2006年VOA标准英语-Gerald Ford Remembered As Statesman, Man of Int

By Jim Bertel
Washington
27 December 2006
 
Watch Bush, Ford¹ report

Former President Gerald Ford was remembered Wednesday by President Bush as a "great American" who spent "the best years of his life" serving the U.S. VOA's Jim Bertel has more on reaction to the death of America's 38th president.

Former President Gerald Ford walking with President George W. Bush

Gerald Ford's death has prompted an outpouring of emotion from people across the nation who admired his dedicated² service to his country.

Speaking to the nation on Wednesday, President Bush remembered the former president as the right man to pull the nation together following the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

 "For a nation that needed healing, and for an office that needed a calm and steady hand, Gerald Ford came along when we needed him most," he said.

The president went on to say that Mr. Ford will always have a "special place in our nation's memory."  "During his time in office, the American people came to know President Ford as a man of complete integrity who led our country with common sense and kind instincts," he said.

Vice³ President Cheney, who was Mr. Ford's White House chief of staff, said President Ford gave the country strength, wisdom and good judgment⁴ during the United States' greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War, and restored the public's trust in the presidency⁵.

Former President Jimmy Carter - who defeated Mr. Ford in the 1976 election - described his former rival as an outstanding statesman who "frequently rose above politcs" to seek common ground on issues critical to the U.S.

Nancy Reagan, the widow of late President Ronald Reagan, praised Mr. Ford for his "vast" dedication⁶ to the country.

1 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

2 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

3 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

4 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

5 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

6 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。