KTLA News: "Dedication ceremony for low-income housing project in Watts" (1974)

[Carlos Aguilar] President Gerald Ford as Vice President would have been here in Los Angeles today to dedicate a new housing project in the Watts area. He would have presented the keys to the first residents of a new 64-single-family housing project. The Joint Agency Housing Program has been in the works since after the Watts Riots, but because of red tape, there hadn't been any construction. But just within the last two years these structures have been built. All the two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses have already been sold to low-income families. Because of his inauguration in Washington, President Ford sent a telephoned message instead. [Gerald Ford] This new housing is not something that was done for you, but is an achievement of your own, through the working of our democratic system. Your homes were created by legislation available in a nation where all people are free to participate in the political process, and in the solving of our mutual problem. The new houses show in one small way how America works. I congratulate the owners and regret that I cannot  today shake your hand and share in your joy. But I am sure you will agree with me that today  is not only a time to dedicate your new home, but on occasion on which we can all very humbly  rededicate ourselves to our American homeland. [Aguilar] This segment of our Black community listened  attentively to President Ford's telephone message, not only because the rebuilding of Watts is continuing but most importantly because some people are rumored to be asking the President  to select a Black Vice President. But Black leaders here are quick to point out that they are past the era of symbolic appointments and that they are now in the era of performance, and they too want a person that is qualified to be Vice President. If he happens to be Black, that's good. Carlos Aguilar, Channel 5 News, in Watts. [applause] [applause] [Man] [...] the key. [laughter] [applause] [Man] Here he us. Our pleasure. [applause] [Man] Beautiful. Thank you. [National Anthem sung to organ music] To the owners of the first set of new...  and that are a direct outgrowth of the needs of the community as surveyed immediately after the Watts Riots of 1965. It is our great pleasure to have with us, the wonderful families who're going to be the owners of those first parcels, first homes. And you are about to meet them now and they are about to receive their keys to the homes and be acknowledged as pioneers of a sort in this new venture in decency. And to make those presentations important as they are, for they are the keystones to this program, I would like to present to you now Mr. Richard Whitfield, the project manager. [ambient noise] [Men] Thank you very much. You're very welcome. Congratulations on [...] [ambient noise] [applause] [applause] [Man] Let's hear it for the proud new owners, ladies and gentlemen! [applause] [Man] not have remarks [...] a particular function to fulfill on the program so, may I present again in light of the swift change that has taken place - I refer of course to the events in Washington D.C. over the last 24, 48 hours. I suppose... [applause] [Man] He... -ed you by telephone but I understand the telephone company can't get the Vice Pres-, the President of the United States' message here. So I'm trying right now to see if we can't get the  telephone company to get the message out... [applause] [Man] It's hard to make people believe that all of those young boys... [applause] [Speaker at Podium] On behalf of the Watts Community Development Advisory Committee and myself, I want to welcome to the Watts Project... [Man] Let me know whenever we get him. To continue now, representing the Housing Entrepreneurial Program and a gentleman who has been so much involved...