SR-84, As Adopted by Senate, November 9, 2023
SENATE RESOLUTION NO.84
Senators Huizenga, Brinks and Webber offered the following
resolution:
1 A resolution to request support and funding from the National
2 Archives and Records Administration for the restoration of the
3 reflecting pool and fountain at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
4 Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
5 Whereas, The Presidential Museum is one of West Michigan’s
6 most important civic spaces and one of our greatest community
7 assets. It both connects residents and visitors to the lives of
8 President and Mrs. Ford and serves as a gateway to the American
9 presidency, inspiring a commitment to our shared democratic values
10 and the type of active citizenship necessary for the health of our
11 state and nation; and
12 Whereas, The reflecting pool and fountain are part of this
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1 inspiring history. They are not only reminiscent of the reflecting
2 pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and, at nearly 100
3 yards long, commemorative of Ford’s football career as a player and
4 a coach, but also an integral connection between the Museum and
5 downtown Grand Rapids. As an extension of the design of the Museum
6 itself, its mirroring of Ford’s hometown allows for people to see
7 themselves in both Ford and the presidency, thus continuing his
8 representation of those in our community; and
9 Whereas, When the reflecting pool and fountain stopped
10 operating in 2019, a special aspect of the Museum was lost, leaving
11 an empty cement pool that visually detracts from the campus and
12 downtown Grand Rapids. Many in our community think that now is the
13 time to restore these important features as the 50th anniversary of
14 President Ford’s call to service as our nation’s 38th president
15 approaches; and
16 Whereas, The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is ready
17 to engage with our community for support, but their work cannot
18 begin until your commitment to the restoration is obtained. On
19 behalf of our constituents, we encourage you to embrace this
20 project and commit the National Archives and Records Administration
21 funding to advance it; now, therefore, be it
22 Resolved by the Senate, That we request support and funding
23 from the National Archives and Records Administration for the
24 restoration of the reflecting pool and fountain at the Gerald R.
25 Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and be it
26 further
27 Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the
28 Archivist of the United States.
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