tor Wayne Morse of Oregon, Professor Richard Neustadt of Harvard University, and David Ginsburg, a Washington attorney, who made up the three-member emergency board to investigate the airlines dispute. For his remarks upon receiving the board's report on its findings, see Item 256. The agreement offered union members wages and other benefits costing 72 cents an hour to be accrued over a 3-year period. The proposal was rejected by 361 the machinists on Sunday, July 31, 1966, on the grounds that it did not include company-paid pensions and a cost-of-living escalator clause and that the effective date for fringe benefits was not satisfactory. Further negotiations resulted in the ratification on August 19, 1966, of a 3-year contract which allowed the union the gains of the cost-ofliving clause and an earlier effective date for the fringe benefits. Remarks at the Swearing In of Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit and Wilfrid E. Johnson as Members of the Atomic Energy Commission. August 1, 1966 Mr. Vice President, Dr. Nabrit, Mrs. Nabrit, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, members of your family, Chairman Seaborg, distinguished Chairman of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, my friend Mr. Holifield, ladies and gentlemen: We have come here this afternoon to welcome two old and distinguished Americans to our official family. At the same time, we come to mark the 20th anniversary of both the Atomic Energy Act and the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. By these actions 20 years ago, in 1946, the American people pledged that atomic energy would serve not only the national defense of this country, but international peace and the progress of the mankind of the world. We have done a great deal to fulfill that pledge. Atomic power has been the shield. of this Nation's security, and it has also become the symbol of hope. The Atomic Energy Commission's operating budget is now about evenly divided between nonmilitary uses of the atom and the direct needs of the defense of this Nation. As a result, nuclear energy is enlarging its role in meeting our total needs for electricity. We have enough installed capacity to meet the electrical needs of almost 2 million American families. And we will increase that capacity more than five times in the 4 years that are immediately ahead of us. The atom is also at work in medicine, agriculture, and industry. "Spin-off” from atomic development already has advanced progress in our virus research. It has already improved our color television reception. It has even uncovered ways to assure greater cleanliness in the operation of our hospital rooms throughout the country. We all realize that many new applications of atomic energy lie ahead of us. One of these is especially exciting to those of us who learned early in life what the real value to ali Americans of fresh water was. It now appears that large nuclear plants can not only produce electrical power, but they can produce supplies of fresh water along with it. About two-thirds of our planet is covered with water, yet less than 1 percent is water that we can use in our daily lives. More than 97 percent is still in the oceans. Another 2 percent lies frozen in glaciers and ice caps. And a great deal of the 1 percent that comes to us as rain or snow is now wasted long before we can use it. In the next 20 years the world's demand for fresh water will double. We must learn how to use and how to re-use our water supplies over and over again. We will have to develop large-scale, efficient, and economic desalting plants. We must learn to use the atom to provide the energy for those plants. And we must use that knowledge and that energy as a part of a massive international development and effort to solve man's need for water in the world. This is a very exciting field. I recall as a Congressman one of the great experiences of my legislative career was the day when Speaker Joe Martin told me that I would be assigned to the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy of the House and the Senate. I remember vividly the leadership of the distinguished Senator from Iowa, who at that time was chairman of that committee. And I know of no work that I did during the 25 years I was in the Congress that I enjoyed more than serving on that committee. So I would say to you, Dr. Nabrit, and to you, Mr. Johnson, that this is one of the challenges that your Atomic Energy Commission faces today. Your work is really cut out for you. There are men scattered throughout this audience who have devoted a good part of their lives to this work, who stand ready to counsel with you and to advise with you, and to help-men who have gone before and who have laid down the pattern that it is now your great honor to follow. I have every confidence that the careful study that we gave to the qualifications of you two men will prove that you are equal to this challenge. Of the many distinguished public servants that I have had come to this room to swear into office since I became President, none have come to us, in my judgment, with better qualifications or with a greater record of achievement. I hope that you will remember in the days that follow that both of you were urged upon me by the distinguished Chairman of this. Commission, who is giving us outstanding leadership and who is one of this Nation's most valued public servants. Dr. Nabrit received his master of science degree and doctorate in biology at Brown. University and he has done graduate work at Columbia University, and work at the University of Brussels. He is a noted biologist who for the past 11 years has been the president of the Texas Southern University. Mr. Johnson-I regret to say no kin of mine-was born in England, but he has been a citizen of this country for many years. He was graduated from Oregon State College with a bachelor of science degree in 1930. He received his master's degree and the honorary degree of doctor of science from that same institution. He occupied positions of great leadership in the atomic field for many years, serving until last May as general manager for the General Electric Company in its operation of the AEC's Richland, Washington, installation. He not only has the great confidence of the Chairman of the Commission and other members of the Commission, but the chairman of the Joint Committee regards him as one of the best equipped men in this Nation for this post. Last year Mr. Johnson received the AEC's award for meritorious contributions to the U.S. nuclear energy program. If Dr. Nabrit and Mr. Johnson will now step forward, the oath of office will be administered, and we will be delighted to welcome you into the family. NOTE: The President spoke at 4:45 p.m. in the East Room at the White House before administering the oath of office. In his opening words he referred to Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit and his wife, Wilfrid E. Johnson and his wife, Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and Representative Chet Holifield of California, Chairman of the Joint SenateHouse Committee on Atomic Energy. Later he referred to Representative Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of Massachusetts and Senator Bourke B. Hickenlooper of Iowa. 362 Statement by the President Upon Signing Bill Extending Library Services for the Physically Handicapped. August 1, 1966 FOR 35 YEARS, the Library of Congress has provided books in braille and on recorded discs to the blind. Fifty-four State agencies for the blind and 32 major libraries cooperate with the Federal Government in this program, which serves nearly a half million blind Americans. Until recently, however, nearly 1,600,000 other physically handicapped persons have been without library services: older citizens who are bedridden or too weak to read; children and adults who are not legally blind, but whose vision is so limited that normal print is blurred. 363 Now we have been given an opportunity to correct this deficiency in our program— as simple justice requires. I have signed into law S. 3093, a bill sponsored by Senator Jordan of North Carolina, which amends existing statutes to make it possible to serve this forgotten legion of handicapped Americans. I am happy to sign this bill. I consider it not only an act of humane concern for our fellow citizens, but a major contribution to our Nation's educational development. NOTE: As enacted, S. 3093, approved on July 30, 1966, is Public Law 89-522 (80 Stat. 330). NOTE: The President referred to a tragedy at the University of Texas where, as reported in the press, a sniper held the campus under siege from his position on top of a tower located on the university campus, killing 14 persons and wounding 30 others, before he was finally shot to death by police. Telegram to the Chancellor of the University of Texas Following the Mass Shooting on the University Campus. August 2, 1966 MRS. JOHNSON and I know the heavy burden so many are bearing. We are deeply grieved by the tragedy at the University yesterday. Our hearts go out to the families involved and to all who are suffering. We want to assure you of any personal or official assistance that would in any way be helpful. LYNDON B. JOHNSON [Dr. Harry Ransom, Chancellor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas.] The text of the telegram was read by Bill D. Moyers, Special Assistant to the President, at his news conference at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 1966, at the White House. It was not made public in the form of a White House press release. See also Item 364. 364 Statement by the President on the Need for Firearms Control Legislation. August 2, 1966 THE SHOCKING TRAGEDY of yesterday's event in Austin is heightened because it was so senseless. While senseless, however, what happened is not without a lesson: that we must press urgently for the legisla tion now pending in Congress to help prevent the wrong persons from obtaining fire arms. The bill would not prevent all such tragedies. But it would help reduce the un restricted sale of firearms to those who cannot be trusted in their use of possession. How many lives might be saved as a consequence! The gun control bill has been under consideration in Congress for many months. The time has come for action before further loss of life that might be prevented by its passage. I know there are many in Congress who share this view. In sorrow and hope, I urge them to join in passing this legislation. NOTE: The statement was read by Bill D. Moyers, Special Assistant to the President, at his news conference at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 1966, at the White House. It was not made public in the form of a White House press release. The President later repeated the statement for radio and television. Mr. Moyers stated that the legislation referred to by the President was S. 1592, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 22, 1966, and H.R. 6783, on which the House Ways and Means Committee completed hearings on July 28, 1965. The 89th Congress did not complete action on the bills before adjournment. See also Item 363. 365 Toasts of the President and President Zalman Shazar of Israel. August 2, 1966 Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: In the traditional Hebrew greeting we welcome our esteemed guest: Boruch ha-ba... blessed is he who comes to our shores as the leader of a people for whom we hold the greatest admiration. Mr. President, as a renowned scholar and educator, and as a pioneer in the new Israel, you are deeply versed in the teachings of the Bible. And you know that our Republic, like yours, was nurtured by the philosophy of the ancient Hebrew teachers who taught mankind the principles of morality, of social justice, and of universal peace. This is our heritage, and it is yours. The message inscribed on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is the clarion call of Leviticus: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land. unto all the Inhabitants thereof." It is a message not only for America, or for Israel, but for the whole world. We cannot proclaim tonight that all men have liberty, that all men are moral, that all men are just. We do not have universal peace. But those of good will continue their work to liberate the human spirit from the degradation of poverty and pestilence, of hunger and oppression. As spiritual heirs of the Biblical tradition we recognize that no society anywhere can be more secure unless it is also just. Israel today carries forward its pursuit of spiritual values. It is sharing those values and those experiences with other countries in the world. We in America, as we meet here with all of our blessings tonight, are keenly aware that God has showered our land with abundance. The sharing of our blessings with others is a value we hold in common with Israel. Above all, Mr. President, we share in common the vision of peace you call shalom. The prophet Micah described it in this way: that every man sit under his vine and fig tree and "none shall make him afraid." As our beloved, great, late President, John F. Kennedy, said on May 8, 1963, as a declaration of the leader of this country and as spokesman for this land: "We support the security of both Israel and her neighbors.... We strongly oppose the use of force or the threat of force in the Near East...." We subscribe to that policy. This I say in friendship for all the peoples of that region. We extend to all the hand of friendship, and offer to help all in meeting the challenges of fear and pestilence and poverty. We look toward the happy and peaceful pursuits that can bring tranquillity and the blessings of knowledge and understanding to all peoples, without fear of war. We welcome you tonight, Mr. President, in friendship and in deep respect for you and the people of your country. I should like to ask all gathered here to join me in the traditional Hebrew toast in honor of our distinguished guest-to life, to peace, to blessing for all mankind. happiness. Let me tell her the same words in an old Jewish expression as we used to say "Mazel tov." It means good luck. I would like to give voice tonight to the deep appreciation which I feel and which I believe is shared by men and women in many lands for your leadership in the effort to achieve a world in which every nation would be left alone to lead its life in accordance with its own free choice in which its independence and integrity are respected. Your name, Mr. President, will always be associated with the concept that the only real enemies of men are ignorance, poverty, disease, racial discrimination, and the degradation of man by his fellow man. They are the enemies of mankind. Under your leadership, the American people have been foremost not only in projecting this vision, but in helping to realize it—many of the countries which have reason to be grateful to the United States for the help they have received in tackling these enemies in maintaining their freedom. Mr. President, I bring you a cordial message of greeting from our Prime Minister, Levi Eshkol, and from all the people of my country in Israel. On behalf of the Government and people of my country, I wish to record our appreciation of the understanding which has marked your approach to our problems and the satisfaction in the continued growth of the friendship between our two countries. It is a great honor for me to ask this distinguished gathering to join me in wishing you a long life and considerable success in moving mankind toward the goals of peace and greatness. With the greeting of "L'chayim tovim u-shalom," to life, to good life, and to peace, I toast the President of the United States and Mrs. Johnson. 366 Remarks by Telephone With President Leoni of Venezuela Inaugurating a Submarine Cable Linking the Two Countries. August 3, 1966 THANK YOU very much, Mr. President. I am sitting here in the White House with the Vice President and your distinguished Ambassador to our country, the Assistant Secretary of State, and the Chairman of our Communications Commission. It is a great pleasure to exchange views with you through this medium. The underseas cable to Venezuela dramatizes, I think, the great community of interest between. North and South America in general and certainly between the United States and your country in particular. Moreover, it represents a very important step forward in improving global communications which have made rapid advances in the last few years. For years our two peoples have worked very closely together in political, and cultural, and economic pursuits. |