Leadership

I am very grateful for the cooperation that has been given me by the leaders in the House, Chairman Mills and Congressman Byrnes.

I want to see every single employee of the Federal Government helping to set an example for the rest of the Nation to follow.

It is more than doing what is needed. It is doing what is right.

In accepting this award this morning, I want to declare once again that so long as I am in public office, I am going to do everything within my power and my capability to prevent us from falling behind.

We don't have all the answers.

I want to be judged--as we judge the great conservationists of yesterday--as benefactors of our people and as builders of a more beautiful America.

He takes office at a time when there is much to be done by all working together, cooperating.

And that is why I chose him for this new assignment.

In those beginning days, the man always by my side was Elmer Staats.

Whenever there is a collision with fate, when history stops for a moment of crisis--it is the doubter who runs from the test of courage--and it is the builder who is firm in the face of fear.

He must have enough steel in his spine so that the noisy dissent of the crowd doesn't sway him from what he truly believes to be the correct course to follow.

I have always found him a man of good spirit with a tolerance for the nagging details of every problem, as well as very sound judgment about where the facts could be found and where the solution would take us.

Any man who can survive 5 years in the White House, never stumble over an assigned task, and leave with his ability to laugh unimpaired, is a man that I would warn all of you is to be reckoned with.

In you two men I have the greatest confidence, and I have no doubt but what you will prove worthy of it.

I want you to do what is right.

I want to congratulate each of you and all of you, particularly you six women who are the forerunners of what I think is a new era.

One agency should assume leadership in our clean water effort.

I have seen Mr. Meany and the other leaders of labor several times.