Richard Nixon

Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Thursday, October 11, 1973, as General Pulaski's Memorial Day

Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Monday, October 8, 1973, as Columbus Day.

The legislation I sign today represents an important forward step for our country, not only in providing for better and more balanced transportation but also in related fields such as environmental protection, highway safety, energy…

I am particularly pleased to sign this legislation.

Under this act, for the first time, States and localities will have the flexibility they need to set their own transportation priorities.

I sign S. 502 with confidence that it will contribute significantly to the strength of our American economy and the quality of American life.

One of its most significant features is that it allows the Highway Trust Fund to be used for mass transit capital improvements.

I am asking the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the new system in the best interests of both the farmer and the consumer and to report to me regularly on its effectiveness.

As consumers, Americans are the most fortunate people in the world.

Today I am approving the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, which sets our national farm policy for the next 4 years.

Though it falls short of the high standards I have set for reforming farm legislation and eventually moving the Government out of agriculture, it does provide a constructive framework for encouraging the expansion of farm production.

The bill I am signing today continues the system of Government participation in farm production but does so in a way which will ensure administrative flexibility and thus encourage larger supplies of farm goods.

While I am willing to go along with the restoration of food stamp eligibility, the particular device used in this bill for achieving that end is highly undesirable and must be corrected.

I am willing to accept a temporary return to 'in-kind' benefits as provided in this act as a stopgap measure, but I continue to believe that our long-term goal should be to provide income assistance in cash, rather than in food stamps or…

Thus, it will encourage full production and dampen inflationary pressures without risking a market disaster for America's farm families as they respond to new demands.

While it is generally agreed that people should not lose benefits in shifting from the present welfare program to the Supplemental Security Income program, it is unfortunate that the Congress has chosen this method of maintaining…

On balance, the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 provides that the farmer will receive most of his income in the marketplace, a goal underscored in my radio address last February.

Indeed, this law should help in our battle against inflation by encouraging American farmers to produce at full capacity.

But these target prices are significantly below present market prices and thus will not inhibit our efforts to stabilize food prices for consumers.

I know that we will have your full support in this endeavor, and I hope you will commend the campaign with its payroll deduction feature to Federal employees and military personnel in your organization.

Through the Combined Federal Campaign, Federal personnel are offered a unique opportunity to help persons in our community, in our Nation, and in overseas lands by one gift once a year, a pledge made particularly easy by the availability…

For those in need, the voluntary agencies are a beacon of hope, and oftentimes the only source which can provide the needed assistance.

Working together through the Combined Federal Campaign we can provide that support and help our neighbors and friends who have special needs.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by section 5317 of title 5 of the United States Code, as amended, Executive Order No. 11708, dated March 23, 1973, as amended, is further amended as follows

RICHARD NIXON The White House, August 6, 1973