President Nixon hosted Vera Clemente, widow of baseball legend Roberto Clemente, alongside several legislators and fellow professional athletes to honor the late humanitarian and star outfielder. The meeting focused on the formal signing of H.R. 3841, a bipartisan bill authorizing a commemorative medal in Clemente’s honor. During the ceremony, the President presented the Citizen’s Medal to Mrs. Clemente, offered commemorative gifts for her children, and coordinated photographs with the attendees.
On May 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, unknown person(s), Vera Clemente, William S. Moorhead, Hugh Scott, Richard S. Schweiker, Jaime Benitez, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Orlando Zabala, Kenneth Davis, Paul Nieves, and members of the press met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:04 pm to 12:19 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 917-025 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 917-025
Date: May 14, 1973
Time: 12:04 pm - 12:19 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with an unknown man.
President’s schedule
Vera Clemente [widow of Roberto Clemente], William S. Moorhead, Hugh Scott, Richard S.
Schweiker, Jaime Benitez, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Orlando Zabala, Kenneth Davis,
and Paul Nieves entered at 12:04 pm. Members of the press were present at the beginning of the
meeting.
Greetings and introductions
-Roberto Clemente commemorative medal
-Bipartisan bill [H.R. 3841]
Agenda
-Ceremonies
-Signing of commemorative medal bill [H.R. 3841]
-Photograph opportunities
Photograph session
[A transcript of this speech appears in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States:
Richard Nixon, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President,
1973, pages 529-531.]
[Begin recorded remarks]
[End of recorded remarks]
Pens
-Signing of bill
Presentation of gifts by the President
-Cufflinks
-Pins
-Tie bars to sons of Clementes
Governorship
-Scott
-Campaign [?]
The unknown man, Clemente, et al. left at 12:19 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.