December 15, 1969

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

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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

• Report on Vietnam (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1752, December 15, 1969)
  The President's Report to the Nation on Developments in the Pursuit of Peace.

Acts Approved by the President

• S. 564 -- Private Law 91-62
  An Act for ther relief of Mrs. Irene G. Queja.
• S. 2019 -- Private Law 91-63
  An Act for the relief of Dug Foo Wong.

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 address to the Nation on developments In Vietnam (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.

• Cardinal Maxmillian de Fiirstenberg, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches in the Vatican, met with the President at the White House. He was accompanied by Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States.

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.

• WILBUR F. PELL, JR., of Indiana, to be a United States Circuit Judge, Seventh Circuit, vice John S. Hastings, retired.
• HOSEA M. RAY, of Mississippi, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi for the term of 4 years (reappointment).

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.

• Address to the Nation on Progress Toward Peace in Vietnam.

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.

No Federal Register published on this date

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

• House of Representatives: December 15, 1969
• Senate: December 15, 1969
• Extensions of Remarks: December 15, 1969

Decided

• Dowell v. Board of Education of Oklahoma City Public Schools
• National Labor Relations Board v. J. H. Rutter-Rex Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Sullivan v. Little Hunting Park, Inc.

Selective document listing

President's Office Files

The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• President's Handwriting, Box 4, President's Handwriting, December 1 thru 15, 1969 [5 of 5]
  • Telephone Call Recommendation; Dwight L. Chapin to The President re: John R. Brown, III (White House Staff). December 15, 1969. 1 pg.
  • Telephone Call Recommendation; Bryce Harlow to The President re: Senator Jackson. December 15, 1969. pgs.
  • Memo; Daniel P. Moynihan to The President re: Concern for environmental problems among European scientists. December 15, 1969. 2 pgs.
  • Memo; Daniel P. Moynihan to The President re: Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds. December 15, 1969. 11 pgs.
  • Memo; Staff Secretary to The President re: Report on the actions completed in response to your requests during the week of December 8 to December 15. December 15, 1969. 1 pg.
  • Memo; Alexander P. Butterfield to The President re: POW Campaign Activities. December 15, 1969. 10 pgs.
• President's Handwriting, Box 4, President's Handwriting, December 16 thru 31, 1969 [1 of 5]
  • Remarks; Lee Huebner and James Keogh to The President re: Suggested Remarks -- Birthday Party for Elmer Bobst. December 15, 1969. 3 pgs.
• Annotated News Summaries, Box 28, News Summaries - December 1969 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
• President's Daily Schedule, Box 99, [President's Daily Schedule, Nov.-Dec. 1969] [2 of 2]
  • The President's Schedule, Monday - December 15, 1969

President's Personal File

The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• President's Speech File
  • Box 53, December 15, 1969, Vietnam Statement

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.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
  Monday, December 15.
  
  Another Vietnam TV announcement day. President came in a little late and started out with complaint regarding inadequacy of speech preparation. In this case, Kissingers's - which he says is great on analysis but turgid. Pretty full morning schedule, mainly with Quadriad. That started things snapping, because he realized economic outlook still bad, so told Mayo to cut all budgets 25 percent (he's been saying this for weeks and not really meaning it - but now feels he's really got to push the cuts as far as possible).
  
  Had discussion with Ehrlichman and Harlow regarding possible deal on postal reform that Colson has put together. Unions will agree to our reform proposal if we give them a pay boost (which President has said he will veto). President is willing to listen, but makes the firm point that he will veto all other federal pay raises. Is really seriously trying to tackle the inflation problem but it's awful hard to get a hold of.
  
  Chatted a lot before lunch, then he ate, gave Rose final changes in speech draft, then went to EOB for the afternoon, while they set up his office for TV. Came over just in time to go on the air - did a great job, probably his best read speech yet - paced slowly and very relaxed and confident. No great news - is withdrawing 50,000 more troops. Decided against really big chunk now in order to save some for spring.
  
  Has decided to go to California after Christmas. Pat Nixon wants to go, and that settled it. Lot of debate regarding what staff to take, etc. Went through general outline of State of Union with Ehrlichman, to get overall plan set.
  
  Some discussion of PR analysis of how we've done so far. President feels rightly that we still haven't gotten the story over adequately - especially in foreign policy where all is concentrated on Vietnam, no credit for all the other accomplishments.
  
  Flap regarding Treasury plan to make a deal on Hill about raising tax exemption. President said Kennedy's got to go - can't control the department, especially Charlie Walker.
  
  Talking about moves to approach youth - he says to forget it - that if we are alienating youth it is
  because we have to, can't give in and coddle them. We do have to take them on - silence would
  be approval or at least acquiescence.
  Came into my office after TV, good spirits, chatting about Bob Hope show last night, very
  enthusiastic, especially liked the girls.
• Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

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

• Text search for December 15, 1969
• Date search for December 15, 1969

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 15, 1969
• Date search for December 15, 1969

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 15 December 1969

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. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

Foreign Economic Policy

• 34. Memorandum From Secretary of the Treasury Kennedy to President Nixon, Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 289, Treasury, Volume I. Confidential. Attached to a December 19 memorandum from Kissinger to the President that summarizes Kennedy’s report on his European trip. Stamped on Kissinger’s memorandum is “The President has seen” with a December 22 date. In a December 18 memorandum to Kissinger, Bergsten recommended that he sign the memorandum for the President and noted that “continued U.S.-French differences on international monetary policy and the threat posed by EC preferential trade arrangements to our support of the Common Market” would be of particular interest to Kissinger. (Ibid.)

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

Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

• 18. Briefing Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Monetary Affairs (Weintraub) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Trezise) , Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, FN 10 IMF. No classification marking. Drafted by Weintraub and Frank Vaznaugh (E/OMA/FOD).

Commodities and Strategic Materials, 1969-1972

• 419. Memorandum From President Nixon to the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness (Lincoln) , Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 267, Office of Emergency Preparedness, Volume II 11/69-12/71. Confidential.

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

Committee of 24

• 56. Airgram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, New York, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 19 UN. Confidential. Drafted by Finger, cleared by Sacksteder, and approved by Michael H. Newlin. Repeated to Canberra and Madrid.

Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

U.S. Troop Reductions and Related Defense Issues, November 1969-February 1971

• 48. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1322, NSC Unfiled Material, 1969, 19 of 19. Secret. Sent for action. Kissinger wrote the following note at the top of the first page: “Al—How do you make such a check? Can you make sure it happens. HK”

Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa

Regional Issues

• 18. Memorandum of Conversation , Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, PPT Ashe, Arthur. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Crosby on December 19.

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

February 20, 1969-February 19, 1970

• 26. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of Labor Shultz, Washington, December 15, 1969, 10:41 a.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 3, Chronological Files. No classification marking.

• 27. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Packard) to the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness (Lincoln) , Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, RG 220, Records of the Cabinet Task Force on Oil Import Control, Entry 24, Box 1, Classified Documents, Confidential Letter from Packard to Lincoln. No classification marking.

• 28. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs (Flanigan) to the President’s Assistant for Congressional Relations (Harlow), the President’s Assistant for Domestic Affairs (Ehrlichman), and the President’s Assistant (Haldeman) , Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member and Office Files, Egil Krogh 1969–73, Box 71, Oil Import, Policy, Depletion. Confidential.

Vol. XXXIX, European Security

"Bureaucratic Steamroller," January 1969-November 1970

• 14. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 15, 1969

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 281, Agency Files, Dept of State, Vol. V. Secret. Sent for action. A notation on the first page reads: “The President has seen.” In a handwritten comment at the top of the memorandum, Kissinger wrote on December 29, “I don’t have to get Pres. to approve notes to Rogers.”

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

Oceans Policy

• 362. Memorandum From the Legal Adviser of the Department of State (Stevenson) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) , Washington, December 15, 1969

  Stevenson reported that a resolution passed by the recent UN General Assembly made a general Law of the Sea conference likely. He recommended that the administration should prepare for the conference by creating an office to coordinate Department of State policy and establishing an interagency working group to coordinate U.S. governmental efforts.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 33-8. Confidential. Sent for action. A copy was sent to Pollack. Drafted by Oxman and concurred in by McKernan and Greene. Johnson initialed his approval of both recommendations on December 24. Tab A, the final version of the resolution as adopted by the General Assembly, is UN Document 2574A (XXIV), December 15, 1969. Tab B is Document 333.

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 can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

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-2631 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-2631-02A-07, Congressman Bill Stanton and his family in front of a decorated White House Christmas tree. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. Bill Stanton, Mrs. Stanton, Stanton daughter.

Roll WHPO-2632 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2632-04-17, Office moving pictures with unidentified persons. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-2633 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2633-03A-21A, Susan Ingram putting a "God Bless Spiro Agnew." bumper sticker decal on an NBC truck. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. street outside White House grounds. Susan Ingram, unidentified persons.

Roll WHPO-2634 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2634-04-31, A closeup portrait study of Lee Huebner. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Lee Huebner.

Roll WHPO-2635 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2635-01-07, President Nixon sitting in the Oval Office with Cardinal Maximilien de Furstenberg, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches in the Vatican, and Archbishop Raimondi Apostolic delegate Nuncio to the U.S. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Cardinal Maximilien de Furstenberg, Archbishop Raimondi, Peter Flanigan.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2635-08-11, President Nixon standing with Cardinal Maximilien de Furstenberg, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches in the Vatican, and Archbishop Raimondi, Apostolic delegate to the U.S. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Cardinal Maximilien de Furstenberg, Archbishop Raimondi, Peter Flanigan.
• Frame(s): WHPO-2635-12-20, President Nixon standing, shaking hands with Ambassador-designate to Malagasy Anthony Marshall. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Anthony Marshall.

Roll WHPO-2636 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2636-15-18, Connie Stuart conducting a press briefing. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. unknown. Connie Stuart, press corps members.

Roll WHPO-2637 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2637-08-19, President Nixon before his radio and television report to the nation on Vietnam (head and shoulders). 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

Roll WHPO-2638 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-2638-04-14, President Nixon at his desk prior to giving a radio and television report to the nation on Vietnam. 12/15/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, press corps members.

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-108
  Background briefing by Henry Kissinger prior to a televised statement by the president; "OFF RECORD - NOT FOR RELEASE". (12/15/1969, Roosevelt Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: 32:00:00
  
  Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "WHCA only"; 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-691221
  Remarks by President Nixon by President Nixon in a Televised Address to the Nation on Progress Toward Peace in Vietnam. (12/15/1969)
  
  Runtime: 11:26
  
  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-3569
  President Richard Nixon Address to the Nation on Progress Toward Peace in Vietnam and CBS Morning News Summaries (12/9/1969). 12/15/1969 speech is on an undetermined network. ABC commentary on speech follows but recording is not continuous (color bars are added before commentary). CBS morning news segments on 12/9/1969 - subjects include: commentary after President Nixon's new
  NBC
  Runtime: 01:03:13
• WHCA-3570
  President Nixon's Progress Report on Vietnam & commentary.
  CBS
  Runtime: 0:15
• WHCA-3577
  Weekly News Summary. Richard Nixon, Vice President Agnew, Bob Hope.
  All networks
  Runtime: 00:32:00
  
  1. President Nixon on United Nations (U.N.) troop reduction. Time Code Start: 00:30. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, military, troops, reductions, withdrawals. Network: CBS.
  
  2. Report on President Nixon's Vietnam Speech. Time Code Start: 06:11. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
  
  3. President Nixon on troop reduction. Time Code Start: 09:14. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Vietnam War, Armed Forces, military, troops, decreases. Network: NBC.
  
  4. Bob Hope Christmas Show performed in the White House East Room. Time Code Start: 14:55. Keywords: holidays, Christmas, Comedian, actor, actors, celebrities, humor, comedy, comedians, shows. Network: ABC.

• New York Times of December 15, 1969

• AP Images photos from December 15, 1969
• Getty Images photos from December 15, 1969

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• December 1969 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 15, 1969