Richard Nixon: “I don't stand here tonight as a loser.”

May God's grace be with you in all the days ahead.

This legislation exceeds my budgetary recommendations by such a large amount--some $540 million--that it presents a clear and distinct threat to our fight against inflation and cannot be accepted.

I invite the Governors of the States and of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and other officials at the local level to issue similar proclamations.

This, more than anything, is what I hope will be my legacy to you, to our country, as I leave the Presidency.