Jimmy Carter

Citizens are urged to return written replies to P.O. Box 2778, Washington, D.C. 20013, by March 21.

You should make every effort to avoid requesting exceptions by making personnel reallocations within your respective agencies to meet needs of highest priority.

I am imposing a limitation on the hiring of Federal civilian workers pending the establishment of revised employment ceilings.

I particularly want to break down any remaining barriers that exist between the State governments and the Federal Government.

I believe that we can count on the full support of Americans in time of trial or time of danger to defend our country.

I hope that every one of you will reassess what you are presently doing in your own assignment and how you might do it better.

I have spent a good bit of time the last 2 weeks looking over the civil service leadership problems.

I can assure you that one of the primary prerequisites for my selection of anyone to serve on those boards will be honesty, integrity and, also, a willingness, even an eagerness, to let the civil service employees know what present and…

Even with a new Department of Energy, problems of interdepartmental coordination will remain, since virtually all government activity affects energy to some extent.

This legislation is a major step in my Administration's program for a comprehensive reorganization of the Executive Branch.

I believe in our country, and I believe in the system of federalism.

Our will must be unshakable.

We have seen in recent weeks that, under our present system, we have no single source of information about where natural gas shortages were greatest and where supplies were still available to help make up those shortages.

I know that I'm going to make a lot of mistakes--economically and, perhaps, in foreign affairs, as well.

I hereby transmit to the Congress proposed legislation which will create a new Cabinet Department of Energy.

This Department will make it possible for us to evolve very quickly a comprehensive energy policy which we've missed.

I ask that you issue instructions limiting the number of appointments to full-time permanent positions in your agency to not more than 75 percent of the number of vacancies occurring after February 28, 1977.

Hear's to the Governors and their families.

Our loyalty to our allies must never be changed in any way.

When the President of the United States or the Secretary of State speaks to the world without the comprehension or understanding or open support of the Congress or the American people, we speak with a hollow voice.

I want to see the ties of our own country with other foreign countries--large and small, powerful and weak, very friendly and not so friendly--strengthened.

We are partners together in restoring the legitimate and deserved stature and esteem that ought always to be recognized among those who serve in the military.

I don’t fear those challenges.

It will let us insure to a maximum degree that the data that we obtain concerning energy reserves are accurate.

I feel very strongly and personally the responsibility on my shoulders as a leader of our country.