NATION/W ORLD The Michigan Daily - Thursday, October 28, 1999 - 9A Former president, first lady given Congressional medal WASHINGTON (AP) - Deemed healers of Americans' bodies and souls, former President and first lady Gerald and Betty Ford were award- ed the Congressional Gold Medal yesterday, the highest civilian award given by Congress. "It is fitting that these partners in life are being honored jointly, for their partnership has riched our Democracy and our time," said 4ouse Minority Richard Gephardt (D-Mo). It was just more than 25 years ago - on Aug. 9, 1974 - that Ford was thrust into the presi- dency when President Nixon resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Ford, who grew up in Grand Rapids and attended the University of Michigan, served out Fords honored with highest civilian award the final 2 1/2 years of Nixon's second term. His pardon of Nixon earned him harsh criticism at the time from Democrats and Republicans alike. However, many now credit that action and Ford's quiet resumption of the nation's business with helping the shocked country move forward. "It was easy for us to criticize you because we got caught up in the moment. You didn't get caught up in the moment and you were right," President Clinton told Ford at yesterday's cere- mony on Capitol Hill. Betty Ford was recognized for her candidness about personal frailties, which has been a source of comfort or enlightenment to many Americans. "If president Ford helped heal America's soul. Mrs. Ford helped heal our bodies," Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) said. The same year her husband became president, Betty Ford announced that she had breast cancer and would undergo a mastectomy, an illness and procedure not often openly discussed prior to that. Her action is credited with encouraging many women to seek lifesaving early detection of the disease. Later, Ford shared with Americans how, aftier her husband lost his 1976 bid for re-election to Jimmy Carter, she had become addicted to alco- hol and pills her doctor had prescribed to help her ease sadness. After recovering, she became the founder and president of the now-famous Betty Ford Center for alcohol and substance abuse in California, where the Ford's now live. The ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda was something of a homecoming for the Fords. The former president served in the House as rep- resentative for the 3rd District of Michigan from 1949 and as minorityleader from 1965. House Speaker Dennis Hastert recalled how Ford's congressional colleagues voted over- whelmingly for him assume his fateful vice presidency under Nixon in 1973, after Spiro Agnew resigned under the shadow of scandal. "Gerald Ford did not become president because of polls, he did not become president because of campaign promises, he became pres- ident because of character," Hastert said. Betty Ford said that in spite of their unexpected years at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, in the White House, "this House, to Gerry and me, the people's House, will always be our home." The bear necessities Bethlehem marred by clashes as 2000 nears BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) - With less than two months to go before the birthplace of Jesus plays host to the millennial Christmas bash, the air is filled not with sweet smells of incense, but with stinging clouds of tear gas. The little town of Bethlehem is strug- gling to pave roads and build new hotel rooms just as new clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian stone- throwers are breaking out, and Palestinians complain that Israel is try- ing to scare off pilgrims with an intimi- dating new military checkpoint. Bethlehem's business community watched in horror as the violence has unfolded so close to what many hope will be the best Christmas season in years. "Palestinians get afraid and don't come. How can we expect foreigners to come?" said Karem Canavati, who owns a souvenir shop near Rachel's Tomb, an Israeli enclave in Bethlehem. But an Israeli tour guide of Christian pilgrims said his clients were not easily deterred because many have been sav- ing all their lives to come to the Holy Land. "They need to come here and see where Jesus walked," said the guide, David Dassa, adding that he has not had cancellations in recent days. This week's violence was triggered by the death of a Palestinian souvenir ven- dor near Rachel's Tomb on Monday. An Israeli soldier said he shot and killed Mousa Abu Hilail because the man tried to stab him. Palestinian officials said he was shot without provocation. When news of the death spread, hun- dreds of angry young Palestinians, some masked, others twirling slingshots, threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel pellets. Several dozen Palestinians were injured in three days of rioting along the main road, through which tourist buses pass on their way to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. This week, the road was closed and littered with rocks. Yesterday, about 200 Palestinians hurled stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem. Israeli troops responded with tear gas and rub- ber-coated steel bullets. Eight Palestinians were hit by the rubber bul- lets, and 10 demonstrators were treated were treated for tear gas inhalation. Almost half the businesses in the town of 50,000 -- located just five miles south of Jerusalem - cater to tourists. AP PHOTO Keeper Ryan Rappoport weighs the San Diego Zoo's 9-week-old giant panda cub yesterday during her weekly veterinary exam. NOT GOING TO CLASS TOMORROW? CHECK OUT THE DAILY ONLINE. WWW.MICHIGAHDAIL KCOF* The Princeton Review MCAT students have an average score increase of 8 points. Classes for the April MCAT start November 13th. 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