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Presidential Shooting 03/30/1981 (2)
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Presidential Shooting 03/30/1981 (2)
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Records of the Office of the First Lady (Reagan Administration)
Sheila Tate's Office Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: Tate, Sheila: Files
Folder Title: 3/30/1982 - Year Anniversary of
Shooting
Box: CFOA 6222
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at:
[email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
PRESERVATION
SEPTEMBER 16, 1982 USA TODAY
No purge in the offing,
White House claims
By Ann Devroy
ity" and the controversy sur-
USA TODAY
rounding him has made it vir-
tually impossible for him to do
WASHINGTON - Don't
his job. When Reagan goes
look for a wholesale purge at
campaigning for Rep. Millicent
the top levels of the administra-
Fenwick Friday in New Jer-
tion and in the Cabinet after
sey, Donovan's home state, the
the November elections, say
labor secretary most likely will
White House officials.
not be along. The White House
There will be some changes,
and the candidate reportedly
they say, but not many.
agree that his presence would
White House communica-
hurt, not help.
tions director David Gergen
David Stockman, director
said Wednesday that a major
of the Office of Management
restructuring of Reagan's top
and Budget, who admitted to
team is unlikely and that no de-
an interviewer that he had seri-
cisions on who will go and who
ous doubts about Reaganomics.
will stay have been made.
Now, some congressional lead-
Gergen said changes will be
ers are complaining that he
"much less extensive than
AP
misleads the president on the
have been suggested." He con-
EDWARDS: The only known
mood of Congress.
ceded that he once thought ma-
departing official
James Watt, secretary of
jor changes were coming, but
the interior, a controversial fig-
said "it's my hunch" that the
ure since the day he walked
president "Is likely to keep the
into his office. Some White
structure in the White House."
House officials accuse him of
Only one Cabinet officer, En-
needlessly provoking confron-
ergy Secretary James Ed-
tations with conservation and
wards, has announced definite-
environmental groups and of
ly that he is leaving.
hurting Reagan where the
Gergen insisted that changes
president is the strongest, in
the West.
will result more because these
officials want to move on than
Another who has come un-
der criticism within the admin-
because Reagan wants to get
rid of them.
istration has been Housing and
The third year of an admin-
Urban Development's Samuel
istration is "a natural time" for
Pierce, the only black Cabinet
officer. Pierce has been so low-
people to decide whether they
want to stay the full four years
key that Reagan called him by
or move along, he said.
the wrong name at least twice,
and once greeted him as a visit-
"The president has not fo-
ing mayor.
cused on personnel," he said,
UPI
But one official who had an-
"and will not do SO until after
DEAVER: May change his
nounced last year that he
the elections. The guy who de-
mind and stay
would leave after the elections
cides is Ronald Reagan, and he
now may stay after all. Aides to
hasn't considered it yet."
Prominent on those lists:
Michael Deaver, Reagan's dep-
Gergen and other White
Raymond Donovan, secre-
uty chief of staff, said he has
House officials were putting
tary of labor, who was the sub-
not made a final décision but.
out the word that President
ject of two investigations into
that the Reagans, particularly
Reagan "isn't mad at anyone"
alleged associations with orga-
Nancy, will urge Deaver to
among his top advisers and is,
nized crime figures. Investiga-
stay, Unlike the president's oth-
in fact, annoyed that the names
tors said they found Insuffi-
er top assistants, Deaver is not
of some of them have ap-
cient evidence to charge
wealthy, and had complained
peared on speculative "hit
Donovan with any wrongdoing.
that he had to take a substan-
lists" being discussed by mid-
Despite that, aides concede
tial pay cut to serve in the
dle-level aides.
Donovan is "a political liabil-
White House.
AP
FILED- 3/28/1982 AM NANCY
WASHINGTON (AP) NANCY REAGAN SAYS THAT A YEAR AFTER HER HUSBAND WAS SHOT,
THE MEMORY REMAINS VERY, VERY FRESH VERY RAW.
SHE SAID SHE AND PRESIDENT REAGAN NEVER DISCUSS THE SHOOTING BUT THAT
SHE THINKS ABOUT IT EVERY TIME HE LEAVES THE HOUSE, PARTICULARLY TO GO
ON
A TRIP I THINK MY HEART STOPS UNTIL HE GETS BACK.
IN AN ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEW WITH NBC's TODAY SHOW HOST CHRIS WALLACE,
MRS. REAGAN SAID SHE HAS PAINFUL MEMORIES OF MARCH 30, 1981, WHEN RONALD
REAGAN WAS SHOT IN THE CHEST AFTER DELIVERING A SPEECH AT A DOWNTOWN
WASHINGTON HOTEL.
`ACTUALLY, I REMEMBER EVERYTHING ABOUT THE DAY, MRS. REAGAN SAID.
AND I GUESS IT'S SOMETHING IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T FORGET. I
THOUGHT IT WOULD FADE A LITTLE BUT IT DOESN
MRS. REAGAN SAID IF HER HUSBAND WORRIES ABOUT BEING SHOT AGAIN, ``HE
DOESN'T TELL ME'' AND THAT SHE NEVER ASKS HIM ABOUT IT. No. BECAUSE
WELL, SOME THINGS ARE JUST TOO PAINFUL TO TALK ABOUT, AREN'T THEY?'' SHE
SAID.
DOES SHE WORRY HE WILL BE SHOT AGAIN? WELL, MRS. REAGAN SAID,
``IT's JUST THE WHOLE MEMORY OF IT IS VERY, VERY FRESH, VERY RAW.
ASKED IF LIFE AT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN MUCH FUN SINCE THE SHOOTING
THE FIRST LADY REPLIED WELL, LIFE IS ALWAYS PEAKS AND VALLEYS; AND
THAT WAS CERTAINLY A VALLEY. IT's DIFFERENT.
WHEN ASKED IF SHE WANTS HER HUSBAND TO RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 1984,
MRS. REAGAN BORROWED A LINE FROM MARGARET MITCHELL'S BOOK GONE WITH THE
WIND, SAYING, ``I'LL THINK ABOUT THAT TOMORROW.
MRS. REAGAN SAID SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE REARRANGED THEIR PRIORITIES
AS A RESULT OF THE SHOOTING.
`WELL, THINGS THAT USED TO BOTHER YOU TERRIBLY DON'T BOTHER YOU AS
MUCH ANYMORE, SHE SAID. IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS, THEY TAKE THEIR
PROPER PLACE. AND WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.
Chatterroga Teus
FP 3/29 C-9
Nancy Always Thinks
Of Assassination Try
WASHINGTON (UPI) - First
said.
Lady Nancy Reagan says she and
She said they never talk about
President Reagan never talk
the assassination attempt last
about the attempt on his life a
March 30. Asked, however, if she
year ago Tuesday, but she thinks
thinks of it, she replied: "Oh, yes.
of it "every time he leaves the
Oh, yes, every time he leaves the
house."
house, particularly to go on a trip,
Mrs. Reagan told NBC News
I think - I think my heart stops
"the whole memory of it is very
until he gets back."
fresh, very raw." The interview
If the president worries about
was released Sunday night and is
it, "He doesn't tell me," Mrs. Rea-
to be aired on NBC's "Today"
gan said. She said they don't talk
show Tuesday, the anniversary of
about it because, "Well, some
the assassination attempt.
things are too painful to talk
Mrs. Reagan told correspond-
about, aren't they?"
ent Chris Wallace what she re-
Mrs. Reagan said it "bothers"
calls most about that day is "the
her that a year after the assas-
shock of it, I suppose. Actually, I
sination attempt, John W. Hinck-
remember everything about the
ley Jr., accused of shooting Rea-
day; and I guess it's - it's some-
gan and three others outside a
thing that you don't forget. I
Washington hotel, has not yet
thought maybe it would fade a lit-
been brought to trial.
tle, but it doesn't."
"I think it should be faster than
Before the shooting, Mrs. Rea-
that," she said. "But, personally,
gan said, she "really didn't" wor-
you try not to think of it in those
ry about her husband. "Yes, you
terms, really. I don't know wheth-
always - you know that that's a
er I'm making much sense or not,
possibility and so on, but you nev-
but you try to separate the per-
er think it's going to happen to
sonal - your personal feelings as
you; and when it does, it's a shock
against what you believe is right
that stays with you," Mrs. Reagan
for the country."
FIRST LADY INTERVIEWED - NBC correspondent
Chris Wallace, right, is shown at the White House recently in-
terviewing First Lady Nancy Reagan for a tape to be released
Tuesday (AP Laserphoto)
Thursday, September 16. 1982
THE WASHINGTON POST.
Brady Met With Cheers in Home State
CHICAGO, Sept. 15 (AP)- Pres-
publican Fund's Lincoln Award at a
idential Press Secretary James
"Welcome Home, Jim Brady" dinner
was greeted by 300 cheering
Thursday night.
wishers today as he arrived for
On Monday, he is scheduled to
st visit in his home state since
throw out the first ball at Wrigley
shot more than a year ago.
Field when the Cubs play the Pitts-
idy, 41, giving the thumbs-up
burgh Pirates on Diehard Cub Fan
rom his wheelchair, was accom-
Club Day.
proded on his train trip from Wash-
Part of the proceeds from the
ington, D.C., by his wife, Sarah, and
$125-a-plate dinner Thursday will
3-year old son, Scott.
be donated to the James S. Brady
Brady received head injuries and
Fund, established by Congress to
was critically wounded during the
make contributions to persons in-
March 1981 assassination attempt
jured in the line of duty while pro-
on 19311 President Reagan.
tecting the president, officials said.
Raised in downstate Centralia,
"All Right," shouted Brady as
Brady once was a publicist in Chi-
well-wishers at the train station car-
cago.
rying "Miracle Jim" placards ap-
plauded and chanted, "Welcome
He is to receive the United Re-
home, Jim."
to
Part Thursday September LG 1982
Presidential Prem. Secretary
NEW giving thumbs-
up sign from his wheelchair to
about 300 applauding well-wishers,
arrived in Chicago for the first visit
to his home state since he WAS shot
inthel last NO during the LS
sassination attempt OF President
Reager Brady <187 accompanied
on the train trip from Washington
by his wife, Sarah, and son, Scott, 3.
The press secretary will receive the
United Republican Fund's Lincoln
Award at a "Welcome Home, Jim
Brady" dinner tonight and he will
throw out the first ball Monday
*when 140 Chicago Cubexplay the
Pittsbur Piratesing
Jacksonville Journal, Tuesday, March 30, 1982
2A
World/ Nation
George Jones held on cocaine charge People, 7B
'My heart stops until he gets back'
discuss it. "If he does, he doesn't tell
By MAUREEN SANTINI
it does it's a shock that stays with
yers for President Reagan's accused
me, she said.
you."
assailant, sources told the Associated
Associated Press Writer
Press.
And she hasn't asked him "because,
Asked whether she is bothered that
The sources, who asked not to be
WASHINGTON - The year-old
well, some things are just too painful
defendant John W. Hinckley Jr. has
identified, said Hinckley was brought
memory of the attempted assassina-
to talk about, aren't they?
not yet been tried in the attack on her
from his cell at the nearby Fort
tion, of her husband still "very raw,"
Asked whether she thinks about it,
husband, Mrs. Reagan replied: "Well,
Meade, Md., stockade for the closed
Nancy Reagan says my heart stops
in broad terms, yes
I think it
Mrs. Reagan replied: "Oh, yes. Oh,
session before U.S. District Judge
until he gets back" every time he
yes, every time he leaves the house,
should be faster than that. But per-
Barrington D. Parker.
leaves the White House.
particularly to go on a trip, I think
sonally, you try not to think of it in
"Actually, I remember everything
I think my heart stops until he gets
those terms really.
On Friday, Parker granted a re-
quest by Hinckley's attorneys to take
about the day," she said. "I guess it's
back.
The president's wife reiterated
the deposition from Miss Foster, who
something that you don't forget...)
It's just the whole - the whole
what she has said many times in the
will reportedly be out of the country
thought maybe it would fade a little,
memory of it is very, very fresh, very
past year: that the assassination at-
for serveral months.
but it doesn't.
raw.
tempt has changed her outlook on
The actress, star of the movie
Mrs. Reagan's remarks were made
Mrs. Reagan said that prior to the
life.
"Taxi Driver," began her testimony
in an interview with NBC News being
attempt on her husband's life a year
Meanwhile, John W. Hinckley Jr.
Monday night in Parker's courtroom.
broadcast today.
ago today, she didn't worry about his
and actress Jodie Foster appeared in
The hallway outside the courtroom
She said she doesn't know whether
safety. You know that that's a possi-
the same courtroom for the second
was cordoned off today and a half-
NANCY REAGAN
President Reagan worries about at-
bility and so on, but you never think
time in 24 hours today as Miss Foster
dozen marshals stood outside to keep
JOHN HINCKUE
Memory still fresh
tempts on his life because they never
it's going to happen to you, and when
gave a deposition requested by law-
the public away.
No trial date
WASHINGTON POST, 3/31/82, A2
Mrs. Reagan Denies Report on 84
United Press International
heart "skips a beat" every time her
A year to the day after! her hus
husband ventures out in public
band was shot, Nancy Reagan de-
But Sheila Tate, Mrs. Reagan's
nied yesterday that she has made
press secretary, quoted her yesterday
President Reagan promise he will
as saying a report cited in The
Washington Post that the president
not seek reelection in 1984,
has promised he will not sun-again is
Mrs. Reagan, still carrying mem-
"not true."
ories of the assassination attempt
"We've never discussed. 1984
last March 30, said recently her
Mrs. Reagan added.
11
PRESERVATION COPY
Monday, March 29, 1982
Philadelphia Inquirer
NEWSMAK ERS
A look back in fear
Nancy Reagan says that a year
after her husband was shot, the
memory remains very, very
fresh, very raw. In an anniversa-
ry interview with Chris Wallace,
host of NBC's "Today" show, Mrs.
Reagan said she had painful
memories of March 30, 1981,
when President Reagan was shot
in the chest after delivering a
speech at a downtown Washing-
ton hotel. She said she and the
President did not discuss the
shooting now but that she
thought about it "every time he
leaves the house, particularly to
go on a trip. I think my heart
stops until he gets back. Actu-
ally, I remember everything
about the day, And I guess it's
something = it's something that
you don't forget, I thought it
would fade a little, but it 2.
doesn't
UP066
R W
PRESIDENCY
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN TUESDAY DENIED A
PUBLISHED REPORT THAT INDICATED SHE DOES NOT WANT HER HUSBAND TO SEEK
R SECOND TERM BECAUSE OF THE ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE ONE YEAR AGO.
SHEILA TATE, THE MRS. REAGAN'S PRESS SECRETARY, QUOTED THE FIRST
LADY AS LABELING "NOT TRUE" A REPORT IN THE WASHINGTON POST THAT
CITED TALK IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES OF AN ALLEGED PROMISE BY THE
PRESIDENT TO NOT RUN AGAIN.
"WE'VE NEVER DISCUSSED 1984," MRS. REAGAN SAID.
THE POST REPORT SAID:
"MANY SUPPORTERS OF REAGAN BELIEVE THAT THE SHOOTING ALSO HAD AN
EFFECT ON HIS WIFE NANCY, WHO IS SAID NO LONGER TO WANT HER HUSBAND
TO SEEK A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.
"THE REAGANS HAVE NEVER DISCUSSED THIS PUBLICLY, BUT ONE STORY,
WHICH HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY REPEATED IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES IS THAT THE
PRESIDENT HAS PROMISED HIS WIFE THAT HE WILL NOT RUN AGAIN IN 1984."
THE PRESIDENT WAS MAKING NO PUBLIC APPEARANCES TUESDAY, THE
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE, IN WHICH HE SUFFERED A
GUNSHOT WOUND IN THE CHEST IN FRONT OF A WASHINGTON HOTEL.
UPI 03-30-82 01:32 PES
N071
RW
NANCY-SPECULATION
WASHINGTON (AP) THE WHITE HOUSE DENIED A PUBLISHED REPORT TODAY
THAT FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN HAD EXTRACTED A PROMISE FROM HER HUSBAND
NOT TO SEEK A SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT.
THE WASHINGTON POST, IN A STORY ON THE IMPACT OF REAGAN'S SHOOTING
A YEAR AGO TUESDAY, REPORTED:
MANY SUPPORTERS OF REAGAN BELIEVE THAT THE SHOOTING ALSO HAD AN
EFFECT ON HIS WIFE, NANCY, WHO IS SAID NO LONGER TO WANT HER HUSBAND
TO SEEK A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.
''THE REAGANS HAVE NEVER DISCUSSED THIS PUBLICLY, BUT ONE STORY
WHICH HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY REPEATED IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES IS THAT THE
PRESIDENT HAS PROMISED HIS WIFE THAT HE WILL NOT RUN AGAIN IN 1984.''
HOURS AFTER THE STORY APPEARED, HOWEVER, MRS. REAGAN'S PRESS
SECRETARY, NANCY TATE, DENIED THAT THE FIRST LADY HAD GOTTEN THE
PRESIDENT TO PROMISE NOT TO RUN AGAIN.
''WE'VE NEVER DISCUSSED 1984,'' MRS. TATE QUOTED MRS. REAGAN AS
SAYING.
AP-WX-03-30-82 1306EST
N052
UW
REAGAN-SHUTTLE
WASHINGTON (AP) -- PRESIDENT REAGAN WATCHED THE SPACE SHUTTLE
COLUMBIA'S LANDING TODAY AND EXCLAIMED, ''THAT'S MARVELOUS.''
THE PRESIDENT AND A PERSONAL AIDE, DAVID FISCHER, WATCHED THE
LANDING IN A STUDY NEXT TO THE OVAL OFFICE.
FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN CALLED HER HUSBAND JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN
TO TELL HIM THE SHUTTLE'S TRAJECTORY HAD TAKEN IT OVER THEIR
SPRAWLING RANCH NORTH OF SANTA BARRARA, CALIF., ACCORDING TO WHITE
HOUSE DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY PETER ROUSSEL.
AP-WX-03-30-82 1158EST
PRESERVATION COPY
12
Part I/Tuesday, March 30, 1982
Los Angeles Times
President Returns to Scene of Attempted Assassination
heart stops until he gets back," Reagan's wife, Nancy,
said in an interview with NBC News to e aired on the
"Today" show on the anniversary of the assassination
attempt.
By DAVID TREADWELL, Times Staff Writer
The First Lady said she also is bothered because a
WASHINGTON-Or Monday, the day before the
lower than those given other recent Presidents two
tempt resulted in personal tragedy.
year after the incident, the 26- year-old man accused of
first anniversary of the attempt on his life by a young
months after they took office.
Brady, 41, was hit in the skull with a bullet. The pic-
shooting Reagan and the three other men still has not
drifter from Colorado, President Reagan returned to the
After the assassination attempt, his approval rating
ture of him bleeding from the head as he lay face down
been brought to trial.
Washington hotel where the shooting incident took
shot up sharply-and that, in turn, helped propel his
on the sidewalk was one of the most vivid scenes from
Her sentiments have been echoed in other Washing
place to deliver a speech to a group of realtors. This
controversial economic recovery plan of deep tax and
the carnage that day outside the Washington Hilton
ton circles and even by the defendant's father John W.
time, the President's appearance was marked by the
spending cuts through Congress with almost blinding
Hotel.
Hinckley Sr.
heavy security that has surrounded him since the assas-
speed.
Today, although greatly recovered, Brady still suffers
"John is truly ill, and we anxious to get that across
sination attempt last March 30: He was escorted in a 14-
In no small measure, the abrupt change in public sup-
from slurred speech and paralysis in his left arm and left
in court," the elder Hinckley, a Denver oilmañ, saidwin
car motorcade, which included a decoy limousine, and
port for Reagan stemmed from the grace under pressure
leg. He still returns for almost daily therapy.
an interview published Sunday in Denver's Rocky
was taken in and out of the hotel through a rear under-
that he showed during his ordeal. Americans were im-
Mountain News. "His rights to a speedy trial have\been
ground corridor.
pressed with a President who, upon seeing his wife for
Feeling Just Wonderful'
denied him."
The stiffened presidential security measures are grim
the first time after the attempt on his life, blithely said:
"He's feeling just wonderful," his wife, Sarah, said in
Arrested With Gun in Hand
reminders of that fateful spring day when the President
"Honey, I forgot to duck."
a telephone interview. "He's doing great."
and three other men were seriously wounded in a hail of
A banner-sized get- well message suspended from a
Still, the odds against his returning to his White
The younger Hinckley, who had said in a letter to ac-
building near the hospital where Reagan was con-
House post appear to be great, most observers say.
tress Jodie Foster that he wanted to kill the Presidentito
bullets from an assailant's shub-nosed revolver.
valescing from the gunshot wound in his left lung
Delahanty, 48, who had been assigned to special duty
prove his love for her, was arrested with gun-in hand
Despite the horror of the moment, some consequences
summed up the feelings of most citizens
at the Washington Hilton on the day of the assassination
before several dozen witnesses.
of the shooting have worked to the political advantage
attempt, retired from the police force late last year with
Yet, what appeared to be an open-and-shut case of
of the President. Other victims of the shooting and their
Dear Mr. President: There ain't no Republicans or
families have suffered continuing personal tragedy. And
Democrats
now.
We are all family.' It was signed
full disability benefits after 18½ years of service.
attempted assassination of the President has dragged on
simply "America."
Delahanty never returned to duty after a bullet
without going to trial. Hinckley remains in a military
for the perpetrator of the assassination attempt, John
struck him in the neck and he underwent a series of
stockade, while attorneys for both sides haggle.
W. Hinckley Jr., the special treatment accorded him has
More Insulated Life
painful operations.
Although the President returned to the scene of the
raised questions about the American justice system.
But ever since the assassination attempt the Pres-
For Secret Service agent Timothy J. McCarthy, 32,
shooting Monday, he made no reference to the assassi-
At the time of the attack, just 70 days into the Reagan
ident has led a more insulated life. Although he con-
the fourth victim of the assassination attempt, there was
nation attempt in his talk to the National Association of
presidency, the White House was smarting over a na-
tinues to make appearances both in Washington and
a happier ending.
Realtors.
tionwide poll showing Reagan's job approval rating
outside the capital, when he does he is far more careful-
McCarthy, who was wounded in the liver during the
But the 3,000 realtors, spouses and children in His atd-
ly guarded and restricted.
shooting, returned to work on the presidential protec-
dience needed no reminders. As they wound into the
Other victims of the shooting have suffered even
tive detail after recovering.
ballroom, they were required to walk through metal de-
more severely. For James S. Brady, (plamp, at
memory of that day lingers whenever the Pres-
tectors, briefcases and purses were searched and equip
fable press secretary, and Thomas Delitiany,
dent-leaves the white House. "Every time he leaves the
ment such as tape recorders and cameras were exa-
trict of Columbia police officer the assassination at-
on
a
trip,
I
think-I
think
my
mined by uniformed White House police.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1982
Notes on People
An Unforgettable Day
She and her husband never mention
it, Nancy Reagan said, but, a year
later, the memory is still "very, very
fresh, very raw," and apparently al-
wayswill be.
"It's something that you don't for-
get,' she said. "I thought it would
fade a little, but it doesn't.
What Mrs. Reagan was discussing
was the attempt on President Rea-
gan's life last March 30, and in a taped
interview to be aired by NBC on its
"Today" show tomorrow, Mrs. Rea-
gan needed no prompting to recall the
events.
"I remember everything about that
day," she said.
Until then, she said, she had been
concerned for her husband's safety
only in the abstract. Since then, the
fear has been specific,
"Every time he leaves the house,"
she said, "particularly to go on a trip
- I think my heart stops until he gets
back."
PRESERVATION COPY
Monday, March 29,1982 / The Miami Herald
Nancy still feels pain
of attack on Reagan
WASHINGTON - Nancy Rea-
gan says that a year after her hus-
band was shot, the memory remains
"very, very fresh, very raw."
In an anniversary interview with
NBC's "Today Show" host Chris
Wallace, Mrs. Reagan said she had
painful memories of March 30,
1981, when the President was shot
in the chest after delivering a
speech at a downtown Washington
hotel.
She said she and President Rea-
gan never discuss the shooting but
she thinks about it "every time he
leaves the House particularly to go
on a trip. I think my heart stops
until he gets back
085
UW
REAGAN-SHOOTING
BY MICHAEL PUTZEL
WASHINGTON (AP) -- PRESIDENT REAGAN SAID TODAY IT SEEMS A LOT
ONGER THAN A YEAR AGO THAT HE WAS WOUNDED IN AN ASSASSINATION
TTEMPT, AND HE FEELS BETTER THAN EVER.
"I REALIZE IT WAS A YEAR AGO,'' REAGAN SAID ON THE FIRST
ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH 30, 1980, ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE. "IT SEEMS A
LOT LONGER AND I FEEL FINE.'
ASKED IF THE SHOOTING GAVE HIM A SENSE OF HIS MORTALITY AND A NEED
TO HURRY HIS PROGRAM, REAGAN REPLIED, ''IT'S NOT SO MUCH FROM THAT. I
REMEMBER THE SAME FEELING WHEN I WAS A GOVERNOR, THAT GOVERNMENT DOES
SEEM TO MOVE SO SLOWLY AND THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE DONE. I THINK YOU'D
AVE THAT FEELING EVEN WITHOUT GETTING SHOT. "
HE SPOKE WITH REPORTERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE AFTER HE TALKED BY
TELEPHONE WITH RETURNED SPACE SHUTTLE PILOTS JACK R. LOUSMA AND C.
GORDON FULLERTON.
REAGAN TOLD REPORTERS, "I REALLY NEVER FELT BETTER.
TONIGHT, THE PRESIDENT RETURNS BRIEFLY TO HIS ACTING CAREER IN A
APED TELEVISION SHOW ABOUT THE SHOOTING INCIDENT.
IN ''THE SAVING OF THE PRESIDENT,' A TELEVISION RE-ENACTMENT OF
THE HOURS AFTER THE SHOOTING, A STAND-IN PLAYS THE PART OF THE
DUNDED REAGAN FOR MOST OF THE PROGRAM.
BUT IN THE CLOSING MINUTES, THREE DOCTORS WHO CARED FOR THE
RESIDENT AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL MAKE A ''HOUSE
CALL' TO VISIT REAGAN AT THE WHITE HOUSE AFTER HIS RELEASE, AND THE
REAL RONALD REAGAN GREETS THEM IN HIS QUARTERS.
REAGAN AND THE SURGEONS CHAT BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MASSIVE BLOOD
RANSFUSIONS HE RECEIVED AND HE THANKS THEM FOR THEIR HELP.
"I FEEL THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY ... THAT WE WENT WHERE WE WENT WHEN
E DID, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU,'' THE PRESIDENT SAYS.
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAID THAT VISIT TOOK PLACE SHORTLY AFTER THE
SHOOTING AND THAT REAGAN AGREED TO RE-ENACT IT FOR THE CAMERAS.
THE PROGRAM IS TO BE AIRED TONIGHT ON WASHINGTON'S WJLA-TV AND
ILL BE BROADCAST NATIONALLY ON ABC-TV'S "20-20" THURSDAY.
P-WX-03-30-82 1426EST
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REAGAN-NEWS CONFERENCE
BY JAMES GERSTENZANG
WASHINGTON (AP) -- PRESIDENT REAGAN WILL HOLD HIS NINTH WHITE
HOUSE NEWS CONFERENCE TONIGHT, AND HIS FIRST IN THE EVENING, AND THE
PRESIDENT'S AIDES SAY HE WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT NUCLEAR ARMS
LIMITS.
THE SESSION WITH REPORTERS IN THE EAST ROOM OF THE WHITE HOUSE IS
TO BEGIN AT 8 P.M. EST AND WILL BE CARRIED BY THE MAJOR BROADCAST
NETWORKS.
ON TUESDAY, DAVID R. GERGEN, THE WHITE HOUSE ASSISTANT FOR
COMMUNICATIONS, ANNOUNCED THAT REAGAN, STARTING SATURDAY, WILL
DELIVER A SERIES OF 10 WEEKLY RADIO SPEECHES, AVAILABLE FOR NETWORK
USE.
HE SAID THE LIVE, FIVE-MINUTE RADIO SPEECHES, WILL BE DELIVERED
FROM WHERE EVER REAGAN IS EACH SATURDAY -- THE WHITE HOUSE, BARBADOS
ON APRIL 10, CAMP DAVID, MD., HIS RANCH NORTHWEST OF SANTA BARBARA,
CALIF., OR VERSAILLES, FRANCE, WHERE HE WILL ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE JUNE 5.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING ''AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF
REACHING A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'' AS THE
PRESIDENT SEEKS TO PROMOTE HIS ECONOMIC AND FOREIGN POLICIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIRST SPEECH ''MAY WELL'' DEAL WITH THE
ECONOMY.
THE RADIO SPEECHES WILL BE BROADCAST AT 12:05 P.M. EASTERN TIME.
GERGEN SAID REAGAN'S WILLINGNESS TO HOLD AN EVENING NEWS
CONFERENCE, WHEN THE AUDIENCE MAY BE TWICE WHAT IT WOULD BE DURING
THE AFTERNOON WHEN HE HAS HELD PREVIOUS SESSIONS WITH REPORTERS,
INDICATED HE WAS NOT INTIMIDATED BY CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING ERRORS IN
HIS STATEMENTS.
ASKED WHETHER A NEED TO BOOST REAGAN'S SAGGING POPULARITY, AS
MEASURED BY PUBLIC OPINION POLLS, OVERCAME STAFF CONCERN ABOUT NEWS
CONFERENCE 'BLOOPERS'' AND THE LARGER AUDIENCE THAT AN EVENING
BROADCAST ATTRACTS, GERGEN TOLD REPORTERS:
"IF YOU FELT WE ARE SO INTIMIDATED BY PRESS CONFERENCES AND THE
ERROR ISSUE, OBVIOUSLY HE MIGHT NOT CHOOSE TO GO ON IN PRIME TIME. "
AT THE SAME TIME, HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOME ON THE WHITE HOUSE
STAFF MAY HAVE BEEN DISSATISFIED WITH THE COVERAGE REAGAN IS BEING
GIVEN BY THE NEWS MEDIA.
AP-WX-03-31-82 1628EST