President Nixon met with Max Friedersdorf, James Collins, and Debbie Ploch for a social visit and photo session in the Oval Office. The discussion covered a wide range of informal topics, including Ploch’s teaching career, her recent travels to Southeast Asia, and the upcoming state visit by the King and Queen of Thailand. Additionally, the group conversed about various personal interests such as the history of White House decor, family anecdotes, and the significance of a Chinese jade vase.
On March 15, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Max L. Friedersdorf, Debbie Ploch, and James M. Collins met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:26 pm to 12:35 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 880-008 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 880-8
Date: March 15, 1973
Time: 12:26 pm-12:35 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Debbie Ploch, James M. Collins and Max L. Friedersdorf. The White
House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.
Introductions
-Family
Photographs
Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
[Sirikit, Queen of Thailand] Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara
-Attributors
-Miss World contest
-Ploch's trip to Southeast Asia
[Photograph session]
State visit by [Bhumibol, King of Thailand] Bhumibol Adulyadej
-Visit to White House
-Message for Queen Sirikit
Ploch’s teaching career
-English
-Spanish
Cotton Bowl
-Football game
-Texas, Oklahoma
Gifts
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. June-10)
Conversation No. 880-8 (cont’d)
Oval Office
-Mrs. Nixon's input
-Curtains
-Color television [TV]
-Painting of White House
-Great Britain
-Portrait of George Washington
Rose Garden
-Tricia Nixon Cox's wedding
-Flowers
Ploch's plans
-Marriage
-President’s future grandchildren
Chinese vase
-Value
-Jade
-Age
-Inscription
Prisoners of war [POWs]
Ploch's trip to Far East
-Experiences
-People
-Sale of cotton from US
-Necessity
Crewelwork by Julie Nixon Eisenhower
President's daughters
-Middle names
Ploch's middle name
Ploch, et al., left at 12:35 pm.
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. June-10)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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.