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Conversation 036-127

TapeTape 36StartTuesday, January 30, 1973 at 8:59 PMEndTuesday, January 30, 1973 at 9:01 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

Henry Kissinger informs President Nixon that Senator John Stennis was shot twice during a robbery outside his home and is currently undergoing surgery at Walter Reed Army Hospital. The two discuss the potential political implications of the shooting, specifically noting that the incident elevates Senator Stuart Symington to acting chairman of the Armed Services Committee. Nixon decides to personally contact Mrs. Stennis to express his concern regarding the Senator’s condition.

John C. StennisStuart SymingtonArmed Services CommitteeCrimeAssassination attempt
AudioNARA Description

On January 30, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 8:59 pm to 9:01 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-127 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 36-127

Date: January 30, 1973
Time: 8:59 pm - 9:01 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 406-37]

       John C. Stennis shooting
            -Burglary
            -Condition
            -Walter Reed Army Hospital
            -Assailants
                  -Race
                  -“Peacenik”
            -W[illiam] Stuart Symington
                  -Armed Services Committee Chairman
                  -Coy H. Stennis
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Kissinger, sir.
Hello?
Hello.
Mr. President.
Hi, Henry.
I didn't know whether you had been told yet that John Stennis has just been shot.
Oh, my god.
Shot?
Yeah.
By whom?
I think it was a burglar.
At his home?
Yes, or a holdup outside his home, just outside his home.
And he's in Walter Reed.
He got hit in the stomach and in the leg.
Shot twice?
Twice, yeah.
And he's being operated on right now.
No, I haven't been told.
I haven't been told.
It must have just happened, huh?
It happened within the last hour.
I wonder if it's a burglar.
Why the hell would they do that?
Why'd they shoot him?
Well, it's a holdup.
It could have been.
Do they know?
Any witnesses?
Do they know?
I haven't.
Black, white?
Yes, they have a description.
I hope not.
Hold up, it's a black.
If it's something else, it's a white.
That's my view.
That's right.
That's the way it always works.
Exactly.
Some damn stupid black on, you know, out to get his pocketbook.
But if it's a peacenik, it'll be a damn white, some college kid.
God almighty.
It always is the decent guys.
Jesus, there are not many left.
No, that makes Simington the acting chairman.
Oh, Christ.
Simington, chairman of armed services.
Wouldn't that be something?
Yeah.
Well, anyway, when was it?
How long ago, Henry?
How many hours?
Oh, about an hour ago.
He's in surgery right now.
And we can call on your behalf to indicate your concern.
I'll call Mrs. Dennis myself, okay?
Okay.
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