President Nixon met with Johnny Cash, William Brock, and William Timmons to discuss prison reform and Cash's recent testimony before the Senate. The participants explored the logistics of a potential presidential prison visit and evaluated strategies to address recidivism. Following a formal photograph session, the meeting concluded with informal discussions regarding White House furnishings, personal gifts, and Cash’s upcoming professional commitments.
On July 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Jonny Cash, William Brock, William E. Timmons, White House photographer, June Cash, Reba Cash Hancock, and Bobbie John met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:05 pm to 12:22 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 754-006 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 754-6
Date: July 26, 1972
Time: 12:05 pm - 12:22 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Johnny Cash, William E. Brock III and William E. Timmons. White
House photographer and members of the press were present at the beginning of this meeting.
Greetings
Arrangements for photograph
[Photograph session]
-Testimony
-Background
Prison reform
-Cash's testimony, July 26, 1972
-Marlow W. Cook
-The President's schedule
-Possible prison visit
-Secret Service
-Compared to the Soviet Union
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-Secret Service
-George C. Wallace
Prison reform
-Brock's schedule
-Tennessee State Prison
-Warden
(rev. Oct-06)
-Meeting with prisoners
-Attica Correctional Facility
-Recidivism
-Reduction
-Cash's conversation with William F. (“Billy”) Graham
-Possible television special
-Concert, speech
Cash
-Schedule
-Dallas [Explo ‘72]
-Music
-The President’s view
-Glen Campbell
*****************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 25s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
*****************************************************************
[June Carter Cash]
[Reba Cash Hancock, Bobbie John]
[June Cash]
-Camp David
Unknown man
John W. Rollins
-Home in Jamaica
-Johnny Cash’s concerts
June Cash, Hancock, and John entered at 12:14 pm.
Oval Office furnishings
(rev. Oct-06)
-Arrangements for photograph
-Flags
-President’s
-Presidential seal
-Armed services
-[Photograph session]
-Walter H. Annenberg's gift
-Steuben glass
-Item from the People's Republic of China [PRC]
-Music box
-Gift from Prime Minister of Australia
-Forthcoming presidential library
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower's crewel work
-1968 election
Johnny Cash’s work
Presentation of gifts by the President
-Cufflinks, bow pins, ash tray
Johnny Cash's schedule
-Los Angeles
-Nashville
Families of Cash, Hancock, and John
-Gifts
Oval Office furnishings
-Painting of the White House by British artist
-Potomac River
-White House renovation
-Theodore Roosevelt
-Truman Balcony
[General conversation]
-Photographs
-Unknown Nixonette
Cash, et al. left at 12:22 pm.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.