Then I called President Eisenhower and asked him if I could go by and talk with him because I needed his counsel and I needed the strength that comes from it.

It is astonishing to observe the great progress that has been made since I first came here.

Lincoln's mind was always open.

You and Mary have been a source of great strength to Lady Bird and me.

But I had the best personnel man in the Government look far and wide throughout the land.

I said, when I realized we would have a new Transportation Department, that I wanted to look this country over and select the most competent man available for this assignment.

I believe that we will have a good year.

History has cast our country as the leader of the free world and you, by your valor and vigilance and courage, are proving America worthy to lead.

As your President, I struggle with these problems every waking moment of every day.

I am happy this morning to announce the appointment of Dr. Donald S. Frederickson, who was formerly Clinical Director of the Heart Institute.

Until he does, the men there are going to give a good account of themselves.

I think that would be a pretty good idea if the old men could get the job done.

And we are going to be successful.

Your example offers us hope for the future.

You are pointing the way for all of Asia to follow and I hope they are looking.

General Westmoreland told me as we were reviewing the troops that no armed forces anywhere, at any time, commanded by any commander in chief, were up to the group that we have in Vietnam now.

I do not know how many Australian faces I have looked into or how many Australian hands I have shaken during the last 3 1/2 days.

I don't think that I would get into that.