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December 5, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, December 5, 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: Thursday, December 4, 1969

Next Date: Saturday, December 6, 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.

    Appointments and Nominations

    Bill Signings

    • Wildlife Bill (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1700, December 5, 1969)
      Statement by the President Upon Signing the Bill Into Law.

    Memorandums to Federal Agencies

    • Minority Business Enterprise (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1700, December 5, 1969)
      The President's Memorandum to Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Requesting Support for the Program.

    Statements by the President

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H. R. 3666 -- Public Law 91-136
      An Act to amend section 336(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
    • H.R. 11363 -- Public Law 91-135
      An Act to prevent the importation of endangered species of fish or wildlife into the United States; to prevent the interstate shipment of reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife taken contrary to State law; and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 13949 -- Public Law 91-139
      An Act to provide certain equipment for use in the offices of Members, officers, and committees of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 14195 -- Public Law 91-138
      Federal Contested Election Act.
    • S. 2276 -- Public Law 91-137
      An Act to extend for one year the authorization for research relating to fuels and vehicles under the provisions of the Clean Air Act.
    • H.J. Res. 1017 -- Public Law 91-141
      Joint Resolution making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1970, and for other purposes.
    • H.R. 13018 -- Public Law 91-142
      An Act to authorize certain construction at military installations, and for other purposes.
    • S. 2056 -- Public Law 91-140
      An Act to amend title 11 of the District of Columbia Code to permit unmarried judges of the courts of the District of Columbia who have no dependent children to terminate their payments for survivors annuity and to receive a refund of amounts paid for such annuity.

    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.

    • Press conference of Dr. Daniel P. Moynihan, Counsellor to the President, Robert H. Finch, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Stephen Hess, National Chairman of the White House Conference on Children and Youth, and John R. Price, Jr., Executive Secretary of the Council for Urban Affairs and the Council for Rural Affairs.

    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.

    • Members of the Tell It To Hanoi Committee called on the President at the White House.
    • Six representatives of the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health met with the President at the White House. They were accompanied by Dr. Jean Mayer, Special Consultant to the President.

    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.

    • DOUGLAS WILLIAM TOMS, of Washington, to be Director of the National Highway Safety Bureau, vice William Haddon, Jr., resigned.
    • JOHN L. BRIGGS of Florida to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida for the term of 4 years, vice Edward F. Boardman, resigned.
    • WILLIAM J. SCHLOTH, of Georgia, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia for the term of 4 years, vice Floyd M. Buford, resigned.
    • EUGENE E. SILER, JR., of Kentucky, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky for the term of 4 years, vice George I. Cline.
    • WILLIAM M. JOHNSON, of Georgia, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Georgia for the term of 4 years, vice James E. Luckie, resigned.
    • Having designated REAR ADM. EUGENE P. WILKINSON, U.S. Navy, for commands and other duties determined by the President to be within the contemplation of Title 10, United States Code, Section 5231, I nominate him for appointment to the grade of vice admiral while so serving.
    • VICE ADM. ARNOLD F. SCHADE, U.S. Navy, for appointment as Navy Senior Member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 711.
    • The following officer 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. JAMES W. WILSON, 520-44-0902FU (Major General, Regular Air Force) United States Air Force. JOHN J. GIBBONS, of New Jersey, to be a United States Circuit Judge, Third Circuit, vice Gerald McLaughlin, retired.
    • LOREN WIDEMAN, of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of 4 years, vice Guy W. Hixon, resigned.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    • JAMES H. WALSH, of Florida, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida for the term of 4 years, vice Edward F. Boardman, which was sent to the Senate on June 11, 1969.
    • WILLIAM R. FORD, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, vice William H. Crook, which was sent to the Senate on December 1, 1969.

  • 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. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

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

    Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 46. Memorandum for the Record , Washington, December 5, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 683, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. IV. Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. Drafted by Sonnenfeldt. A note on the memorandum indicates that Kissinger saw it on December 15.

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

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: Israeli Attack on Beirut Airport and Hijacking of TWA Flight 840, January-December 1969

    • 36. Telegram 203374 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rogers in Bonn , Washington, December 5, 1969, 2331Z

      The Department of State informed Rogers that the Syrians had permitted TWA Flight 840 and its two remaining passengers to leave Damascus. Israel had released 13 prisoners to Syria and 50 detainees to the UAR, in exchange for 2 Israeli pilots.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, AV 12 US. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Baas, cleared by Davies, Seelye, and Brown, and approved by Sisco.

    International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972

    • 232. Memorandum From Robert M. Behr of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, December 5, 1969

      Behr provided Kissinger with a report on U.S. Government activities on multinational participation in future space flights and discussed the activities of the interagency group.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 392, Subject Files, Space Programs. Sent for action. No classification marking. Attached but not published were Tabs A and B. On December 15 Kissinger wrote the following note on the first page: “Why can’t I get a coherent report for everything over a 5-year period. There was a Borman report earlier. State will just turn it into a negotiating exercise.”

    Oceans Policy

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 144. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) , Washington, December 5, 1969

      Haig, at National Security Council staffer Roger Morrisʼs suggestion, proposed to Kissinger placing before the President the choice of appealing for a Christmas Humanitarian Truce in Biafra. He expected the African Bureau at the Department of State to drag its feet on the idea. Special Coordinator Clyde Ferguson, however, approved of the idea, which would strengthen the Presidentʼs position for the coming tragedy.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Henry A. Kissinger/Richardson Meetings, 11/12-69. Top Secret; Sensitive. Kissinger indicated on the memorandum that he had discussed the concept with Richardson and wrote “appealing idea—will make proposal.”

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

    Mexico

    • 446. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 5, 1969. , Washington, December 5, 1969

      Mexican Ambassador Hugo B. Margain discussed U.S.-Mexican relations with the Department Mexican Country Director, ARA/MEX, Chris G. Petrow. Margain stated that Díaz Ordaz was pleased with President Nixon’s November 18 letter, and he believed that the cordiality which had existed before Operation Intercept had been “virtually restored.”

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL MEX–US. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Petrow. Copies sent to the Secretary, Hastings, U, J, C, D, Vaky, Meyer, Hurwitch, E/OT, INR, Ambassador McBride, and DCM Kubisch.

  • 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-2555 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2555-00A-02A, Gerald Ford and Hugh Scott speaking from a podium. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. Gerald Ford, Hugh Scott, Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2555-03A, President Nixon signing the Endangered Species Conservation Act (P. L. 91–135). Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel stands by his side. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Walter Hickel.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-2555-03A-14A, President Nixon signing the Endangered Species Conservation Act (P. L. 91–135) Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel stands by his side. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Walter Hickel.

    Roll WHPO-2556 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2556-, President Nixon with members of the "Tell It to Hanoi" committee. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, "Tell It to Hanoi" committee members, press corps members.

    Roll WHPO-2557 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2557-, President Nixon meeting with the Urban Affairs Council. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Robert Finch, George Shultz, Robert Mayo, John Mitchell, Arthur Burns, John Volpe, Robert Finch, Spiro Agnew, Clifford Hardin, George Romney, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Maurice Stans.

    Roll WHPO-2558 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2558-, President Nixon with unidentified men. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-2559 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2559-, Press lobby. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Lobby.

    Roll WHPO-2560 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-2560-, President Nixon with Judge George MacKinnon looking at a drawing. 12/5/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, George MacKinnon.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-105
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Robert Finch, Daniel Patrick Moynihan announcing appointments of John Price and Steve Hess to HEW. (12/5/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)

      Runtime: Unknown

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

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

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

Context (External Sources)