Richard Nixon

The American prisoners of war will not be forgotten by their Government.

Each side has had the chance to explain at length the concerns caused by the posture of the other side.

We have kept our commitments as we have taken out our troops.

I am keeping my pledge to end America's involvement in this war.

I want these practices brought to an end.

It is important that the role of the office of the Special Assistant be reinforced by increasing its responsibilities and reemphasizing its importance.

Consumer protection fosters a market place in which our competitive economic system flourishes best.

There is hereby established in the Office a Consumer Advisory Council to be composed of not more than 12 members appointed by the President.

The Office shall advise the President as to all matters affecting the interest of consumers.

I have therefore signed today a new Executive Order [11583] creating a new Office of Consumer Affairs in the Executive Office of the President.

Nothing in this order shall be construed as subjecting any function vested by law in, or assigned pursuant to law to, any Federal agency or the head thereof to the authority of any other agency or officer or as abrogating or restricting…

The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare would have authority to fix minimum safety standards for products and to ban from the marketplace those products that fail to meet those standards.

The Director shall report periodically to the President on significant developments affecting the interests of consumers together with such recommendations including legislative recommendations as he deems appropriate.

I believe new safeguards are needed, both to protect the consumer and to reward the responsible businessman.

I am again submitting proposals designed to provide such a Buyer's Bill of Rights.

Now, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

But the person who is hurt most by this pattern of inflation is the construction worker himself.

In the event of a national emergency the President is authorized to suspend the provisions of this Act.

While some might wish to blame management or labor unions for this inflationary syndrome, we must recognize that, in fact, they are its victims.

I believe, however, that this preferential arrangement does not serve the best interests of either the construction industry or the American public at a time when wages are under severe upward pressures.

Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do by this proclamation suspend, as to all contracts entered into on or subsequent to the date of this proclamation and until otherwise provided, the provisions…

This is a happy house, in any event.

Everybody from Missouri speaks briefly, so we have no problem on that score.

In the final analysis, those who are directly involved in the construction industry must assume the leadership in finding answers to these complex problems.

And I feel tonight that certainly, as all of you do, that we are very fortunate, those of us who are in positions as chief executives, whether in this house or in the statehouses or in the capitals of this country, that we have first…