December 31, 1970

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.

Bill Signings

• International Financial Institutions Bill (7 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 10, December 31, 1970)
  Statement by the President on Signing the Bill Into Law.
• Clean Air Amendments of 1970 (7 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 11, December 31, 1970)
  The President's Remarks Upon Signing the Bill Into Law.
• Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (7 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 12, December 31, 1970)
  Statement by the President Upon Signing the Bill Into Law.

Executive Orders

• Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (7 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 12, December 31, 1970)
  Executive Order 11575.

Proclamations

• Imports of Dairy Products (7 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 8, December 31, 1970)
  Proclamation 4026.

Statements by the President

• Coal Mine Disaster in Kentucky (7 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 10, December 31, 1970)
  Statement by the President.

Acts Approved by the President

• H.J. Res. 1162 -- Public Law 91-632
  Joint Resolution to amend Public Law 403, Eightieth Congress, of January 28, 1948, providing for membership and participation by the United States in the South Pacific Commission.
• H.J. Res. 1417 -- Public Law 91-602
  Joint Resolution extending the dates for transmission to the Congress of the President's Economic Report and of the report of the Joint Economic Committee.
• H.R. 212 -- Public Law 91-621
  An Act to clarify the status and benefits of commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 380 -- Public Law 91-627
  An Act to amend section 7 of the Act of August 9, 1946 (60 Stat. 968).
• H.R. 956 -- Public Law 91-608
  An Act to rename a lock of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal the "Henry Holland Buckman lock."
• H.R. 3107 -- Public Law 91-640
  An Act to officially designate the Totten Trail Pumping Station.
• H.R. 4982 -- Private Law 91-224
  An Act for the relief of Thomas J. Beck.
• H.R. 4983 -- Private Law 91-225
  An Act for the relief of James M. Buster.
• H.R. 6049 -- Public Law 91-613
  An Act to amend the definition of "metal bearing ores" in the Tariff Schedules of the United States.
• H.R. 6100 -- Private Law 91-226
  An Act for the relief of Hershel Smith, publisher of the Lindsay News, of Lindsay, Oklahoma.
• H.R. 6114 -- Public Law 91-612
  An Act for the relief of Elmer M. Grade and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6400 -- Private Law 91-223
  An Act for the relief of Reddick B. Still, Junior, and Richard Carpenter.
• H.R. 6778 -- Public Law 91-607
  Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970.
• H.R. 6854 -- Private Law 91-227
  An Act to provide for the free entry of a peal of eight bells and fittings for use of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts.
• H.R. 7264 -- Private Law 91-228
  An Act for the relief of Mrs. Pearl C. Davis.
• H.R. 7334 -- Public Law 91-625
  An Act to designate the lake formed by the waters impounded by the Libby Dam, Montana, as "Lake Koocanusa".
• H.R. 8933 -- Public Law 91-636
  An Act to provide that the lock and dam referred to as the "Jackson lock and dam" on the Tombigbee River, Alabama, shall hereafter be known as the Coffeeville lock and dam.
• H.R. 9183 -- Public Law 91-615
  An Act to amend the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide that imported articles which are exported and thereafter reimported to the United States for failure to meet sample or specifications shall, in certain instances, be entered free of duty upon such reimportation.
• H.R. 10150 -- Private Law 91-229
  An Act for the relief of certain individuals employed by the Department of the Air Force at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.
• H.R. 10704 -- Private Law 91-230
  An Act for the relief of Samuel R. Stephenson.
• H.R. 11547 -- Public Law 91-620
  An Act to amend the Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961, as amended, to increase the loan limitation on certain loans.
• H.R. 12128 -- Private Law 91-231
  An Act for the relief of William Heidman, Junior.
• H.R. 12564 -- Public Law 91-637
  An Act to rename a pool of the Cross Florida Barge Canal "Lake Ocklawaha".
• H.R. 12621 -- Private Law 91-232
  An Act for the relief of Lieutenant Robert J. Scanlon.
• H.R. 13182 -- Private Law 91-233
  An Act for the relief of Frank E. Dart.
• H.R. 13676 -- Private Law 91-234
  An Act for the relief of certain retired officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• H.R. 13806 -- Private Law 91-235
  An Act for the relief of Irwin Katz.
• H.R. 13862 -- Public Law 91-638
  An Act to authorize the naming of the reservoir to be created by the Little Goose lock and dam, Snake River, Washington, in honor of the late Doctor Enoch A. Bryan.
• H.R. 14271 -- Private Law 91-236
  An Act for the relief of Jack A. Duggins.
• H.R. 14683 -- Public Law 91-628
  An Act to designate as the John H. Overton Lock and Dam the lock and dam authorized to be constructed on the Red River near Alexandria, Louisiana.
• H.R. 15270 -- Private Law 91-237
  An Act for the relief of Thaddeus J. Pawlak.
• H.R. 15272 -- Private Law 91-238
  An Act for the relief of David L. Kennison.
• H.R. 15505 -- Private Law 91-239
  An Act for the relief of Jack B. Smith and Charles N. Martin, Junior.
• H.R. 15549 -- Public Law 91-603
  Seamen's Service Act.
• H.R. 15979 -- Public Law 91-617
  An Act to provide that the interest on certain Insured loans sold out of the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund shall be included in gross income.
• H.R. 16199 -- Public Law 91-614
  Excise, Estate, and Gift Tax Adjustment Act of 1970.
• H.R. 16502 -- Private Law 91-240
  An Act for the relief of Gary W. Stewart.
• H.R. 16506 -- Public Law 91-618
  An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to clarify the applicability of the exemption from income taxation of cemetery corporations.
• H.R. 16940 -- Public Law 91-635
  An Act to extend until December 31, 1972, the suspension of duty on electrodes for use in producing aluminum.
• H.R. 16965 -- Private Law 91-241
  An Act for the relief of Richard N. Stanford.
• H.R. 17255 -- Public Law 91-604
  Clean Air Amendments of 1970.
• H.R. 17473 -- Public Law 91-642
  An Act to extend the period for filing certain manufacturers claims for floor stocks refunds under section 209(b) of the Excise Tax Reduction Act of 1965, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 17750 -- Public Law 91-624
  An Act to grant the consent of Congress to the city of Boston to construct, maintain, and operate a causeway and fixed-span bridge in Fort Point Channel, Boston, Massachusetts.
• H.R. 17867 -- Public Law 91-619
  Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriation Act, 1971.
• H.R. 18858 -- Public Law 91-639
  An Act to change the name of the West Branch Dam and Reservoir, Mahoning River, Ohio, to the Michael J. Kirwan Dam and Reservoir.
• H.R. 19401 -- Public Law 91-610
  An Act to extend for one additional year the authorization for programs under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act.
• H.R. 19436 -- Public Law 91-609
  Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970.
• H.R. 19504 -- Public Law 91-605
  An Act to authorize appropriations for the construction of certain highways in accordance with title 23 of the United States Code, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 19855 -- Public Law 91-634
  An Act to designate the lake formed by the waters impounded by the Butler Valley Dam, California, as "Blue Lake".
• H.R. 19877 -- Public Law 91-611
  An Act authorizing the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors for navigation, flood control, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 19890 -- Public Law 91-633
  An Act to name a Federal building in Memphis, Tennessee, for the late Clifford Davis.
• S. 704 -- Public Law 91-629
  An Act to amend the Act of October 15, 1966 (80 Stat. 953; 20 U.S.C. 65a), relating to the National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution so as to authorize additional appropriations to the Smithsonian Institution for carrying out the purposes of said Act.
• S. 719 -- Public Law 91-631
  Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970.
• S. 2102 -- Private Law 91-242
  An Act for the relief of Percy Ispas Avram.
• S. 2984 -- Public Law 91-630
  An Act to permit certain Federal employment to be counted toward retirement.
• S. 3619 -- Public Law 91-606
  Disaster Relief Act of 1970.
• S. 3835 -- Public Law 91-616
  Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970.
• S. 4106 -- Public Law 91-623
  Emergency Health Personnel Act of 1970.
• S. 4571 -- Public Law 91-626
  An Act to amend the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act of 1964 for Certain Employees, as amended, and for other purposes.
• S.J. Res. 173 -- Public Law 91-622
  Joint Resolution authorizing a grant to defray a portion of the cost of expanding the United Nations headquarters in the United States.
• S.J. Res. 249 -- Public Law 91-641
  Joint Resolution to extend the time for the proclamation of marketing quotas for burley tobacco for the three marketing years beginning October 1, 1971.

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 Russell E. Train, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality, and William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, on the Clean Air Amendments of 1970.

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.

• Retiring Senator John J. Williams of Delaware breakfasted with the President at the White House.
• Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, the Apostolic Delegate, called on the President at the White House to present a copy of the Pope's New Year's Day message in celebration of peace.

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.

• Statement on Signing the International Financial Institutions Bill.
• Statement on the Coal Mine Disaster in Kentucky.
• Remarks on Signing the Clean Air Amendments of 1970.
• Statement on Signing the Disaster Relief Act of 1970.
• Executive Order 11575—Providing for the Administration of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970
• Proclamation 4026—Proclamation Amending and Correcting Part 3 of the Appendix to the Tariff Schedules of the United States With Respect to the Importation of Agricultural Commodities

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.

• Federal Register of Thursday, December 31, 1970

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

• House of Representatives: December 31, 1970
• Senate: December 31, 1970

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)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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 31, 1970
• Date search for December 31, 1970

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 31, 1970
• Date search for December 31, 1970

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 31 December 1970

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. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

• 157. Memorandum From William Hyland of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 31, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 685, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. VIII. Secret; Limdis. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum indicating that he had seen it.

• 158. Letter From President Nixon to German Chancellor Brandt, Washington, December 31, 1970

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL GER W–US. No classification marking. Although no drafting information appears on the letter, Rogers attached the text to a December 23 memorandum for the President. (Ibid.) Kissinger forwarded both in a December 30 memorandum to Nixon (see footnote 3 below). On January 4 the Department pouched the letter to the Embassy for delivery and transmitted the text by telegram. (Telegram 629 to Bonn, January 4; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL GER W–US) In telegram 84 from Bonn, January 5, Fessenden reported delivering the letter that morning to Bahr, who said he would forward it to Brandt on vacation in Kenya. According to Fessenden, “Bahr read the letter quickly and was obviously pleased with its contents. He noted particularly the favorable comments on the Warsaw Treaty and the comments on future procedure for the Berlin talks, which he said was generally in line with German views.” (Ibid.) See also Dokumente zur Deutschlandpolitik, 1969–1970, Nr. 265, pp. 1038–39.

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

U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: Policy Towards Kidnapping of U.S. Officials Abroad, April 1970-April 1971

• 43. Position Paper Prepared in the Department of State, Washington, December 31, 1970

  The position paper was written for the special Organization of American States meeting on kidnapping and other criminal acts against diplomats and officials abroad.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL 23-8. Confidential. Attached but not published were Tabs A and B.

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

Libya

• 69. Briefing Memorandum From the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, December 31, 1970

  Moore submitted to Rogers an action memorandum on the various views within the administration on F–5 sales to Libya.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret. The paper was drafted by Blake, and cleared by PM/MAS, NEA, and H. In telegram 196791 to Tripoli, Tunis, and USCINCEUR, December 9, the Department explained that it saw no way to deliver the F–5s to Libya for later transfer to a third party. (Ibid.)

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.

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-5421 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5421-02A-18A, President Nixon signing the Clean Air Act of 1970, enacted to reduce air pollution and protect air quality. As enacted, the bill (H.R. 17255) is Public Law 91-604 (84 Stat. 1676). Also known as the Clean Air Amendments of 1970. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Russell Train, William Ruckelshaus, Sen. Jennings Randolph, Sen. John Sherman Cooper, Rep. William Springer, unidentified persons.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5421-10A/11, President Nixon signing the Clean Air Act of 1970, enacted to reduce air pollution and protect air quality. As enacted, the bill (H.R. 17255) is Public Law 91-604 (84 Stat. 1676). Also known as the Clean Air Amendments of 1970. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Russell Train, William Ruckelshaus.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5421-11, President Nixon signing the Clean Air Act of 1970, enacted to reduce air pollution and protect air quality. As enacted, the bill (H.R. 17255) is Public Law 91-604 (84 Stat. 1676). Also known as the Clean Air Amendments of 1970. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Russell Train, William Ruckelshaus.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5421-19A-21A, President Nixon standing at his Oval Office desk talking with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Vatican Apostolic Delegate to the United States. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Archbishop Luigi Raimondi.

Roll WHPO-5422 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5422-04-07, President Nixon and Russell Train at the signing of the Clean Air Amendments Bill. As enacted, the bill (H.R. 17255) is Public Law 91-604 (84 Stat. 1676). 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Roosevelt Room. President Nixon, Russell Train.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5422-11-19, President Nixon standing at his Oval Office desk talking with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Vatican Apostolic Delegate to the United States. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Archbishop Luigi Raimondi.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5422-17, President Nixon standing at his Oval Office desk talking with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Vatican Apostolic Delegate to the United States. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Archbishop Luigi Raimondi.

Roll WHPO-5423 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5423-01A-06A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Kentucky Senator Marlow Cook. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Marlow Cook.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5423-03A, President Nixon seated at his Oval Office desk during a meeting with Kentucky Senator Marlow Cook. 12/31/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Marlow Cook.

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-314
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Hendrick Houthakker. (12/31/1970, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 25:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by KAP (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

• WHCA-SR-H-315
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren, William Ruckelshaus, and Russell Train (Clean Air amendments of 1970). (12/31/1970, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:10:33
  
  Keywords: environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by KAP (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-701224
  Remarks by President Nixon upon signing Clean Air amendments of 1970. (12/31/1970, Roosevelt Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:09:44
  
  Keywords: Environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  
  Production credits: Audio feed (probably pool feed) supplied by MBS; No WHCA engineer initials listed
  
  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-4066
  "Claire". Donald Rumsfeld, Counselor to the President.
  CBS
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-4067
  "Science 1970 - 'Health And Medicine' ".
  Undetermined
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-4068
  "The Courts, Warts and All" - A Conversation With Walter Cronkite. Nick Thimmesch, newspaper columnist.
  Undetermined
  Runtime: 0:30
• WHCA-4073
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:16:30
  
  1. Smith/Jarriel: Clean Air Bill (President Nixon). Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Presidents, speeches, Clean Air Act, bills, laws, signings, signing ceremony, environment, pollution, anti-pollution, smog, environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Network: ABC.
  
  2. Chancellor: Congress and President Nixon signing the Clean Air Bill. Time Code Start: 02:05. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, Clean Air Act, bills, laws, signings, signing ceremony, environment, pollution, anti-pollution, smog, environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency. Network: NBC.
  
  3. Collingwood/Morton: Congress. Time Code Start: 05:00. Keywords: House of Representatives. Network: CBS.
  
  4. Peirpoint: Clean Air Bill. Time Code Start: 07:46. Keywords: Clean Air Act, pollution, pollutants, lakes, water, ecology, environment, water pollution, litter, sludge, contamination, debris, environment, environmental, ecology, polution, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 31, 1970

• AP Images photos from December 31, 1970
• Getty Images photos from December 31, 1970

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 1970 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 31, 1970