I will nominate J. Jackson Walter, of Tallahassee, Fla., to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics.

Submitted November 20, 1979

On behalf of all Americans, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Steven Crowley's family and to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Marine Corporal Steven J. Crowley's death is a tragic loss and a stark reminder of the dangers the men and women of our Armed Forces face in the service of their Nation.

The Government of Iran must recognize the gravity of the situation it has created.

This would be a flagrant violation of international law and basic religious principles.

The United States is seeking a peaceful solution to this problem through the U.N. and every other available channel.

I will nominate Charles B. Renfrew, of San Francisco, Calif., to be Deputy Attorney General.

The Government of Iran would bear full responsibility for any ensuing consequences.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and statutes of the United States of America, including Section 7103(b) of Title 5 of the United States Code, and in order to exempt certain agencies or subdivisions thereof…

Unlike previous administrations, mine has accepted the Federal share of the responsibility and costs for solving the District's current pension problems.

It is important to the national interest that up to $1 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund be made available.

I have approved S. 1037, a bill which will provide a sound financial basis and important benefit reforms in the retirement systems for police, firefighters, teachers, and judges of the District of Columbia.

They should do much to curb past abuses and provide more reasonable benefit levels.

However, such suspension shall be applicable only to that portion of the agency, installation, or activity which is located outside the 50 States and the District of Columbia.

It is also hereby determined that Chapter 71 of Title 5 of the United States Code cannot be applied to those agencies or subdivisions in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.

I believe that S. 1037 reflects a laudable compromise among all the interested groups and achieves that objective.

We strongly urge that the authorities in Iran now move to secure the safe release of all those still being held.