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    "id": "6283039",
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    "title": "Secret Service Protection for Vice President and Secretary of State: December 1976 - January 1977 (3)",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6283039",
    "collections": [
        "White House Special Files Unit Files",
        "Issue Decision Papers for the President"
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    "subjects": [
        "Department of the Treasury. U.S. Secret Service. 1943-2003",
        "Department of State. 9/1789-",
        "Vice-Presidents"
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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 7, folder \"Secret Service Protection for Vice\nPresident and Secretary of State: December, 1976 - January, 1977 (3)\" of the White House\nSpecial Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDetermined to be an administrative marking\nCancelled per E.O. 12356, Sec. 1.3 and\nCONFIDENTIAL\nArchivist's memo of March 16, 1983\nBy\nDAD NARS date 6/27/85\nProtection of Former Vice Presidents\nand other Federal Officials\nCurrently, the Secret Service is specifically authorized to provide\nprotection to former Presidents, their wives or widows (until\nremarriage), and children under 16 years of age (18 U.S.C. 3056).\nThe Secret Service has no specific authorization to protect Vice\nPresidents or other Federal officials after they leave office.\nThe lives of the Vice President and the Secretary of State have been\nthreatened because of their Federal service. Both now are currently\nprotected by the Secret Service, but this protection will end on\nJanuary 20 unless Congress authorizes an extension of protective\nservices.\nIn past years, the number of threats against prominent Federal officials\nhas declined substantially after they have left office. The emergence\nof numerous and mobile foreign terrorist groups in the past few years,\nhowever, creates an uncertain degree of additional risk for these\nofficials and their families.\nBecause of the worldwide public identification of the current Secretary\nof State with the development of U.S. foreign policy and his major role\nin several heated, international disputes, there is particular concern\nabout recent threats against Secretary Kissinger.\nThe primary threats against the life of the Secretary of State have been\nmade by foreign terrorist groups who are known to have assassinated\nother individuals and who may very well take action after the Secretary\nleaves office. (Middle Eastern groups--who are noted for their perser-\nverance--are the source of the most disturbing recent thréats).\nWe must be willing to protect the lives of Federal officials--Vice\nPresidents, Congressmen, or Cabinet Secretaries--who are threatened because\nof the great service they have provided to their country.\nThe President would be authorized to provide protection to former\nofficials whose lives are in \"significant danger as a consequence\nof the discharge of the officials responsibilities while in Office\"\nand his immediate family by the Secret Service, the security force\nof the formal official's agency, or private firm.\nProtection would be authorized for up to six months and could be\nextended.\nThe estimated cost of providing Secret Service protection to a former\nhigh government official would range from $1 million to $4 million\ndepending upon the threat level and family circumstances. Foreign\nand to a lesser extent domestic travel would substantially increase\nthese costs.\nDigitized from Box 7 of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJanuary 11, 1977\nGERALS FORD\nBIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL MEETING\nTuesday, January 11, 1977\n4:00 p.m. (30 minutes)\nThe Cabinet Room\nFrom: Max L. Friedersdorf m.f.\nI. PURPOSE\nTo brief the chairmen and ranking Members of the\njurisdictional committees on proposed legislation\nfor the protection of former Vice Presidents and\nother Federal officials.\nII. BACKGROUND\nA. Background: The President plans to transmit proposed\nlegislation for the protection of former Vice Presidents\nand other Federal officials at an early date, and wishes\nto discuss this proposal with the jurisdictional\ncommittee Members. The committees represented are: House\nAppropriations, Judiciary and Government Operations; Senate\nAppropriations and Finance.\nB. Participants:\nSee TAB A\nC. Press Plan: None - White House photographer only.\nIII. TALKING POINTS\nSee TAB B\nPARTICIPANTS\nThe President\nHOUSE\nSENATE\nTom Steed\nLawton Chiles\nClarence Miller\nHenry Bellmon\nJack Brooks\nRussell Long\nFrank Horton\nCarl Curtis\nPete Rodino\nBob McClory\nBEFFER\nLIBRARY\nSENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF\nTex Gunnels\nFred Rhodes\nGeorge Patten\nSTAFF\nJack Marsh\nDick Cheney\nMax Friedersdorf\nPhil Buchen\nBrent Scowcroft\nSusan Herter\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJanuary 11, 1977\nBIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL MEETING\nTuesday, January 11, 1977\n4:00 p.m. (30 minutes)\nThe Cabinet Room\nFrom: Max L. Friedersdorf m.6.\nI. PURPOSE\nTo brief the chairmen and ranking Members of the\njurisdictional committees on proposed legislation\nfor the protection of former Vice Presidents and\nother Federal officials.\nII. BACKGROUND\nA. Background: The President plans to transmit proposed\nlegislation for the protection of former Vice Presidents\nand other Federal officials at an early date, and wishes\nto discuss this proposal with the jurisdictional\ncommittee Members. The committees represented are: House\nAppropriations, Judiciary and Government Operations; Senate\nAppropriations and Finance.\nB. Participants:\nSee TAB A\nC. Press Plan: None - White House photographer only.\nIII. TALKING POINTS\nSee TAB B\nLIBRARY\nPARTICIPANTS\nThe President\nHOUSE\nSENATE\nTom Steed\nLawton Chiles\nClarence Miller\nHenry Bellmon\nJack Brooks\nRussell Long\nFrank Horton\nCarl Curtis\nPete Rodino\nBob McClory\nSENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF\nTex Gunnels\nFred Rhodes\nGeorge Patten\nSTAFF\nJack Marsh\nDick Cheney\nMax Friedersdorf\nPhil Buchen\nBrent Scowcroft\nSusan Herter\nB\nto\nDetermined to be an administrative marking\nCONFIDENTIAL\nCancelled per E.O. 12356, Sec. 1.3 and\nArchivist's memo of March 16, 1983\nBy\nAP\nNARS date 6/27/85\nProtection of Former Vice Presidents\nand other Federal Officials\nCurrently, the Secret Service is specifically authorized to provide\nprotection to former Presidents, their wives or widows (until\nremarriage), and children under 16 years of age (18 U.S.C. 3056).\nThe Secret Service has no specific authorization to protect Vice\nPresidents or other Federal officials after they leave office.\nThe lives of the Vice President and the Secretary of State haye been\nthreatened because of their Federal service. Both now are currently\nprotected by the Secret Service, but this protection will end on\nJanuary 20 unless Congress authorizes an extension of protective\nservices.\nIn past years, the number of threats against prominent Federal officials\nhas declined substantially after they have left office. The emergence\nof numerous and mobile foreign terrorist groups in the past few years,\nhowever, creates an uncertain degree of additional risk for these\nofficials and their families.\nBecause of the worldwide public identification of the current Secretary\nof State with the development of U.S. foreign policy and his major role\nin several heated, international disputes, there is particular concern\nabout recent threats against Secretary Kissinger.\nThe primary threats against the life of the Secretary of State have been\nmade by foreign terrorist groups who are known to have assassinated\nother individuals and who may very well take action after the Secretary\nleaves office. (Middle Eastern groups--who are noted for their perser-\nverance--are the source of the most disturbing recent thréats).\nWe must be willing to protect the lives of Federal officials--Vice\nPresidents, Congressmen, or Cabinet Secretaries--who are threatened because\nof the great service they have provided to their country.\nThe President would be authorized to provide protection to former\nofficials whose lives are in \"significant danger as a consequence\nof the discharge of the officials responsibilities while in Office\"\nand his immediate family by the Secret Service, the security force\nof the formal official's agency, or private firm.\nProtection would be authorized for up to six months and could be\nextended.\nThe estimated cost of providing Secret Service protection to a former\nhigh government official would range from $1 million to $4 million\ndepending upon the threat level and family circumstances. Foreign\nand to a lesser extent domestic travel would substantially increase\nthese costs.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nTIBRARY\nDear Mr. Speaker:\nI am transmitting for consideration by the Congress an\nurgent Joint Resolution which would authorize the Secret\nService to furnish protection to a person who as a Federal\nGovernment official or as a member of such official's\nimmediate family had been receiving protection for a period\nimmediately preceding January 20, 1977, if the President\ndetermined that such person may thereafter be in signifi-\ncant danger. This protection could not continue beyond\nJuly 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.\nThe lives of the Vice President, the Secretary of State,\nand other Federal officials have been threatened because\nof their service to the United States and the American\npeople. The number of threats against prominent Federal\nofficials normally declines after they leave office. The\nemergence in recent years of numerous and mobile foreign\nterrorist groups has created an uncertain degree of risk\nfor the Vice President and the Secretary of State; they\nare natural targets for individuals and groups prone to\nviolence. Threats against Secretary Kissinger's life are\ncurrent and continuing.\nWe cannot in good conscience subject any departing Vice\nPresident, Secretary of State, or any other Federal offi-\ncial to possible harm because of his or her service to\nthe United States. Because this danger results directly\nfrom the high visibility of their positions, I believe\nthat the Federal Government has an obligation to provide\nthem and their immediate families, if necessary, with\nprotection as long as there is significant danger to their\nlives.\nExisting statutory authority is not adequate for this purpose.\nConsequently, unless the Congress acts immediately, protec-\ntive services necessary to ensure the continued safety of\nthe Vice President, the Secretary of State, and other Federal\nofficials cannot be provided after they leave office on\nJanuary 20.\n2\nThe emergency resolution that I am proposing is a temporary\nmeasure that would cover both the Vice President and other\nFederal officials currently receiving protection after\nthey leave office. It would authorize that Secret Service\nprotection continue for the Vice President and other Federal\nofficials for a maximum of six months so long as the\nPresident determines that they are in significant danger.\nSimilar protection could be extended to their families.\nI urge the Congress to act swiftly on this proposal.\nSincerely,\nThe Honorable Thomas P. O'Neill\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nJOINT RESOLUTION\nTo authorize the United States Secret Service to\ncontinue to furnish protection to certain\nformer Federal officials or members of their\nimmediate families.\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nResolved by the Senate and House of Representatives\nof the United States of America in Congress assembled,\nThat the United States Secret Service, in addition to\nother duties now provided by law, is authorized to\nfurnish protection to a person who (a) as a Federal\nGovernment official has been receiving protection by\nthe United States Secret Service for a period immediately\npreceding January 20, 1977, or (b) as a member of such\nofficial's immediate family has been receiving protection\nby either the United States Secret Service or other\nsecurity personnel of the official's department immediately\npreceding January 20, 1977, if the President determines\nthat such person may thereafter be in significant danger;\nprovided, however, that protection of any such person\nshall continue only for such period as the President\ndetermines and shall not continue beyond July 20, 1977,\nunless otherwise permitted by law.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nDear Mr. Speaker:\nI am transmitting for consideration by the Congress urgent legislation\nwhich would authorize that the Secret Service furnish protection to a\nperson who as a Federal Government official or as a member of such\nofficial's immediate family had been receiving such protection for a\nperiod immediately preceding January 20 1977, if the President\ndetermined that such person may thereafter be in significant danger.\nThis protection could not continue beyond July 20, 1977, unless\notherwise permitted by law.\nThe lives of the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and other\nFederal officials have been threatened because of their service to\nthe United States and the American people. The number of threats\nagainst prominent Federal of Vicials normally declines after they\nleave office. The emergence in recent years of numerous and mobile\nforeign terrorist groups has created an uncertain degree of risk\nfor the Vice President and the Secretary of State; they are natural\ntargets for individuals and groups prone to violence. Threats against\nSecretary Kissinger's life are current and continuing.\nWe cannot in good conscience subject any departing Vice President,\nSecretary of State, or any other Federal official to possible harm\nbecause of his or her service to the United States. Because this\ndanger results directly from the high visibility of their positions,\nI believe that the Federal Government has an obligation to provide\nthem and their immediate families, if necessary, with protection as\nlong as there is significant danger to their lives.\nExisting statutory authority is not adequate for this purpose.\nConsequently, unless the Congress acts, protective services\nnecessary to ensure the continued safety of the Vice President,\nthe Secretary of State, and other Federal officials cannot be\nprovided after they leave office on January 20.\nThe emergency legislation I am proposing would cover both the\nVice President and other Federal officials after they leave\noffice. It would authorize that Secret Service protection\ncontinue for the Vice President and other Federal officials\nfor a maximum of six months so long as the President determines\nthat they are in significant danger. Similar protection could\nbe extended to their families.\n2\nI urge the Congress to act swiftly on this proposal.\nSincerely,\nFORDO is LIBRARY 078829\nThe Honorable Thomas P. O'Neill\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives\nWashington, D. C. 20515\nJOINT RESOLUTION\nTO authorize the United States Secret Service to\ncontinue to furnish protection to certain former\nFederal officials or members of chair immediate\nfamilies.\nResolved by the Senate and House of Representatives\nof the United States of America in Congress assembled,\nThat the United States Secret Service, in addition to\nother duties now provided by law, is authorized to\nfurnish protection to a person who (a) as a Federal Government\nofficial has been receiving protection by the United States\nSecret Service for a period immediately preceding January 20,\n1977, or (b) as a member of such official's immediate family\nhas been receiving protection by either the United States\nSecret Service or other security personnel of the official's\ndepartment immediately preceding January 20, 1977, if the\nPresident determines that such person may thereafter be in\nsignificant danger; provided, however, that protection of any\nsuch person shall continue only for such period as the\nPresident determines and shall not continue beyond\nJuly 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nin\nFORD\nLIBRARY\nDear Mr. President:\nI am transmitting for consideration by the Congress urgent legislation\nwhich would authorize that the Secret Service furnish protection to a\nperson who as a Federal Government official or as a member of such\nofficial's immediate family had been receiving such protection for a\nperiod immediately preceding January 20, 1977, if the President\ndetermined that such person may thereafter be in significant danger.\nThis protection could not continue beyond July 20, 1977, unless\notherwise permitted by law.\nThe lives of the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and other\nFederal officials have been threatened because of their service to\nthe United States and the American people. The number of threats\nagainst prominent Federal officials normally declines after they\nleave office. The emergence in recent years of numerous and mobile\nforeign terrorist groups has created an uncertain degree of risk\nfor the Vice President and the Secretary of State; they are natural\ntargets for individuals and groups prone to violence. Threats against\nSecretary Kissinger's life are current and continuing.\nWe cannot in good conscience subject any departing Vice President,\nSecretary of State, or any other Federal official to possible harm\nbecause of his or her service to the United States. Because this\ndanger results directly from the high visibility of their positions,\nI believe that the Federal Government has an obligation to provide\nthem and their immediate families, if necessary, with protection as\nlong as there is significant danger to their lives.\nExisting statutory authority is not adequate for this purpose.\nConsequently, unless the Congress acts, protective services\nnecessary to ensure the continued safety of the Vice President,\nthe Secretary of State, and other Federal officials cannot be\nprovided after they leave office on January 20.\nThe emergency legislation I am proposing would cover both the\nVice President and other Federal officials after they leave\noffice. It would authorize that Secret Service protection\ncontinue for the Vice President and other Federal officials\nfor a maximum of six months so long as the President determines\nthat they are in significant danger. Similar protection could\nbe extended to their families.\n2\nI urge the Congress to act swiftly on this proposal.\nSincerely,\nFORD LIERARY\nThe Honorable Nelson A. Rockefeller\nPresident of the Senate\nU.S. Senate\nWashington, D. C. 20510\nEXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT\nOFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20503\nJAN 13 1977\nFORD\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nLIBRARY\nFROM:\nJAMES T. LYNN\nOhien\nSUBJECT:\nContinuation of Secret Service\nProtection for Former Federal\nGovernment officials\nAttached for your approval is a joint resolution which would\nauthorize that Secret Service protection be continued for\nFederal officials after they leave office if the President\ndetermines their lives are in significant danger. This\nprotection could be provided to former officials and their\nfamilies. Transmittal letters to the Speaker and the\nVice President are also attached for your signature.\nThe proposed legislation carries out your decisions made at the\nmeeting with Congressional leaders on January 11, 1977. It\nwould allow protection to be continued for Vice President\nRockefeller, Secretary Kissinger, and Secretary Simon, as well\nas their families fcr a maximum of six months. You indicated\nthat you wanted this legislation to be transmitted promptly so\nthat the Congress will have the opportunity to pass a bill before\nJanuary 20.\nAttachment\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJanuary 13, 1977\nBREAKFAST MEETING WITH BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP\nFriday, January 14, 1977\n8:00-9:30 A.M. (90 Minutes)\nThe First Floor Dining Room\nFrom: Max L. Friedersdorf m.f.\nI. PURPOSE\nTo bid farewell to the newly elected bipartisan\nCongressional leadership of the 95th Congress, and\nrecommend passage of legislation to provide post-\ninaugural Secret Service protection for certain\nAdministration officials.\nII. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS PLAN\nA. Background:\n1. Both the House and Senate Republicans and\nDemocrats have elected their new officers for\nthe 95th Congress, and three of the top four\noffices have changed, namely, the Speaker and\nSenate Majority and Minority Leaders.\n2. The President has received information from the\nSecret Service that there may be personal danger\nto Secretary Kissinger and the Vice President\nfollowing their departure from office on January 20,\n1977 (See Tab A).\n3. The President has proposed to the Congressional\njurisdictional Chairman and ranking members that\nlegislation be passed prior to January 20, authoriz-\ning the President to continue protection for the\nendangered officials for a period up to six months\nafter January 20.\n4. The leaders may also raise additional legislature\nmatters with the President, including the President's\nintention on the pay raise matter and gas decontrol.\nB. Participants: (See Tab B)\n-2-\nC. Press Plan: Meeting to be announced by Press Office.\nWhite House photos.\nIII. TALKING POINTS\n1. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate\neach of you upon your election to offices of leader-\nship in the Congress.\n2. At the same time, I wish to extend my farewell prior\nto my departure on January 20th.\n3. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve with all\nof you in a position of responsibility. You have\nmy best wishes for success in the 95th Congress.\n4. There is one piece of legislative business that I\nwould like to mention. This pertains to the matter\nof Secret Service protection for certain departing\nMembers of this Administration now receiving protection\n(See Tab C).\nB\nPARTICIPANTS\nThe President\nHOUSE\nSENATE\nBob Michel\nHoward Baker\nJohn Anderson\nTed Stevens\nSam Devine\nBob Packwood\nDel Clawson\nCliff Hansen\nBill Frenzel\nHubert Humphrey\nJim Quillen\nBob Byrd\nGuy Vander Jagt\nAlan Cranston\nTip O'Neill\nDan Inouye\nJim Wright\nJohn Brademas\nSTAFF\nBob Hartmann\nJack Marsh\nDick Cheney\nBrent Scowcroft\nPhil Buchen\nMax Friedersdorf\nJim Cannon\nJim Lynn\nAlan Greenspan\nREGRETS\nThe Vice President\nSen. Curtis\nSen. Tower\nSen. Eastland\nRep. Rhodes\nRep. Edwards\nRep. Foley\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nGERALD FORD LIBRARY\nJanuary 14, 1977\nDear Mr. President:\nI am transmitting for consideration by the Congress an\nurgent Joint Resolution which would authorize the Secret\nService to furnish protection to a person who as a Federal\nGovernment official or as a member of such official's\nimmediate family had been receiving protection for a period\nimmediately preceding January 20, 1977, if the President\ndetermined that such person may thereafter be in signifi-\ncant danger. This protection could not continue beyond\nJuly 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.\nThe lives of the Vice President, the Secretary of State,\nand other Federal officials have been threatened because\nof their service to the United States and the American\npeople. The number of threats against prominent Federal\nofficials normally declines after they leave office. The\nemergence in recent years of numerous and mobile foreign\nterrorist groups has created an added degree of risk,\nespecially for the Vice President and the Secretary of\nState; they are natural targets for individuals and groups\nprone to violence. Threats against Secretary Kissinger's\nlife are current and continuing.\nWe cannot in good conscience subject any departing Vice\nPresident, Secretary of State, or any other Federal offi-\ncial to possible harm because of his or her service to\nthe United States. Because this danger results directly\nfrom the high visibility of their positions, I believe\nthat the Federal Government has an obligation to provide\nthem and their immediate families, if necessary, with\nprotection as long as there is significant danger to their\nlives.\nExisting statutory authority is not adequate for this purpose.\nConsequently, unless the Congress acts immediately, protec-\ntive services necessary to ensure the continued safety of\nthe Vice President, the Secretary of State, and other Federal\nofficials cannot be provided after they leave office on\nJanuary 20.\n2\nThe emergency resolution that I am proposing is a temporary\nmeasure. It would allow the next President to extend pro-\ntection, if the situation warrants, to one or more of the\npersons having protection now who would otherwise abruptly\nlose that protection next Thursday. The persons now having\nprotection, in addition to me and my immediate family (of\nwhom Betty and I, but not our children, will have continued\nprotection under existing law) are the Vice President and\nthe Secretaries of State and Treasury and their immediate\nfamilies, but it is likely that only a few of those persons\nwill require extended protection after next Thursday and\nfor merely limited periods as the next President may deter-\nmine. In any event no such protection could go beyond\nJuly 20, 1977 unless the Congress should act later to\npermit protection over a longer period in particular\ninstances.\nThe adoption of this proposed resolution is endorsed by\nthe Secret Service, and I request that the Congress act\nswiftly on this proposal.\nSincerely,\nFORD\nLIBRAR\nThe Honorable Nelson A. Rockefeller\nPresident of the Senate\nWashington, D.C. 20510\nJOINT RESOLUTION\nTo authorize the United States Secret Service to\ncontinue to furnish protection to certain\nformer Federal officials or members of their\nimmediate families.\nResolved by the Senate and House of Representatives\nof the United States of America in Congress assembled,\nThat the United States Secret Service, in addition to\nother duties now provided by law, is authorized to\nfurnish protection to a person who (a) as a Federal\nGovernment official has been receiving protection by\nthe United States Secret Service for a period immediately\npreceding January 20, 1977, or (b) as a member of such\nofficial's immediate family has been receiving protection\nby either the United States Secret Service or other\nsecurity personnel of the official's department immediately\npreceding January 20, 1977, if the President determines\nthat such person may thereafter be in significant danger;\nprovided, however, that protection of any such person\nshall continue only for such period as the President\ndetermines and shall not continue beyond July 20, 1977,\nunless otherwise permitted by law.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJanuary 14, 1977\nDear Mr. Speaker:\nI am transmitting for consideration by the Congress an\nurgent Joint Resolution which would authorize the Secret\nService to furnish protection to a person who as a Federal\nGovernment official or as a member of such official's\nimmediate family had been receiving protection for a period\nimmediately preceding January 20, 1977, if the President\ndetermined that such person may thereafter be in signifi-\ncant danger. This protection could not continue beyond\nJuly 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.\nThe lives of the Vice President, the Secretary of State,\nand other Federal officials have been threatened because\nof their service to the United States and the American\npeople. The number of threats against prominent Federal\nofficials normally declines after they leave office. The\nemergence in recent years of numerous and mobile foreign\nterrorist groups has created an added degree of risk,\nespecially for the Vice President and the Secretary of\nState; they are natural targets for individuals and groups\nprone to violence. Threats against Secretary Kissinger's\nlife are current and continuing.\nWe cannot in good conscience subject any departing Vice\nPresident, Secretary of State, or any other Federal offi-\ncial to possible harm because of his or her service to\nthe United States. Because this danger results directly\nfrom the high visibility of their positions, I believe\nthat the Federal Government has an obligation to provide\nthem and their immediate families, if necessary, with\nprotection as long as there is significant danger to their\nlives.\nExisting statutory authority is not adequate for this purpose.\nConsequently, unless the Congress acts immediately, protec-\ntive services necessary to ensure the continued safety of\nthe Vice President, the Secretary of State, and other Federal\nofficials cannot be provided after they leave office on\nJanuary 20.\n2\nThe emergency resolution that I am proposing is a temporary\nmeasure. It would allow the next President to extend pro-\ntection, if the situation warrants, to one or more of the\npersons having protection now who would otherwise abruptly\nlose that protection next Thursday. The persons now having\nprotection, in addition to me and my immediate family (of\nwhom Betty and I, but not our children, will have continued\nprotection under existing law) are the Vice President and\nthe Secretaries of State and Treasury and their immediate\nfamilies, but it is likely that only a few of those persons\nwill require extended protection after next Thursday and\nfor merely limited periods as the next President may deter-\nmine. In any event no such protection could go beyond\nJuly 20, 1977 unless the Congress should act later to\npermit protection over a longer period in particular\ninstances.\nThe adoption of this proposed resolution is endorsed by\nthe Secret Service, and I request that the Congress act\nswiftly on this proposal.\nSincerely,\nGERALD FORD LIBRARY\nThe Honorable Thomas P. O'Neill\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nJOINT RESOLUTION\nTo authorize the United States Secret Service to\ncontinue to furnish protection to certain\nformer Federal officials or members of their\nimmediate families.\nResolved by the Senate and House of Representatives\nof the United States of America in Congress assembled,\nThat the United States Secret Service, in addition to\nother duties now provided by law, is authorized to\nfurnish protection to a person who (a) as a Federal\nGovernment official has been receiving protection by\nthe United States Secret Service for a period immediately\npreceding January 20, 1977, or (b) as a member of such\nofficial's immediate family has been receiving protection\nby either the United States Secret Service or other\nsecurity personnel of the official's department immediately\npreceding January 20, 1977, if the President determines\nthat such person may thereafter be in significant danger;\nprovided, however, that protection of any such person\nshall continue only for such period as the President\ndetermines and shall not continue beyond July 20, 1977,\nunless otherwise permitted by law.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nFORD\nJanuary 13, 1977\nLIBRARY\nBREAKFAST MEETING WITH BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP\nFriday, January 14, 1977\n8:00-9:30 A.M. (90 Minutes)\nThe First Floor Dining Room\nFrom: Max L. Friedersdorf m.f.\nI. PURPOSE\nTo bid farewell to the newly elected bipartisan\nCongressional leadership of the 95th Congress, and\nrecommend passage of legislation to provide post-\ninaugural Secret Service protection for certain\nAdministration officials.\nII. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS PLAN\nA. Background:\n1. Both the House and Senate Republicans and\nDemocrats have elected their new officers for\nthe 95th Congress, and three of the top four\noffices have changed, namely, the Speaker and\nSenate Majority and Minority Leaders.\n2. The President has received information from the\nSecret Service that there may be personal danger\nto Secretary Kissinger and the Vice President\nfollowing their departure from office on January 20,\n1977 (See Tab A).\n3. The President has proposed to the Congressional\njurisdictional Chairman and ranking members that\nlegislation be passed prior to January 20, authoriz-\ning the President to continue protection for the\nendangered officials for a period up to six months\nafter January 20.\n4. The leaders may also raise additional legislature\nmatters with the President, including the President's\nintention on the pay raise matter and gas decontrol.\nB. Participants: (See Tab B)\n-2-\nC.\nPress Plan: Meeting to be announced by Press Office.\nWhite House photos.\nIII. TALKING POINTS\n1. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate\neach of you upon your election to offices of leader-\nship in the Congress.\n2. At the same time, I wish to extend my farewell prior\nto my departure on January 20th.\n3. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve with all\nof you in a position of responsibility. You have\nmy best wishes for success in the 95th Congress.\n4. There is one piece of legislative business that I\nwould like to mention. This pertains to the matter\nof Secret Service protection for certain departing\nMembers of this Administration now receiving protection\n(See Tab C) .\nFORD ; LIBRARY\nPARTICIPANTS\nThe President\nHOUSE\nSENATE\nBob Michel\nHoward Baker\nJohn Anderson\nTed Stevens\nSam Devine\nBob Packwood\nDel Clawson\nCliff Hansen\nBill Frenzel\nHubert Humphrey\nJim Quillen\nBob Byrd\nGuy Vander Jagt\nAlan Cranston\nTip O'Neill\nDan Inouye\nJim Wright\nJohn Brademas\nSTAFF\nBob Hartmann\nJack Marsh\nDick Cheney\nBrent Scowcroft\nPhil Buchen\nMax Friedersdorf\nJim Cannon\nJim Lynn\nAlan Greenspan\nREGRETS\nThe Vice President\nSen. Curtis\nSen. Tower\nSen. Eastland\nRep. Rhodes\nRep. Edwards\nRep. Foley\nJOINT RESOLUTION\nTo authorize the United States Secret Service to\ncontinue to furnish protection to certain former\nFederal officials or members of their immediate\nfamilies.\nResolved by the Senate and House of Representatives\nof the United States of America in Congress assembled,\nThat the United States Secret Service, in addition to\nother duties now provided by law, is authorized to\nfurnish protection to a person who (a) as a Federal Government\nofficial has been receiving protection by the United States\nSecret Service for a period immediately preceding January 20,\n1977, or (b) as a member of such official's immediate family\nhas been receiving protection by either the United States\nSecret Service or other security personnel of the official's\ndepartment immediately preceding January 20, 1977, if the\nPresident determines that such person may thereafter be in\nsignificant danger; provided, however, that protection of any\nsuch person shall continue only for such period as the\nPresident determines and shall not continue beyond\nJuly 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nJanuary 14, 1977\nOffice of the White House Press Secretary\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nJanuary 14, 1977\nTEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE\nPRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE\nHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\nAND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE\nDear Mr. Speaker:\n(Dear Mr. President:)\nI am transmitting for consideration by the Congress an\nurgent Joint Resolution which would authorize the Secret\nService to furnish protection to a person who as a Federal\nGovernment official or as a member of such official's\nimmediate family had been receiving protection for a period\nimmediately preceding January 20, 1977, If the President\ndetermined that such person may thereafter be in signifi-\ncant danger. This protection could not continue beyond\nJuly 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.\nThe lives of the Vice President, the Secretary of State,\nand other Federal officials have been threatened because\nof their service to the United States and the American\npeople. The number of threats against prominent Federal\nofficials normally declines after they leave office. The\nemergence in recent years of numerous and mobile foreign\nterrorist groups has created an added degree of risk,\nespecially for the Vice President and the Secretary of\nState; they are natural targets for individuals and groups\nprone to violence. Threats against Secretary Kissinger's\nlife are current and continuing.\nWe cannot in good conscience subject any departing Vice\nPresident, Secretary of State, or any other Federal offi-\ncial to possible harm because of his or her service to\nthe United States. Because this danger results directly\nfrom the high visibility of their positions, I believe\nthat the Federal Government has an obligation to provide\nthem and their immediate families, if necessary, with\nprotection as long as there is significant danger to their\nlives.\nExisting statutory authority is not adequate for this purpose.\nConsequently, unless the Congress acts immediately, protec-\ntive services necessary to ensure the continued safety of\nthe Vice President, the Secretary of State, and other Federal\nofficials cannot be provided after they leave office on\nJanuary 20.\nThe emergency resolution that I am proposing is a temporary\nmeasure. It would allow the next President to extend pro-\ntection, if the situation warrants, to one or more of the\npersons having protection now who would otherwise abruptly\nlose that protection next Thursday. The persons now having\nprotection, in addition to me and my immediate family (of\nwhom Betty and I, but not our children, will have continued\nprotection under existing law) are the Vice President and\nthe Secretaries of State and Treasury and their immediate\nmore\n2\nfamilies, but it is likely that only a few of those persons\nwill require extended protection after next Thursday and\nfor merely limited periods as the next President may deter-\nmine. In any event no such protection could go beyond\nJuly 20, 1977 unless the Congress should act later to\npermit protection over a longer period in particular\ninstances.\nThe adoption of this proposed resolution is endorsed by\nthe Secret Service, and I request that the Congress act\nswiftly on this proposal.\nSincerely,\nGERALD R. FORD\n#\n#\n#\nLIBRARY"
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