CHAPTER 21 



RESPONSE OF THE PRESIDENT 



The White House, May 25, 1965 



Following the reports of the panel chairmen, the delegates as- 

 sembled in the East Room of the White House. A brief summary 

 of the panel reports was given to the President by Mr. Rockefeller, 

 Senator Fred S. Farr, Edmund Bacon, William H. Whyte, and Mrs. 

 Arthur Whittemore. 



Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, Mrs. Johnson, members of 

 the Cabinet, distinguished members of Congress, delegates of The 

 White House Conference on Natural Beauty. 



We are most honored to have this opportunity to report to you. 

 We believe it may be unique for a President to ask so large a group 

 to report personally to him in the White House. 



At your direction, for two days we have been meeting to develop 

 new ideas and new directions in making this country a better and 

 more beautiful place to live. The reports you have just heard are, 

 of course, only the highlights. There were many exciting and pro- 

 ductive ideas, and we believe that the great enthusiasm the conference 

 has generated will have many consequences. 



Again, let me express the appreciation of this conference for your 

 leadership and your interest and for your hospitality today. 



Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. 



The PRESIDENT. Today I worked and thought about problems in 

 Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. 



I had to consider decisions which might affect the security of this 

 country, the lives of Americans, and the destiny of other nations. Yet 

 this may be the most important thing that I have done and am doing 

 today, and I am confident this is the most important group that I will 

 see. For this is part of what all the rest is for. 



We have increased the wealth of our Nation and the prosperity of 

 our people. Yet we do not do this simply to swell our bank deposits, 



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