This Day In 1970's History: Thursday January 20, 1972
- President Nixon delivered two State of the Union messages to Congress, one detailed written version and a 30-minute television speech. Nixon is seeking action on unrealized goals that were set in his 1971 speech: welfare reform, revenue sharing, government reorganization, health care, and the environment. Senator William Saxbe called the President's speech "excellent". Rep. Gerald Ford said that he is impressed with the new proposal for financing education with less real estate tax, but Rep. John Ashbrook criticized the President for not cutting back ineffective programs.
Senator Edmund Muskie said that Nixon's proposals are not good enough; Senator Hubert Humphrey wants more specifics; Senator Henry Jackson referred to the speech as the Republican party's political campaign platform. Alabama Governor George Wallace stated that he is pleased with President Nixon's plan to return schools to local control. [CBS]
- In his speech, President Nixon disclosed more military expenditures in the 1972 budget, including funds for a submarine missile launcher. The action is being taken in order to prompt more Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with Russia. [CBS]
- A U.S. Phantom jet was shot down over Laos; the crewmen were rescued. South Vietnam is preparing for another Tet offensive by the North, so U.S. troops have been flown into the Central Highlands, where the offensive is expected to occur. Amercian B-52s bombed Communist troop concentrations near border areas. [CBS]
- Five U.S. soldiers were listed as killed in action in Vietnam last week; 26 were wounded. [CBS]
- The U.S. delegation to the Paris Peace Talks pressed the Communists for information on American POWs. Ambassador William Porter was absent; he is reportedly back in Washington for a conference with the President and the State Department, seeking a strategy to break the impasse at the talks. [CBS]
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