to office as a non-elected President for the first time in our History poses its problems. However as an "ex-jock" I know you have been in similiar situations, certainly not to this degree, and have worked your way through them successfully not only for yourself but for the benefit of the team. Of your first major acts, the giving of conditional amnesty to Vietnam War draft dodgers and deserters and the appointment of Nelson Rockefeller, let me make these brief comments. First, as an ex-Marine myself who feels he has a right to make this statement, I think these men have a right to be rehabilitated into our peace loving country without facing a jail term. I can agree that not only these young men but I feel every young man and woman should serve his country in some manner for a period of time. If,in fact, these boys do honestly wish to return to the United States then I do not believe your proposal would be too much to ask. I realize thatmany V.F.W. and American Legion self-serving, hot air, big wigs would wish to say "lock them up". I do not believe these same people are looking at the whole picture which is of course the reunification of all the people of this great land. Secondly, your choice of Mr. Nelson Rockefeller, a man who has served in public office faithfully and without scandal over most of his life-time, is a selection in which I most heartily can concur. Having been a registered Democrat most of my life and now currently a registered Repub- lican slowly drifting toward the conservative side of the aisle, (I guess old age is creeping in), I must say I am most proud to be an American and very elated that you were not one of Richard M. Nixon's mistakes. May God bless you and give you strength in the great endeavor that lies before you. Yours sincerely, Michael E. Friedberg Elementary Principal MEF/er GERALD 198819 4 FORD