Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 37 › Conversation 037-157

Nixon phone call with Stennis on health and Senate

Monday, March 19, 1973 · 5:05 PM–5:07 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Stennis, John C.Conversation037-157 on Tape 37StartMonday, March 19, 1973 at 5:05 PMEndMonday, March 19, 1973 at 5:07 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 037-157 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called Senator John C. Stennis to check on his recovery following recent medical treatment. Stennis reported steady but slow progress, estimating that he might return to the office in four to five weeks while noting that a full return to his legislative duties would take longer. The conversation concluded with an exchange of mutual support, as Nixon encouraged the Senator to focus on his health while Stennis affirmed his backing of the administration.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Well, I'm just taking my check here to see how you're doing.
You're still coming along.
Yeah, still coming along, thank you, Mr. President.
No setbacks or anything.
Slow, though.
Well, of course, of course.
But the prognosis is good.
Yeah, that's correct.
That's right.
And when do you think you'll be back on the job again?
You're not on the job all the time.
Well, I tell you, Mr. President, that's very uncertain, highly uncertain.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's mind-moving a little slow.
It's steady, but it's a little slow.
And, you know...
you know this side opening here and everything oh boy yeah yeah and uh the main thing john you just uh don't move too fast i mean we'll we'll hold the fort thank you and uh we'll uh and uh everybody's uh
They'll be ready for you.
Your encouragement has meant a great deal to me.
I want to say that in your backing, and I appreciate it greatly.
You've always been there when it's counted, and I just want you to know we're with you when it's counted, too.
Well, thank you so much.
The things you're doing, too, as chief executive, that's for him hand at the top.
That's what the country has to have.
Thank you.
We'll try, and you just take good care of yourself.
And on that timing, I may be out and up to the office a little in four or five weeks, Mr. President, but as far as pulling an oar, that'll be time further than that.
You just take your time.
All right, and thanks again.

NARA Description

On March 19, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and John C. Stennis talked on the telephone from 5:05 pm to 5:07 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 037-157 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 37-157

Date: March 19, 1973
Time: 5:05 pm0-5:07 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John C. Stennis.

[See Conversation No. 420-24A]

       Stennis’ health
              -Return to Senate
              -Support for President
                                               - 108 -

                              NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Also recorded on March 19, 1973

  • 037-155 4:59 PM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 4:59 pm.
  • 037-156 4:59 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:59 pm and 5:03 pm.
  • 420-021 4:59 PM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 4:59 pm.
  • 420-022 4:59 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:59 pm and 5:03 pm.
  • 420-023 4:59 PM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:59 pm and 5:03 pm.
  • 420-024 5:03 PM · 22 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John W. Dean, III, Richard A. Moore, and John C. Stennis met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:03 pm and 5:41 pm.
  • 037-158 5:07 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:07 pm and 5:54 pm.
  • 037-159 5:54 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and John D. Ehrlichman talked on the telephone from 5:54 pm to 5:55 pm.

All 31 conversations from March 19, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 037-157, March 19, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/037-157 (accessed October 5, 2026).