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December 2, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, December 2, 1969, pulls together various records created by the federal government and links to additional resources which can provide context about the events of the day.

Previous Date: Monday, December 1, 1969

Next Date: Wednesday, December 3, 1969

Schedule and Public Documents

  • The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    The President's day began at The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

    Addresses and Remarks

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Office of Economic Opportunity (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1691, December 2, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Donald S. Lowitz To Be Assistant Director.

    Bill Signings

    • Presidential Birthplaces and Homes (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1692, December 2, 1969)
      Statement by the President Upon Signing Bills Providing for the Preservation of the Birthplaces and Homes of Presidents Taft, Eisenhower, and Johnson.

    Acts Approved by the President

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • The President's remarks to the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. (advance text)

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The President met with Republican Congressmen who served for the first time in the 87th Congress.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • MICHAEL COLLINS, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State.
    • HILDRET FROST, 'JR., of Colorado, to be Assayer of the Mint of the United States at Denver, Colorado, vice Earl F. Haffey.
    • JOE McDONALD INGRAHAM, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge, Fifth Circuit, vice a new position created under P.L. 90-347, approved June 18, 1968.
    • The following officers to be placed on the retired list in the grade of lieutenant general under the provisions of Section 8962, Title 10 of the United States Code: LT. GEN. ARTHUR C. AGAN, 460-64-5004PR (Major General, Regular Air Force) United States Air Force. LT. GEN. BENJAMIN O. DAVIS, JR., 579-52- 8840FR (Major General, Regular Air Force) United States Air Force. LT. GEN. ROBERT J. FRIEDMAN, 546-24-0035FR (Major General, Regular Air Force) United States Air Force.

  • Each Public Papers of the Presidents volume contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States that were issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary during the time period specified by the volume. The material is presented in chronological order, and the dates shown in the headings are the dates of the documents or events. In instances when the release date differs from the date of the document itself, that fact is shown in the text note.

    To ensure accuracy, remarks have been checked against audio recordings (when available) and signed documents have been checked against the original, unless otherwise noted. Editors have provided text notes and cross references for purposes of identification or clarity.

  • The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

Archival Holdings

  • The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • The National Archives Catalog is the online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records. It is the main way of describing our holdings and also provides access to electronic records and digitized versions of our holdings. 

    The Catalog searches across multiple National Archives resources at once, including archival descriptions, digitized and electronic records, authority records, and web pages from Archives.gov and the Presidential Libraries. The Catalog also allows users to contribute to digitized historical records through tagging and transcription.

    Nixon Library Holdings

    All National Archives Units

National Security Documents

  • The President's Daily Brief is the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House on current and future national security issues. Read "The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford" to learn more.

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

    East-West Trade, 1969-1972

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, 1969

    • 49. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon, Washington, December 2, 1969

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL CHICOM–US. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. Kreisberg drafted the memorandum on October 6 and sent it under Green’s signature to Richardson. On October 23 Winthrop Brown and Morton Abramowitz asked for a shorter, “punchier” version. (Ibid.) In a November 22 memorandum to Rogers, Richardson wrote: “it is very important to move on the attached package right away.” He hoped that the measures could be carried out by the end of the year. Richardson emphasized that “Sino-Soviet border talks are still going on. It might prove difficult to move ahead with these measures if the talks break down.” He also wanted the measures implemented prior to Chiang Ching-Kuo’s visit in 1970 and pointed out that “Congress will be moving out for its Christmas recess and our consultation problems will be much reduced.” (Ibid.) Green revised the memorandum and forwarded it to Rogers on December 1. He attached a covering memorandum, in which he noted that the memorandum to Nixon had been changed to reflect Rogers’ request to delineate more clearly between actions that could be taken immediately and actions that would wait for the resumption of Sino-American talks in Warsaw. (Ibid.)

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Rogers Plan

    • 71. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations , Washington, December 2, 1969, 0232Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–14 ARAB–ISR. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Sisco, Atherton, and Betty J. Jones (IO/UNP); cleared in IO; and approved by Richardson. Repeated to Amman, Beirut, Jidda, Kuwait, London, Moscow, Paris, Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Bucharest.

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    Oceans Policy

    • 359. Memorandum From F. Allen Harris, Special Assistant to the Legal Adviser to Selected Bureaus of the Department of State , Washington, December 2, 1969

      Harris circulated a proposed U.S. Government position on the seabed boundary sent by Stevenson to other Executive Branch agencies.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, D/LOS Files: Lot 75 D 243, 1968 Seabeds. Confidential. The memorandum was sent to Staff Assistant John D. Stempel (U), Staff Assistant Richard W. Baker (J), Staff Assistant David Biltchick (S/PC), McIntyre, Deputy Director George Dolgin (SCI/SE), Adviser Clarence W. Nichols (E/ORF), William L. Sullivan (S/FW), and Deputy Director William J. Trainor (INR/XR). The attached analysis of the major proposals was not found. Tab B is attached but not published.

    • 360. Memorandum From Robert Osgood of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, December 2, 1969

      Osgood informed Kissinger of the continued disagreement among Executive Branch Agencies concerning determination of the continental shelf boundary and the proposal to enact a moratorium on further deep seabed claims of exploitation. Kissinger agreed to receive a briefing on the issues involved in anticipation of an Under Secretaries Committee meeting on the topic.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 381, Subject Files, Seabeds, Volume I, May 1970, (2 of 2). Confidential. Kissinger initialed his approval. Attached at Tab A was a letter from Laird to Hickel, November 13, in which Laird expressed concern that granting certain offshore seabed exploitation leases by the Interior Department might jeopardize U.S. security interests. Tab B is published as section III of Document 341. Next to the statement in paragraph 2 that the differences between the Defense, Interior, and State Departments had not been resolved, Kissinger wrote, “Why?” Also in the third paragraph, after the sentence, “I do not know whether it will succeed” Kissinger wrote in the margin, “We should issue order that this can’t be done pending undersecretaries meeting. Put on agenda of next meeting with Richardson.” Concerning Behr’s forthcoming memorandum Kissinger wrote, “Succinct, I hope.” In the recommendation, Kissinger crossed out “one-hour” and wrote “1/2.” Next to his initials Kissinger wrote, “Have-1/2 hour.” Below Kissinger’s approval, written in a different hand, is an indication that the briefing was tentatively scheduled for December 23 at 3:00pm.

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; Implementation of Safeguard System

    • 42. Telegram 200453 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, December 2, 1969, 2013Z

      The Department instructed posts in those countries that had not yet signed or ratified the NPT to encourage their host governments to do so. The telegram encouraged all officials to cite the recent U.S., USSR, Swiss, and FRG signature of the NPT as indication of NPT legitimacy and as reason to reexamine their own ratification status. It closed with further strategic advice for encouraging ratification in European capitals and former British dependencies.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 366, Subject Files, Non-Proliferation Treaty, Vol. I, April 69–March 70. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Gleysteen (ACDA/IR) on November 28; cleared by ACDA/D, EUR, NEA, L, PM, AF, ARA, EA, IO, AEC, and the White House; and approved by Rogers. Repeated for information to USNATO, USEC Brussels, USUN, U.S. Mission Geneva, and Helsinki.

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Tunisia

    • 143. Airgram CA-6414 From the Department of State to the Embassies in the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Italy, and Turkey, Washington, December 2, 1969, 5:22 p.m.

      The Department provided guidance for consultations on Tunisia. It outlined the Department of State’s objectives in Tunisia, and offered a political, economic, and military assessment of the country.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967- 69, POL 1 TUN-US. Secret. It was repeated to Tunis, Rabat, Algiers, Tripoli, and USNATO. Drafted on November 21 by Wisner; cleared in INR/NEA, EUR/FBX, EUR/BMI, DOD/ISA, EUR/AIS, NEA/TUR, AID/AFR/NA, EUR/GER, and AF/N; and approved by Newsom. The background material is not printed.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    American Republics Regional

    Venezuela

    • 659. Telegram 5819 From the Embassy in Venezuela to the Department of State, December 2, 1969, 0020Z. , December 2, 1969, 0020Z

      Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Francis Herron reported President Calderas’s request that the U.S. Government consult with Venezuela before making a final decision on petroleum import policy. Herron further indicated that Caldera stated that U.S. preferential treatment for petroleum from Canada and Mexico damaged U.S. relations with Venezuela.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, PET 17–2 VEN. Limited Official Use; Immediate.

  • The Kissinger telephone conversation transcripts consist of approximately 20,000 pages of transcripts of Kissinger’s telephone conversations during his tenure as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (1969-1974) and Secretary of State (1973-1974) during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Visit the finding aid for more information.

    Digitized versions of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

Audiovisual Holdings

  • The White House Photo Office collection consists of photographic coverage of President Richard Nixon meeting with prominent social, political, and cultural personalities; speaking engagements and news conferences of the President and various high-ranking members of the White House staff and Cabinet; Presidential domestic and foreign travel, including Presidential vacations; social events and entertainment involving the First Family, including entertainers present; official portraits of the President, First Family, and high-ranking members of the Nixon administration; the 1969 and 1973 Inaugurals; the President’s 1972 Presidential election campaign appearances (including speeches) and other official activities of the White House staff and the President’s Cabinet from January 20, 1969 until August 9, 1974 at the White House and the Old Executive Office Building; other locations in Washington, DC, such as The Mall; and the Presidential retreats in Camp David, Maryland, Key Biscayne, Florida, and San Clemente, California. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    Roll WHPO-2517 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2517-02-05, President Nixon signing a bill providing for the establishment of the William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati, Ohio. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Congressman Robert Taft Jr., Katherine Longworth Whittaker Taft, Mr. & Mrs. William Taft III, Charles Taft.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2517-03, President Nixon signing a bill providing for the establishment of the William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati, Ohio. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Congressman Robert Taft Jr., Katherine Longworth Whittaker Taft, Mr. & Mrs. William Taft III, Charles Taft.

    Roll WHPO-2518 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2518-02-19, President Nixon speaking at the podium on stage during White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. Seated behind him are Pat Nixon, Counsellor Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Rev. Everett E. Ellis, Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin, Secretary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans, Director of OEO Donald Rumsfeld, Special Assistant for Consumer Affairs Virginia H. Knauer, Commissioner of D. C. Walter E. Washington, Assistant John D. Ehrlichman, and Special Consultant Jean Mayer. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Rev. Everett E. Ellis, Clifford M. Hardin, Secy of Agriculture Maurice H. Stans, Secy of Commerce Donald Rumsfeld, Director, OEO Virginia H. Knauer, Spec Asst for Consumer Affairs Walter E. Washington, Commissioner of D. C. John D. Ehrlichman, Asst Jean Mayer, Spec Consultant D. Patrick Moynihan, Counsellor.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2518-20, President Nixon shaking hands with Counsellor Daniel Patrick Moynihan after speaking at the Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin and Rev. Everett E. Ellis stand nearby on stage. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Rev. Everett E. Ellis, Clifford M. Hardin, Secy of Agriculture Maurice H. Stans, Secy of Commerce Donald Rumsfeld, Director, OEO Virginia H. Knauer, Spec Asst for Consumer Affairs Walter E. Washington, Commissioner of D. C. John D. Ehrlichman, Asst Jean Mayer, Spec Consultant D. Patrick Moynihan, Counsellor.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2518-21-26, President Nixon and Pat Nixon on stage during White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health with Counsellor Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Rev. Everett E. Ellis, Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin, Secretary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans, Director of OEO Donald Rumsfeld, Special Assistant for Consumer Affairs Virginia H. Knauer, Commissioner of D. C. Walter E. Washington, Assistant John D. Ehrlichman, and Special Consultant Jean Mayer. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Rev. Everett E. Ellis, Clifford M. Hardin, Secy of Agriculture Maurice H. Stans, Secy of Commerce Donald Rumsfeld, Director, OEO Virginia H. Knauer, Spec Asst for Consumer Affairs Walter E. Washington, Commissioner of D. C. John D. Ehrlichman, Asst Jean Mayer, Spec Consultant D. Patrick Moynihan, Counsellor.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2518-27, President Nixon prepares to enter his limousine outside the Sheraton Park Hotel after speaking at the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition. A military aide, secret service agent and officials stand nearby. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park Hotel. President Nixon, unidentified military aide, secret service agent, officials.

    Roll WHPO-2519 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2519-, President Nixon standing informally with Joseph Alsop. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Joseph Alsop.

    Roll WHPO-2520 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2520-, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk at night seen looking in through an exterior window. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2520-07, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk at night, seen through an exterior window. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-2521 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2521-, Vice President Agnew awarding posthumous Medals of Honor to three awardee's families. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. Vice Presidential Office, Executive Office Building (EOB). Spiro Agnew, military aides, Medal of Honor families.

    Roll WHPO-2522 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2522-, Dale Grubb with a group visiting White House. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Diplomatic Entrance steps. Dale Grubb, visitors.

    Roll WHPO-2524 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2524-, Pat Nixon greeting members of the Womens Committee on the Handicapped. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House. Pat Nixon, committee members.

    Roll WHPO-2539 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2539-04-06, No negatives - contact sheet only., President Nixon standing with Christian Herter, Jr. 12/2/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Christian Herter, Jr..

  • The White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection contains public statements that took place between 1969 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    C - First Lady

    • WHCA-SR-C-019
      Remarks by Pat Nixon to female delegates at the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health. (12/2/1969, East Room, White House)

      Runtime: 0:36

      Keywords: Food, nutrition, health, hunger

      Production credits: No feed information listed; No WHCA engineer initials listed

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-691202
      Remarks by President Nixon at the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. (12/2/1969, Sharaton Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.)

      Runtime: 1:06:41

      Keywords: Food, nutrition, health, hunger

      Production credits: Mulit feed supplied by NBC; Recorded by R. Sloan (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

  • The White House Communications Agency Videotape Collection contains “off-the-air” recordings of televised programs produced between 1968 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • WHCA-3544
      "Hunger - A National Disgrace", Pt. 1. Attorney General John Mitchell.
      NET (National Educational Television, PBS)
      Runtime: 01:00:28
    • WHCA-3550
      Weekly News Summary.
      All networks
      Runtime: 00:31:27

      2. Cronkite/Herman: President Nixon urges Conference on Hunger for action on 3 legislature plans to eliminate poverty; Panel votes poverty floor of $5500 year for family of 4; Conf. Delegate Marian EDELMAN. Time Code Start: 02:00. Keywords: Presidents, policies, anti-poverty, destitution, wages, unemployment, financial aid, lifestyles, Food, nutrition, health, hunger. Network: CBS.

      3. Huntley/Nessen: President Nixon wants action on 3 Bills to stop Hunger; Family Assistance Plan $1600 income floor, with food stamps, Commission on Population Growth and American Future; Conf. Delegate Marian EDELMAN. Time Code Start: 03:45. Keywords: Presidents, policies, anti-poverty, destitution, wages, unemployment, financial aid, lifestyles, Food, nutrition, health, hunger. Network: NBC.

      4. Reynolds/Jarriel/Peterson: President Nixon's policy on Hunger and the Poor at White House conference on Food, Health, and Nutrition; Social Worker Ramon DIAZ tells of hunger problem; Senator McGovern says President Nixon presented no solutions. Time Code Start: 05:50. Keywords: Presidents, policies, anti-poverty, destitution, wages, unemployment, financial aid, lifestyles, Food, nutrition, health, hunger. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)