But we generally are confident that we will get from the Congress a satisfactory piece of legislation that I can sign before the Congress leaves for its recess next week.

If that cooperation continues, it means that, together with the Government actions that we will be taking, the cooperation of industry and labor, the other institutions that I have mentioned, that we are going to be able to deal with this problem in a way that is effective, one in which everyone will sacrifice something, but in which no one will be required to suffer as a result of the energy crisis.

Industry is cooperating, the Governors are cooperating, the Federal establishment is cooperating, and each should cooperate because that is their responsibility, because of their public positions and their public responsibilities in this area.

Director Simon has my total support as he works with the various Cabinet officers and with the various department heads in carrying out that policy.

All executive departments, independent establishments, and other governmental agencies... shall be closed, and employees thereof shall be excused from duty, on Monday, December 24, 1973, the day preceding Christmas Day and on Monday, December 31, 1973, the day preceding New Year's Day.

I have given instructions--quite harshly, I should say--to all of those there, not that they needed a harsh statement, but I felt it is very important that there not be any infighting, there not be any competition, there not be any struggle for power because of our setting up.

Section 1 of this order shall not apply to those offices and installations, or parts thereof, in the Department of State, the Department of Defense, or other departments, independent establishments, and governmental agencies which the heads thereof determine should remain open for reasons of national security or defense or other public reasons...

You have helped by giving us the legislation which will then create a monument, we trust, that the whole Nation can see.

Nineteen seventy-six normally would be of interest in any event, because it is a Presidential election year.

A monument of what America has meant for its first 200 years and what it can mean for the next 200 years.

It is hard to realize that this piece of legislation will not come into fulfillment or culmination until the year 1976.

This order shall be effective thirty days after the date of its issuance.

By the virtue of the authority vested in me by Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973, the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4401, et seq.), and section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code and as President of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

The fact that the total spent on my home was $68,000 has been ignored.

I am making a full disclosure of my financial affairs as President of the United States.

While these disclosures are the most exhaustive ever made by an American President, to the best of my knowledge, I recognize that two tax-related items may continue to be a subject of continuing public questioning.

In order to answer these questions and to dispel public doubts, I am today making public a full accounting of my financial transactions since I assumed this Office.

I also want to assure you that the committee will have full access to all relevant documents pertaining to these matters and will have the full cooperation of my office.