Harry Truman actually said...
The Department of Commerce shall determine whether, and in what foreign jurisdictions, the United States should seek patents for such inventions and, to the extent of appropriations available therefor, shall procure patent protection for such inventions, taking all action, consistent with existing law, necessary to acquire and maintain patent rights abroad.
Context
Executive Order 9865—Providing for the Protection Abroad of Inventions Resulting from Research Financed by the Government
06/13/1947