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04/11/1983 (case file 135511) (2)
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Presidential Briefing Papers
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: President, Office of the: Presidential
Briefing Papers: Records, 1981-1989
Folder Title: 04/11/1983 (Case File: 135511) (2)
Box: 28
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
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
E
(Elliott/AB)
April 8, 1983
5:30 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RECEPTION FOR REPUBLICAN
SENATORIAL INNER CIRCLE
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983
Thank you Senator Lugar, Vice President Bush, Mrs. Bush,
Mrs. Lugar* -- and I would say welcome to everyone but, like you,
I'm a guest here at the Corcoran too. Maybe I should surprise
Nancy and tell her, I'm not giving a speech, you're giving us a
tour.
It's wonderful to see so many of you. It reminds me of that
evening when Winston Churchill was addressing a large crowd in
America. A woman cornered him and said, "Doesn't it thrill you,
Mr. Churchill, to know that every time you make a speech the hall
is packed to overflowing?"
And Sir Winston replied, "It is quite flattering, but
whenever I feel this way I always remember that if, instead of
making a political speech, I was being hanged, the crowd would be
twice as big."
I must say, you all look great. Maybe it's the elegance of
our surroundings. Or maybe you're smiling because things are
looking up for our Grand Old Party across the country?
Well, let me just tell you some of the reasons why I'm
feeling optimistic about our prospects. For one, I can't imagine
a more energetic, talented, and successful chairman of the
National Republican Senatorial Committee than the man who
introduced me -- Dick Lugar.
[* Charlene Lugar usually goes by "Char"]
Page 2
Then I feel good knowing how strongly each of you is behind
us. If there is one point I'd like you to remember between now
and November 1984, it's this: We must maintain control of the
Senate and, with your help, we will maintain control.
I'm told that in just the last 3 months, the Inner Circle
has already accomplished a major feat. You have raised
$1 million toward the $8 million the Senatorial Committee can
give directly to the 1984 Senate races. That shows how important
your role will be. A strong, actively involved Inner Circle will
ensure the Senatorial Committee's ability to fund each Senate
race to the maximum permitted by law -- and we're determined that
every one of our candidates will have that assurance.
There's another big reason why I'm optimistic: We're
turning this country around. The last time I looked, we were no
longer being squeezed by the double-digit inflation we inherited.
It's been knocked all the way down to .4 percent in the last
6 months -- the lowest 6-month rate in 22 years. Those towering
interest rates, which closed factory gates in industries like
autos and steel, leveled the housing industry, and brought SO
many businesses to their knees have now been knocked down
themselves. We don't have a 21½ percent prime rate anymore; we
have a 10½ percent prime and we can knock that down further too.
Tax rates have been cut; real wages are improving; retail
sales are up; personal savings and productivity are growing
again; the stock market reached a new, all-time high; venture
capital investments have reached record levels; production in
housing, autos and steel is gaining strength; workers are being
Page 3
called back; so maybe it's time we told the Democrats -- "If you
can't work with us, if you can't cooperate and help make a good
thing better, then stand aside and get out of the way."
You know, I just have one question: Now that our program is
beginning to mesh and it's doing what we promised, how come they
don't call it Reaganomics anymore? The Democrats called it that
when they were so sure the program had failed -- the morning
after it was passed.
We're not going to give in on the third year of the tax cut;
we're not going to give in on indexing; we're going to keep our
program intact and march forward to make America great again like
she was always meant to be.
The one thing that could stand in our way is that
catastrophic Democratic budget passed in the House. You know,
they'll never change. It's the same old snake oil of tax and tax
and spend and spend. Someone should point out to the media that
the Democrats' idea of fairness and compassion is a $315 billion
tax increase, aimed straight at the heart of Main Street America.
That's why I've said: If you liked the 21 percent prime rate,
18 percent mortgage rates, double-digit inflation and
sky's-the-limit tax increases of 2 years ago, then you'll love
their budget, because that's exactly what it would bring back.
We need your help to protect the recovery. And we must have
Republican unity in the White House and the Senate to keep
America strong, free, and at peace. The Senate faces critical
decisions in the near future -- decisions that will go to the
Page 4
heart of our defense rebuilding program, our efforts to reduce
strategic weapons -- in other words, America's safety and
security.
You know, I keep thinking back to a statement Harry Truman
made in 1945, after he had studied the reports on Pearl Harbor.
He said,
"
I came to the conclusion that the whole thing is
the result of the policy which
(our) country
pursued. " We were "not ready for preparedness. Every time the
President made an effort to get a preparedness program through
the Congress, it was stifled. Whenever the President made a
statement about the necessity of preparedness, he was vilified
for doing it."
I'm very concerned that many of our leaders have not learned
enough from history. Some of that same mentality exists in
America today, and it's the most serious threat to our security
and safety. It's up to us to see to it that wiser heads prevail
and a strong, secure America continues to preserve the peace we
all want.
So, yes, we've begun to rebuild America, and we can succeed
if we stick with principle -- and if you stick with us. I know
you will, and I want to thank you one more time for all your
magnificent support. And now I think I've gone on long enough,
so Nancy and I are going to get down from here and shake some of
your hands.
God bless you all.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SCHEDULE OF THE PRESIDENT
FOR
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983
EVENT:
American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors,
DRESS:
Men's Business Suit; Women's Afternoon Dress
WEATHER:
Partly Cloudy; Low 50's
7:45 p.m.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, proceed to Marine One and
board.
7:50 p.m.
Marine One departs South Lawn en route Capital
Center landing zone. Flight Time: 15 mins.
PHOTO COVERAGE
8:05 p.m.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, arrive Capital Center
landing zone and proceed to motorcade for boarding.
OPEN PRESS COVERAGE
8:10 p.m.
Motorcade departs en route Capital Center, North
Entrance. Drive Time: 5 mins.
8:15 p.m.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, arrive Capital Center and
proceed to holding room. OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER ONLY
Met in holding room by:
Elie Wiesel, Chairman, U.S. Holocaust
Memorial Council
Al Spiegel, Chairman, National Republican
Jewish Coalition
Abe Pollin, Owner, Capital Center
Mr. Benjamin Meed, President, American
Gathering of Jewish Survivors, makes
introduction.
Note: Closed circuit T.V. coverage of the
introduction will be available in
holding room.
Ruffles and Flourishes
"Hail to the Chief"
8:20 p.m.
Escorted by Mrs. Reagan and Mr. Wiesel, proceed on
stage. OPEN PRESS COVERAGE
Mrs. Reagan is seated on dais.
Proceed to podium and make remarks.
8:35 p.m.
Conclude remarks and take seat on dais.
Mr. Meed asks you and Mrs.
Reagan to join him at podium.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, proceed to podium and
accept scroll.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, join in singing "God Bless
America. If
8:40 p.m.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, depart stage en route
holding room.
8:45 p.m.
Accompanied by Mrs. Reagan, proceed to motorcade
for boarding and depart en route landing zone.
Drive Time: 5 mins.
8:50 p.m.
Marine One departs landing zone en route South Lawn.
Flight Time: 15 mins.
9:05 p.m.
Marine One arrives South Lawn.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 8, 1983
THE AMERICAN GATHERING OF JEWISH HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
DATE:
April 11, 1983
LOCATION:
The Capital Center
TIME:
8:15 - 8:45 p.m.
FROM:
FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY 7RW
I.
PURPOSE
To remember the Holocaust and pay tribute to those who
suffered and perished, as well as allow the thousands
who had the opportunity to rebuild their shattered
lives a chance to express their debt of gratitude to
the United States.
II.
BACKGROUND
The American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors will
be in Washington from April 11th through April 13th, 1983.
The Gathering has attracted approximately 15,000 survivors
and their families who have come to Washington from all
50 states to express publicly their appreciation to this
country for allowing them the opportunity to rebuild their
shattered lives. The survivors of the Holocaust and their
families have a special vantage point in human history
from which they can express their patriotism for this country.
The Gathering is a non-political event and provides an
opportunity for reunion and reunification as they have
organized a registry of thousands of names of living
survivors which will probably grow to 70,000. The survivors
will all sign a scroll that will be presented to you as a
symbol of national appreciation. During the Gathering, there
will be an annual Yom Hashoah remembrance service.
III. PARTICIPANTS
Approximately 15,000 survivors and members of their families.
Please see attached list for dais guests.
IV.
PRESS PLAN
Full White House press.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
7:50 p.m.
Depart White House by helicopter to the
Capital Center
8:05 p.m.
Arrive Capital Center, Depart by
car to holding room
8:10 p.m.
Met by Elie Wiesel, Chairman,
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council,
Albert Spiegel, Chairman, National
Republican Jewish Coalition and
Abe Pollin, owner of the Capital
Center
8:15 p.m.
You, Elie Wiesel and Albert Spiegel
watch Ben Meed, President, American
Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors,
introduce you
8:20 p.m.
You begin your remarks
8:35 p.m.
Your remarks conclude
Mr. Meed, accompanied by survivors,
makes a presentation of the Scroll
of Survivors, and sing, "God Bless
America"
8:40 p.m.
You depart for holding room
8:45 p.m.
You depart holding room for
helicopter and return to the
White House
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Seated on the dais:
Benjamin Meed, President, American Gathering of Jewish
Holocaust Survivors
Elie Wiesel, Chairman, United States Holocaust Memorial
Council
Sigmund Strochlitz, Chairman, Days of Remembrance Committee,
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council
Sam Bloch, Senior Vice President, American Gathering of
Jewish Holocaust Survivors
Sol Goldstein, Senior Vice President, American Gathering
of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
Eli Zborowski, Senior Vice President, American Gathering
of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
Roman Kent, Chairman, National Executive Committee, American
Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
Menachem Rosensaft, Chairman, International Council of Children
of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
David Chase, Member, Executive Committee, American Gathering
of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
Dr. Gideon Hausner, Director of Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum in
in Israel)
Dov Shilansky, Deputy Minister, Office of the Prime Minister of
Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu, Charge d'Affaires
Mrs. Marion Wiesel, wife of Elie Wiesel
Mrs. Vdladka Meed, wife of Benjamin Meed
(Rohrabacher/AB)
April 8, 1983
5:00 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE GATHERING
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983
President Meed, Chairman Wiesel [WE-zel], other
distinguished leaders of the American gathering and the United
States Holocaust Memorial Council, members of the Second
Generation, friends, survivors:
Tonight we stand together to give thanks to America for
providing freedom and liberty, and, for many here tonight, a
second home and a second life.
Presidents are afforded many honors. The opportunity to
join with you this evening, as a representative of the people of
the United States, will be a cherished memory. I am proud to
accept your thanks on behalf of our fellow Americans; and also to
express our gratitude to you for choosing America, for being the
good citizens that you are, and for reminding us of how important
it is to remain true to our ideals, as individuals and as a
Nation.
We are here, first and foremost, to remember. For these are
the days of remembrance, Yom Hashoah [Yohm Hah-show-AH]. Ours is
the only Nation other than Israel that marks this time with an
official, national observance. For the last 2 years, I've had
the privilege of participating personally in the candle lighting
ceremony as President Carter did the year before me. Let us take
just a moment now to pause and contemplate, perhaps in silent
prayer, the magnitude of this occasion, the millions of lives,
the courage and dignity, the malevolence and hatred; and what it
Page 2
all means to our lives and the decisions we make more than a
generation later. Please join me in tribute to those not with us
for this moment of silence. [PAUSE]
In the early days of our country, George Washington visited
a Hebrew congregation in Newport, Rhode Island. Later, as our
first President, he wrote them a now rather famous letter,
reflecting on the meaning of America's newly-won freedom. "All
possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of
citizenship. For happily the Government of the United States,
which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance,
requires only that they who live under its protection should
demean themselves as good citizens
If
Certainly our country does not have a spotless record, but
our fundamental beliefs -- the ones that inspired Washington when
he penned that letter -- are sound. Our whole way of life is
based on a compact between good and decent people, a voluntary
agreement to live here together in freedom, respecting the rights
of others, and expecting that our rights, in return, will be
respected.
But the freedom we enjoy carries with it a tremendous
responsibility. You, the survivors, remind us of that. Good and
decent people must not close their eyes to evil, must not ignore
the suffering of the innocent, and must never remain silent and
inactive in times of moral crisis.
A generation ago the American people felt, like many others
in the Western world, that they could simply ignore the expanding
power of a totalitarian ideology. Looking back now, we must
Page 3
admit that the warning signs were there. But the world refused
to see. The words and ideology of the Nazi's were rationalized,
explained away, as if they had no meaning. Violations of
religious freedom, the attacks on Jewish property, the
censorship, the heavy taxes imposed on those who wished to
emigrate, even the first concentration camps -- all this ignored,
as was the incredible expansion of Germany's war machine.
A few brave voices tried to warn of the danger. They were
strong individuals, like Winston Churchill, who was driven into
the political wilderness for speaking the unpleasant truth.
There were also those who, in their sincere desire for peace,
were all too ready to give totalitarians every benefit of the
doubt, and all too quick to label Churchill a warmonger. Well,
time has proven that those who gloss over the brutality of
tyrants are no friends of peace or freedom.
One of the greatest tragedies was that, even in the Jewish
community, there were some eyes that would not see. Perhaps
mistaking Nazism for another of the many waves of anti-semitism
Jews have had to live with for centuries, they did not understand
the magnitude of what was happening. Even when their freedom was
attacked, even when immigration was restricted, even when they
were deported, they did not recognize what was happening to them.
Four decades ago the Warsaw ghetto rose in defiance, an inspiring
stand by those who chose to die on their feet. But it was too
late.
Tonight let us pledge that we will never shut our eyes,
never refuse to acknowledge the truth, no matter how unpleasant.
Page 4
If nothing else, the painful memory we share should strengthen
our resolve to do this. Our Founding Fathers believed in certain
self-evident truths. But for truth to prevail we must have the
courage to proclaim it.
Last week we reaffirmed our belief in the most meaningful
truths of our Judeo-Christian heritage: Passover and Easter.
These two religious observances link our faiths and celebrate the
liberation of the body and soul. The rites of Passover remind us
of the freeing of our common ancestors from the yoke of Pharoah's
bondage and their exodus to freedom. Today, you bear witness to
a modern-day exodus from the darkness of unspeakable horror to
the light and refuge of safe havens -- the two most important
being America and what soon became the State of Israel. As a man
whose heart is with you -- and as President of a people you are
now SO much a part of -- I promise you that the security of your
safe havens, here and in Israel, will never be compromised.
Our most sacred task now is insuring that the memory of this
greatest of human tragedies, the Holocaust, never fades -- that
its lessons are not forgotten. Although SO much has been written
and said, words somehow are never enough. If a young person, the
son or daughter of a neighbor or friend, should die or suffer a
terrible illness, we feel the sorrow and share the pain. But how
can we share the agony of a million young people, suffering
unspeakable deaths. It is almost too great a burden for the
human soul. Instead, its very enormity may make it seem unreal.
Page 5
Simon Wisenthal [WE-zen-thal] has said, "When a hundred
people die it's a catastrophe. When a million people die it's
just a statistic."
We must see to it that the immeasurable pain of the
Holocaust is not dehumanized, that it is not examined clinically
and dispassionately, that its significance is not lost on this
generation, or any future generation. Though it is now a dry
scar, we cannot let the bleeding wound be forgotten. Only when
it is personalized will it be real enough to play a role in the
decisions we make. Those victims who cannot be with us today do
a vital service to mankind by being remembered. But, we must be
their vessel of remembrance, and we must never let them down.
This reunion is part of our duty to them. Ben Meed, by
serving as the catalyst for this historic event, you exemplify
the meaning of good citizenship. America is lucky to have you.
Elie Wiesel, you have done so much for so many years now. For
all you've done, thank you. I applaud you for your noble effort.
Americans can be proud that, with the help of these two men
and many others, we are moving forward to build a Holocaust
memorial, a living museum, here in the Nation's Capital. And it
is being financed, as is this gathering, by voluntary
contributions -- by Jews and Gentiles, by citizens from every
walk of life, of every race and creed, who grasp the importance
to our soul and to our well-being of seeing, of understanding,
and of remembering.
Imparting the message of the Holocaust, using it to
reinforce the moral fiber of our society, is much more than a
Page 6
Jewish responsibility. It rests upon all of us who, not
immobilized by cynicism and negativism, believe that mankind is
capable of greater goodness. For just as the genocide of the
Holocaust debased civilization, the outcome of the struggle
against those who ran the camps, and committed the atrocities,
gives us hope that the brighter side of the human spirit will, in
the end, triumph.
We know now that even during the dark days when terror
reigned on the continent of Europe there were quiet heroes, men
and women whose moral fiber held firm. Some of those to whom I
refer are called righteous Gentiles. At this solemn time, we
remember them also. Alexander Rozlan and his wife, for example,
now live in Clearwater, Florida. But during the war they lived
in Poland and hid three Jewish children in their home for more
than 4 years. They knew the terrible risk they were taking.
Once, when German soldiers searched their home, the Rozlans kept
serving wine and whiskey until the troops were so drunk they
forgot what they were looking for.
Later, Rozlan's son was in the hospital with scarlet fever.
The boy hid half his medicine under his pillow so he could give
it to the Jewish children his family was hiding, because they too
had scarlet fever.
There are many such stories. The picturesque town of Assi,
Italy, sheltered and protected 300 Jews. Father Ruffino Niccacci
[
] organized the effort, hiding people in his monastery and
in homes of parishioners. A slip of the tongue by a single
Page 7
informant could have condemned the entire village to the camps.
Yet they did not yield.
And, of course, there was Raoul Wallenberg, one of the moral
giants of our time. His courage saved thousands. He could have
remained in his native Sweden, safe from the conflagration that
engulfed the continent. When he heard of what was happening, of
the final solution, he followed his conscience.
Yes, we remember him too. I would affirm, as President of
the United States and, if you would permit me, in the names of
the survivors, that if those who took him from Budapest would win
our trust, let them start by giving us an accounting of Raoul
Wallenberg.
Wallenberg and others who displayed such bravery did not
consider themselves heroes. I understand that some of them, when
asked about why they risked so much, often for complete
strangers, replied that they simply thought it was the right
thing to do, and that was that. It was just their way.
That kind of moral character, unfortunately, was the
exception and not the rule. But for that very reason, it is a
consciousness we must foster. Earlier I described our country as
a compact between good and decent people. I believe this because
it is the love of freedom -- not nationalistic rituals and
symbols -- that unites us.
And because of this, we are also bound in spirit to all
those who yearn to be free and to live without fear. We are the
keepers of the flame of liberty. In Hebrew the word for engraved
is charut [ha-root]. It is very similar to the word for freedom,
Page 8
cheyrut [hay-root]. Tonight we recognize that for freedom to
survive and prosper it must be engraved in our character so that
when confronted with fundamental choices we will do what is
right, because that is our way.
Looking around this room tonight, I realize that, although
we come from many lands, we share a wealth of common experiences.
Most of us remember the time before the Second World War -- how
we and our friends reacted to certain events has not faded from
our memory. There are also in this room many young people, sons
and daughters, maybe even a few grandchildren.
Perhaps some of the younger ones can't understand why we're
making SO much of a fuss. Perhaps some of them think we are too
absorbed by the heartaches of the past and should move on.
Well, what we do tonight is not for us. It is for them. We
who are old enough to remember must make certain those who take
our place understand. So, if a youngster should ask you why you
are here, just tell that young person: Because I love God.
Because I love my country. Because I love you. Zachor
[ZA-whore].
Thank you all and God bless you.