President Jimmy Carter Calls the United Nations “An institution that I see as one of the main supports of American foreign policy.”

Ford was a long-time advocate of the UN, with a strong record interest in promoting social causes, such as civil rights and international cooperation

Henry Ford II was head of Ford Motor Company and a great businessman, but this was always tempered by a strong sense of social responsibility, which he expressed publicly from his earliest days in business. Under his direction, as an outspoken advocate for minority rights, the Ford company sought to broaden its diversity efforts, and as early as 1950 hired its first black manager. Ford served as an alternate delegate to the United Nations under President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953, and came to believe in the organization. He was a top donor to the United Jewish Appeal’s first-ever Christian Committee Campaign for Israel. He served as chairman of the National Alliance for Businessmen, which sought jobs for the unemployed, under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. The 1970s saw Ford add the problems of pollution and environmental control to his earlier concerns for labor relations, business ethics, international trade, and civil rights. In 1974, he was on the council
for the 14th Annual United Nations Concert and Dinner.

On May 31, 1977, President Jimmy Carter offered to appoint Ford as National United Nations Day Chairman, under the auspices of the United Nations Association of the USA, a movement of Americans who believe that U.S. interests and values can best be advanced by standing with the only truly universal institution: The United Nations. Ford accepted. Carter wrote in appointing him: “I am pleased to appoint you as US National Chairman for United Nations Day 1977. We are fortunate to have a person of your recognized talent, stature and leadership ability to head up this important national observance. During 1977 we and other nations mark the thirty-second anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It is no exaggeration to say that the UN owes its existence to the idealism and strength of the United States. And while the organization has not always fulfilled our expectations of it~ the great aspirations contained in its Charter remain valid world goals. We have the opportunity~ working through the global framework of the UN and its specialized agencies, to achieve many of our purposes as individuals and as a nation. Through our determined participation and leadership we can help find solutions to problems which increasingly transcend national boundaries — problems like nuclear proliferation, use of the seas, population growth, food production~ energy~ trade, investment, environmental protection and many others.

“As National Chairman for UN Day, you can provide strong impetus to the efforts of others – business and labor leaders, government officials and private organizations – to make this year’s observance more than a ceremonial event. With the help of your National UN Day Committee and the United Nations Association, you can stimulate Americans throughout the nation to understand the significance of the United Nations and on ways in which we might improve and strengthen our participation. I appreciate your willingness to undertake this challenge and wish you every success in the months ahead.” On September 26, 1977, Carter officially proclaimed UN Day and Ford’s appointment as national chairman.
After the success of the program, and receiving Ford’s report of its accomplishments, Carter followed up thanking Ford, and offering his own assessment of the place of the UN in American foreign policy. Typed letter signed, on White House letterhead, Washington, February 6, 1978, to Henry Ford II. “Thank you for your letter of January 19 and for the very interesting report on the National UN Day activities in 1977. You, your distinguished colleagues, and the United Nations Association did an excellent job of stimulating useful observances of UN Day throughout America, We can be justly proud of America’s role in the creation and continued support of the UN, and your efforts have certainly helped to reinforce that pride.

“I am pleased to see the great diversity of events which took place on this occasion, and especially delighted to note the names of the many private citizens of our country who joined in your effort. Please let all of them know how much I appreciate the talent, time and effort that was expended so effectively on behalf of an institution that I see as one of the main supports of American foreign policy.”

This letter has never before been offered for sale.