We assure you that the United States will remain a strong and faithful ally, worthy of Australia's trust.

I am hopeful that workers will return to their jobs as soon as possible.

I AM pleased that an agreement has been reached between the 29 canners of California's fruits and vegetables and the Council of Cannery and Food Processing Unions, ending the 8-day strike.

I appreciate the efforts of all of those who contributed to the successful conclusion of this dispute.

Australia and the United States are closer together than ever before.

I have indicated my long association and great respect for Governor Connally.

This dispute has been the most costly, in terms of crops lost, in the history of the California food processing industry.

I think it should be ended with President Ford being the nominee.

We respect this friendly and independent voice across the Pacific.

Our two Governments have a tradition of close consultation that will be continued in our meetings today.

Australia and the United States are both federations of states founded originally as separate colonies.

World War II brought both of us together in a time of trial.

We'll let the future speak for itself.

We hold in common a devotion to the preservation of liberty not only in our own countries but throughout the world.

I look forward to my discussions with you and the continuing close relationships with Australia and its people.

The legislation has been carefully designed to ensure that Federal assistance is limited to those situations where the assistance is needed.

This legislation fills a critical need in the development of our domestic energy resources and the improved management of the Nation's valuable coastal zones.

The bill recognizes a national responsibility to assist coastal States and communities that will be affected by the accelerated exploration and production of oil and gas from the Federal Outer Continental Shelf.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by sections 301(a) and (f) of title 37 of the United States Code, section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, and as President of the United States of America and Commander in Chief of the…

I also invite the people of the United States to honor the memory of Leif Erikson on that day by holding appropriate exercises and ceremonies in suitable places throughout our land.

I do hereby designate Saturday, October 9, 1976, as Leif Erikson Day.

It is appropriate that this new program, established by this major innovative piece of legislation, is being signed in the first year of our Nation's third century.

I AM pleased to sign into law today S. 586, the Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1976.

The principal form of the assistance will be loans and loan guarantees to assist communities in developing the additional public facilities needed to cope with the expanding population associated with new OCS and coastal-dependent energy…

The individual States and localities will determine whether their principal need is for schools, roads, hospitals, new parks, or other similar facilities.