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12/21/1981 (case file 051430) (1)
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12/21/1981 (case file 051430) (1)
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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: 12/21/1981 (Case File: 051430)
(1)
Box: 11
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
yes
Page 10f2 FOR} ID #. 051430
WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT
X MEDIA
WORKSHEET
H INTERNAL
Subject Codes:
Name of Document:
BRIEFING PAPERS FOR
PR007.01 PR
PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULED
APPOINTMENTS FOR
DEC2181
/
re budget appeal meeting regarding
Subject: priefing Memorandum for thoPresident EG El
004.
019.
foreign assistance 3 agriculture
EG
011.
and appeals miscellaneous budget
2 Meeting with Jask Force on Legal Equity
FG 258.
for Women to sign Expecutive Order
HU 0/6
EE 003.
3, Licto imitees for signing ceremony
3. Briefing memorandum re Entitlements
FG022
the "TROIKA"
4 Forecast Bruffin memorandum re (Economic BEOOY.
5. Photosession with U.S. ambassaders:
Fo 002
MARK AUSTAD - NORWAY
Co 117
FRANKLIN FORSBERG - SWEDEN
CO 151
RONALD PALMER - MALAYSIA
CO 097.
HARRY THAYER -SINGAPORE
CO139
continued
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
RMMATT
RSZ
8/12/29
C81,12,29
Referral Note:
Page 2ofz
ID # 05/450
WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT
WORKSHEET
X MEDIA
H . INTERNAL
Subject Codes:
Name of Document:
BRIEFING PAPERS FOR
PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULED
APPOINTMENTS FOR
DEC2181
6 Subject: Meeting with VINNIE DE CARLO
7, Video taping session for a patriotic new year'sPR 011.
message to be played during
HO 016.
Orange Bowl game
REO10.
8 Video taping persionfo a new years
message to be broakcast hys
FG 298
International Communications
agency.
9 audio taping session for a Christmas
FG 014
message take broadcast my
armed Forces Radio
10 Speaking notes for meeting with
CO 126
Polish american leaders
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
RMMATT
RSZ
/
/
/
/
Referral Note:
December 21,1981
8:30 am
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE
Monday, December 21, 1981
9:00 am
Staff Time
Oval Office
(30 min)
(Baker, Meese, Deaver)
255
9:30 am
Budget Meeting
Roosevelt Room
(60 min)
(Darman/Fuller)
10:30 am
National Security Council Meeting
(60 min)
(Nance)
11:25
EL12, DOLE
11:30 am
Signing Ceremony for Executive Order
Cabinet Room
(20 min)
establishing Task Force on Legal Equity
for Women
(Dole)
11:50 am
Personal Staff Time
Oval Office
(25 min)
12:15 pm
Issues Briefing Lunch
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Darman/Fuller)
1:15 pm
Personal Staff Time
Oval Office
(30 min)
1:45 pm
Meeting with Polish American Leaders
Oval Office
(15 min)
(Dole)
2:00 pm
Budget Meeting
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Darman/Fuller)
3:55
3:00 pm
Economic Program Meeting
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Darman/Fuller)
4:15 pm
Ambassador Photos
Oval Office
(15 min)
(Nance)
EMA
4:30 pm
Photo with Congressional Liason Staff
Oval Office
(5 min)
(Friedersdorf)
4:40 Pm
VINNIE BE CARLO
5:00 pm
Meeting with His Excellency Dr. Ashraf A.
Oval Office
(15 min)
GHORBAL, Ambassador of Egypt.
(Nance)
Haig
not
here
5:30 pm
Roosevelt Room Event
Roosevelt Room
(15 min)
(Canzeri)
15
5:45 pm
Taping Session
3:00 tomourow
Library
(15 min)
(Goode) concelled
6:00 pm
Staff Time
Residence
(30 min)
(Baker, Meese, Deaver)
UNPUBLISHED
December 18, 1981
5:00 pm
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE
Monday, December 21, 1981
9:00 am
Staff Time
Oval Office
(30 min)
(Baker, Meese, Deaver)
9:30 am
Budget Meeting
Roosevelt Room
(TAB A)
(2 hrs)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(book distributed separately)
10: SC
N.S.C.
11:30 am
Signing Ceremony for Executive Order
Cabinet Room
(20 min)
establishing Task Force on Legal Equity
for Women
(Elizabeth Dole)
(TAB B) (draft remarks attached)
12:15 pm
Issues Briefing Lunch
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(distributed separately)
1:15 pm
Personal Staff Time
Oval Office
(45 min)
1:45
Presh Lar, Endine 500
2:00 pm
Budget Meeting
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(TAB C)
(book distributed separately)
3:00 pm
Economic Program Meeting
Cabinèt Room
(60 min)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(TAB D)
4:15 pm
Ambassador Photos
Oval Office
(TAB E)
(20 min)
(James W. Nance)
4:35 pm
Photo with Congressional Liaison Staff
Oval Office
(5 min)
(Max Friedersdorf)
4:40 pm
Courtesy Call by Vinnie De Carlo
Oval Office
(10 min)
(David Fischer)
(TAB F)
Taping Session (Mark Goode)
Payer America.
5:00 pm
Map Room
(30 min)
(1) Orange Bowl
(2) Christmas message for Armed Forces
(TAB G)
(3) New Years Message for ICA
5:30 pm
Residence Event
State Dining Roc
(20 min)
(Joseph W. Canzeri)
December 18, 198
5:00 pm
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE
Monday, December 21, 1981
9:00 am
Staff Time
Oval Office
(30 min)
(Baker, Meese, Deaver)
9:30 am
Budget Meeting
Roosevelt Room
(TAB A)
(R hrs)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(book distributed separately)
10:30
30
NSC
CAB
1:25
11:30 am
Signing Ceremony for Executive Order
Cabinet Room
EL12.
(20 min)
establishing Task Force on Legal Equity
DOLK
for Women
(Elizabeth Dole)
12:00
(TAB B) (draft remarks attached)
POLISH GROUP
12:15 pm
Issues Briefing Lunch
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(distributed separately)
1:15 pm
Personal Staff Time
Oval Office
(45 min)
2:00 pm
Budget Meeting
Cabinet Room
(60 min)
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(TAB C)
(book distributed separately)
3:00 pm
Economic Program Meeting
Cabinèt Room
(Richard Darman/Craig Fuller)
(TAB D)
(60 min)
4:15 pm
Ambassador Photos
Oval Office
(TAB E)
(20 min)
(James W. Nance)
4:35 pm
Photo with Congressional Liaison Staff
Oval Office
(5 min)
(Max Friedersdorf)
4:40 pm
Courtesy Call by Vinnie De Carlo
Oval Office
(10 min)
(David Fischer)
(TAB F)
Antaping Session (Mark Goode)
EGYPT G110RBHL
5:00 pm
Map Room
(30 min)
(1) Orange Bowl
(2) Christmas message for Armed Forces
(TAB G)
(3) New Years Message for ICA
5:30 pm
Residence Event
State Dining Ro
(20 min)
(Joseph W. Canzeri)
A
B
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 18, 1981
MEETING WITH TASK FORCE ON LEGAL EQUITY FOR WOMEN
DATE:
December 21, 1981
LOCATION:
Cabinet Room
TIME:
11:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
EHD
FROM:
Elizabeth H. Dole
I. PURPOSE: Signing ceremony of the Executive Order creating the
the Task Force on Legal Equity for Women.
II. BACKGROUND: During your campaign, you pledged to pursue the goal
of equal rights for women by seeking to reform federal and state
laws and regulations which discriminate unfairly on the basis of
sex.
Soon after your election, you appointed a Special Assistant to
the President to work with the 50 state governors to review
discriminatory laws at the state level. The "50 States Project"
is now well underway. You met with the governors' representatives
in October to review their progress and reaffirm your commitment
to their project.
The Justice Department, through its Civil Rights Division, will
ferret out examples of discrimination in federal regulations
and forward these through your Cabinet Council to you. After
determining those areas where you wish to take action, the Task
Force will implement the desired changes.
The Task Force on Legal Equity for Women consists of men and
women from 21 major departments and agencies who are appointed
by you after being recommended by their respective cabinet
secretary or agency administrator. Members, in conjunction
with their respective department or agency head, will have the
responsibility for implementing changes in regulations. Task
Force members have accepted this added responsibility to regular
duties. Fourteen of the 21 members are women.
The Task Force Chairman is Carol E. Dinkins, Assistant Attorney
General for Land Use and Natural Resources at the Department of
Justice. She is your highest ranking woman appointment at
Justice.
This new Executive Order supersedes various Carter Administration
orders which served as his instruments to advance the ERA. In
signing this Executive Order, you are eliminating the President's
Advisory Committee for Women, originally chaired by Bella Abzug
- 2 -
and finally by Linda Johnson Robb. You are also eliminating an
Interdepartmental Task Force which provided overall coordination
of women's activities. (This should not be mentioned unless in
reply to a specific question.)
III. PARTICIPANTS: See Attached List.
IV. PRESS PLAN: Open press coverage.
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
11:30 a.m.
You, accompanied by the Vice President and
Elizabeth Dole, will enter the Cabinet Room. The
members of the Task Force are seated at the table.
Elizabeth Dole will be seated at your right and
Carol Dinkins at your left.
11:31 a.m.
Upon being seated, Elizabeth will offer brief
remarks and announce the entrance of the press.
11:32 a.m.
Press pool enters.
11:34 a.m.
You will read your statement and sign the Executive
Order, after which you hand the pen to Carol Dinkins.
11:38 a.m.
Press pool departs.
11:40 a.m.
Elizabeth concludes meeting by announcing your
introduction to each Task Force member, for a
photo as they depart the room.
11:50 a.m.
You return to the Oval Office.
Attachments:
List of Participants
Talking Points
STAFF
Elizabeth H. Dole
Diana Lozano
Judy Peachee
Wendy Borcherdt
Barbara Honegger
PARTICIPANTS
TASK FORCE ON LEGAL EQUITY FOR WOMEN
DEPARTMENT
NAME
POSITION
AGRICULTURE
Mary Jarratt
Assistant Secretary,
Food and Consumer Service
COMMERCE
Arlene Triplett
Assistant Secretary
for Administration
DEFENSE
Lawrence J. Korb
Assistant Secretary of
Defense (Manpower, Reserve
Affairs and Logistics)
EDUCATION
Jean Tufts
Assistant Secretary
Special Education and
Rehabilitation Services
ENERGY
Robert Odle
Assistant Secretary for
Congressional, Intergovern-
mental & Public Affairs
HEALTH AND
DORCAS HARDY
Assistant Secretary for
HUMAN SERVICES
Health and Human Services
HOUSING AND
Judith Tardy
Assistant Secretary for
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Administration
INTERIOR
J. Robinson West
Assistant Secretary for
Policy, Budget and
Administration
JUSTICE
Carol E. Dinkins
Assistant Attorney General
(Chairman)
for Land & Natural Resources
LABOR
Lenore Cole-Alexander
Director, Women's Bureau
STATE
Joan M. Clark
Director General of the
Foreign Service and
Director of Personnel
TRANSPORTATION
Katherine M. Anderson
Director, Executive
Secretariat
- 2 -
TASK FORCE ON LEGAL EQUITY FOR WOMEN
DEPARTMENT
NAME
POSITION
TREASURY
Angela Buchanan
United States Treasurer
ACTION
Winifred Pizzano
Deputy Director
AGENCY FOR
W. Antoinette Ford
Assistant Administrator
INTERNATIONAL
Bureau for Near East
DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL
Joseph A. Cannon
Acting Associate
PROTECTION
Administrator for
AGENCY
Policy and Resource
Management
INTERNATIONAL
James T. Hackett
Associate Director
COMMUNICATION
for Management
AGENCY
OFFICE OF
Linda L. Smith
Assistant Director
MANAGEMENT
for Administration
& BUDGET
OFFICE OF
Loretta Cornelius
Deputy Director
PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT
SMALL
Carolyn D. Schoenberg
Director, Women's
BUSINESS
Business Enterprise
ADMINISTRATION
VETERANS
Elizabeth Flores Burkhart Associate Deputy
ADMINISTRATION
Administrator for
Information Resources
Management
(Rohrabacher/AB)
December 18, 1981
BILL SIGNING: EXECUTIVE ORDER TASK FORCE ON LEGAL EQUITY
FOR WOMEN
Hello. Welcome to the White House. Decisions made in
this room mold and shape the Federal policy. Today we are
here to affirm again that sex discrimination, or any other
discrimination for that matter, will not be tolerated in the
Federal Government.
During the campaign I stated that although I was opposed
to the Equal Rights Amendment, I was, nevertheless, dedicated
to attacking the problem of discrimination against women. I
think we've made progress in fulfilling this commitment.
Judy Peachee has been appointed as my special assistant to
vigorously pursue this objective. With her help in October,
we launched the Fifty States Project to ferret out any
remaining discriminatory laws at the State level. Judy is
keeping me advised on the progress being made.
Admittedly, most of our attention in these first months
of the Administration has been focused on putting America's
economic house in order. I will have to say, however, I
don't think anything could be more helpful to American women
than reducing inflation and laying the foundation for solid
economic progress. And we've accomplished more in this area
than anyone would have predicted.
Of course, specific steps, other than the Fifty States
Project have been taken. The Attorney General is systematically
Page 2
reviewing laws and regulations with an eye to identifying
gender-based discrimination. Also, I think we can take a
little credit for making Sandra O'Connor the first female
Supreme Court Justice.
Today we meet to move forward one more step. The Task
Force on Legal Equity for Women will work to ensure that
current and future regulations written by Federal departments
and agencies, as well as laws passed by the Congress, do not
discriminate because of sex. This is the first time there
will be a working task force with a clear presidential
mandate for this express purpose.
The people who will carry out this mandate were selected
because of their ranking positions in the departments and
agencies. Demonstrating the seriousness of our effort,
members of the Task Force hold the rank of Assistant Secretary
or the equivalent in the Cabinet departments, and the rank
of Deputy Administrator in the independent agencies. Fourteen
of the twenty-two members are women; all are in positions to
effect change.
I have asked Carol Dinkins of the Justice Department to
chair the task force. She has impressive legal experience
in dealing with regulations and has chaired two regulatory
review task forces in Texas. Futhermore, in her current
position as an Assistant Attorney General, she has the
responsibility for examining and analyzing laws and regulations.
I believe she is ideally suited to manage the functions of
Page 3
the task force and will take this responsibility with the
seriousness it deserves.
And now, in pursuing our goal of equal opportunity for
all Americans, it gives me sincere pleasure to sign this
Executive Order, establishing the Task Force on Legal
Equity for Women.
C
D
E
MEMORANDUM
7252
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 18, 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JAMES W. NANCE
Bud
SUBJECT:
Photo Session with US Ambassadors
Monday, December 21 -- 4:15 p.m.
Oval Office
Attached are 3x5 cards with pertinent information for
your photo session with:
Ambassador Mark Austad
- Norway
Ambassador Franklin Forsberg
-
Sweden
Ambassador Ronald Palmer
- Malaysia
Ambassador Harry Thayer
- Singapore
The Ambassadors -- and their families -- are looking
forward to this photo opportunity and have expressed
appreciation of your taking the time to meet with
them.
PHOTO SESSION
(1
AMB. MARK EVANS AUSTAD (NORWAY)
PARTICIPANTS: FAMILY - WIFE: LOLA
DAUGHTER: WENDY (31)
WH
- JAMES W. NANCE
NSC
- JAMES RENTSCHLER
-- AMBASSADOR TO FINLAND 1975-77; AS SUCH
WAS FIRST U.S. AMBASSADOR TO RECEIVE THE
WHITE ROSE AND THE ORDER OF THE LION
FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF FINLAND.
-- MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT
OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT METROMEDIA, INC.
(2
PHOTO SESSION
AMB. FRANKLIN S. FORSBERG (SWEDEN)
PARTICIPANTS: FAMILY - WIFE: ANN
- DAUGHTER: KRISTIN (34)
WH
- JAMES W. NANCE
NSC
- JAMES RENTSCHLER
-- CAREER IN PUBLISHING, 1939 TO PRESENT.
-- MEMBER OF OFFICIAL DELEGATION TO FUNERAL
OF KING GUSTAV IN 1972.
-- RECEIVED ROYAL ORDER OF VASA FROM
SWEDISH GOVERNMENT.
-- WELL-KNOWN AMONG SWEDISH BUSINESS COM-
MUNITY AND FOREIGN SERVICE.
PHOTO SESSION
(3
AMB. RONALD D. PALMER (MALAYSIA)
PARTICIPANTS: WH
- JAMES W. NANCE
NSC
- DONALD GREGG
STATE
- AMB. JOHN HOLDRIDGE
-- CAREER DIPLOMAT IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE
-- SERVED IN DJAKARTA, KUALA LUMPUR, &
COPENHAGEN
-- FORMER AMBASSADOR TO REPUBLIC OF TOGO
-- MOST RECENT POST WAS DEPUTY ASSISTANT
SECRETARY FOR PERSONNEL
PHOTO SESSION
(4
AMB. HARRY E. T. THAYER (SINGAPORE)
PARTICIPANTS: FAMILY - WIFE: EDITH
WH
- JAMES W. NANCE
NSC
- DONALD GREGG
STATE - AMB. JOHN HOLDRIDGE
-- CAREER DIPLOMAT SPECIALIZING IN CHINESE
AND ASIAN AFFAIRS
-- SERVED IN HONG KONG, TAIPEI, & BEIJING
-- FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION IN BEIJING
-- MOST RECENT POST WAS MEMBER OF THE
EXECUTIVE SEMINAR IN NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, FOREIGN SERVICE
INSTITUTE
H
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEETING WITH VINNIE DE CARLO
DATE:
Monday, December 21, 1981
LOCATION: Oval Office
TIME:
4:40 - 4:50 (10 minutes)
FROM:
Dave Fischer DCF
I.
PURPOSE
Courtesy Call
II.
BACKGROUND
Long time friend of the President who requested brief
visit.
III.
PARTICIPANTS
Vinnie de Carlo
Dave Fischer
IV.
PRESS PLAN
White House Photographer only.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Dave Fischer will escort Mr. de Carlo from West Lobby
to Oval Office.
G
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 17, 1981
TAPING SESSION
DATE: December 21, 1981
LOCATION: Library
TIME: 5:00 PM
FROM: Mark Goode
I. PURPOSE
To video tape a message.
II. BACKGROUND
This brief message will be played during halftime of the
Orange Bowl Game on January 1, 1982. The theme is "Get
On Board America" and deals with patriotism.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President
IV.
PRESS PLAN
none
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
The President will read his message off a teleprompter in
the Library.
(Parvin/AB)
December 17, 1981
TAPING: ORANGE BOWL
DECEMBER 21, 1981
--
Good evening to all of you watching the Orange Bowl.
You know, years ago the Chicago Bears were trailing
late in a game when they handed the ball to that great
football player, Bronko Nagurski. The Bronk smashed
through left end, sending two defensive linemen flying
in opposite directions, barreled through secondary,
stampeded over several would-be tacklers and dragged
along a few others, then completed a 45-yard touchdown
run by crashing into a goal post, bouncing off, and
plowing headlong into a brick wall just beyond the end
zone. "Boy," said the Bronk a little dazed, "that last
guy hit me awful hard."
-- Well, that is the kind of determination that makes
football the great game it is -- the game that is
exemplified by the fine Nebraska and Clemson teams.
And it is also the kind of determination that has made
America great as well.
-- The Orange Bowl's halftime show -- "Get on Board the
USA" -- celebrates our country's determination and
spirit, and I am very happy to be a part of this pageant.
In fact, I wouldn't mind putting on my old Eureka
College jersey, going down on the field, and throwing a
Page 2
few passes myself. Of course, both Clemson and Nebraska
would fight over whose team I'd be on -- Clemson would
want me on Nebraska's and Nebraska would want me on
Clemson's.
--
Anyway, New Year's is a day for Americans to be filled
with hope and enthusiasm and high spirits. I believe
the coming year holds good things for this blessed
land. Starting today, important tax incentives to help
American families will be taking hold and more will
follow. We will succeed because -- like Clemson and
Nebraska -- we know how to take advantage of opportunities.
Now, enjoy the game and a very Happy New Year to you
all.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 17, 1981
TAPING SESSION
DATE: December 21, 1981
LOCATION: Library
TIME: 5:00 PM
FROM: Mark Goode
I. PURPOSE
To audio tape a message.
II. BACKGROUND
This spirited Christmas message will be played to our troops
here and abroad via Armed Forces Radio on Christmas day.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President
IV. PRESS PLAN
None
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
The President will read the message from a teleprompter for
WHCA to record.
(Parvin/AB)
December 15, 1981
AUDIO TAPE: CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FOR ARMED FORCES RADIO
DECEMBER 21, 1981
Today is Christmas and all over America -- from the
farmhouses of Iowa to the rowhouses of New York -- families
are gathering for their Christmas dinners. Not all families,
of course, can be together. Many of you in the Armed Forces
are stationed on bases and ships far from the holiday celebrations
of your friends and loved ones.
I know it is not easy being away from home during the
Christmas season. You would rather be enjoying the steamy
warmth of a Christmas kitchen or worshipping with your
family at your hometown church. But, in a way, you are
participating in those very things; for you are protecting
them. You are maintaining the watch and defending the
freedom so that American families can celebrate Christmas in
a more secure and peaceful world. The entire Nation is
grateful for your sacrifice.
On behalf of Nancy and myself, and all the people of
the United States, let me send you our warmest Christmas
wishes, our enduring respect and deepest appreciation. May
God bless and keep you on this most special of days. A very
Merry Christmas, to you all.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 17, 1981
TAPING SESSION
DATE: December 21, 1981
LOCATION: Library
TIME: 5:00 PM
FROM: Mark Goode
I. PURPOSE
To video tape a message.
II. BACKGROUND
This message is an inspriational one for the coming new year.
It will be distributed by ICA to countries throughout the world
on New Year's day.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President
IV. PRESS PLAN
None
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
The President will read this message from a teleprompter in the
Library.
(Rohrabacher/AB)
December 17, 1981
TAPING: ICA NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE
DECEMBER 21, 1981
It is indeed an honor for me to be able to extend to
all of you best wishes for a happy New Year on behalf of the
people of the United States. We look forward to the coming
year as a time of opportunity. We hope and pray that good
will and honesty will prevail and that mankind will be a
little better for the things which we as individuals and as
a nation will do in the year ahead.
This is, perhaps, a good time to reflect on the events
of the preceding 12 months.
In the United States it was a time of rededication to
fundamental American economic and political concepts, as
mandated by the people in the elections of 1980. After a
period of growth of government power, the people here
decided that the time had come to move away from State
control and regulation and toward something more consistent
with America's system of freedom of enterprise and individual
liberty. Reforms to this end will continue.
The United States in these last 12 months has been
blessed with peace. The world should note that peace remains
our goal and that all of our military might is dedicated to
this noble end. Consistent with this, on November 18 and on
behalf of the American people, I proposed to the Soviet
Union a reduction of nuclear weapons threatening Europe.
Negotiations between our two nations will continue this
Page 2
effort in the months ahead. But the people of the world
should recognize that the United States has already offered
a plan to lower the number of land-based intermediate range
missiles on the European continent to zero; any missiles
remaining will not be the result of intransigence on the
part of the United States.
For America's part, we take no joy in using our resources
to produce weapons of war. In the last decade, in fact, the
United States reduced the size of its armed forces and
decreased its military spending. Sadly, this gesture was
met by a massive build-up of Soviet forces. Let us hope
that the current opportunity for arms reduction is not lost.
Even more than the United States, the Soviet Union should
realize that its resources are better spent on meeting the
needs of its people rather than on producing instruments of
destruction.
In 1981 senseless violence continued to plague the
world. A great man in Egypt, a man of peace, was murdered.
An attempt was made on the life of Pope John Paul, almost
robbing the world of this sincere man of God. I, too,
experienced a brush with mortality, and it helped me realize
that we must use what time we have to further those values
which will last after we as individuals are gone.
One of my predecessors observed "The chief ideal of the
American people is idealism.
America is a nation of
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idealists." That is as true today as when President Calvin
Coolidge spoke those words back in 1925.
Americans remain dedicated to those concepts of liberty
that have provided our people with freedom and abundance.
Furthermore, we are a nation composed of people who have
come here from every corner of the world, people of many
races and creeds who have learned to live together in peace
and prosperity. Perhaps you know someone or have a relative
who now lives here and is every bit as American as those who
came here two centuries ago seeking freedom. In a very real
sense all people who long for freedom are our fellow countrymen.
Because of this special American character, our hearts
go out to those who suffer oppression. Last year we saw the
workers of Poland struggle to edge their country closer to
freedom. We saw the courageous people of Afghanistan
battle against tremendous odds trying to cast off foreign
domination. And while we cannot alter these and other
heartrending dramas, we can and will make our moral commitment
clear.
During my lifetime, I have seen the rise of fascism and
communism, philosophies that glorify the arbitrary power of
the State. These ideologies held, at first, a certain
fascination for some intellectuals. But both theories fail
to recognize God and deny those God-given liberties that are
the inalienable right of each person on this planet. Because
of this fundamental flaw, fascism has already been destroyed
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and the bankruptcy of communism has been laid bare for all
to see -- a system that cannot feed its people and is efficient
only in producing machines of war.
Americans begin this new year with a renewed commitment
to our ideals and with confidence that the peace will be
maintained and that freedom will ultimately prevail. As a
nation, we have faith in mankind -- our democratic system is
based upon this faith.
So wherever you are, America sends to you a New Years
wish of goodwill. To all who yearn to breathe free, who
long for a better life, remember: We think of you; we are
with you always.