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White House - Congressional Leadership Meeting, 12/22/69 (includes draft Ford statement)
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White House - Congressional Leadership Meeting, 12/22/69 (includes draft Ford statement)
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Robert T. Hartmann Papers
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K- Pls send to Nortmann
Thonks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BiMT.
DECEMBER 22, 1969
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
PRESS CONFERENCE
OF
RON ZIEGLER, PRESS SECRETARY
TO THE PRESIDENT, AND SENATOR
HUGH SCOTT AND CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
AT 11:22 A.M. EST
MR. ZIEGLER: There was a Leadership Breakfast
this morning, as you know. The President and Mrs Nixon
invited the Republican leaders and their wives to have
breakfast in the State Dining Room this morning. It last
from 8:30 until about 10:45.
A number of things were discussed in the Leadership
meeting. Congressman Ford and Senator Scott are here to
cover those items with you.
MR. FORD: First, Merry Christmas.
SENATOR SCOTT: The Senate concurs.
MR. FORD: That is unusual.
SENATOR SCOTT: Did the President veto that one, sir?
MR. FORD: I might say that it was a very delightful
meeting this morning. We had a considerable increase in
pulchritude and some stimulating suggestions coming from
some new additions to the joint Leadership meeting.
I will make a comment or two about one issue and
Senator Scott will follow it up with the other major problem
that came before us.
The President reiterated his strong, strong feeling
against the rider that was put on the supplemental appropri-
ations bill, which would, in effect, according to the Secretary
of Labor and to the Attorney General, one, knock out the
Administration's strong effort to enlarge equal job
opportunities for minority or non-white groups; and secondly,
the rider would raise some very, very serious constitutional
questions.
Secretary Shultz, with the Assistant Secretary,
Arthur Fletcher, pointed out that we had gone through the
first phase of the civil rights effort with voting rights
legislation, the civil rights bills generally, aiming at
eliminating discrimination.
But the second major phase was an attempt to
provide job opportunities for non-white citizens throughout
the country.
MORE
GERALD LIBRARY FORD
These documents were scanned from Box 106 of the Robert T. Hartmann Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
-2-
And the impact of this rider on the appropriations
bill will be to eliminate or certainly seriously curtail
the effort of the Nixon Administration to provide these
job opportunities for minority groups.
We in the House are going to try and defeat the
agreement that was reached in the conference with the House
and the Senate. We are taking on some pretty powerful
lobbying groups. I understand that some of the labor leaders
are against the Philadelphia Plan, and are going to try and
get the Congress to agree to the rider.
We have picked up at least one ally in the civil
rights group. I have in my hand a statement by Mr. Whitney
Young, who has said that the Philadelphia Plan is badly
needed throughout the country to provide job opportunities
for minority groups, and he is urging the Congress or the
House of Representatives today to defeat the conference
agreement, which would eliminate the Philadelphia Plan.
Of course, this is another issue, the constitutional
one. The Attorney General believes that the rider imposed
by the Senate and agreed to by the conferees would place the
Attorney General and the Executive Branch in the government
in a disadvantageous position and would put far too much
authority in the General Accounting Office and the Comptroller
General.
For these reasons, we are going to take a strong
position on our side of the aisle and are going to attempt
to defeat the conference report in this particular instance.
SENATOR SCOTT: And I may add that unless this
amendment is changed, the President has serious concern as
to whether he can accept the second supplemental, because
the rider goes much further than perhaps some people intend,
in that it appears to confirm the right of the Comptroller
General to pass on substantive legislation and if he
happens not to like civil rights legislation, I don't know
whether he does or not, this is a very grim and gruesome
portent and therefore, I think, that all of those people,
whether they be leaders of labor unions, of civil rights groups
or not, ought to now stand up and be heard just as boldly
in defense of this Administration as they often did in
the defense of other Administrations.
And I am glad to add to what Gerry Ford has said
about Whitney Young. I am told that Roy Wilkins has also
made a statement which will shortly be on the wires also
supporting the Republican position and the Republican
demand for a vote in the House on this issue.
On another matter, HEW-Labor appropriations bill,
as you know, there was a change of signals on half a dozen
items on the House side Saturday. But I believe the latest
is to go ahead with HEW-Labor on the House side. Isn't that
right, Gerry?
MR. FORD: It is on the floor right now.
FOHD
MORE
-3-
SENATOR SCOTT: On the Senate side, Senator
Mansfield has indicated that the Senate will allow the report
to lie on the table without action until January. But I
wish to correct any impression that this is done at the
request of the White House.
This is done because many people meeting together,
including party leaders of both sides of the Senate, reached
such an agreement the other night.
The President's position is that if the HEW-Labor
appropriation bill is to come down here, and if the Congress
wishes to send it down, all he asks is ample notice, as
early notice as possible, so that he may take suitable action
on it in the hope that final disposition can be had, veto
or not, before Christmas.
But if not, if it is sent down and is delayed too
long, maybe some of you gentlemen and ladies will be here
after Christmas.
Q
Good. (Laughter)
Q
Mr. Ford, what is the significance then of
this statement by the President saying that the amendment
need not be stricken, the one having to do with the rider on
the Philadelphia Plan, but that it should be modified?
MR. FORD: The President thinks there can be a
modification of the Senate rider so that the Secretary of
Labor can implement the Philadelphia Plan, which provides
for equal job opportunities for minority groups.
The President would prefer that the whole rider
be stricken. Then there would be no question about the
opportunity of the Nixon Administration to open up job
opportunities for the minority groups. But the parliamentary
situation is a bad one and if we cannot possibly get the
rider stricken, a modification is absolutely crucial, if
we are to give these new job opportunities to provide
economic opportunity for minority groups in this country.
Q
In what form will the change take?
MR. FORD: As I understand it, during the consideration
of the supplemental in the Senate, there were several
amendments that were offered, one or two were by a close vote,
that would take off the worse aspects of the rider.
SENATOR SCOTT: The right of judicial review, as
pushed by Senator Griffin and myself at the end there -- and
that lost only by 48 to 44, and actually, the vote was 41-43 --
so within a change of one vote on the right of judicial
review, I think we might be able to manage that, if the
House sends it to us this time.
MORE
BERALD 3. FORD
-4-
Q
Ron, can you give us some indication of what the
President himself has been doing personally to try to get this
rider stricken or modified? For example, has he been talking
to civil rights leaders, has he been talking to labor
leaders, has he been talking to some of the people in Congress
who are pushing this rider?
MR. ZIEGLER: The fact that Secretary Shultz on
Thursday, Secretary Shultz again on Friday, Secretary Shultz
again on Saturday met with the President to discuss the
Philadelphia Plan, then met with members of the press to convey
this point of view, that the President has issued a statement,
I believe on Friday, expressing his concern about the rider,
he is issuing a statement again today expressing his concern
about the rider, I think is very indicative of the action
the President has been taking.
Members of his staff have been actively involved in
contacting civil rights leaders across the country. Art
Fletcher, from the Department of Labor, has been working almost
24 hours a day contacting civil rights leaders across the
country to express the President's concern about the rider.
The President, both in the Leadership meeting this
morning, and in phone calls and individual discussions with
Congressional leaders, has also expressed this concern.
Q
Can you tell us to whom he has talked over the
telephone?
MR. ZIEGLER: No, I can't give you a breakdown. There
are a great number of individuals that the President has
talked to.
Q
Will the President veto the overall measure,
if it gets neither the rejection nor the modification?
MR. ZIEGLER: I can't anticipate Presidential action.
The President, I think, on this particular rider, has expressed
his view in a statement we are issuing this morning. It is
a matter which is going to be considered by the House, I believe,
in the next few hours.
Q
Ron, could you straighten us out at least to
this extent or maybe the leaders could: Yesterday, I heard
a report that he had said that he was considering vetoing
this and calling the Congress back into session after
Christmas to re-enact it, and I would like to know if that is
accurate, and if he has in fact discussed that possibility?
GERATO BERALD FORD
MR. FORD: I think based on the statement made by
the President a week or so ago, that unless action was
completed on all appropriations bills, he would call the Congress
back December 26. That is a very likely development.
There was an arrangement worked out with a continuing
resolution concerned with the HEW-Department of Labor
appropriation bill. But this new stumbling block, I think,
may change the situation.
MORE
-5-
The President feels very strongly about the opposition
to this rider. Of course, with that new development. he may
very well veto this bill. I think Senator Scott and I could
reveal here that if the Congress keeps the rider and puts the
President in the position of having to perhaps veto the
supplemental, then Senator Scott and I intend to introduce
simultaneously a simple continuing resolution, which would,
if passed, avoid the necessity for a special session.
Let me put this rider in this context: And I thought
Art Fletcher, the Assistant Secretary of Labor, did it most
dramatically. Speaking as a Negro, he said the Congress and
the courts have given to the minority groups equal opportunity
in the purchasing of a home, equal opportunity across the
board, but unless they have a job, where they can earn the
money to go into restaurants and to buy a home and do the
other things, all of those other rights are really not available
to them.
And for this reason, we, the Republicans acting for
the Nixon Administration, are going to make the biggest effort
we can to give this new phase to the minority groups in this
country, the right to have a job where they can earn the money
to achieve those things that have been given to them by the
courts and by the Congress.
Q
What do you mean by the continuing resolution?
That would call Congress back after Christmas?
MR. FORD: No, a continuing resolution which would
permit departments to continue to spend under the ground rules
they have.
SENATOR SCOTT: Under that continuing resolution, you
see, if it is an entirely separate one, then the President is
free, a little freer, to veto the supplemental, or such other
measures as he sees fit to veto, without imperiling the salaries,
for example, of the employees in those departments.
I would like to add on the tax bill: The President
intends to take his full ten days or most of it before he
decides whether to sign or not to sign.
2
Mr. Ford, would you address yourself to the
substance of the modification? Are you talking here about
writing in an instant declaratory judgment or what?
MR. FORD: I must say that I have not seen the precise
language. I presume it would be one or several of the
amendments which were offered in the Senate, which I understand
came from the department or the departments, the Attorney
General or the Secretary of Labor.
SENATOR SCOTT: An automatic right of immediate
court review, which would probably take the form of a request
by the Attorney General for a declaratory judgment.
MORE
LIBRARY GERALD FORD
-6-
Q
Do you need legislation for that?
SENATOR SCOTT: You don't need the legislation to do
it, but without the legislation, 14 existing contracts under
the Philadelphia Plan are immediately cancelled, which causes
a tremendous amount of injustice, unfairness, in the
construction field.
Q
Why are they cancelled? Doesn't the government
have standing to move immediately for declaratory judgment?
SENATOR SCOTT: The President says in this statement
that they have to be cancelled.
Q
Mr. Ford, who was responsible for attaching a
rider?
MR. FORD: I frankly can't tell you. It was done
in the Senate and I think in the Senate Committee on
Appropriations and confirmed on the floor of the Senate.
Q
Which interests were responsible? You mentioned
only some labor unions. Were there other interests involved?
MR. FORD: Since it is a Senate matter --
I
Senator Scott?
SENATOR SCOTT: I will add that toward the end of
the session, we have gotten into all sorts of jurisdictional
and prerogativeshemozzl.
Q
How do you spell that?
SENATOR SCOTT: One of those, as you know, in this
foreign aid thing, is a dispute between the Foreign Relations
Committee, which is loaded to the gunwales with prerogatives,
including especially the Chairman, and the Appropriations
Committees. That was responsible for that foul-up.
Then the other argument is between the Apprpriations
Committee, a strong defender of the Comptroller General, and
a number of people who didn't agree with the Appropriations
Committee in the Senate and who felt that the Comptroller
General was being given too much power. But he is a good
LIBRARY GERALD F. FORD
bit of a house pet of the Appropriations Committee.
Q
Senator Scott, did the President at all comment
on the Senate's action on the Foreign Aid bill and whether
the Congress does not approve that, that would be enough
justification for his calling a special session?
SENATOR SCOTT: He didn't indicate anything about
a special session. I did tell him that Senator McGee had
said on the floor that he did not intend to ask the conferees
to meet on foreign aid until January, but this then leaves in
the air certain questions like the Taiwan jets. And I mentioned
that it simply eliminates the blocking of funds or the
earmarking of funds for certain countries, but the Adminis-
tration can give such aid to those countries within the rest
of the bill as it sees fit to do.
MORE
-7-
Q
Senator Scott, are the southerners in both Senate
and House opposed to the Philadelphia Plan?
SENATOR SCOTT: I don't think it is really basically
a regional question. This is more an appropriations
committee reaction. I think the southerners would have been
included in their having some skepticism about the plan, but
it was a somewhat broader situation than that.
Q
Could we clear up one thing? You have a
situation where Mr. Ford says that -- harks back to the
President's statement -- that unless the appropriations bills
are completed, he would call Congress back into special
session. You say the continuing resolution may make a special
session unnecessary.
SENATOR SCOTT: Congressman Ford also made that
point.
Q
Does this leave us in a situation where you as
the leaders do not anticipate the President calling a special
session?
SENATOR SCOTT: It does not. It leaves us in the
situation where, first of all, the elimination of the rider
might eliminate a special session. Delay in sending the HEW-
Labor bill might eliminate the danger of a special session.
I use the word "danger" advisedly. And if matters proceed
from bad to worse, then the passage of a separate continuing
resolution could eliminate the danger of a special session.
Is that right, Gerry?
MR. FORD: Yes. I might say in reference to the
question over here, I think you will get the best answer when
we have a roll call vote on the floor of the House of
Representatives today when there will be a decision as to
whether or not we in the Congress are really going to back up
what has been said so many times, there will be an equal
opportunity for jobs for all Americans. That is what the vote
ought to mean this afternoon.
Q
Mr. Ford, you mentioned before that some labor
unions are opposed to the Philadelphia Plan. Now, are there
other groups that have made their objection known to Congress?
MR. FORD: I don't know of any. But it is my
understanding, that Andy. Biemiller, who represents the
AFL-CIO up on the Hill, has been furiously telephoning
LIBRARY GERALD P. FORD
people all weekend in support of the rider in the Senate.
If that is true, I just can't understand the position,
because this is a civil rights vote this afternoon, because
it means either equal opportunity for jobs, or it means no
such opportunities.
I just can't understand Mr. Biemiller, if my report
is accurate, trying to preclude equal job opportunities for
minority groups.
MORE
-8-
Q
Senator Scott, if I could come back to the
question that Herb Kaplow asked, itseems to me a little
bit strange that we cannot find out who initiated this rider,
who the person was. Wouldn't you know or perhaps Mr. Ford?
SENATOR SCOTT: If you had been up on the floor in
the last few days, you would not find that or anything else
strange. But I don't know. Back in the committee, there
were Senators on the Appropriations Committee, I believe 20
out of 24, that means representing both parties, who sat
there and talked about the Comptroller General's prerogatives
and they decided to keep him in his prerogatives. I don't
know who first said in the meeting, "Gentlemen, let's do
something for Elmer Staats."
Q
Is my recollection correct that it was Senator
Dirksen who first asked?
SENATOR SCOTT: Your recollection is correct in the
Leadership meeting, Senator Dirksen first suggested an opinion
by Elmer Staats. Subsequently, the request was made by
Senator McClellan and if that helps to clarify it, the opinion
comes as a result from a letter or a request from Senator
McClellan.
Q
Senator Scott, could you tell us on the tax
bill, after talking to the President today, what the odds
are on the signing of it? What is the latest outlook?
SENATOR SCOTT: I think it became, as I said
yesterday, a good deal more palatable to the President,
because the budgetary impact now over an 18-month period
is $9-1/2 billion lighter than it was under the Senate
passed version.
And I think that it is fair to say that the chances
of approval here have improved, but I could not say that the
President has given any indication at all whether he will or
will not sign it.
Q
When you said that you expect him to take the
full ten days or almost the full ten days, that precludes
the possibility of a special session to extend the surtax
or ask an investment credit repeal or if he vetoes, doesn't
it?
SENATOR SCOTT: Nearly, it is exclusive, let's say,
R.
the 19th anyway and there is no time limitation on when the
GERALO
FORD
because that carries you into January and we will be back
Congress can vote to sustain or override the veto.
Q
Senator Scott, on the President's threat to
call Congress back, if all appropriations bills are not passed
are the labor and the foreign aid appropriations bills now
excluded from that category?
MORE
-9-
SENATOR SCOTT: No bill is excluded, but some would
be covered under the continuing resolution which is general
and that would amount to the passage of an appropriation bill
in that category, at least until January 30. It is an
appropriation bill over this period.
0
Senator Scott, at this point in time, how
do you assess prospects for a special session?
SENATOR SCOTT: I don't know. I am wearing a
holiday vest today in the presumption that I can continue
to wear it. If he calls a special session, I will take it
off. But I think I can take the vest off. In other words,
I don't think we will have a special session, if Congress
delivers on its responsibilities and has a chance to do it.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
(AT 11:45 A.M. EST)
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE ACTION, PERIOD DECEMBER 4 THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 1969
Thursday, December 4, 1969
NATIONAL BANKS -- TAXES
The House disagreed to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 7491, to
clarify the liability of national banks for certain taxes, and
agreed to a conference asked by the Senate. Representatives Patman,
Barrett, Sullivan, Reuss, Widnall, Brock, and Del Clawson were
appointed as conferees.
Monday, December 8, 1969
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 330 yeas to 33 nays, the House passed H.R. 15090,
making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1970.
Prior to passage the House agreed to the Reuss amendment by a voice
vote; this amendment prohibits use of funds for publicity or
propaganda purposes not authorized by Congress.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to Senate amendments to H.R. 14751, making appro-
priations for military construction for the Department of Defense
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and agreed to the conference
requested by the Senate. Representatives Sikes, McFall, Patten,
Long of Maryland, Mahon, Cederberg, Jonas, Talcott, and Bow were
appointed as conferees.
Tuesday, December 9, 1969
STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 12964, making appro-
priations for the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, the
judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
- 2 -
FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATIONS
RULE
The House adopted Res. 742, the rule waiving points of order, by a
voice vote.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 200 yeas to 195 nays, with two voting "present",
the House passed H.R. 15149, making appropriations for foreign
assistance and related programs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970.
Prior to passage, on a demand for a separate vote, the House passed
the Conte amendment as amended by the Broomfield amendment by a
record vote of 250 yeas to 142 nays, increasing military assistance
to the Republic of Korea by $50 million and retaining $54.5 million
for aircraft for the Republic of China. This was agreed to earlier
while in the Committee of the Whole by a division vote of 119 yeas
to 82 nays as a substitute for an amendment seeking to eliminate
the funds for Republic of China aircraft purposes.
Also prior to passage the House agreed to the Gross amendment
prohibiting economic assistance to any country furnishing economic
assistance to Communist China, by a division vote of 83 yeas to
54 nays.
Finally, the House adopted the Conte amendment eliminating the section
prohibiting transfer of loan repayment receipts to the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation, by a division vote of 91 yeas to
19 nays.
RECOMMIT
By a voice vote, the House rejected Mr. Bow's motion to recommit the
bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report
back forthwith with an amendment reducing by $282,000 funds for
assistance to refugees in the United States.
Wednesday, December 10, 1969
EXPORT CONTROL
By a record vote of 157 yeas to 238 nays, the House rejected the con-
ference report on H.R.4293, to provide for continuation of authority
for regulation of exports.
The House agreed by voice vote to recede and concur to Senate amend-
ment with an amendment, and returned the measure to the Senate for
further action.
GERHID FORD LIBRANCE
- 3 -
NATIONAL BANKS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 7491, to clarify
liability of national banks for certain taxes, and sent the measure
to the Senate for further action.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 13763, making appro-
priations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1970. The House receded from its disagreement to Senate
amendments and returned the measure to the Senate for further action.
REAL ESTATE DISPOSAL
The House agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 9163, to authorize
the disposal of certain real property in the Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park, Georgia, under the Federal
Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, thus clearing the
measure for the White House.
VOTING RIGHTS ACT
RULE (OPEN)
The House adopted .Res. 714 by voice vote, providing for three hours
of debate.
Thursday, December 11, 1969
VOTING RIGHTS ACT Continued
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 234 yeas to 179 nays, the House passed H.R. 4249,
to extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the dis-
criminating use of tests and devices.
i
FORD
FORD SUBSTITUTE
GERALD
LIMITARY
On a demand for a separate vote on an amendment in the form of a
substitute that established a nationwide suspension of literacy
tests, extends nationwide the Attorney General's authority to
monitor elections and initiate voting rights lawsuits, establishes
uniform residency requirements for presidential elections, and
establishes a Presidential commission to study voting practices,
the House agreed to the Gerald R. Ford amendment by a record vote
of 208 yeas to 203 nays. While in the Committee of the Whole, the
substitute was agreed to by a teller vote of 189 yeas to 165 nays.
The House rejected an amendment to the substitute amendment designed to
remove the nationwide suspension of literacy tests.
- 4 -
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
PASSAGE
The House passed by voice vote H.R. 15209, making supplemental
appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970.
A point of order against language permitting use of clerk hire
allowance for student congressional intern salaries was sustained.
The House agreed to an amendment that provides for an increase of
$9,168, 172 to pay a judgment rendered on behalf of the Delaware
Indian Tribe.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 142 yeas to 243 nays, the House rejected Mr. Gross'
motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with
instructions to report it back forthwith with an amendment to
eliminate $7.5 million for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Per-
forming Arts; this was rejected earlier while in the Committee of
the Whole by a division vote of 22 yeas to 55 nays.)
TAX REFORM
The House disagreed to Senate amendments to H.R. 13270, Tax Reform Act
of 1969, and agreed to the conference asked by the Senate. Representa-
tives Mills, Boggs, Watts, Ullman, Byrnes of Wisconsin, Utt and Betts
were appointed as conferees.
POVERTY
RULE (OPEN)
The House agreed to .Res. 734, an open rule providing for consideration
of, and three hours of debate on, H.R. 12321, to provide for the
continuation of programs authorized under the Economic Opportunity
Act of 1964.
Friday, December 12, 1969
&
FORD
POVERTY Continued
GERALD
LISBARY
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 276 yeas to 117 nays, the House passed H.R. 12321,
to provide for the continuation of programs authorized under the
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
The House insisted on its amendment and asked a conference with the
Senate. Representatives Perkins, Green of Oregon, Pucinski, Brademas,
O'Hara, Carey, Hawkins, William D. Ford, Hathaway, Mink, Meeds,
Clay, Ayres of Ohio, Quie, Reid of New York, Erlenborn, Scherle of
Iowa, Dellenback, Esch, and Steiger of Wisconsin were appointed as
conferees.
- 5 -
POVERTY Continued
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 163 yeas to 231 nays, the House rejected Mr. Ayres'
motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Education and Labor
with instructions to report it back forthwith with an amendment in
the form of a substitute to the committee bill, as amended, making
the antipoverty act into a State program; this was rejected while
in the Committee of the Whole by a teller vote of 166 yeas to
183 nays.)
D. C. APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to Senate amendments to H.R. 14916, making appro-
priations for the government of the District of Columbia and other
activities chargeable in whole or in part against the revenues
of said District for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and agreed
to a conference asked by the Senate. Representatives Natcher, Giaimo,
Patten, Pryor of Arkansas, Mahon, Davis of Wisconsin, Riegle, Wyatt,
and Bow were appointed as conferees.
PASSENGER VESSEL CONSTRUCTION
The House cleared for the President H.R.210, to eliminate requirements
for disclosure of construction details on passenger vessels meeting
prescribed safety standards, by agreeing to the Senate amendment
thereto.
HOUS ING ACT
The House agreed to the conference report on S.2864, to amend and extend
laws relating to housing and urban development, clearing the measure
for the White House.
FOREIGN AID AUTHORIZATION
The House disagreed to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 14580, to
promote the foreign policy, security, and general welfare of the
United States by assisting peoples of the world to achieve economic
development within a framework of democratic, economic, social,
and political institutions. The House agreed to the conference asked
by the Senate and appointed Representatives Morgan, Zablocki, Hays,
Fascell, Adair, Mailliard, and Frelinghuysen as conferees.
Monday, December 15, 1969
GERALD LIBRARY FORD
ADDITIONAL CONFEREES
Representatives Stokes and Ashbrook were appointed as additional conferees
to the conference on S.3016, to provide for the continuation of programs
authorized under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Also appointed
was Representative Bell in lieu of Representative Steiger of Wisconsin.
- 6 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
SUSPENSIONS
The House voted to suspend the rules and pass the following bills:
H.R. 15095
To amend the Social Security Act to provide a 15%
across-the-board increase in benefits under the old-
age, survivors, and disability incurance program;
passed by a record vote of 397 yeas.
H.R. 14646
To grant the consent of Congress to the Connecticut-
New York Railroad Passenger Transportation Compact;
passed by a record vote of 352 yeas to 49 nays.
H.R. 10124
To extend the time for filing tort actions by certain
persons, by a voice vote.
H.Res. 661
Commending the American serviceman and veteran of Vietnam
for his efforts and sacrifices, by a voice vote.
H.Con.Res.454
Calling for the humane treatment and release of American
prisoners of war held by North Vietnam and the National
Liberation Front; passed by a record vote of 405 yeas.
H.R.14789
Foreign Service Act Amendments of 1969, by a voice vote.
S.J.Res.90
To enable the U. S. to hold a conference to negotiate
a Patend Cooperation Treaty, by a voice vote.
H.R.15166
River Basin Monetary Authorization of 1969, by a voice vote.
H.R. 14464
To insure that certain facilities are accessible to the
physically handicapped, by a voice vote.
S.3169
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, amended by a voice vote.
Tuesday, December 16, 1969
SUSPENSIONS
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
The House voted to suspend the rules and pass the following bills:
S.740
To establish the Cabinet Committee on Opportunities for
Spanish-Speaking People; passed by a record vote of
314 yeas to 81 nays, with two voting "present."
H.J.Res.757
To authorize appropriations for the Office of Inter-
governmental Relations, by a voice vote.
H.J.Res.506
Consenting to an extension and renewal of the interstate
compace to conserve oil and gas, by a voice vote.
- 7 -
SUSPENSIONS Continued
H.R.14086
Community Mental Health Centers Amendments of 1969,
by a voice vote.
H.R.14790
To extend the authority to make formula grants to
schools of public health, by a voice vote.
H.R.14733
To extend the program of health services for domestic
migrant agricultural workers, by a voice vote.
H.R.14289
To place the counties of E1 Paso and Hudspeth, Texas,
in the mountain standard time zone, by a voice vote.
H.R.13448
To authorize the exchange of lands at New Orleans,
Louisiana, by a voice vote.
H.R.13630
To extend certain expiring provisions of law relating
to vocational education, by a voice vote.
H.R.6971
Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act, by a voice
vote.
H.R.9366
To change the number of apprentices authorized to be
employees of the Government Printing Office, by a voice
vote.
H.R.14213
To provide for additional Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution; passed by a record vote of 273 yeas to
119 nays.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to Senate amendments to H.R. 15090, making appro-
priations for the Department of Defense and related agencies for
fiscal year 1970, and agreed to the conference asked by the Senate.
Representatives Mahon, Sikes, Whitten, Andrews of Alabama, Flood,
Slack, Addabbo, Lipscomb, Minshall, Rhodes, Davis of Wisconsin, and
Bow were appointed as conferees.
D. C. APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 14916, making appro-
priations for the District of Columbia and other activities chargeable
in whole or in part to the revenues of said District for fiscal year 1970.
EXPORT CONTROL ACT
The House insists on its amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 4293,
to provide for continuation of authority for regulation of exports, and
agreed to the conference asked by the Senate. Representatives Patman,
Barrett, Sullivan, Reuss, Widnall, Mize, and Brown of Michigan were
appointed as conferees.
GERALD LIGAREY ? FORD
- 8 -
SERVICEMEN'S ALLOWANCES
The House considered by unanimous consent and passed the following
bills as amendments to section 37 of the United States Code, relating
to military pay and allowances:
H.R.110
To provide that a family separation allowance shall be
paid to a member of a uniformed service even though
the member does not maintain a residence or household
for his dependents, subject to his management and control.
H.R.386
To provide that a family separation allowance shall be
paid to any member of a uniformed service assigned to
Government quarters provided he is otherwise entitled
to such separation allowance.
H.R.8021
To authorize a dislocation allowance under certain
circumstances, certain reimbursements, transportation
for dependents, and travel and transportation allowances
under certain circumstances.
H.R.8022
To authorize travel, transportation, and education allow-
ances to certain members of the uniformed services for
dependents' schooling.
PRIVATE CALENDAR
Wednesday, December 17, 1969
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAY
The House disagreed to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 13000, to
implement the Federal employee pay comparability system, to establish
a Federal Employee Salary Commission and a Board of Arbitration, and
asked a conference with the Senate. Representatives Dulski, Henderson,
Olsen, Udall, Corbett, Gross, and Button were appointed as conferees.
CIVIL SERVICE FUNDS
The House agreed to the Senate amendment, with an amendment, to H.R.9233,
to amend title 5, United States Code, to promote the efficient and
effective use of the revolving fund of the Civil Service Commission
in connection with certain functions of the Commission; the House
returned the measure to the Senate for further action.
RAILROAD SAFETY
The House concurred in the Senate amendments to H.R. 8449, to amend the
act entitled "An Act To Promote the Safety of Employees and Travelers
Upon Railroads by Limiting the Hours of Service of Employees Thereon,"
approved March 4, 1907, thus clearing the measure for the President.
FORD i 078870 LIBRARY
- 9 -
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
The House disagreed to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 10105, to
amend the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966
to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1970, 1971, and 1972,
and asked a conference with the Senate. Representatives Staggers,
Moss, Murphy of New York, Blanton, Springer, Keith, and Harvey
were appointed as conferees.
COAL MINE SAFETY
By a record vote of 333 yeas to 12 nays, the House agreed to the
conference report on S.2917, to improve the health and safety con-
ditions of persons working in the coal mining industry of the
United States.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 83 yeas to 258 nays, the House rejected
Mr. Erlenborn's motion to recommit the conference report to
the committee on conference with instructions to the managers
on the part of the House to insist on House provisions on
section 110B.
INTEREST RATES
RULE (OPEN)
The House adopted H.Res.755, providing two hours of debate, by a
voice vote.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 259 yeas to 136 nays, with three voting "present,"
the House passed H.R. 15091, to lower interest rates and fight infla-
tion, to help housing, small business, and employment.
Prior to passage, the House agreed to the following committee amend-
ments on demands for separate votes on each:
An amendment striking provisions authorizing the Federal Reserve
Board to purchase federally guaranteed mortgages and stating
that it is the intent of Congress that this authority be used to
assist in meeting national housing goals; this amendment was
agreed to by a record vote of 231 yeas to 171 nays.
An amendment striking provisions authorizing the purchase of up to
$6 billion in federally guaranteed mortgages by the Federal Reserve
board, which was agreed to by a record vote of 233 yeas to 170
nays, with one voting "present."
LIBRARY GERALD P. FORD
- 10 -
INTEREST RATES Continued
The House insisted on its amendments and asked a conference with
the Senate. Representatives Patman, Barrett, Sullivan, Reuss,
Widnall, Brock, and Stanton were appointed as conferees.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 193 yeas to 206 nays, the House rejected Mr. Widnall's
motion to recommit the measure to the Committee on Banking and Currency
with instructions to report it back forthwith with an amendment to
strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu portions of
S.2577, a similar Senate-passed bill that would provide authorization
for purchase of $3 billion in federally guaranteed mortgages by the
Federal Reserve Board.
Thursday, December 18, 1969
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to Senate amendments to H.R. 14794, making appro-
priations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and agreed to a conference
asked by the Senate. Representatives Boland, McFall, Yates, Mahon,
Minshall, Conte and Bow were appointed as conferees.
LAND CONVEYANCE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 12535, to authorize the Secretary
of the Army to release certain restrictions on a tract of land hereto-
fore conveyed to the State of Texas in order that such land may be
used for the city of E1 Paso north-south freeway.
NATIONAL GUARD LAND
By a voice vote, the House passed S.59, to authorize the Secretary of
the Army to adjust the legislative jurisdiction exercised by the United
States over lands within the Army National Guard Facility, Ethan Allen,
and the U. S. Army Materiel Command Firing Range, Underhill, Vermont,
clearing the measure the the President.
VETERANS' MEDICAL PROGRAM
The House concurred to the Senate amendments to 9634, to amend title 38
of the United States Code in order to improve and make more effective
the Veterans' Administration program of sharing specialized medical
resources, thus clearing the measure for the President.
COAST GUARD RESERVE
The House passed H.R. 13716, to improve and clarify certain laws affecting
the Coast Guard Reserve.
FORD
GERALD
Typenis
- 11 -
VETERANS' TRAINING ASSISTANCE
The House concurred to the Senate amendment, with an amendment, to
H.R. 11959, to amend various chapters of the United States Code to
increase the rates of vocational rehabilitation, education, educa-
tional assistance, and special training allowance paid to eligible
veterans and persons under such chapters, and returned the measure
to the Senate for further action.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 15090, making appro-
priations for the Department of Defense and related agencies for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970.
WHITE HOUSE, EMBASSY PROTECTION
RULE (OPEN)
The House agreed to H.Res.754, by a voice vote, providing for one
hour of debate.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 394 yeas to 7 nays, the House passed H.R. 14944,
to authorize an adequate force for the protection of the Executive
Mansion and foreign embassies.
INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY
&
By a record vote of 224 yeas to 153 nays, the House agreed to Res. 572
GERALD
FORD
amending H.Res.200, 91st Congress, authorizing the Committee on
Education and Labor to conduct certain studies and investigations.
LIBRAST
FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 15149, making
appropriations for Foreign Assistance and related programs for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and agreed to the conference asked
by the Senate. Representatives Passman, Rooney of New York, Hansen
of Washington, Cohelan, Long of Maryland, McFall, Mahon, Shriver,
Conte, Reid of Illinois, Riegle and Bow were appointed as conferees.
LABOR - HEW APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 13111, making
appropriations for the Departments of Labor, and Health, Education and
Welfare, and related agencies, for the year ending June 30, 1970, and
agreed to a conference asked by the Senate. Representatives Flood,
Nathcer, Smith of Iowa, Hull, Casey, Mahon, Michel, Shriver and Reid of
Illinois were appointed as conferees.
Subsequently, the House instructed the House conferees to agree to the
Senate language dealing with the Whitten amendment.
A motion to table the motion to instruct conferees was rejected by a
record vote of 180 yeas to 216 nays.
- 12 -
Friday, December 19, 1969
TAX REFORM
The House gave unanimous consent to the request by the majority leader
that two hours will be allowed for consideration of the conference
report on H.R. 13270, to reform income tax laws, when the report is
brought to the floor.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 14751, making appro-
priations for military construction for the Department of Defense
and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970.
FOREIGN AID
By a record vote of 208 yeas to 166 nays, the House agreed to the con-
ference report on H.R. 14580, to promote the foreign policy, security,
and general welfare of the United States by assisting peoples of the
world to achieve economic development within a framework of democratic
economic, social, and political institutions.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 14794, making appro-
priations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies
for fiscal year ending June 30, 1970. The House insisted on its
disagreement to Senate amendments Nos. 2, 14, and 15, and returned
the measure to the Senate for further action.
CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS
The House passed with an amendment S.2325, providing for additional
positions in grades GS-16, GS-17, and GS-18, and returned the measure
to the Senate.
ADDITIONAL MORTGAGE CREDIT
By a record vote of 358 yeas to 4 nays, with two voting "present",
the House agreed to the conference report on S.2577, to provide additional
mortgage credit, thus clearing the measure for the President.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to Senate amendments to H.R. 15209, making supple-
mental appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and
agreed to the conference asked by the Senate. Representatives Mahon,
Whitten, Rooney of New York, Boland, Flood, Steed, Hansen, Bow, Jonas,
Cederberg and Rhodes were appointed as conferees.
LISBRARY GERALD A. FORD
- 13 -
Saturday, December 20, 1969
FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATIONS
By a record vote of 181 yeas to 174 nays, the House agreed to the
conference report on H.R. 15149, making appropriations for foreign
assistance and related programs for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1970, and returned the measure to the Senate for further action.
RECOMMIT
By a record vote of 137 yeas to 220 nays, the House rejected the
motion by Mr. Conte to recommit the bill to the committee of confer-
ence with instructions to House conferees to support Senate amend-
ment No. 25 (deleting $54.5 million for military assistance to the
Republic of China.)
POVERTY BILL
By a record vote of 243 yeas to 94 nays, the House agreed to the
conference report on S.3016, to provide for continuation of programs
authorized under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and to author-
ize funding of such programs.
The House agreed to S.Con.Res.51, authorizing the Secretary of the
Senate to make certain corrections in the enrollment of S.3016.
Monday, December 22, 1969
LABOR - HEW APPROPRIATIONS
By a record vote of 261 yeas to 110 nays, the House agreed to the
conference report on H.R. 13111, making appropriations for the
Departments of Labor and Health, Education, and Welfare and related
:
agencies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970.
FORD
The House receded from its disagreement and concurred to various
GERALD
Senate amendments, and returned the measure to the Senate for
further action.
TAX REFORM
By a record vote of 381 yeas to 2 nays, the House agreed to the confer-
ence report on H.R. 13270, to reform the income tax laws, and returned
the measure to the Senate for further action.
TARIFF REGULATIONS
The House considered by unanimous consent and passed the following bills:
H.R.15071
To continue for 2 additional years the duty-free status
of certain gifts by members of the armed services in
combat zones.
H.R.14956
To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 -- to extend the duty-
free treatment of certain dyes.
- 14 -
FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATIONS
The House disagreed to the insistence by the Senate on its amendments
to H.R. 15149, making appropriations for foreign assistance and
related programs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and agreed
to a further conference asked by the Senate. Representatives Passman,
Rooney of New York, Hansen of Washington, Cohelan, Long of Maryland,
McFall, Mahon, Shriver, Conte, Reid of Illinois, Riegle and Bow were
appointed as conferees.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 15209, making supplemental
appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970. It receded from
its disagreement and concurred to various Senate amendments; on Senate
amendment No. 32 the House agreed by a record vote of 276 yeas to 99 nays.
By a record vote of 156 yeas to 208 nays, with one voting "present",
the House rejected the motion to recede from its disagreement to
Senate amendment No. 33 that would limit application of the so-called
Philadelphia plan to eliminate job discrimination; the House agreed
to insist on its disagreement and returned the measure to the Senate.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The House agreed to the conference report on S.1075, to establish a
national policy for the environment, to authorize studies, surveys,
and research relating to ecological systems, natural resources, and
the quality of the human environment; and to establish a Board of
Environment Quality Advisers, thus clearing the measure for the White
House.
FORD
Tuesday, December 23, 1969
NOTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT
The House agreed to H.Res.768, providing for a committee to notify
the President of the completion of all business before Congress.
Subsequently, the Speaker appointed Representatives Albert and
Gerald R. Ford on the part of the House.
EXPORT CONTROL ACT
The House agreed by a voice vote to the conference report on H.R. 4293,
to provide for continuation of authority for regulation of exports.
ADJOURNMENT AND RECONVENING OF CONGRESS
The House agreed to H.Con.Res.475, providing for the sine die adjournment
of Congress (first session), and passed Res. 1041, establishing
that the second regular session of the 91st Congress convene at noon
on Monday, January 19, 1970.
meeting notes
GRF at white House
Her 22, 1969
W,
Last January, Mr. President, when I took my solemn oath
to preserve, protect and defend the Nixon Administration's pro-
gram in the 91st Congress, I didn't realize I was running a risk
of missing Christmas Eve with my family.
So I am deeply grateful, as I know all of us are, that you
have invited our wives and sweethearts here this morning so that
we might have a few moments together during the holidays. Now, it
is my duty to offer the official alibi as to why we have been so
busy all through 1969 and have accomplished so little.
Well, just_here in the family circle, the reason is simple.
There are a few too many Democrats in this Congress. It is a whole
lot better, believe me, than in 1965 when re had only 139 Republican
140
colleagues in the House, and 295 Democrats. It is a whole lot better,
too, to have a strong and sympathetic friend at the other end of Penn-
sylvania Avenue.
But I must speak frankly and I don't think I need any charts
or percentages to prove what we all know after a year of working together.
We need a few more votes on our side of the aisle. Like the old song
about Kansas City, Mr. President, we've "gone about as fur as we can
go" to put your programs on the statute books.
I'm proud to report for the House Leadership that we have marched
with your Administration out of the Wilderness and into the Prmised Land,
upholding the hand of our President all the way.
Well, almost all the way. The one time we did get our signals
GERALD R. FORD
mixed, what we call Rummy's Rebellion, WE got thrown for a loss
but YOU, Mr. President, didn't get a cleat mark on you.
The important thing, though, is that we did manage to pull off
some small miracles and we did win more than a minority's share. When
the cabinet
we first gathered around time table about 30 of these meetings ago, Mr.
-2-2-2-
President, the top items on our agenda were Reorganization Authority
renewal and Anti-Crime measures.
We should have seen the handwriting on the wall. Nobody was
really opposed to the Reorganization Authority extension and it even-
this political sepless
tually won 334 votes to 44, but we had to prod and prod to get it to bill
the floor.
As for Anti-Crime measures, despite mounting public demand,
despite your comprehensive message last January 31, despite all our
prodding and protesting, in private and in public, we are about to
recess with no less than 18 separate Crime bills sponsored by the Nixon
Administration languishing in five different House committees.
I would have to call this the greatest signle disappointment of
LIBRARY BERALD ? FORD
this session, and the greatest single failure of the Democrat majority
in this Congress. And I intend to call it that early and often next year.
But, back to the good news.
In February came your request, Mr. President, to raise the national
debt ceiling. All through our exile, this rollcall had become a symbol of
fiscal responsibility for Republicans. In 1967, 161 Republicans voted "No"
and not a single one supported President Johnson's request.
But for you, Mr. President, 139 Republicans in the House did a grace-
ful about-face and voted "Aye" in 1969 -- and we hope everybody but you has
forgotten it.
By March and April it became clear that some of the Democratic chair-
men like Carl Perkins of Kentucky were testing an audacious gamble -- one
that could if it succeeded result in putting the Great Society's spending
programs in a sort of deep freeze throughout the whole Nixon Administration.
He moved in his Labor and Education Committee, inherited from the "everend
Adam Clayton Powell, to extend the popular Elementary and Secondary Education
-3-3-3-
assistance program first for five, then for three years.
11
With the right of the new Administration to redirect domestic
programs at stake, we made common cause for this showdown with Mrs.
Democrat
"dith Green /of Oregon, whose substitute combining a two-year extension
with some hopeful starts toward block grants prevailed over Perkins' ploy.
This alliance with the gentle-lady from Oregon taught us never
to underestimate the power of a woman, but I have to add that later on
we learned never to overestimate it, either.
When the Administration had a little difficulty making up its
Ormet
mind on Electoral College Reform, Mr. President, we in the People's House
took the lead and by a 339 to 70 rollcall sent a Popular Election amend-
ment to the other body with your blessing.
These weekly meetings with the leaders of the other body develop
a lot of good political intelligence. I recall back in May that Senator
Scott told us of a visit from a very wrathful Indian who demanded that
we move the capital to the center of the country -- as if Pennsylvanians
weren't mad enough the first time they moved it.
Well, we ignored the clear ultimatum of Hugh's angry Indian and
now see what has happened -- the Indians have occupied Alcatraz Island and set good
our
friend
up their own government with a Bureau of Paleface Affairs headed by John
Saylor.
The House gave a clear bipartisan verdict on the ABM issue with
the high water mark of the doves being 93 votes against 270 on recommital.
In support of the President's efforts to win a just peace in Vietnam every
Republican in the House except five co-sponsored the Wright resolution and
6th
it too won resounding bipartisan support on the floor, 333 to 55.
But we had our cliffhangers -- and may have a few more,
GERALD LIBRARY P. FORD
The scariest came on the last day of the fiscal year, June 3D
when the House agreed to extend the income tax surcharge by 210 to 205.
4-4-4
That was the night of the sore arms -- we lost only 26 of
R.
our Republicans while the Democratic leadership, publicly committed
GENALD
GROA
to support the President, could only deliver 56 of theirs.
LIGHT
And just since our last meeting, Mr. President, we have had
close
a 200 to 195/squeak on foreign aid appropriations and a 208 to 203
victory on my voting rights substitute embodying your Miministration!
recommendations for a truly national law.
What all this adds up to is that divided government won't work,
Democrat
#ithout the two Texas/ leaders even as well as it did during the last
General
six years of Eisenhower's Presidency. We've gone about as fur
as we can go, as a minority, but what we really need is a Republican
Congress for the last six years of President Nixon's Era of Good Feelings.
How would you ladies like it if you sent your husband to the market
with a long list and all he brought home was razor blades, Playboy magazine,
cigars and booze? That's how the President feels after sending 60 major
reforms and requests to Congress and getting only one fourth of them --
only those the Democrat Congress likes.
Sadus
How would you like to be bawled out by your husband for overdrawing
the checking account by $5, / and then he goes out with the boys and overdraws
this
to an inside straight. That's what the Democrat Congress / that voted a
spending ceiling on the Administration in the springtime has done when it
got around to appropriating money in December.
Thank you again, Mr. President, for including in our meeting today
- own mmes who
the best political brains of the Republican Party. 1 wouldn't want you to
Hectal all and
get all your 1970 campaign advice from the Cabinet wives.
We are all proud and gr gateful for your superb leadership and the
example which the First Family has set for our country throughout this year.
May I on behalf of my House colleagues and our ladies wish you, Mr. President,
and Mrs. Nixon every good thing for 1970, and to all of you/Betty and I want
to say "Merry Christmas# the World's first and best Peace Demonstration.