Gerald Ford actually said...

"It reaffirms our commitment to the principles of self-determination, and it honors the freely expressed wishes of the peoples of these islands for the political union with the United States."

"I will submit to the Congress a message and a budget supplement, so that this money will be available, and available as promptly as possible."

"We expect to go to Kansas City, and we expect to be nominated."

"The decision to approve the covenant was not taken lightly by either the people of the Northern Mariana Islands or by the Congress of the United States."