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Olympic Sports (4)
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1515907
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Olympic Sports (4)
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James M. Cannon Files (Ford Administration)
James Cannon's Issues Files
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The original documents are located in Box 26, folder "Olympic Sports (4)" of the James M.
Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 26 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
LAng 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
DECISION
WASHINCTON
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JIM CANNON
DAN McGURK (for Paul O'Neill)
SUBJECT:
Olympic Sports Initiative
You asked us to explore possible initiatives related
to the Olympics that you could announce on Thursday
in your meeting with the American athletes who parti-
cipated in the Montreal Olympics.
BACKGROUND
The current problem in American Olympic participation
is not the identification of potential Olympic-class
athletes, but rather giving them the support, training
and top-flight coaching they need to realize their full
potential. Most athletes in school have access to facili-
ties and some level of coaching, but in the summer period
and after graduation, it is difficult for promising
athletes to work out the financial and physical problems
of full competitive training and development.
OPTIONS
We have explored the possibilities for assisting American
athletes in future Olympic games and believe there are
three options:
1.
Announce a National Foundation on Olympic
Sports to assist private organizations in
assuring that Olympic class athletes receive
the best available competitive opportunities
and coaching, and to raise funds to defray.
the costs of that preparation for the Olympics;
2.
Announce that you have directed the President's
Commission on Olympic Sports to broaden its
study and make recommendations to you on how
this country can assure that American athletes
FORD 3 LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
will have even better opportunities for
coaching, training and preliminary competi-
tion for the Lake Placid and Moscow Olympics
in 1980 and all future international games.
3. Announce that you will expand the responsi-
bilities of the President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports to include activities to
improve performance in the Olympics.
Discussion
Option 1. National Foundation on Olympic Sports. Such
a Foundation could be a Federal agency, a federally
established private entity, or a private organization
that would apply for and receive a Federal charter. It
could provide full Federal funding for a range of
activities related to Olympic sports, or it could pro-
vide Federal matching funds for private contributions.
Federal funding could also be limited to administrative
expenses for a fixed period. Alternatively, a Foundation
could be created by private groups or through Federal
legislation without Federal funding.
Option 2. Direct your Commission on Olympic Sports to
not only address the problem of sports organization
but also to recommend a clear mechanism for adequate funding
of the training and development of Olympic class athletes.
You would announce your commitment to propose the neces-
sary steps -- after reviewing the report in December ----
to assure that Americans who participate in the Lake Placid
and Moscow Olympics in 1980 are of the highest caliber
and have had the best coaching and preliminary competition
possible.
Option 3. Announce an expansion of the responsibilities
of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
The Council is now authorized by Executive Order. You
could amend the existing Executive Order to assign the
Council the responsibility for raising funds and working
with the sports organizations, e.g., AAU, NCAA, and USOC,
to facilitate Olympic participation in the future. The
Council, however, has no statutory authorization for
program activities. Expansion of the Council to allow
it to make grants would require legislation.
FORD & LIBRARY 018470
-3-
CONSIDERATIONS
---
Announcing a Foundation could easily be
misconstrued as a Federal takeover of
higher level sports activities. This would
be controversial, and might be opposed by
AAU, NCAA, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and
other sports federations and organizations.
I
You gave the Commission on Olympic Sports
the specific responsibility of analyzing
"the organization and developmental problems
of each Olympic sport," and "the financial
and facilities requirements of each sport,"
as well as recommending "ways to provide
needed funds." An announcement now of a new
Foundation or an expanded Council could under-
cut your Commission and draw criticism from
the Congress and others as being premature.
--
A proposal for additional Federal funding of
sports by a new Foundation or expanded Council--
even if limited--could result in drying up
existing private sources of financial support
for the Olympics. Moreover, in light of your
public opposition and veto of certain congres-
sional spending bills, e.g., the social programs
in the Labor-HEW bill, seeking additional funds
for sports could be criticized.
--
A Presidential statement that there will be
better funding for the training of future Olympic
athletes, coupled with a Presidential directive
to an existing commission to give you recommenda-
tions for an organizational structure to accom-
plish this, would meet your desire for a positive
step now--and at the same time give us time to
work out a complex and sensitive problem.
RECOMMENDATION
In view of the above considerations, we recommend that
you use your meeting with the Olympic athletes to announce
your new instruction to the Commission and your strong
personal commitment to ensure that the final report of
your Commission will cover the financial needs of Olympic
sports. In that connection, you can point out the variety
FORD : LIBRARY 0ERALD
-4-
of financing modes possible through the private sector
to assure that American athletes have access to the
best coaching and competitive opportunities before the
Lake Placid and Moscow Olympics in 1980.
DECISION
/
Option 1: Announce legislation to create the
Olympic Sports Foundation.
Option 2: Announce an extension of the Commis-
sion and your personal commitment
to take action based upon your review
of the Commission's final report.
Option 3: Announce an expansion of the President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
and necessary legislation, if any.
FORD is LIBRARY
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON OLYMPIC SPORTS
Gerald B. Zornow, Chairman
Donna de Varona
W. Michael Elliott
Dr. Barbara E. Forker
Dr. Jerome H. Holland
Lamar Hunt
Rafer L. Johnson
Captain Micki King
Dr. James A. McCain
Howard K. Smith
William A. Toomey
Dr. Ernest Vandeweghe
Willye White
Charles "Bud" Wilkinson
U.S. Senators:
J. Glenn Beall, Jr.
John C. Culver
Ted Stevens
Richard (Dick) Stone
U.S. Representatives:
Jack Kemp
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Robert H. Michel
Norman Y. Mineta
Michael T. Harrigan
Executive Director
FORD is GERALD LIBRARY
Olympies
OF
DEPARTMENT THE 1789 TREASURY
THE
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220
August 3, 1976
Dear Dick:
Warren Hendriks said the President will be receiving
American Olympic participants, as well as extending a
special tribute to Jesse Owens, this Thursday and asked for
my comments.
This year's Olympics seemed to capture the hearts and
minds of Americans more than ever before, prompted by the
excellent television coverage, but also because there is,
as President Ford has previously noted, a surge of nationalism
in America during this Bicentennial.
In my opinion it would seem meritorious for the President
to consider a public pronouncement that he plans to name a
special citizens' committee (with personalities such as
Bruce Jenner, John Naber, Phil Boggs, Shirley Babashoff, and
Sugar Ray Leonard) to promote neighborhood physical develop-
ment programs for our youth. This program would seek to
assist young athletes throughout our nation, with a special
emphasis on inner-city disadvantaged youth. The committee
could work as a part of the President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports or be an independent entity.
The possibility can be explored of encouraging the use
of existing, already funded programs for expanding recre-
ational facilities, physical plants in parks and local school
systems. The Administration would be expressing its concern
about the physical well-being of our citizens as well as their
mental and emotional well-being. President Ford is a fine
example of how athletics (physical well-being) is important
throughout one's life.
It can be pointed out by the President that we did not
have entrants in some of the Olympic events, particularly
among women, and that under his program we will be assured of
entrants in all events at the next Olympics in Moscow.
The President can pay tribute also to those dedicated
young Americans who tried their utmost but did not make the
Olympics. Many young people put in tedious hours of training
& 018470
- 2 -
and did enormously well but were barely edged out in the
trials for the Olympics. There might even be a Presidential
certificate for young Americans who attain a certain level
of physical skill in training for the Olympics.
If this program is carried to every neighborhood (rural,
suburban, and inner city), it will be a viable way of lifting
many young people out of an unproductive lifestyle into a
participatory life where they would begin a new road of
contributing measurably to our society. President Ford can
be the catalyst for such a far-reaching program.
Yours sincerely,
Jerry Janey Thomas
Honorable Richard B. Cheney
Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
CC: Messrs. Gergen, Cannon, and Hendriks
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
CC:
Sarah Massengale
Dan McGurk
OF
THE TREASURY
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220
1789
August 3, 1976
Dear Dick:
Warren Hendriks said the President will be receiving
American Olympic participants, as well as extending a
special tribute to Jesse Owens, this Thursday and asked for
my comments.
This year's Olympics seemed to capture the hearts and
minds of Americans more than ever before, prompted by the
excellent television coverage, but also because there is,
as President Ford has previously noted, a surge of nationalism
in America during this Bicentennial.
In my opinion it would seem meritorious for the President
to consider a public pronouncement that he plans to name a
special citizens' committee (with personalities such as
Bruce Jenner, John Naber, Phil Boggs, Shirley Babashoff, and
Sugar Ray Leonard) to promote neighborhood physical develop-
ment programs for our youth. This program would seek to
assist young athletes throughout our nation, with a special
emphasis on inner-city disadvantaged youth. The committee
could work as a part of the President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports or be an independent entity.
The possibility can be explored of encouraging the use
of existing, already funded programs for expanding recre-
ational facilities, physical plants in parks and local school
systems. The Administration would be expressing its concern
about the physical well-being of our citizens as well as their
mental and emotional well-being. President Ford is a fine
example of how athletics (physical well-being) is important
throughout one's life.
It can be pointed out by the President that we did not
have entrants in some of the Olympic events, particularly
among women, and that under his program we will be assured of
entrants in all events at the next Olympics in Moscow.
The President can pay tribute also to those dedicated
young Americans who tried their utmost but did not make the
Olympics. Many young people put in tedious hours of training
- 2 -
and did enormously well but were barely edged out in the
trials for the Olympics. There might even be a Presidential
certificate for young Americans who attain a certain level
of physical skill in training for the Olympics.
If this program is carried to every neighborhood (rural,
suburban, and inner city), it will be a viable way of lifting
many young people out of an unproductive lifestyle into a
participatory life where they would begin a new road of
contributing measurably to our society. President Ford can
be the catalyst for such a far-reaching program.
Yours sincerely,
Janey
Jerry Thomas
Honorable Richard B. Cheney
Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
CC: . Messrs. Gergen, Cannon, and Hendriks
Olympics
DRAFT DLMcGURK:ppd 8/4/76
PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT
Welcoming American Olympic Participants
I would like to welcome you all back to America today,
particularly here to the White House. I want to congratulate
all of you for having achieved one of the great marks in
sports activity -- representing your country at the Olympic
Games. From this time forward you will always be known as
Olympic class athletes. I would also especially like to
congratulate those of you who have won medals in Montreal.
Winning an Olympic medal is something that will mark you for
the rest of your life as an outstanding sports competitor.
The Olympics are fundamentally an individual sport
activity. The Olympics were designed and still are operated
to pick the best sports participants or teams in the whole
world in a list of 28 specific sports. The only role that
your country plays in the Olympic concept is to select
individuals who are outstanding contenders for Olympic medals.
On this basis, I am very proud of all of you who are able to
win such a medal.
But despite the individual nature of Olympic participation,
- 2 -
the United States won
medals of which
were gold.
In terms of ratings among the countries, this placed us third.
Although a very creditable performance, I don't believe
our standing as third really represents the capabilities of
the athletes in the United States. I think our national
Olympic potential is far higher than our national Olympic
performance. The United States should do better for its
athletes in terms of better selection and better assistance
in development and training for its athletes. If we do that,
then the athletes will bring redounding credit to the United
States.
At the same time I reject out of hand the sort of
government subsidy for certain selected athletes that many
countries use. I don't believe it is the role of the Federal
Government to have a national Olympic program with all of the
costs underwritten.
There are really three parts to a sports program that
will ensure a high level of Olympic success. The first of
these is having a strong athletic program throughout the
country for our young people. We now have that in the many
sports activities of our schools and colleges throughout the
country, combined with my physical fitness council headed by
- 3 -
Captain James Lovell. Together the school sports systems and
our physical fitness emphasis helps to select, and start the
training, of our many young athletes.
The second part is having the proper structure of
sports organizations within the country to assist in
identifying really outstanding young people and to interface
properly with the international sports organizations that are
the foundation of international Olympic competition. This
problem is being addressed by the President's Commission on
Olympic Sports headed up by Mr. Zornow, which has already
presented one report and which will present an additional
report on this problem in the coming months.
The third component of a successful international sports
competition is the identification, coaching, and provision of
competitive forums for selected athletes to hone their skills
in preparation for international competition. This is the
area where in other countries, the government takes over the
training, the schooling, competition, and even the lives of
its potential athletes as an explicit national policy.
Although many people think that the United States should
embark upon such a program, I can't endorse it for the country.
I much prefer our free enterprise system to be the sparkplug
- 4 -
in assisting young athletes of great potential to become
strong international competitors. I think this can be done
by
O linking promising young athletes and outstanding
coaches together;
O seeking scholarships at the collegiate level for
promising young athletes;
O establishing centers for many of the individual
sports by designation of existing facilities as an
Olympic sports training center;
O sponsoring summer clinics at such centers for the
most promising of our athletes;
O asking businesses who hire promising athletes to
give them time to train at those centers.
In other words, I think the Federal Government can be
the catalyst and organizing agent to establish a sports
program designed to assist in the development and training
of promising young athletes, and to promote the continued
training of athletes in those sports of strength and
endurance where post-school training will yield improved
competitive results.
As a consequence, I am asking the Congress to extend
the life of my Commission on Olympic Sports until January
- 5 -
of next year. In that time I asking them to not only address
the problem of sports organization in the United States, but
to also recommend a clear mechanism for adequate funding of
training and development of Olympic class athletes. I would
hope that they can come forward with some mechanisms for
private sector funding of this activity such as
o broken-time provisions for private sector employment;
O appeal to industry, particularly professional sports,
to support this program;
o a "coin of the realm" program such as successfully
implemented by Canada;
o potential tax incentives for Olympic participants.
I hope that many of you will be returning to the
Olympics in 1980 and perform even better than you did this
time. And I am also confident that others not now identified
can become well-known international sports figures through
the voluntary support of individuals and organizations in
our free enterprise system.
[Aug. 1976]
Zres
DRAFT
Dear Colonel Miller:
I regret that it has taken me so long to get back to
you, but I wanted to thank you for the exertions made by
you and your colleagues to resolve the issue of the
Republic of China's participation in the 1976 Summer Games.
I am aware of the time you took to periodically brief my
staff on developments at Montreal during a period when
there were many demands on your time. I want you to know
that I appreciate your assistance very much.
I regret that political concerns interfered with the
conduct of the current Olympiad, and I hope that in the
future their disruptive influence are removed from the
Games. I have asked Phil Krumm to use his good offices
with the United States Olympic Committee and the Inter-
national Olympic Committee to eliminate political inter-
ference with the Olympics.
Thank you once more for your very informative assis-
tance.
Sincerely,
Colonel F. Donald Miller
Executive Director
United States Olympic Committee
Olympic House
57 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10016
of al col. Miller
regret that it has Taken me so long
toget back to you but I wanted to
H would like thank
you I I've also thanks this
Fir the exertime made
by you and your colleaguer to
resolve to issue -l the
Republic -( china's protecipation in
om
to 1976 Commer Gamer I =
anove of the time
" my yealt you
for-coducults
+.16 I. a (v.ef n, 144 on
desclopment, at during
period
s
- when then name
FORD is LIBRARY 976899
many " your Yinj I L.ST 7047 I
know that I
approvate give very and
I regrot the politivel Greathr
with the colduct if
I
the currer Olympiad and a here
!
I
their
Tat. they her belowe they
disseptive are reaired
Gamer
howe
frim the from I would wase
asked phil kromm
you " I'e to are
with the United
he good Illuer bank
There
through Olympic Survice and the
United Olampic brattee
e aliminate politival interfice
- with to
GERAED R FORD
Thank you ever were FOR your
yes, infirmative eppirtance
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 12, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR
FROM:
GEORGE JIM CANNON KIDD John
SUBJECT:
Letter to Mr Hale of the Lake
Placid News
After talking with Lynn May and Sarah Massengale,
and after reviewing the President's remarks on
August 5 to members of the U.S. Olympic Team, I
am submitting the attached redraft for your approval.
The letter (paragraph 3, in particular) has been
left substantially as it was since it (a) answers
Mr Hale's basic question without making further
committments, and (b) is in no way in conflict with
the President's remarks of August 5.
Governe / and Sorah - int in
Ren neclude
wis in Role not "please
in Est Juni
TW
Jonu "edo.
DRAFT
Dear Mr Hale:
Thank you for your kind letter regarding my son's
visit to Lake Placid in June. From what I have been told,
your description of hiking on some of your mountains
is no exaggeration.
Regarding your question about Federal funding for the
1980 Winter Games at Lake Placid, I submitted to the
Congress legislation for the construction of permanent
sports facilities at Lake Placid for future American
teams. This bill, which would cost approximately $28 million,
has been passed by the Senate. A larger authorization,
sponsored by your Congressman Bob McEwen, has been passed
by the House. This bill includes funds for the housing
of Olympic athletes as well as the construction of sports
facilities.
I proposed a limited Federal involvement in the funding
of the Olympics because I believe the Federal Government
should refrain from taking a major role in amateur sports
matters. Further, I was concerned about setting a precedent
for far more expensive international sports events being
held in the United States in the future. I am aware,
however, of the need for some form of housing for Olympic
athletes and I have asked my staff to review the various
options which have been suggested.
Once again, I thank you for your kind words and also for
your invitation to visit Lake Placid during the 1980 Games.
I am certain they will be a great success and I will certainly
try to attend if I can.
Sincerely,
The
Prendut
who
sup
Olympics file
DRAFT
why did wider
Dear Mr Hale:
you
Thank you for your kind letter regarding son's
visit to Lake Placid in June. From what I have been
told, your description of hiking on some of your
mountains is no exaggeration.
gon
Regarding your question about Federal funding for the
1980 Winter Games at Lake Placid, I submitted to the
Congress legislation for the construction of permanent
sports facilities at Lake Placid for future American
teams. This bill, which would cost approximately
$28 million, has been passed by the Senate. A larger
authorization, sponsored by your Congressman Bob McEwen,
has been passed by the House. This bill includes funds for
the housing of Olympic athletes as well as the construction
of sports facilities.
Whatever the final resolution of the funding, I am
convinced that we can do more, in the long run, to train
future American champions. To that end, I am asking the
Congress to extend the life of my Commission on Olympic
Sports until January 1977. During these next months,
I will ask the Commission to examine the problems of
okipue
five
sports organization in our country and to recommend
effective funding mechanisms for training and develop-
ment. I am confident we can find ways to preserve our
Orn't
athletes' bona fide amateur status avoid Government
on
funding, and still provide the means of Olympic training
and development.
Once again, I thank you for your kind words and also
for your invitation to visit Lake Placid during the
1980 Games. I am certain they will be a great success
and am currently planning to attend.
Sincerely,
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
file
Olympics
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 25, 1976
MEMORANDUM TO:
JIM
CONNOR
FROM:
SUBJECT:
JIM Presidential CANNON June Letters
(2)
Attached for the President's signature are two
letters. One is to Colonel Miller thanking him
for his help during the Summer Olympic Games.
The other is to Mr. Hale who had written the
President regarding funding for the Lake Placid
Games. Both of these letters have been approved
by Hartmann's office.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 18, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
ROBERT T. HARTMANN
FROM:
JIM CANNON
Jmc
SUBJECT:
Presidential Letters (2)
Attached for your approval are two presidential letters.
One is going to Colonel Miller thanking him for his
help during the Summer Olympic Games. The second, to
Mr. Hale who had written the President regarding funding
for the Lake Placid Games.
Thank you for your attention.
one as stated 8/23/26
attachments
Dear Colonel Miller:
Thank you for the fine efforts of yourself
and your colleagues to resolve the issue
of the Republic of China's participation
in the 1976 Summer Games. The time you
took to periodically brief my staff on
developments at Montreal, during a period
when there were many demands on your time
is much appreciated.
I regret that political concerns interferred
with the conduct of the current Olympiad,
and I hope that in the future their disrup-
tive influence is removed from the Games. I
have asked Phil Krumm to use his good office
with the United States Olympic Committee
and the International Olympic Committee to
eliminate political interference with the
Olympics.
Thank you once more for your very informative
and effective assistance.
Sincerely,
Colonel F. Donald Miller
Executive Director
United States Olympic Committee
Olympic House
57 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10016
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Hale:
Thank you for your kind letter regarding
Mike's visit to Lake Placid in June. From
what I have been told, your description of
hiking on some of your mountains is no
exaggeration.
Regarding your question about Federal funding
for the 1980 Winter Games at Lake Placid,
I submitted to the Congress legislation for
the construction of permanent sports facilities
at Lake Placid for future American Teams.
This bill, which would cost approximately
$28 million, has been passed by the Senate.
A larger authorization, sponsored by your
Congressman Bob McEwen, has been passed by
the House. The House bill includes funds for
the housing of Olympic athletes as well as
the construction of sports facilities.
However the funding is finally resolved, I am
convinced that we can do more, in the long
run, to train future American champions. To
that end, I am asking the Congress to extend
the life of my Commission to examine the
problems of sports organization in our country
and to recommend effective funding mechanisms
for training and development. I am confident
we can find ways to preserve our athletes'
bona fide amateur status and still provide
the means of Olympic training and development.
Again, I thank you for your kind words
and your invitation to visit Lake Placid
during the 1980 Games. I know they will
be a great success and am currently
planning to attend.
Sincerely,
Mr. Edward Hale
Editor
The Lake Placid News
Lake Placid, New York 12946
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
is much appreciated.
Dear Colonel Miller:
I to regret you, but that I wanted it has taken to thank me you so long for to the get exer back tions Horts
of
made by you and your colleagues to resolve the
issue of the Republic of China's participation in
the 1976 Summer Games. I am awaie of the time you
took to periodically brief my staff on developments
at Montreal, during a period when there were many
demands on your time I want you to know that T
appreciate your assistance very much.
I regret that political concerns interferred with
the conduct of the current Olympiad, and I hope
that in the future their disruptive influence is
removed from the Games. I have asked Phil Krumm
to use his good office with the United States
Olympic Committee and the International Olympic
Committee to eliminate political interference
with the Olympics.
Thank assistance. you once more for your very informative and effective
Sincerely,
Colonel F. Donald Miller
Executive Director
United States Olympic Committee
edited
Olympic House
57 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10016
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
jacks,
?
Dear Mr. Hale:
Thank you for your kind letter regarding my son's
visit to Lake Placid in June. From what I have
been told, your description of hiking on some of
your mountains is no exaggeration.
Regarding your question about Federal funding for
the 1980 Winter Games at Lake Placid, I submitted
to the Congress legislation for the construction of
permanent sports facilities at Lake Placid for
future American Teams. This bill, which would cost
approximately $28 million, has been passed by the
Senate. A larger authorization, sponsored by your
Congressman Bob McEwen, has been passed by the
House. Therefonse bill includes funds for the housing of
Olympic athletes as well as the construction of
sports facilities.
However the funding repolution is finally resolved,
I
am
convinced that we can do more, in the long run, to
train future American champions. To that end, I am
asking the Congress to extend the life of my Commis-
sion to examine the problems of sports organization
in our country and to recommend effective funding
mechanisms dent we can for find training ways to and preserve development. our athletes' I am con fi-
bona fide amateur status and still provide the
means of Olympic training and development.
is 07V839
again, I thank you for your kind words and
also for your invitation to visit Lake Placid
during the 1980 Games. I am contain they will be a
great success and am currently planning to attend.
Sincerely,
Mr. Edward Hale
Editor
The Lake Placid News
Lake Placid, New York 12946
on that
FORD 3 LIBRA 074470 RJ
Lake rladd News
Established in 1905
Box 111 Lake Placid, New York 12
Telephone: (518) 523-2
/ARD HALE, Editor
BARBARA M. HALE, General Man
June 11, 1976
The Hon. Gerald R. Ford
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
Our staff was delighted to receive your letter of June 8.
As parents, my wife and I know the difficulties of keeping up with
the adventures of offspring. Your situation must make communication
especially difficult.
Some background on the area your son visited: We in the
Adirondacks are very fond of our mountains. But two of the high pea
Street and Nye -- are pesky. Usually hikers aim to get up and down
them cuickly. The blowdown is fierce; crawling is often the only
way to progress. And while on their knees, even the best of Christi
have called upon the Lord in vain. So your son has tackled one of
the most trying of training grounds.
As you know, Lake Placid is counting on a visit from you
in 1980. We hope you'll try one of our more hospitable mountains --
Whiteface, for example -- before the 1980 Olympics.
Our major concern here centers on the federal funding auth
tionfor the :80 Games (House, $49,040,000, and Senate, your $28,000
proposal). If you could let this weekly know what your final resolt
of the money level will be, we'd be most grateful. It's hard to be
last to publish a story that has so much local impact. That story :
we'd love to break along with your rationale for so doing. R.
FORD
I wish you every success in your candidacy.
GERALD
LIBRARY
June 8, 1976
3
Marks
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hale:
You will be interested to know that I have seen
a copy of your Thursday, Hay 27, 1976, edition
of The Lake Placid llews in which you carried
two nrticles regarding our son's experience
of hiking on Street Mountain.
I very such appreciated reading the detailed
stories of Mike's trip. You can imagine that
Nike never related to us any of the specifics
of the trip, and we are grateful to know what
happened.
You will find enclosed a check in the amount
of $1.00. I 80 wondering whether 1t would be
possible to purchase five additional copies
of this edition of the paper.- If 80, would
you please send them to the attention of my
Fersonal Secretary, Mrs. Dorothy Downton.
Thank you again for your great stories and for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,
mill
x
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hale
Fublishers
The Lake Placid News
Lake Placid, New York 12946
RECEIVED
10
GRF: Downton
JUN 1. 0 1976
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
CENTRAL FILES
34 Re, articles on mike's trip to sheet moentain
EDWARD I. KOCH
NEW YORK OFFICE:
18TH DISTRICT, NEW YORK
ROOM 3139
26 FEDERAL PLAZA
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10007
PHONE: 212-264-1066
SUBCOMMITTEES:
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
Congress of the United States
TRANSPORTATION
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
house of Representatives
1126 LONGWORTH OFFICE BUILDING
PHONE: 202-225-2436
Washington, D.C. 20515
July 14, 1976
MF
Hon. Gerald Ford
President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I urge you that in the event the Olympics Committee fails
to obtain a reversal of Canada's decision barring the
Republic of China (Taiwan) from participating under its
name in the Olympics in Canada, you have the United States
withdraw its participation from the Olympic games.
To do otherwise would set a precedent that will have no end
and will ultimately destroy the very nature of the Olympic
Games by politicizing them. I happen not to be a supporter
of the Republic of China and I hasten to add that I do not
support the Peoples Republic of China either. I am opposed to
tyranny whether it be on the left or the right. But that is
not the question. If as a condition to participation in the
Olympics, countries have to demonstrate either democratic
values or at the very least non-repression of their own people,
then there are perhaps two dozen of such countries that would
pass either or both of those tests. And if we use those tests
we will bar the Soviet Union and every Communist state as well
as the military juntas that abound in Africa, Latin America
and Asia.
While I deplore both the repression found in the Soviet Union
and South Africa, I believe both should participate in the
Olympic Games.
I urge you, therefore, to place Lord Killanin on notice that
if there is any resolution other than full participation in
the Games by the Republic of China that United States' partici-
pation will immediately end.
THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE WITH RECYCL FD FIRERS
Hon. Gerald Ford
2
July 14, 1976
If we allow Canada, a democratic country, to impose its
politics on the Olympics, what will be imposed when those
Olympic Games are held in the Soviet Union in 1980? And
will we be told then as we are told now that the Games
must go on because so many athletes have their hearts
set upon them? No, Mr. President, principle in this
case as is generally the case is far more important
than expediency.
All the best.
Sincerely,
Sd
Edward I. Koch
EIK:ndr
THE WHITE HOUSE
olympics
WASHINGTON
August 30, 1976
Dear Ed:
The President asked me to reply to your letter on the
Olympic question.
The President shares your concern about the Olympics being
threatened by international politics. He, too, deplored
Canada's decision to bar the participation of the Republic
of China in the Games unless they met specific conditions,
an action that violated the rules of the International
Olympic Committee. He personally communicated his views to
Philip Krumm, President of the United States Olympic Com-
mittee, and asked him to use his good office to resolve the
impasse. The President, however, did not give any specific
directions to Mr. Krumm because he has no authority over the
actions of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
The President was very regretful that, while the Canadian
Government relented somewhat in its terms, it did not permit
unconditional entrance of the team from the Republic of
China into Canada to compete, which prompted the Chinese
withdrawal. The President has requested the U.S. Olympic
Committee to work through the International Olympic Com-
mittee to eliminate political interference in future Olympic
Games.
Despite the President's disappointment in the outcome of the
Taiwan issue, however, he was grateful for the efforts of
our Olympic Committee to resolve the issues and was pleased
that American athletes, who trained with such dedication,
were able to compete in the Olympics with great distinction.
Sincerely
James M. Cannon
Assistant to the President
for Domestic Affairs
The Honorable Edward I. Koch
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Rie
Olympics
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 1, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHIL BUCHEN
ROBERT T. HARTMANN
BILL SIMON
BILL SEIDMAN
JIM LYNN
FROM:
JIM CANNON
SUBJECT:
Culver Amendment
I would appreciate your recommendation on the attached
decision memo by COB Thursday.
Attachment
DRAFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JIM CANNON
SUBJECT
Administration Position on Legislation
Establishing a Tax Credit for Olympic
Athletes, and a Tax Exemption for
Certain Amateur Sports Groups
ISSUE
Senator John Culver (D-Iowa), a member of your Commission on
Olympic Sports, has introduced legislation to provide a tax
credit for athletes participating in Olympic or Pan-American
sports, and to provide tax-exempt status for certain organizations
promoting or fostering these sports.
The Commission participated in drafting of the legislation
and supports its passage. Treasury also supports the legislation,
but OMB has taken an Administration position that legislation
of this kind should await the final report of your Commission.
BACKGROUND
The bill is actually two amendments. The first would allow
athletes, their spouses or their parents a tax credit of 20
percent against up to $2,500.00 in non-reimbursable expenditures
directly connected with Olympic or Pan-American competition.
The maximum credit, therefore, would be $500.00. Perhaps
10,000 athletes would be affected.
The second amendment proposes to add groups that "foster
national or international sports competition" to the list of
organizations defined as tax-exempt by Section 501 (c) (3) of
the tax code. This would put the sports groups themselves
in the same tax classification as religious, educational and
cultural organizations. Contributions would be tax deductible.
OMB is particularly opposed to this proposal, since they
feel its passage would have the effect of making membership
fees in certain other organizations (yacht clubs, country
clubs, etc) tax-deductible for the individual club members.
Senator Culver, in testimony on the Senate floor, has said
that he does not believe there will be such a problem.
Page 2
CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION
This legislation, proposed as an amendment to the tax bill,
is co-sponsored by the three other Senate members of the
Commission, Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Richard Stone (D-Florida)
and John Glenn Beall (R-Maryland).
DISCUSSION
Early in August, you initiated the extension of the Commission's
term so that it could "not only address the problem of sports
organization in the United States, but also
recommend
effective mechanisms for funding training and development of
our Olympic competitors."
This legislation, while it may be premature in the absence
of the Commission's final report, is essentially the sort of
response you had asked for in extending the Commission's
life.
OMB, on the other hand, has taken a position against the
legislation and thus committed the Administration to tem-
porarily oppose a tax measure to aid athletes.
Since the legislation will apparently go to conference early
next week, an early decision is needed.
DECISION
Option 1: Support both amendments.
Option 2: Oppose both amendments on grounds
that they are premature.
Option 3: Support the tax credit and oppose
the tax-exempt status for sports
organizations.
\
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FORD & LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
September 1, 1976
, 19
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
OUT
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6:00 PM
Lynn May called -- The Culver Amendment memo
OUT
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amendments have been taken up and defeated.
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U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1970-O-375-347
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 1, 1976
DRAFT
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHIL BUCHEN
ROBERT T. HARTMANN
BILL SIMON
BILL SEIDMAN
JIM LYNN
FROM:
JIM CANNON
SUBJECT:
Culver Amendment
I would appreciate your recommendation on the attached
decision memo by COB Thursday.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JIM CANNON
SUBJECT
Administration Position on Legislation
Establishing a Tax Credit for Olympic
Athletes, and a Tax Exemption for
Certain Amateur Sports Groups
ISSUE
Senator John Culver (D-Iowa), a member of your Commission on
Olympic Sports, has introduced legislation to provide a tax
credit for athletes participating in Olympic or Pan-American
sports, and to provide tax-exempt status for certain organizations
promoting or fostering these sports.
The Commission participated in drafting of the legislation
and supports its passage. Treasury also supports the legislation,
but OMB has taken an Administration position that legislation
of this kind should await the final report of your Commission.
BACKGROUND
The bill is actually two amendments. The first would allow
athletes, their spouses or their parents a tax credit of 20
percent against up to $2,500.00 in non-reimbursable expenditures
directly connected with Olympic or Pan-American competition.
The maximum credit, therefore, would be $500.00. Perhaps
10,000 athletes would be affected.
The second amendment proposes to add groups that "foster
national or international sports competition" to the list of
organizations defined as tax-exempt by Section 501 (c) (3) of
the tax code. This would put the sports groups themselves
in the same tax classification as religious, educational and
cultural organizations. Contributions would be tax deductible.
OMB is particularly opposed to this proposal, since they
feel its passage would have the effect of making membership
fees in certain other organizations (yacht clubs, country
clubs, etc) tax-deductible for the individual club members.
Senator Culver, in testimony on the Senate floor, has said
that he does not believe there will be such a problem.
Page 2
CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION
This legislation, proposed as an amendment to the tax bill,
is co-sponsored by the three other Senate members of the
Commission, Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Richard Stone (D-Florida)
and John Glenn Beall (R-Maryland).
DISCUSSION
Early in August, you initiated the extension of the Commission's
term so that it could "not only address the problem of sports
organization in the United States, but also
recommend
effective mechanisms for funding training and development of
our Olympic competitors. "
This legislation, while it may be premature in the absence
of the Commission's final report, is essentially the sort of
response you had asked for in extending the Commission's
life.
OMB, on the other hand, has taken a position against the
legislation and thus committed the Administration to tem-
porarily oppose a tax measure to aid athletes.
Since the legislation will apparently go to conference early
next week, an early decision is needed.
DECISION
Option 1: Support both amendments.
Option 2: Oppose both amendments on grounds
that they are premature.
Option 3: Support the tax credit and oppose
the tax-exempt status for sports
organizations.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Sat,-Sept.-6-
Monday. Sept. 6
Kris:
I sent the original of the attached back
to Lynn May (in a computer folder), and he
will be calling JMC to discuss with him,
per JMC request.
cd
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Aclen
-
THE WHITE HOUSE This
WASHINGTON
was
You JMC asked that this be re-written poorly
President in a way that from did announcing not was pre-enot the your new
initiatives
before the Commission's recommendations
were received.
away.
its-
1
I discussed the issue with Lynn and we
agreed that it might make more sense
not to send anything. The Commission
knows its life has been or xtended --
so the only purpose to be served is
preserving formalities No
Are you agreed that we can. forget about
a letter at this time?
FORD & LIBRARY 93RALD
YES
NO
Allen
Lynn
to
die
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 2, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CANNON
FROM:
LYNN MAY in q
SUBJECT:
President's Letter to his Commission on
Olympic Sports
You requested the status of a letter to be sent from the
President to the Commission's Chairman notifying him of the
Commission's extension. I must apologize that when Sarah
briefed me on this when I returned from leave, I thought
she meant a letter to the Congressional Committees urging
funding for the extension (hence the earlier memo on this
subject).
Regarding the letter you have requested, I propose that it
be sent when the President signs the Executive Order extend-
ing the Commission early next week. I have attached a draft
of this letter.
Jim
Attachment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Septembe 10-6
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
EXECUTIVE ORDER
THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON OLYMPIC SPORTS
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President
of the United States, Section 4 (c) of Executive Order
No. 11868 of June 19, 1975, is hereby amended to read
as follows:
"Sec. 4(c) The second report shall be an
analysis of the organizational and develop-
mental problems in each Olympic sport. This
shall be submitted no later than January 15,
1977, and contain an analysis of the financial
and facilities requirements of each sport and
recommend ways to provide needed funds.
GERALD R. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Septembe ? 1775
#####
Dear Gerry:
Today, I have signed an executive order extending my Commission
on Olympic Sports until January 15, 1977. As I indicated at a
recent ceremony honoring Olympic athletes, I want the Committee
to use this extra time to complete its task of analyzing the
amateur sports system in this country and to develop and
recommend effective mechanisms for funding training and
development of our Olympic competitors.
I am convinced that America can produce a sports environment
that develops athletes to the limit of their potential, without
compromising their amateur status or requiring massive
government intrusion that is contrary to our traditions. I
eagerly await the Commission's recommendations this issue.
Yours truly,
We
GRF
want Commission
The Honorable Gerald B. Zornow
Chairman
President's Commission on
Olympic Sports
2025 M Street, Suite 3002
Washington, D.C. 20506
File
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 24, 1976
Olyupiz
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CANNON
FROM:
LYNN MAY
SUBJECT:
Presidential Sports Initiatives
The following is a summary of the surrent status of
the President's Sports Initiatives:
The President's Committee on Olympic Sports. On
August 8, 1976, the President asked the Congress to
extend the life of its Commission on Olympic Sports
to include a review of funding mechanisms for the
training of U. S. Olympic athletes as part of the
report. Subsequently, on August 13, HEW requested the
Congress to reprogram $180,000 to fund the prolonged
life of the Commission (see attached letter) and OMB
is currently drafting the Executive Order extending
the Commission.
The amount of funding necessary for the Commission to
complete its task is a matter of dispute between the
Commission on one side and HEW/OMB on the other. The
Commission claims it requires $250,000 while the latter
have determined that $180,000 to be sufficient for the
Commission's needs and the limit which HEW can afford.
I have asked the Commission to prepare a budget justi-
fication for their claims, and I am hopeful that the matter
can be resolved without recourse to a Presidential
decision. Senator Stevens' staff have advised me that
they see no problem with Congress reprogramming the funds
once the bottom-line figure has been determined. Under
these circumstances, I don't believe a Presidential letter
to the Congress reinforcing HEW's reprogramming request
would be advisable.
I am in the process of developing a series of possible
Presidential events in the next few months to maintain
his leadership in this area.
- 2 -
Federal Funding for the Construction of Permanent Sports
Facilities at Lake Placid for the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Legislation providing funding for the construction of
permanent sports facilities at Lake Placid will likely
receive final passage within the next few weeks. The
funding level reported by Conference is $49.2 million,
considerably higher. than the $28 million requested by
the President. $12 million of the additional expenditures,
however, would revert to Federal use through the construction
of Olympic housing at Raybrook which is to be taken over
by the Bureau of Prisons as a Youth Correctional Facility
following the completion of the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The additional funds (approcimately $9 million) would be
used for the long-term support of the permanent sports
facilities, like additional power lines, generators, etc.
In summary, it appears that the President's policy to
commit Federal funds only for the construction of
permanent sports facilities at Lake Placid for the
training of future Olympic athletes will not be compromised
if the projected Olympic housing can be recouped for
Federal use. In that regard, the Bureau of Prisons
has been working with the Lake Placid Organizing Committee
to design facilities that would meet their specifications.
One problem, however, has arisen -- the State of New
York has announced it may temporarily transfer prisoners
from Attica and other prisons to Raybrook. Congressman
McEwen's office is currently working through Mario Cuomo's
Office to learn more abot this development and its potential
impact on the development of Olympic housing at Raybrook.
AUG 1 3 1975
The Honorable Daniel J. Flood
Chairman, Subcommittee on Labor and
Health, Education and Welfare
Committee on Appropriations
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
On August 3, 1976, the President met with members of his Commission on
Olympic Sports and members of the United States Olympic Team. He
indicated to them that be would ask the Congress to extend the life
of the Commission on Olympic Sports until January 1977.
The Commission is currently funded until the end of the Transition
Quarter as part of the General Departmental Management appropriation
of this Department. In order to extend the Commission until next
January, we will need to provide them with an additional $180,000
to be available from October 1, 1976, until January 15, 1977. We
plan to include the $180,000 as part of our financial plan that we
will be providing to your Subcommittee in response to the language
in the Conference Report on our FY 1977 appropriation bill. The
Office of Management and Budget asked us to contact you prior to
the submission of that plan to obtain a general go ahead from the
Committee to extend the life of the Commission. In effect, we are
asking you in advance to approve the allocation of $180,000 to the
Commission.
We would appreciate it if you would give us this commitment. We
will provide you with the specifics of the financial plan within
the next several weeks.
Sincerely yeurs,
1st John De Young
John D. Young
Assistant Secretary,
Comptroller
C,CHiller:sls 8/13/76
IDENTICAL LETTER SENT TO THE HONORABLE
WARREN G. MAGNUSON
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 2, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CANNON
FROM:
LYNN MAY in q
SUBJECT:
President's Letter to his Commission on
Olympic Sports
You requested the status of a letter to be sent from the
President to the Commission's Chairman notifying him of the
Commission's extension. I must apologize that when Sarah
briefed me on this when I returned from leave, I thought
she meant a letter to the Congressional Committees urging
funding for the extension (hence the earlier memo on this
subject).
Regarding the letter you have requested, I propose that it
be sent when the President signs the Executive Order extend-
ing the Commission early next week. I have attached a draft
of this letter.
Attachment
Dear Gerry:
Today, I have signed an executive order extending my Commission
on Olympic Sports until January 15, 1977. As I indicated at a
recent ceremony honoring Olympic athletes, I want the Committee
to use this extra time to complete its task of analyzing the
amateur sports system in this country and to develop and
recommend effective mechanisms for funding training and
development of our Olympic competitors.
I am convinced that America can produce a sports environment
that develops athletes to the limit of their potential, without
compromising their amateur status or requiring massive
government intrusion that is contrary to our traditions. I
eagerly await the Commission's recommendations on this issue.
Yours truly,
GRF
The Honorable Gerald B. Zornow
Chairman
President's Commission on
Olympic Sports
2025 M Street, Suite 3002
Washington, D.C. 20506