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Conversation 861-015

TapeTape 861StartThursday, February 22, 1973 at 12:23 PMEndThursday, February 22, 1973 at 12:32 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.;  Washington, Walter E.;  Krogh, Egil ("Bud"), Jr.;  Frazier, Frank;  Bullock, William;  Bullock, Portial;  Thomas, Wilhelmina;  Bullock, Joseph;  Bullock, Joseph (Mrs.);  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with D.C. Mayor Walter E. Washington, his family, and staff in the Oval Office to conduct a ceremonial swearing-in for the Mayor's third term. The President praised Washington's leadership, specifically highlighting improvements in city safety and the Mayor's diplomatic role in hosting international dignitaries. The participants also engaged in a photo session and exchanged lighthearted remarks about the upcoming Bicentennial and the Washington Redskins.

Walter E. WashingtonSwearing-in ceremonyWashington D.C. governanceBicentennialPresidential remarks
AudioNARA Description

On February 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, Walter E. Washington, Egil ("Bud") Krogh, Jr., Frank Frazier, William Bullock, Portial Bullock, Wilhelmina Thomas, Joseph Bullock, Mrs. Joseph Bullock, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:23 pm to 12:32 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 861-015 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 861-15

Date: February 22, 1973
Time: 12:23 pm - 12:32 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Walter E. Washington, Mrs. Walter E. [Bennetta (Bullock)] Washington,
Egil Krogh, Jr., John D. Ehrlichman, William Bullock, Portial Bullock, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph
Bullock, Frances Frazier and Wilhelmina Thomas; members of the press, the White House
photographer and Stephen B. Bull were present at the beginning of the meeting.

       Photo session
              -Lineup for photo

       [General conversation]

       Introduction of President

       Bible

       Swearing-in ceremony
             -Administration of oath

       The President's remarks
              -George Washington's birthday
              -Mayor's term in office
                                              -22-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                          (rev. Nov.-09)
                                                           Conversation No. 861-15 (cont’d)

               -Washington, DC
                     -Pride of inhabitants
                             -Safety
                             -Beauty
                     -Leadership of mayor
                     -Bicentennial celebration

       Walter Washington
              -Past service
              -Consideration for Federal positions
              -Heads of state
                      -Mrs. Washington
              -Importance of present position

       Washington's remarks
             -The President's help for the city
             -Washington's third term

       Washington Redskins
             -Superbowl

       Photo session
              -Judge

       Appreciation
             -Judge
             -Walter Washington

       Presentation of gifts
              -Tie bar

Washington, et al., left at 12:32 pm.
                                              -23-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                          (rev. Nov.-09)
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.

Stand here right in the middle.
There.
Over on this side.
Facing this way.
Press this.
You will file.
Stand on this side here.
Be sure.
Be careful down this way.
Over on this other side.
Stand over this way.
You're rehearsing.
You've done this so many times, I really need a break.
Each judge has to do the same thing.
Left hand or right hand, I'll tell you.
Well, I'm hoping you're having a good time.
I don't know what to say.
I'm sorry.
All right.
Chainsaw, Mr. President
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
If we have a sidewalk in Washington, a sidewalk in Washington, we solemnly swear, solemnly swear that I will support and defend, and I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign or domestic violence, foreign or domestic violence.
That I will bear this faith and believe this to be the same.
That I will bear this faith and believe this to be the same.
That I take this obligation freely.
I take this obligation freely.
Without any mental reservation.
Without any mental reservation.
For the purpose of the nation.
For the purpose of the nation.
that I will well and faithfully, I will well and faithfully discharge the duties, discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, the office in which I am about to enter, so help me God, so help me God.
Thank you.
Mr. Mayor, it's very significant that there be this morning on Washington's birthday, that here in the city of Washington, on Washington's birthday, there'll be this letter from the mayor to Washington for his third term.
And also, that we all vote for the mayor of Washington.
I think history may record that we can't write this, but there's a picture that we could all pick.
It's a testament to this that Washington is happy, because it will be very hard to receive this letter.
I'm very proud of the progress that we've made.
The mayor has always been good.
I think it was many of the problems that we had in 1989.
We haven't solved them all.
And the things that we've worked to now have a somewhat different sense.
I love the city that they have.
This city is safer than it was.
The city is more capable than it's always going to be.
The city is more capable than it was.
And the leadership that the mayor has provided has been indispensable in this process.
That's the game.
We have four more years until the 200th anniversary and, of course, one anniversary in San Francisco.
He had served so well that we considered .
I've been enormously impressed with the way that Mayor Washington and Mrs. Washington have so splendidly worked the heads of state and the heads of government and the head of government.
They made us very proud of the way that with the great dignity and the poise that they have met these distinguished visitors from abroad and have shown what Washington had really like in terms of its warm heart toward the people who come from all over the world and the nation of the world.
But as I looked over all the possibilities of other assignments from America, Peter Paul, an ambassador of the positions abroad,
I decided to, and all of our staff agreed, that we need him here.
This is the most important position we think that he can fill.
And we're delighted that he was willing to be accepted.
When the mayor does decide, we trust that he does not decide that he wants to give up his position.
But we have other time this morning.
Thank you very much.
It's very beautiful and very generous of you that I was saying that
I have a feeling that, as you have indicated once, that we're in this together, that we are partners in making this great city even greater.
The effects and improvements that you've spoken of could not have been possibly met without
your full commitment to make this city the greatest.
You've provided the resources, you've provided the encouragement, you've provided for me guidance that has made it possible for us to move ahead 120 years early.
I look forward to the greater enthusiasm with your continued support to the next 40 years.
I am very sure that at the end of that time, we will both be proud of this city
And it's not only the greatest in this nation, but the greatest in the world.
That's the objective that I'm setting out on in my third term.
And I know that we're going to achieve that objective.
And this will be a model for the entire world, as well as the nation.
Mr. President, I pledge to you that as soon as we have it, we're going to get it done.
Mr. Mayor, I would only add that
Let us just hope that perhaps we can predict that more than 1976 comes around and that Washington will have won the Super Bowl.
Thank you so much.
All right.
All right.
All right.
Oh, yes, that's right.
Oh, I don't know.
Yeah, we got that one.
Thank you.
That's great.
Thank you.
I appreciate your fine work.
Thank you.
All right.
Otherwise, more like the same wishes are coming about.
That's right.
Great.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
We do appreciate your hard work.
I just want to thank you for all the ladies who have been with us since they came down from New York.
Okay.
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