Washington, DEC 28, SPA -- President George W. Bush said today that former President Gerald Ford, who died last night, helped heal the nation in the wake of the Watergate scandal that led to the impeachment of Richard Nixon. Bush said Ford was a man of quiet integrity, who restored dignity to the nation s highest office after Nixon was impeached. The American people will always admire Gerald Ford s devotion to duty, his personal character and the honorable conduct of his administration, Bush said from his Crawford, Texas ranch. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the presidency. Ford, a native of California, was the only president never to have been elected to the executive office, as he assumed the presidency following Nixon s impeachment. Ford was nominated to fun for office in 1976, but was defeated in the election by Democrat Jimmy Carter. Ford is also known for his athletic accomplishments. He was a starter on the University of Michigan s national championship teams of 1932 and 1933. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/414456