Richard Nixon in The American Presidency Project
On Education:
Non-public schools save taxpayers $3B per year
Public funding for public education has never been higher in America. But inner city schools seem less and less capable of providing education for the poor and for the racial minorities who more and more make up their enrollment. The Equal Educational
Opportunities Act of 1972 will redirect billions of dollars in effective aid into the inferior schools of this Nation, many in our central cities where such aid is so urgently needed. I would not contend is the final answer to quality education for all
Americans, but we believe it points in the right direction.
The nonpublic schools in this country [save] the American taxpayer $3 billion annually in school operating costs, plus as much as $10 billion in new school construction.
And the impact would fall most heavily upon our central cities, where in some cases as many as 1/3 of all children attend nonpublic schools.
I come here today to reaffirm my commitment in your fight to save your schools, "You can count on my support."
Source: Remarks at the National Catholic Education Assoc. (APP #113)
Apr 6, 1972
On Energy & Oil:
Comprehensive program including coal gas, solar & geothermal
For most of our history, a plentiful supply of energy is something the American people have taken for granted. But that assumption has been brought sharply into question within the last year. To help meet this challenge, my program includes the following
elements:- Complete the successful demonstration of the liquid metal fast breeder reactor by 1980
- An expanded program to convert coal into a clean gaseous fuel
- Make available the energy resources on federal lands
- Acceleration of oil and ga
lease sales on the Outer Continental Shelf, along with stringent controls to protect the environment
- A leasing program to develop our vast oil shale resources.
- Controlled thermonuclear fusion research
- Magnetohydrodynamic Power Cycles to convert
coal and other fossil fuels into electric energy
- Solar Energy: The sun offers an almost unlimited supply of energy if we can learn to use it economically
- Geothermal Energy: There is a vast quantity of heat stored in the earth itself.
Source: Special Message to Congress on Energy Resources (APP #195)
Jun 4, 1971
On Immigration:
More visas for professionals and for Western Hemisphere
I urge passage of several measures which are being resubmitted dealing with the immigration policies of the United States, and with American contributions to international banks to assist the economic development of friendly nations.
To improve our immigration laws and to enlarge upon our national tradition as an open nation and an open society, legislation is being resubmitted which would, among other reforms, provide: -
A higher percentage of immigrant visas for professionals, needed workers and refugees.
- Additional visas for the Western hemisphere, with special provisions for our nearest neighbors, Mexico and Canada.
Further, to encourage travel and tourism in the United States, the requirement for a visa would be waived for all business and pleasure visits of ninety days or less by nationals of countries designated by the Secretary of State.
Source: Message to Congress upon Resubmitting Legislation (APP#29)
Jan 26, 1971
On Environment:
Built the SST; environmental concerns will be met
Q. The two reports on the supersonic transport have been kept secret. Now a group of conservationists and others are in court asking that one of these reports be made public. Will you?A. The problem here is that when reports are prepared f
President, they are supposed to be held in confidence and some of those who participate in the making of those reports have that assurance. Now, with regard to the SST, I have satisfied myself, after long deliberation and considering both of
reports, that the arguments with regard to the environment could be met, that this prototype should be built. What is involved here is not just 150,000 jobs which will be lost if we don't build it; but what is lost here is the fact that the U
been first in the world in commercial aviation from the time of the Wright brothers, decides not just to be second but not even to show. I think the US should build it, and I believe that we can answer the arguments of the conservationists
Source: The President's News Conference (APP#454)
Dec 10, 1970
On Technology:
Technology misused damages environment; but can restore it
We see a natural environment; true it's been damaged by careless nuisances and misuses of technology. But we also see that that same technology gives us ability, the ability to clean up that environment, to restore the clean air, the clean wa
open spaces, that are our rightful heritage. And I pledge we shall do that and can do it in America.Oh, I know the fashionable line among some: Wouldn't it be great to live in a country that didn't have all these problems of material progr
Not at all. I've been to them. I've seen them. And I simply would like to say to you that great as our problems are as a result of our material progress, we can do things for ourselves and for others that need to be done, and we must see it i
Look at our Nation. We're rich, and sometimes that is condemned because wealth can sometimes be used improperly.
Source: Address at Kansas State University (APP#295)
Sep 16, 1970
On Environment:
Establish the Environmental Protection Agency
Our national government today is not structured to make a coordinated attack on the pollutants which debase the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that grows our food. Indeed, the present governmental structure for dealing with
environmental pollution often defies effective and concerted action. Despite its complexity, for pollution control purposes the environment must be perceived as a single, interrelated system. Present assignments of departmental responsibiliti
reflect this interrelatedness.A far more effective approach to pollution control would:- Identify pollutants.
- Trace them through the entire ecological chain, observing and recording changes in form as they occur.
- Determine the tot
of man and his environment.
- Examine interactions among forms of pollution.
- Identify where in the ecological chain interdiction would be most appropriate.
Source: Message to Congress to Establish the EPA (APP#215)
Jul 9, 1970
Page last updated: Dec 12, 2018