Posts published in “Nixon”

Stephen Ambrose, Nixon Biographer, Dies, 66

By admin on October 13, 2002

Stephen Ambrose, the man who authored a three-volume biography of Richard Nixon, has died, aged 66.

Ambrose once said that he was a historian who was “fascinated by leadership”.

A report in the New York Times says:

Stephen E. Ambrose, the military historian and biographer whose books recounting the combat feats of American soldiers and airmen fueled a national fascination with the generation that fought World War II, died yesterday at a hospital in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Mr. Ambrose, who lived in Bay St. Louis and Helena, Mont., was 66.

The cause was lung cancer, which was diagnosed last April, his son Barry said.

Richard Bergholz, Journalist Who Provoked Nixon, Dies

By admin on December 28, 2000

The journalist believed to be the subject of Richard Nixon's famous 1962 comment "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore", Richard Bergholz, has died. Bergholz was a political reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He had a stroke and died on December 26, aged 83.

New Book Alleges Nixon Took Pills, Beat Wife

By admin on September 1, 2000

A new book by Anthony Summers, The Arrogance of Power, alleges that Richard Nixon medicated himself with a mind-altering prescription drug whilst he was President. It also reports claims that Nixon beat his wife.

The Speech That Might Have Been: Nixon Refuses To Resign

By admin on December 22, 1996

In 1996, Nixon's speechwriter, Ray Price, revealed a draft speech he wrote for Nixon in the event that Nixon chose to fight on rather than resign. He said the speech was never shown to Nixon.

Senator Bob Dole’s Remarks At Richard Nixon’s Funeral

By admin on April 27, 1994

Senator Bob Dole, Republican Minority Leader, spoke at Richard Nixon’s funeral in California.

Remarks by Senator Bob Dole at Richard Nixon’s funeral.

I believe the second half of the 20th Century will be known as the age of Nixon. Why was he the most durable public figure of our time? Not because he gave the most eloquent speeches, but because he provided the most effective leadership. Not because he won every battle, but because he always embodied the deepest feelings of the people he led.

One of his biographers said that Richard Nixon was one of us. And so he was. He was a boy who heard the train whistle in the night and dreamed of all the distant places that lay at the end of the track. How American. He was a grocer’s son who got ahead by working harder and longer than everyone else. How American.

He was a student who met expenses by doing research at the law library for 35 cents an hour while sharing a run-down farmhouse without water or electricity. How American. He was the husband and father who said that the best memorial to his wife was her children. How American.

Remarks By California Governor Pete Wilson At Richard Nixon’s Funeral

By admin on April 27, 1994

The Republican Governor of California, Pete Wilson, spoke at Richard Nixon’s funeral.

Text of remarks by Gov. Pete Wilson at Richard Nixon’s funeral.

Richard Nixon has a beautiful family, and he was devoted to them. Anyone who ever saw them together knew that his beloved Pat, and his girls, Tricia and Julie were everything to him. He was so proud of them, of his sons-in-law, Edward and David, and his grandchildren. But he also had a much larger extended family, a family of those who worked for him and with him — and I was and am very lucky to be a part of that family.

I was one of the many young men and women in whom he inspired the same fierce loyalty that he gave to us. From the first, I was struck by the quality of his personal generosity. When we met in 1962, he’d already debated Khrushchev and President Kennedy. He’d already run for President. He’d been a major political figure on the world stage. But, still, he had time to talk to and to help an eager young advance man who could offer him little but energy and enthusiasm.

Remarks By Dr. Henry Kissinger At Richard Nixon’s Funeral

By admin on April 27, 1994

Nixon’s former Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, spoke at Nixon’s funeral.

Remarks by Dr. Henry Kissinger at Richard Nixon’s funeral.

During the final week of Richard Nixon’s life, I often imagined how he would have reacted to the tide of concern, respect, admiration and affection evoked by his last great battle. His gruff pose of never paying attention to media comment would have been contradicted by a warm glow and the ever-so-subtle hint that another recital of the commentary would not be unwelcome. And without quite saying so, he would have conveyed that it would mean a lot to him if Julie and Tricia, David and Ed were told of his friends’ pride in this culmination to an astonishing life.

Remarks By Dr. Billy Graham At Richard Nixon’s Funeral

By admin on April 27, 1994

Richard Nixon’s funeral was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham.

Remarks by Dr. Billy Graham at Nixon funeral.

On behalf of the family of Richard Nixon, I welcome you who have gathered to join with them in paying final respects to the memory of Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th President of the United States.

Today, in this service, we remember with gratitude his life, his accomplishments, and we give thanks to God for those things he did to make our world a better place.

Through this service, may our dedication to serving others be deepened, and may our eyes be lifted to that which is eternal. Let us hear the word of the Lord, our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and Earth. Our God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Remarks By President Clinton At Richard Nixon’s Funeral

By admin on April 27, 1994

President Bill Clinton spoke at Richard Nixon’s funeral at Yorba Linda.

Remarks by President Clinton at funeral of Richard Nixon.

President Nixon opened his memoirs with a simple sentence: “I was born in a house my father built.” Today, we can look back at this little house and still imagine a young boy sitting by the window of the attic he shared with his three brothers, looking out to a world he could then himself only imagine. From those humble roots, as from so many humble beginnings in this country, grew the force of a driving dream — a dream that led to the remarkable journey that ends here today where it all began. Beside the same tiny home, mail-ordered from back East, near this towering oak tree which, back then, was a mere seedling.

Complete Video Of Richard Nixon’s Funeral Service

By admin on April 27, 1994

Complete video of Richard Nixon's funeral service, as provided by the Clinton Library. Bill Clinton was President when Nixon died.

Nixon’s Will

By admin on February 25, 1994

This is the Last Will and Testament of Richard M. Nixon.

Richard Nixon’s will.

I, RICHARD M. NIXON, residing in the Borough of Park Ridge, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior Wills and codicils.

ARTICLE ONE

I give and bequeath to THE RICHARD NIXON LIBRARY AND BIRTHPLACE (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Library”) for its uses, an amount equal to the “adjusted proceeds amount” (as hereinafter defined) ; provided, however, that if there are any outstanding and unpaid amounts on pledges I have made to the Library, including, specifically, any amounts unpaid on the One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollar pledge made in 1993, then the adjusted proceeds amount under this bequest shall be paid first directly to the Library to the extent necessary to satisfy such charitable pledge or pledges, and provided further, that if at the time of my death or distribution the Library is not an organization described in Sections 170(c) and 2055(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which would entitle the estate to a charitable deduction for Federal Estate Tax purposes, I give and bequeath such property to THE NIXON BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION, provided further, if THE NIXON BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION is not then an organization described in Sections 170(c) and 2055(a) of the Code, I give and bequeath such property to such organization or organizations described in said Sections of the Code in such shares as my executors shall designate by written and acknowledged instrument filed within six months from the date of my death with the clerk of the court in which this Will shall have been admitted to probate.

President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon

By admin on September 8, 1974

A month after taking office, President Gerald Ford addressed the nation on television to announce that he had decided to pardon Richard Nixon.

Full Text of the Pardon Proclamation

Listen to Ford read the pardon proclamation (1m)

Note: The proclamation granted Nixon a pardon for all offences from January 20, 1969, the day he was first inaugurated as president. In reading the proclamation on national television, Ford inadvertently said ‘July 20’. The text of the proclamation takes precedence.

Text of President Ford’s Address to the Nation announcing Nixon’s pardon.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I have come to a decision which I felt I should tell you and all of my fellow American citizens, as soon as I was certain in my own mind and in my own conscience that it is the right thing to do.

I have learned already in this office that the difficult decisions always come to this desk. I must admit that many of them do not look at all the same as the hypothetical questions that I have answered freely and perhaps too fast on previous occasions.

My customary policy is to try and get all the facts and to consider the opinions of my countrymen and to take counsel with my most valued friends. But these seldom agree, and in the end, the decision is mine. To procrastinate, to agonize, and to wait for a more favorable turn of events that may never come or more compelling external pressures that may as well be wrong as right, is itself a decision of sorts and a weak and potentially dangerous course for a President to follow.

Nixon’s Resignation Letter

By admin on August 9, 1974

Photograph of President Richard Nixon's resignation letter, delivered to Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger and initialled at 11.35am.

Nixon Recalls His Last Full Day In The White House

By admin on August 8, 1974

In 1983, Richard Nixon recalled his last full day in the White House.

He recounted his memories of delivering his resignation speech, remarks by Dr Henry Kissinger and the reaction of his staff and colleagues.

Nixon also recalled a conversation with Vice-President Gerald Ford.

White House Tapes: Milk Price Subsidies

By admin on March 23, 1971

This is the transcript of a White House meeting that discussed milk subsidies.

The meeting was attended by President Richard Nixon, John Connally, John Ehrlichman, Clifford Hardin, John Whitaker, George Schultz, Phil Campbell and Donald Rice.

It took place in the Oval Office from 5.05-5.38pm.

It contains a discussion of the Associated Milk Producers PAC (political action committee) and the electoral value of of milk subsidies for the 1972 election.

Transcript of tape recording of White House Oval Office conversation on March 23, 1971.

Nixon: Hi, Phil, how are you?

Campbell: Mr. President.

Nixon: Sorry to keep you waiting.

Campbell: That’s all right.

Nixon: I suggest that we sit over here everybody. More room and, uh — [coughing] Sit down.

Nixon Meets Elvis Presley

By admin on December 21, 1970

In 1970, President Nixon met with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office at the White House.

The Moon Landing: An Undelivered Nixon Speech

By admin on July 18, 1969

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

Thirty years after Apollo 11’s successful moon landing, an undelivered speech prepared for President Richard Nixon came to light.