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JGR/Presidential Remarks, Statements, [& Addresses] May 1984
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JGR/Presidential Remarks, Statements, [& Addresses] May 1984
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Records of the Office of Counsel to the President (Reagan Administration)
John Roberts' Subject Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Roberts, John G.: Files
Folder Title: JGR/Presidential Remarks, Statements,
[& Addresses] May 1984
Box: 40
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/
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 11, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks:
Ceremony to Launch Drunk Driving
Campaign (5/11 - 12:00 draft)
Richard Darman has asked that we send any comments on the
above-referenced remarks directly to Ben Elliott by
4:00 p.m. today. These are the remarks the President is to
deliver at the ceremony on the South Lawn honoring Michael
Jackson. The remarks begin with two messages the President
has supposedly been asked to deliver to Michael. The first
is a message of love "from about 100 of our women who work
in the White House. According to the President, "they all
said their name is Billie Jean." Cognoscenti will recognize
the allusion to a character in one of Mr. Jackson's more
popular ballads, a young lass who claims -- falsely,
according to the oft-repeated refrain of the singer -- that
the singer is the father of her illegitimate child. This
may be someone's idea of Presidential humor, but it certainly
is not mine.
The second supposed message to be conveyed by the President
is from the citizens of the District, urging Michael to
include Washington on his much-ballyhooed upcoming concert
tour. The question of precisely where Michael and his
accomplices will perform on this tour has been the subject
of refined commercial planning and considerable controversy.
Millions of dollars hinge on the decisions. Washington has
reportedly been ruled out because it does not boast a domed
stadium capable of holding the crowds envisioned by promoter
Don King. I do not think the President should inject
himself into the dispute, even jocularly.
In the remainder of the remarks the President discusses the
work of the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving and
launches the new public service campaign to publicize the
dangers of drunk driving. The remarks praise Jackson for
lending his music to the public service messages to be aired
during the campaign, and conclude with the presentation of
the Presidential award to Jackson.
- 2 -
The attached memorandum for Elliott objects to the intro-
ductory "messages" from the President. This is somewhat
like criticizing the quality rather than the fact of Nero's
fiddling while Rome burned, but I still think we should try
to maintain some standards.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 11, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR, PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITING OFFICE
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks:
Ceremony to Launch Drunk Driving
Campaign (5/11 - 12:00 draft)
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced proposed
remarks. I object to the second and third paragraphs of the
proposed remarks. In the second paragraph, the reference to
"Billie Jean" strikes me as unfortunate, given the subject
matter of that particular song. With respect to the third
paragraph, precisely where the Jacksons will perform on
their tour has of course been the subject of refined
commercial planning and considerable controversy. Millions
of dollars hinge on the decision, and I do not think the
President should enter into the dispute, even jocularly.
CC: Richard G. Darman
FFF:JGR:aea 5/11/84
bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
ID #
CU
WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
o . OUTGOING
H . INTERNAL
I . INCOMING
Date Correspondence
Received (YY/MM/DD)
/
/
Name of Correspondent:
Richard Danman
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject: Proposed Presidential Remarks:
Ceremony to Launch Drunk Driving
campaign (5/11-17:00 draft)
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
Cuttou
ORIGINATOR 8405/11
/
/
Referral Note:
CUAT 18
D 8405,11
58405,11
Referral Note:
4:00pm
CUAT 17
I 84/05/11
/ /
Referral Note:
/ /
/
/
I
Referral Note:
/ /
/
/
I
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
A - Appropriate Action
1. Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A Answered
C Completed
C . Comment/Recommendation
R. . Direct Reply w/Copy
B - Non-Special Referral
S Suspended
D Draft Response
S * For Signature
F - Furnish Fact Sheet
X . Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
Code = "A"
Completion Date = Date of Outgoing
Comments:
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
5/81
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
5/11/84
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: TODAY - 4:00 p.m.
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: CEREMONY TO LAUNCH DRUNK DRIVING
CAMPAIGN (5/11 12:00 draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
McFARLANE
MEESE
McMANUS
BAKER
MURPHY
DEAVER
OGLESBY
STOCKMAN
ROGERS
DARMAN
P
BS SPEAKES
FELDSTEIN
SVAHN
FIELDING
VERSTANDIG
FULLER
WHITTLESEY
HERRINGTON
TUTWILER
COYNE
HICKEY
WIRTHLIN
HENKEL
JENKINS
ELLIOTT
ROSEBUSH
REMARKS:
Please provide any edits/comments directly to Ben Elliott, by 4:00 p.m.
today, with a copy to my office. THANK YOU.
RESPONSE:
Richard G. Darman
1984 MAY 11 PH 1: 13
Assistant to the President
Ext. 2702
ReceivedSS
(Elliott)
1984 MAY 11 PM 12: 35
May 11, 1984
12:00 Noon
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: CEREMONY TO LAUNCH DRUNK DRIVING CAMPAIGN
MONDAY, MAY 14, 1984
Well, isn't this a thriller? I'm delighted to see all of
you here today. I don't think I've seen quite this many people
since the day we left China. And just think, you all came to see
me. No, I know why you're here, and with good reason: to see
one of the most talented, most popular, most exciting superstars
in the music world today -- Michael Jackson.
Michael, I want to welcome you to the White House. And I
hope you'll forgive me, but I've been asked to give you two very
important messages. The first is from about 100 of our women who
work in the White House. They told me to tell you, "We love you,
Michael." But what I couldn't understand was, they all said
their name is Billie Jean.
Michael, the second message is from the citizens of
Washington, D.C. It seems only fitting to ask you on their
behalf from here on the South Lawn: When you begin your
greatly-awaited cross-country tour -- will you please be sure to
stop off here in the Nation's capital.
Well, down to business. We are gathered here to mark the
progress of a shared endeavor, and to commit ourselves to an even
greater national effort.
On April 14 of 1982, I created a Presidential Commission on
Drunk Driving. Since that date, real progress has been made.
States have passed tougher laws, arrests and enforcement have
been stepped up, and citizens across our country are taking a
Page 2
stand against the tragedies caused by drinking and driving.
Another milestone resulted from the Commission's work: the
creation of a national public service campaign to make more
Americans aware of solutions to this national problem. Our
campaign will marshall the power of the media, with the help of
the Advertising Council, our Private Sector Initiatives Office,
and the Department of Transportation, under the strong leadership
of Secretary Elizabeth Dole. This private sector-government
partnership brings a message to young people that will touch many
lives and change them for the better.
Today, we recognize all these fine efforts of voluntarism by
the Commission members as well as those of the Ad Council.
Helping one another for the good of this country and its
citizens, and without concern for reward or repayment -- this is
the heart of America, strong, good, and true.
I want to recognize another volunteer effort made for the
good of our country -- especially our Nation's youth. And it's
none other than Michael Jackson's effort. At this stage of his
career, when it would seem he's achieved everything a musical
performer could hope for, Michael Jackson is taking time to help
lead the fight against alcohol and drug abuse. Michael, you have
made it possible for us to warn millions of young Americans about
the dangers of drinking and driving. You have done this with
your music you provided to the public service messages as well as
through your own personal example.
Thanks to your help, Michael, young people from virtually
every family in America will hear these messages on television
Page 3
and radio. And they will hear them at one of the most critical
times of the year, when graduations and vacations are fast
approaching. Thanks to your help, lives will be saved, and no
one can put a dollar value on the precious life of one boy or
girl.
Michael Jackson is proof of what a person can accomplish
through a lifestyle free of alcohol or drug abuse. People, young
and old, respect that, and if Americans follow his example, then
we can face up to the problem of drinking and driving. We can,
in Michael's words, "Beat It!"
Nancy spends a great deal of her time with young people
talking about the problems of drug and alcohol abuse. So I speak
for both of us when I say thank you very much, Michael, for the
example you are giving to millions of young Americans who look up
to you.
And now, if you'd permit me, I would like to present you
with this award (President reads award).