Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006

Max M. Fisher Papers

aergas — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:53:40 -0400

Max M. Fisher (1908-2005) was a successful Detroit industrialist and investor, influential Republican Party fundraiser and power broker, Jewish community leader, and major philanthropist. He was "arguably the most influential and respected Jew in America" in the twentieth century. Fisher's business career began with the Aurora Gasoline Company, and included Marathon Oil and several other oil companies, as well as Manufacturer's National Bank, Comerica Inc., Michigan Bell Telephone Co., Owens-Illinois Inc., United Brands Company, Sotheby's Holdings, the Irvine Company. Fisher served as the leader of most of the major Jewish community organizations in the United States. He chaired the Board of Directors of the Jewish Agency for Israel for many years and was a prime actor in Israel's economic development. Fisher's expertise on Middle East affairs and Jewish issues made him a key advisor to the Republican Party and to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Fisher's civic engagement with the Detroit area is legendary. Working closely with Henry Ford II and other city leaders, he was founding chair of the board of directors of Detroit Renaissance and a founding member and chair of New Detroit Inc., among other important organizations. His legacy includes the Max M. Fisher Music Center at Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall and the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. During his lifetime, Fisher received a wide range of awards and honors from local, state, national and international organizations, particularly for his extraordinary philanthropy.
This collection consists of two Parts: Part 1 deposited in 2012, Part 2 deposited in 2021.

SEIU Secretary-Treasurer's Office: Richard Cordtz Records

aorchard — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:48:40 -0500

Richard Cordtz’s affiliation with SEIU spanned nearly 50 years, beginning in the late 1940s as a member of Local 102 while he worked at the Del Mar Racetrack, and ending in 1996 as President of the International. During his journey from member to president, Cordtz held a variety of positions within SEIU including union organizer, Local 79 President, Joint Council 35 President, Central States Conference President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the International. Cordtz was also active in the AFL-CIO serving as Vice-President of Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan AFL-CIO. Cordtz was elected to Secretary-Treasurer in 1980 and remained in this position until President John J. Sweeney resigned to assume presidency of the AFL-CIO in October 1995. Cordtz was immediately elected president to finish Sweeney’s term (through April 1996). Cordtz initially planned to run for reelection, but ceased his bid when it became clear that opponent Andy Stern held more support.

The majority of the records in this collection are from Cordtz’s time as International Secretary-Treasurer. The collection is divided into four series. Series I: Meetings, Speeches, and Conferences, contains meeting minutes and agenda, speeches, conference ephemera, and correspondence related to Cordtz’ positions as International Secretary-Treasurer and President of Local 79. Series II: Revoked Locals, contains charters, correspondence, and bonding documents from revoked, amalgamated, and disbanded locals over the course of 1940-1992. Series III: Topical Files, contains subject files mostly created during Cordtz’s tenure, relating to both his SEIU positions and his external interests. Series IV Historical Files, contains historical materials that Cordtz appears to have inherited from his predecessors. These historical SEIU records include booklets and pamphlets, but most significantly, include correspondence from the 1920s to SEIU’s first president, William Quesse, as well as correspondence related to George Hardy’s 1974 White House testimony at the Conference on Inflation, such as signed letters from President Gerald Ford.

Collections Spotlight: Max M. Fisher Papers

aergas — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:12:47 -0400

The Reuther Library is pleased to announce that the Max M. Fisher Papers are now open to researchers. This large collection documents Fisher's life and career as a successful Detroit industrialist and investor, influential Republican Party fundraiser and power broker, Jewish community leader, and major philanthropist. It includes correspondence, documents, speeches, interviews, photographs and other media, and documents from his biographer. read more »

Max M. Fisher and Gerald R. Ford

Public Relations Team — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:55:39 -0400

Max M. Fisher, with President Gerald R. Ford, in the Oval Office, circa 1975.

(28816) Gerald Ford, Republican National Convention, Chicago, 1960

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:05:12 -0400

Congressman Jerry Ford and his wife Betty Ford are cheered on by Michigan delegates during the 1960 Republican Convention in Chicago.

(28817) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Coleman Young, Detroit, 1974

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:10:04 -0400

President Jerry Ford and Mayor Coleman Young with Detroit media reporters outside of Cobo Hall. At rear, a splendid view of the Detroit skyline.

(28819) Presidents, Campaigns, Gerald Ford, Livonia, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:34:12 -0400

President Jerry Ford and first lady Betty campaign at Wonderland Mall. At left is Governor William (Bill) Milliken.

(28820) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Detroit Free Press, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:27:51 -0400

President Jerry Ford gives an interview to the Detroit Free Press. At left, editor Joe Stroud and political reporter Remer Tyson.

(28821) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Detroit Athletic Club, 1975

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:32:25 -0400

President Jerry Ford gives a speech during an appearance at the Detroit Press Club.

(28822) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Cobo Hall, 1975

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:04:00 -0400

President Jerry Ford at an unidentified event held at Cobo Hall. From left to right: Max Fisher, Governor Milliken, US Senator Bob Griffin and Mrs. Max Fisher.

(28823) Presidents, Portraits, Gerald Ford, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:24:10 -0400

Candid shot of President Jerry Ford.

(28824) Presidents, Portraits, Gerald Ford, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:21:42 -0400

Candid shot of President Jerry Ford.

(28825) Presidents, Portraits, Gerald Ford, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:23:35 -0400

Candid shot of President Jerry Ford during a visit to Detroit.

(28826) Presidents, Portraits, Gerald Ford, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:25:40 -0400

President Ford stands in front of the airplane "Spirit of ’76."

(28827) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Republican National Convention, 1980

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:31:35 -0400

Gerald and Betty Ford greet the delegates and attendees in Joe Louis Arena during the 1980 Republican National Convention.

(28828) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Museum Dedication, Grand Rapids, 1981

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:50:09 -0400

Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jerry Ford and Mrs. Betty Ford preside over the dedication of the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

(28830) Presidents, Campaigns, Gerald Ford, 1976

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:10:44 -0400

President Jerry Ford and first lady Betty Ford campaign in Muskegon, Michigan.

(28867) Presidents, Ronald Regan, Jerry Ford, Pontiac, 1980

eclemens — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:46:55 -0400

Former President Jerry Ford, First Lady Nancy Reagan and President Ronald Reagan share the stage at an unidentified event in Pontiac, Michigan.

(28868) Presidents, Ronald Regan, Jerry Ford, George H.W. Bush, Detroit, 1980

eclemens — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:52:32 -0400

George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford take the stage at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(28869) Presidents, Ronald Regan, Jerry Ford, George H.W. Bush, Birmingham, 1980

eclemens — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:58:40 -0400

George Bush, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Governor William Milliken campaign for Regan in Birmingham, Michigan.

Meet the Press

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:21:21 -0500

Al Shanker fields questions from a panel of interviewers on a wide range of topics including the purpose of the teacher union movement; teacher salaries; student achievement; the rise of public employee unionism; Shanker's role at local and national levels of teachers' unions and the labor movement; school integration and busing; how to measure productivity in education; how to merge the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFT; the effects of teacher strikes; and school vouchers.

Statement before the Democratic Platform Committee

jruss — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:07:00 -0500

Al Shanker advocates that the democratic presidential candidate adopt the AFT''s program on a number of issues. The AFT''s ideas include: expanding the federal government''s role in funding education; increasing access to post-secondary education through tuition assistance; creating a system of federal daycare centers run through the public schools; providing federal financial assistance to state and local governments, especially for welfare and medical costs; and extending federal collective bargaining laws and pension protections to public employees. read more »