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Conversation 323-027

TapeTape 323StartThursday, March 16, 1972 at 9:17 PMEndThursday, March 16, 1972 at 9:40 PMTape start time02:15:31Tape end time02:18:21ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Richard M. Nixon utilized this time to rehearse his televised Address to the Nation regarding equal educational opportunities and school busing. During the practice session, he refined his messaging to position his legislative proposals as a balanced alternative to extreme viewpoints on the controversial issue. The primary goal was to project a moderate stance that emphasized stopping busing while prioritizing improved educational quality for all children.

School BusingEducation PolicyPublic SpeakingLegislative ProposalsEqual Opportunity
AudioNARA Description

On March 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:17 pm and 9:40 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 323-027 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 323-27

Date: March 16, 1972
Time: Unknown between 9:17 pm and 9:40 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President practiced an Address to the Nation on Equal Educational Opportunities and
School Busing, delivered on March 16, 1972.

[A transcript of the final version of this speech appears in Public Papers of the Presidents,
Richard M. Nixon, 1972, pp. 425-429]
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I submit these proposals to the Congress, and I commend them to all of you who are listening tonight, mindful of the profound importance and the special complexity of the issues they address.
The key is action, and action now.
The Congress holds that key.
If you agree with the goals I have described, to stop more busing now, and to provide equality of education for all of our children,
I urge you to let your congressmen and senators know your views, so that Congress will act promptly to deal with this problem.
Let me close with a personal note.
This is a deeply emotional and divisive issue.
I have done my very best to undertake the way to respect the conflicting ends, to strike a balance which is thoughtful and just, to search for answers that will best serve all of our nation's children.
I realize the program I recommended will not satisfy the extremists on the one side, who oppose busing for the wrong reasons.
And I realize that my program will not satisfy the extreme social planners on the other side, who insist on more busing, even at the cost of better education.
But while what I have said tonight will not appeal to either extremists, I believe I have expressed the view of the majority of America.
I believe that the majority of Americans of all races want more busing stopped and better education started.
Let us recognize that the issue of busing divides many Americans.
Let us also recognize that the commitment to equal opportunity and education unites all Americans.
The proposals I have submitted to Congress will allow us to turn away from what divides us and to turn toward what unites us.
The way we handle this difficult issue is a separating test of the character, the responsibility, and the decency of the American people.
Let us handle it in a way we should be proud by uniting behind a program which will make it possible for all the children of this great and good land of ours to receive a better education and thereby
Stop for us now.
Stop for them.
Stop for us now.
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