Participants in the events talked about President Ford’s decision to pardon Richard Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Topics included the possibility of a deal between Ford and Nixon, the pardon negotiations, and Nixon’s acceptance of the pardon. The program opened with a video clip of Dan Rather’s September 8, 1974, newscast that showed President Ford going to church and then his Oval Office address that evening granting the pardon. Also shown was Ken Gormley interviewing President Ford on September 8, 1999, at his presidential library in Grand Rapids. President Ford also accepted an honorary degree from Duquesne University Law School. After the panel, Steven Ford showed some slides as he spoke about the personality and private life of President Ford.
Herbert Miller was personal attorney to President Nixon during the pardon negotiations. Benton Becker was counsel to Rep. Ford during the vice presidential confirmation. Robert Hartman was counselor to President Ford.