[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             RICHARD NIXON

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, as our Nation lays to rest one of our 
greatest Presidents, I pause with deep humility to think of the many 
things this fine American did for our country, and for me.
  Elected officials are often asked this question, especially by young 
aspirants: ``How did you get into politics?'' My answer is clear, 
straightforward: Richard Nixon.
  In 1960, I was enjoying an exciting career as an assistant U.S. 
attorney when a call came: Would I be interested in becoming a speech 
writer at the White House? In April, I seized the opportunity. 
Subsequently I transferred to the Advance Team, as the Nixon campaign 
team began to form. In that capacity, I have traveled with the Vice 
President and his lovely wife, Pat, to many States from coast to coast. 
Advance men can often form personalized working relationships with 
their principals. I value the many occasions when the Vice President 
would share his wisdom on a wide range of subjects--political and 
nonpolitical--to those of us at his side on our trips.
  Here is an example of the man I admire. On the morning following his 
defeat in the November 1960 Presidential election, I was tasked with 
making arrangements to fly the Vice President and Mrs. Nixon, along 
with 30 to 40 staff members, back to Washington. It was a sad day. 
Having boarded all staff on the plane, I was escorting the Vice 
President up the ramp when he paused, in his usual polite way, to thank 
a mechanic who was readying the plane for the long flight from 
California to Washington. The mechanic was holding a small, portable 
radio tuned to news of the election coverage--particularly reports 
alleging voter fraud, particularly in the city of Chicago. Two of the 
Vice President's senior political advisers, also standing there 
listening, turned to the Vice President and suggested that the question 
of fraud might make it possible to contest the election.
  The Vice President, without a moment's hesitation, said ``absolutely 
not, for the succession of the Presidency in America, the Nation that 
stands as a symbol of hope and freedom, should never be placed in doubt 
for even a minute, following an election.'' Then he turned and walked 
up the ramp of the waiting plane. I confirmed this was the first time 
he voiced that decision, a decision he adhered to steadfastly in the 
days that followed when others brought up the same question of 
contesting the election.
  In the years that intervened between 1960 and 1968, I would 
occasionally visit with the Vice President and perform a few volunteer 
services. Then, in 1968, I was pleased to be asked to join the campaign 
team, and was given senior management responsibility in a newly formed 
organization, Citizens for Nixon, based in Washington, DC. After his 
election to the Presidency, I gained valuable experience working for 
several months in his transition office. There I expressed an interest 
in working in the Department of Defense to Defense Secretary-designate 
Mel Laird, and eventually received an appointment as Under Secretary of 
the Navy. In 1972, the President gave me the honor of serving as 
Secretary of the Navy. During the 5 years I spent in the Defense 
Department, I had many opportunities to observe the President's 
steadfast support for a strong national defense and his understanding 
of the critical relationship between defense capabilities and a strong 
foreign policy--a view he articulated to the end.

  In the spring of 1974, the President asked me to visit him in Key 
Biscayne, FL, to discuss his concerns with the direction in which the 
celebration of our Nation's bicentennial was moving. I spent a 
memorable afternoon with the President and General Haig. The President 
expressed his hope that the bicentennial celebration would eventually 
lift the spirits of the Nation from what he then perceived as a tragic 
abyss in the wake of the gathering clouds of Watergate. He asked me to 
visit him again a week or so hence to provide him with ideas as to how 
to encourage the maximum number of people across America to become 
involved in programs they--not government--desired to honor their local 
communities and our great Nation.
  During the followup meeting, the President reiterated his strong 
belief that the bicentennial should be celebrated in a simple, historic 
way, with maximum participation on the village greens of every 
crossroad, town and city in America. He wanted the larger, expensive 
programs kept in balance so a not to obscure individual participation. 
The decision was made that I would take on responsibility for the 
Federal role, as head of the newly congressionally established 
Bicentennial Administration. Again, I am grateful to the President for 
appointing me to this post. Working at the local and State levels of 
government with city councilmen, mayors, and Governors gave me the 
breadth of experience which enabled me to be a better rounded candidate 
for the U.S. Senate.
  History is documenting, and will continue to document, the greatness 
of the 37th President of the Untied States. I remember so vividly his 
many visits to the Senate, when he would patiently sit with groups, 
large and small, of Senators from both parties and freely share his 
experiences--his mistakes as well as his successes--in the hope that we 
could better serve he goals of America through the legislative process. 
He loved his service in the House and Senate.
  Thank you, President Nixon.

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