This Day In 1970's History: Wednesday January 19, 1977
- Jimmy Carter came to Washington on the eve of his inauguration as President, to join in festivities and to review and endorse or revise his advisers' draft proposals of legislation to spur the economy and ease the plight of the unemployed. His inaugural address is expected to be an outline of goals with few specifics. He will preside at his first National Security Council meeting Saturday morning. [New York Times]
- President Ford's last full day in office saw the rejection of a general amnesty for Vietnam war deserters and draft evaders although he did direct that deserters who had been wounded or decorated and received a less-than-honorable discharge would receive full veterans rights if they had already asked for clemency. He also directed the Federal Energy Administration to lift gasoline price controls as of March 1, subject to a veto by either house of Congress. [New York Times]
- Henry Kissinger's last day as Secretary of State found him cautiously hopeful and convinced that the country needs a period of tranquility and confidence to which he hoped to contribute. He said in an interview that he had many regrets but was generally proud of his eight years of Washington service. [New York Times]
- Elliot Richardson in his final day as Secretary of Commerce announced $730 million in loan guarantees to the General Dynamics Corporation to help build seven ships to carry liquefied natural gas between Indonesia and Japan. The decision was complicated by the company's payment of a $3 million commission to Park Tong Sun, also known as Tongsun Park, a South Korean businessman whose actions have been questioned. [New York Times]
- Consumer price inflation was lower in 1976 than in any year since 1972, the Department of Labor reported. A modest increase of four-tenths of 1 percent in December brought the consumer price index to 4.8 percent above December 1975, compared with an inflation rate of 8.8 percent in 1973, 12.2 in 1974 and 7 in 1975. [New York Times]
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