Fourth of July Newscast, Jimmy Carter Rose Garden Speech, Amb. Strauss Issues and Answers Interview

• Minute 1-16: Fourth of July Newscast, July 4, 1976. Includes footage of playwright Archibald Leach reading a portion of his play about churchbells ringing in New England, followed by footage of the reenactment of Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, then a swearing-in ceremony of new U.S. citizens.
• Minute 16-45: Jimmy Carter speech and Signing of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, HR 4537, July 26, 1979, in the Rose Garden (corresponds to Audio 3).
• Minute 34: Issues and Answers Interview with Ambassador Strauss conducted by Bob Clark and ABC News Correspondent Catherine Macklin.

Interview: The questions mostly focus on the topics of inflation, wage increases, and price controls in light of both the prevailing economic situation and President Carter’s recent appointment of Strauss as his inflation counselor.

Audio: Jimmy Carter Speech and the Signing of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, HR 4537, July 26, 1979, in the Rose Garden

• Ambassador Strauss speech.
• Senator Long speech.
• Rep. Ullman speech.

President Carter: Carter calls this one of the most important and far-reaching trade agreements in the country’s history, an achievement of almost unprecedented cooperation between the branches of government, businesses, farmers, and other parties interested in the economic strength of the country. He specifically thanks Ambassador Strauss for a masterful job in the Tokyo round of trade negotiations and in negotiations with the U.S. Congress. Many thought the negotiations had reached a dead end, and their resuscitation would not have been possible without Strauss.

Ambassador Strauss: Strauss thanks his staff and the work of all those involved, and ultimately calls this a classy example of how the system can work.

Sen. Long: Points out, jokingly, that had he not fought to make the Special Trade Representative a cabinet level position, Strauss would not have taken the job.

Senate Finance Committee Hearing, “Mastering the World Economy” Series, January 13, 1987

• The hearing is the inaugural hearing in a seven part series entitled “Mastering the World Economy,” held shortly after the 100th Congress convened in January 1987 under new Chairman Lloyd Bentsen (TX).
• Ambassador Strauss is the first and sole witness in the first hearing.

Bryce Harlow Award Dinner, Capitol Hilton, September 23, 1983

• Strauss is introduced by Chairman Harlow.
• Strauss gives an address at banquet for Bryce Harlow Award.

Strauss: Strauss focuses on the relationship between a government and its citizens and argues that the debate is not between more or less government but a desire for better government and real long-term solutions. These solutions have to be based on consensus, not ideas that Washington politicians force on people—in short, the government cannot go it alone. He discusses the tough decisions on spending, entitlements, and taxes, and notes that we don’t have the political will. He warns that we need to build into our political system a way to deal with the basic problems afflicting it and reminds the audience there is much to be done.

Surprise 65th Birthday Party for Strauss, Tuesday, October 18, 1983, at Madison Hotel hosted by Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld

• Surprise party, coverage of the guests, the “surprise,” and ensuing speeches, songs, and socializing.
• Speeches given by Sen. Wendell Ford (KY), Ted Strauss (brother), Alan Feld (partner), and Master of Ceremonies imitating Strauss, Charlie Bartlett; mostly humorous, reminiscent of a roast.
• Strauss makes a speech, jokes responding to earlier remarks.

Christmas Banquet Benefitting the LBJ School

• Invocation: Dr. George R. Davis.
• Remarks by LBJ School Dean Rostow.
• Remarks by Lady Bird Johnson.
• Remarks by President Elect George Bush.
• Remarks by Howard Baker.

Dean Rostow: She remarks that leadership in the public sector is one of the ingredients that will help the country survive, and for that one needs a model of what public service means, and examples like Strauss.

Lady Bird: She expresses her and the LBJ Library Foundation’s gratitude for the generosity and help of Strauss in helping to broaden opportunities for students at the LBJ School.

George Bush: Remarks that it is a delight to be friends with Strauss, who has dedicated himself to the cause at the LBJ School.

Howard Baker: He pays his respects to LBJ’s memory and points to the common understanding shared between LBJ and Strauss on the importance of education. Baker also comments that there resides in few men and women a rare quality of understanding the things that make the nation great, and that Strauss is one of these individuals. Baker pays his respects to a great American, a great politician, a great upholder of the political system, and a great believer in the power of America’s future before us.

January 16, 1981, President Carter Bestows Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Strauss, Among Others

• Carter presents Strauss with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at minute 37.

Presentation to Strauss: Carter says that for Americans, politics is the art of the possible, and Strauss has perfected that art. Strauss concluded the multilateral trade agreements at a time when many thought it impossible, he expanded trade ties when the negotiations were considered dead, and he got all necessary participants on board in one of the most complicated negotiation efforts in memory. Carter says that his understanding of the people of his country, people of diverse views, and his ability to bring people together is impeccable, and calls him a man of wit, competence, and integrity.

 Swearing in of the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America

• Secretary of State Schultz officiates.
• Ambassador Strauss is sworn in as a member of the Commission.

The Commission members take the oath, followed by an address from Sec. Schulz. Schulz says the purpose of the Commission is to take a long-term look at problems and look to what is on the horizon rather than simply dealing with day-to-day issues.

Following the presentation, Henry Kissinger, Chairman of the Commission, thanks the Secretary for putting so many Texans on the Commission so that he would not be the only member speaking with an accent (other Texans include Bill Clements and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros).