Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Funeral arrangements
19 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Woods
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Rose Mary Woods, and briefly Ronald H. Walker to coordinate upcoming scheduling logistics and administrative briefings. Discussions involved the planning of the First Lady’s travel to New York for the funeral of Thomas E. Dewey and a review of Walker's successful management of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. funeral. The President also tasked Haldeman with monitoring economic policy consultations involving John B. Connally, George P. Shultz, and other key economic advisors to ensure effective coordination.
President Nixon calls Mrs. Dean G. Acheson to offer personal condolences following the death of her husband, the former Secretary of State. During the call, Nixon offers to assign White House military aide General James D. Hughes to assist the family with funeral logistics and transportation. Although Nixon expresses his desire to attend the memorial service, he informs Mrs. Acheson that a prior commitment in North Carolina will prevent him from attending, and they exchange contact information to coordinate the aide's assistance.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield and Ronald Ziegler to manage administrative logistics, including planning a formal reception for state governors and arranging for General Robert Cushman, Jr. to represent the White House at the funeral of two slain New York police officers. The discussion transitioned to media strategy, specifically the debate over including William F. Buckley, Jr. in the press contingent for the upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Additionally, Nixon directed staff to publicize his recent phone call to Senator Abraham Ribicoff regarding the administration's ongoing legislative strategy for welfare reform.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss funeral arrangements for J. Edgar Hoover and the political strategy for appointing his successor. Nixon decided to participate in the funeral services while opting to delay the nomination of a new FBI director until after the upcoming presidential election to avoid political fallout. They concluded that L. Patrick Gray should be installed as an interim appointment without a formal long-term commitment. The two also coordinated the preparation and release of an official public statement regarding these decisions.
President Nixon called Clyde A. Tolson to express his personal condolences following the recent death of J. Edgar Hoover. The two men discussed the profound impact of the loss, with Nixon affirming his intent to attend the funeral and deliver remarks honoring the late FBI Director. During the exchange, Nixon also acknowledged Hoover's professional legacy, asserting that history would diminish the significance of his critics.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the scheduling of J. Edgar Hoover’s funeral services. They specifically discussed the timing of the funeral in relation to the President’s other standing speaking commitments. The brief discussion focused on ensuring the funeral arrangements could be accommodated within the President's existing calendar.
President Nixon followed up with Alexander P. Butterfield regarding the status of the draft eulogy for the late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Nixon instructed Butterfield to have the document delivered and left for him to review privately, specifying that he wanted to study it before any further discussion. Butterfield confirmed he would expedite the delivery of the draft via Zosimo T. Monzon by the 1 o'clock deadline.
President Nixon and John B. Connally discuss the recent death of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and the logistics surrounding his upcoming funeral and eulogy. They also touch upon personal matters involving Connally’s family and a gift Nixon intends to display in the Oval Office. The brief exchange concludes with the President noting his ongoing work regarding policies toward the Soviet Union.
President Richard Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to rehearse his eulogy for J. Edgar Hoover and coordinate the logistical details of the upcoming funeral service. They reviewed the ceremonial sequence, including the recessional order, specific camera positioning for television coverage, and seating arrangements for notable guests like Mamie Eisenhower and the L. Patrick Grays. This preparation ensured that both the President's delivery and the procedural movements of the dignitary participants would proceed smoothly during the high-profile memorial.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed final logistical arrangements for the funeral of John Paul Vann, focusing specifically on managing the conduct of Vann's son. Bull secured assurances that the son would refrain from making a potentially disruptive protest presentation during the event. The pair finalized plans for the President to honor the family and present a formal citation to the press following the services.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to address administrative matters, including the securing of the President's signature on pending documents. The discussion covered arrangements regarding the death and funeral of William T. Pecora, as well as the appointment of Thomas Bradford Curtis to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. These brief interactions underscored the routine management of executive personnel and institutional oversight during the Nixon administration.
President Nixon calls Senator James O. Eastland to formally congratulate him on his recent election as President pro tempore of the Senate. The two men coordinate logistics for Eastland to join the President aboard Air Force One for travel to Louisiana. The primary purpose of the trip is to attend the funeral of Senator Allen J. Ellender, and the President directs his staff to finalize the travel arrangements with Eastland’s office.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, coordinate the White House's formal expressions of sympathy following the death of former Senator Prescott S. Bush. The President decides to provide a military escort for the funeral services, consistent with protocols for former senators, in addition to sending flowers and a personal note to the widow, Dorothy Bush. Nixon directs Woods to contact the military office to facilitate these arrangements and to communicate the gesture to the Bush family through George H.W. Bush.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the logistical arrangements for the funeral of Prescott S. Bush. Woods confirms that she coordinated with Alexander Butterfield, who utilizes military aides to manage the formal procedures for such events. Nixon expresses satisfaction with this delegation and the established protocol for handling the memorial preparations.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum regarding the recent death of former President Harry S. Truman. He reflects on his planned trip to the Truman Library to pay respects, specifically addressing scheduled interactions with Bess Truman and Margaret Truman Daniel. The President also considers the historical parallels of the funeral proceedings in relation to the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President Nixon directs Stephen B. Bull to coordinate with the Kennedy family and the State Department regarding a potential reception for visiting foreign dignitaries attending the upcoming funeral/memorial services. Drawing a comparison to the protocol followed after Dwight D. Eisenhower's death, Nixon emphasizes the need for discreet inquiries to determine if such a diplomatic gesture is appropriate. He delegates the final recommendation to the State Department while expressing a personal willingness to host the event if deemed necessary.
President Nixon consulted with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, regarding the protocol for hosting a reception for foreign dignitaries attending the funeral services of former President Harry S. Truman. Nixon emphasized the importance of treating the event with at least the same level of honor as that provided for Dwight D. Eisenhower to avoid unfavorable public comparisons. The President ultimately authorized a brief White House reception to accommodate visiting heads of state and other high-ranking officials attending the memorial.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull spoke to coordinate administrative details regarding Alexander Haig’s upcoming arrival and the funeral arrangements for baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Nixon inquired about the status of services for Clemente in Puerto Rico, noting that inaugural activities for the new governor had already been curtailed. Bull agreed to gather further information on the memorial service and report back to the President.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated logistics for upcoming administrative engagements, specifically focusing on funeral arrangements for the families of diplomats Cleo A. Noel, Jr. and George C. Moore. The discussion addressed the families' inability to attend a planned State Department meeting and finalized the scheduling of a Domestic Council meeting. Nixon firmly rejected a proposed press program for the Council, emphasizing the need to adjust the meeting’s public presentation.