Letter to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal

January 8, 2009 The Ford Foundation was established by Henry II's father, Edsel Ford, not his grandfather Henry. Henry II assumed leadership of the Ford Foundation after the death of Edsel Ford in 1943, when it soon became the largest philanthropy in the world. He commissioned a blue-ribbon panel to explore how the foundation could best use its resources to fulfill its founding charter. The goals he and his fellow trustees embraced -- reducing poverty, promoting democratic values, striving for peace, building knowledge and understanding -- cleave tightly to his father's vision of helping humanity overcome its most enduring problems. These same goals remain at the heart of the foundation's work today. Henry II took great pride in the accomplishments of the Ford Foundation and staunchly defended it against attacks from both the left and the right. While he did express frustration when he retired from the board after 33 years, he also said: "All in all, I have strongly positive feelings about my own and the family's long-standing relationship with the foundation. The foundation already has a magnificent record of achievement. I am confident that it is capable of still more significant contributions to the world in the years ahead. The future of the foundation is in capable hands." Marta L. Tellado V.P. for Communications Ford Foundation New York