Former President Gerald R. Ford has announced that Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari has agreed to give the William E. Simon Lecture at the University on May 27. The Simon Lecture is endowed by a gift to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation from William Simon, who was secretary of the treasury in the Ford administration.
While at the U-M, Salinas will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Salinas, an economist educated at Harvard University, met in January with President Bill Clinton about the North American Free Trade Agreement currently under consideration by Congress.
Ford said he is “delighted that President Salinas has agreed to address the critically important topic of free trade in his visit to my alma mater. His comments and insight on international issues will foster a better public understanding of today’s policy problems.”
President James J. Duderstadt said that “by vigorously working to improve the economic and social conditions of the people of Mexico, President Salinas has helped create a new spirit of cooperation for all of North America. His willingness to open the doors of trade and commerce between Mexico and the United States is historic. The Regents of the University of Michigan are pleased to recognize an individual who has shown so much leadership in improving international relations in this hemisphere.”
The Simon Lecture is “designed to advance the public’s understanding of the fundamental bonds between political and economic liberty.” Simon and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger have delivered previous addresses in the lecture series. Salinas’ talk will be the first Simon Lecture to be held in Ann Arbor.
