Alternate History 🇺🇸 November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

[Sergeant Foley]

President Rockefeller's 4th State of the Union Address
8:00 PM EST, Tuesday, January 23, 1979
US House of Representatives Chambers; US Capitol
Washington, DC.

President Nelson Rockefeller praying before delivering his 4th and presumably final State of the Union Address.
​

Following his long successful foreign trips to Paraguay, France, Barbados, Haiti, Brazil and the Argentine Republic (December 29, 1978-January 20, 1979), President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller arrived inside the US House of Representatives chambers of the US Capitol in Washington, DC., to deliver his fourth State of the Union Address (presumably the last of his presidency) before large bipartisan group of lawmakers and the entire nation. The 39th President, whose approval ratings were now around 92% with only 1% disapproving plus with the repeal and abolishing of the 22nd Amendment with the Stability of American Government Act (which Rocky signed into law during the lame-duck session of the 95th Congress in the Fall of 1978), was now emboldened and determined to get a 50 State sweep in his 1980 reelection campaign.

President Rockefeller was greeted cheerfully, after 437 members of the US House of Representatives and all 102 United States Senators welcomed him with standing ovations. He opened his speech by congratulating the Class of the 96th Congress from the 1978 midterm elections on their victories in both houses of Congress. The first half of his speech focused on domestic policy agenda outlines and goals for the year; Rockefeller presented a very aggressive, ambitious agenda for 1979 which he quoted as "1979: The Year of Action" with countless policy agenda items: new infrastructure program for waterways; enactment of the Wilder/Jackson/Percy/Ferre Transportation proposal into law; anti-discrimination measures in promoting equal pay for women and minorities. In light of the budget surplus projected for the fiscal year, President Rockefeller proposed a law which requires the federal government spending a third of the surplus into debt reductions. "We know that despite having a record budget surplus, it's significant that spending at least a targeted amount of it will pay down our debt and putting our fiscal house in order, so that future generations of Americans can live well and be more prosperous." The other funds available Rockefeller suggested, should be spent on drug prevention programs, healthcare, anti-poverty initiatives, raising wages for government employees after previous administrations had blocked such original efforts and legislation.

On Foreign Policy, President Rockefeller highlighted his long foreign trips to Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, where he pointed to many of the diplomatic successes his administration had achieved during the previous year. He added: "While we've got every good reason to be extremely proud of this record on foreign policy and international affairs including national defense, now is NOT the time to retreat from the world stage during difficult times as we close out this decade. With the current situation in Iran which is ongoing, American leadership is needed more than ever as both a force of peace and military strength." The President also doubled-down on defending his Good Neighbor Policy initiative which majority of the countries across the world overwhelmingly approve of the United States; Furthermore, he also mentioned the successful Mideast Peace Accords between Israel and Egypt; Rockefeller also commended US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson's hardworking efforts on the unresolved Cyrus conflict with diplomatic intervention measures in order to resolve similar international conflicts.

He finished his long speech (which lasted about 2 hours and 57 minutes) by strongly urging lawmakers in both political parties to work across the political aisle and finding common ground plus common sense solutions to issues that Americans and the world are facing. Calling for unity, the President ended the speech with this: "I want to thank the American people once again for giving me the privilege of serving as your President and leading this great country of ours into the Era of Greatness. God Bless You all and God Bless the United States of America!"

Nobody realized that this would be the last time Rocky would be giving a speech on national television.....

The next day, after delivering his fourth State of the Union Address, Rockefeller was making plans on getting some rest and relaxation. He had just finished his physical medical checkup at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland on January 24th before getting aboard Marine One and flying over to Andrews Air Force Base, which he then boarded Air Force One which took off for his home state of New York State.

COMING UP NEXT IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Chapter 6 will be focused on the final moments of Rocky at his NYC townhouse on the evening hours of January 26, 1979. Stay tuned

 

[Sergeant Foley]

AUTHOR'S DISCLAIMER NOTE: The opening installment of Chapter 6 will be quite super erotic, NFSW-style; viewer discretion advised. Enjoy 😉

Chapter 6: Rocky's last moments alive
10:47 PM EST, Friday, January 26, 1979
25 West 54th Street
Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York State

Reenactment scene from the controversial movie/documentary "The Last Days of Rocky" which details how the 39th President really died.​

Rocky was thoroughly aggressively penetrating the vagina of his beautiful confidential secretary Megan Marshak inside his secret townhouse apartment in Midtown Manhattan on the evening of Friday, January 26, 1979.

Megan was lying on her back with her legs spread wide open as she felt Rocky's large penis aggressively and slowly penetrating her vagina, stretching it extremely wide to the point of Megan moaning, "Rocky baby, give it to me" as they kissed during their secret sex escapade. Rocky gave Megan tongue and told her "You want me sweetie. Say my nickname"; Megan moaned again "Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!" as the secret lovers' beautiful sex escapade continued.

Meanwhile outside the townhouse apartment in the middle of the night was US Secret Service agent Melanie Rousseau of Baton Rouge, Louisiana who was in the passenger seat of the automobile parked in front of the townhouse, she was reading the newspaper distracted by what Rocky was really doing, "Rockefeller sure does love the beautiful ladies" Rousseau smirked as the chauffeur responded laughingly, "President Rockefeller has like a 73% approval rating among women all over the United States. Probably 100% across the world".

Now back inside the townhouse apartment: Rocky was still thoroughly penetrating Megan when suddenly before 11:00 PM EST, he collapsed.

Megan was drenched with sweat (still lying on her back in the bed), happily smiled "Ahhh. It was so beautiful baby" as she kissed Rocky on the lips; she noticed he didn't respond and tried to wake him up "Baby, you're awake? Mr. President?" when she lifted his head up seeing a huge smile on Rocky's face but he wasn't breathing at all. "Oh my God. Rocky please don't die baby" Megan cried as she struggled to get out because she was aggressively pinned underneath him.

After awhile, Megan finally got free by crawling out of the bed naked and barefoot, she grabbed the phone by pressing the secret gadget button, which alerted Melanie, who radioed for an ambulance "don't use the loud sirens please. This is a state secret!"

Back inside the townhouse apartment, Megan was still naked and barefoot, she was also nervously sweating alot; calling one of her close friends, Ponchitta Pierce, who arrived and found the 39th President of the United States naked on the bed. "Please go back to the beginning and please explain what happened?" Megan explained the situation to her friend and begged for help, "You have to help me because if the paramedics barge in here, they're going to put two and two together in finding out what happened."

In the meantime, the chauffeur of the automobile that Rocky used for his secret rendezvous escapades, kept a lookout on the surroundings. It was quiet on a late Friday night, "I think I see the ambulance right agent Rousseau."

Rousseau motioned the ambulance to park near the walkway leading to the townhouse apartment and strongly recommend the paramedics "delay your reports because this is a matter of national security". (Likely that Ponchitta called 911 for medical assistance as Megan was trying her best to recesiutate Rocky)

When the paramedics got inside the secret townhouse apartment, they didn't recognize that the naked man lying unconscious on the bed was the 39th President of the United States of America.

"How long has he been out?" asked one of the paramedics. Megan (who was only wearing a robe with slippers) gasped "five minutes". One of the other paramedics looked at the surroundings and found it unusual for a secret "working at the office". In his view, it didn't feel right at all.

Paramedic William McCabe radioed what they saw and the ongoing situation, "The person in question needs immediate medical attention. I feel it's necessary if we take him to nearby Saint Clare's Hospital right now." On the other line was Dr. Ernest Esakor, who gave McCabe stern instructions: "You will NOT be going to Saint Clare. The orders have been issued that you take Empire Bridge over to Lenox Hill Hospital at once!"

Suspicious on why Esakor was ordering him to take Rocky to another hospital the long way: "With all due respect, it's going to take a long drive getting to Lenox Hill because the patient might not survive during the ambulance ride. I feel it's important we take him to Saint Clare now."

"Look you fucking piece of SHIT! The orders are issued to take Empire Bridge over to Lenox Hill. Follow these orders and I'll meet you at the emergency entrance."

Upon arriving at Lenox Hill Hospital at 11:15 PM, they covered Rocky up with a large blanket accompanied by at least six secret service agents who were guarding their posts in the surrounding areas when Rocky suffered his heart attack.

Despite their hardworking efforts, Rocky was officially declared dead at 12:20 AM EST. After placing large white sheet on Rocky's body, Dr. Esakof informed the paramedics who were outside of the operating room: "All right. Let's not talk about this....Empire Bridge has fallen. You will NOT report any of this ever. Do you both understand?" It didn't take long for McCabe to figure out it was President Rockefeller lying dead on the operating table. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, the 39th President of the United States was officially dead after suffering a heart attack during secret sex escapade. Rousseau radioed superiors in Washington, DC on what happened: she then informed US Army First Lieutenant Ezekiel Mktchell, who was holding the nuclear football, which was then confiscated. This officially ended the presidency of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller. White House Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman was notified on the situation and arrived at the hospital, where Rousseau gave detailed accounts on what transpired. Whitman walked into a private chapel where she had to gather herself by calming down, "Holy SHIT! Rocky what were you thinking?" before calling Dr. Esakof over for his version of events. Whitman walked into Esakof's office and had to deliver the awful news to Rocky's family that Rocky passed away.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Regularly scheduled programming is interrupted.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: PRESIDENT NELSON ROCKEFELLER DIES; STRICKEN BY HEART ATTACK. HE WAS 70 YEARS OLD

The Honorable Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller
(July 8, 1908-January 26, 1979)
39th President of the United States
September 5, 1975-January 26, 1979
41st Vice President of the United States
December 19, 1974-September 5, 1975
49th Governor of New York State
January 1, 1959-December 18, 1973
1st United States Under Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare
June 11, 1953-December 22, 1954
1st United States Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs
December 20, 1944-August 17, 1945
​

*Shocking News as the nation and the entire world mourns the death of the 39th President of the United States.
*Reports indicate President Rockefeller was working in his office at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, New York State when he suffered the heart attack.
*Spokesperson for the White House confirms the President's death.
*Vice President Linwood Holton to be sworn into office as the 40th President of the United States.

Americans woke up to the shocking news that came out of nowhere: President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller passed away from a heart attack while working inside his office at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, New York State.

Based on eyewitness accounts, President Rockefeller had a busy packed schedule all day that Friday: holding closed-door meetings with senior staff about the infrastructure projects he had mentioned from the 1979 State of the Union Address on January 23rd. Followinga private dinner, Rockefeller went back to work at his private office suite which was guarded by three Secret Service agents outside, one of whom noticed a red buzzer flashing when they opened the door to find the President on the floor with papers splattered.

NBC News reported that Rockefeller was rushed to Lenox Hill Hospital where he was officially pronounced dead at 12:20 AM EST.

White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen held an emergency press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC., confirming that Vice President Linwood Holton will be taking the oath of office as the 40th President of the United States inside the East Room of the White House and will be addressing the nation later this morning.

For the first time in American history, Rockefeller's death makes it the second time within four years that an incumbent President of the United States died in office, following the assassination of then-President Gerald Rudolph on September 5, 1975.

With Rockefeller's sudden death, this makes Richard Nixon as the only living former President.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: The impromptu inauguration of Linwood Holton as the 40th President of the United States.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

The Cover-up and Getting the Cover Story perfectly straightened out
1:00 AM EST, Saturday, January 27, 1979
​

While the cover story of Rocky "working at the office" inside Rockefeller Center was being successfully put out to the public, over at an undisclosed location, there was a secret autopsy of the 39th President of the United States.

Performing the secret autopsy was Miranda Dominguez, who was given full access of conducting this secret activity. Of course, Miranda was also one of Rocky's secret mistresses.

Anyway, Miranda carefully removed all of the organs out of Rocky's body and determined the cause of death was that of a heart attack during sexual intercourse; "You just couldn't control yourself didn't you Rocky?" she said to herself as she sewed up his body, cleaning him up and began the thorough embalming process which took a few days to finish.

The undisclosed location was somewhere in a heavily secluded area guarded by at least five security detail agents because it was in the name of "guarding Empire Bridge at all costs".

While Miranda was using her intriguing techniques of the embalming process, the Cover-up began to take shape: Megan Marshak, the confidential secretary who was having sex with Rocky when he died, was paid $73,000.00 and an additional $6.6 million to leave the country quietly; she was secretly flown to Denmark and permanently exiled there for the rest of her life.

Second phase of the Cover-up: successfully paying off Ponchitta Pierece by giving her a job in the Rockefeller Foundation branch out in Westwood, California.

Third phase of the Cover-up: Getting rid of any incriminating evidence of Rocky being at his secret townhouse apartment by removing all of the clothes, books, etc.,

Fourth phase of the Cover-up: Increase payment and promotions of the security detail who were guarding the townhouse apartment on the late evening hours of January 26th.

Fifth phase of the Cover-up: Everyone else agreed the story of Rocky dying in his office at the Rockefeller Center was working successfully and the reporters who were reporting on the news of the President's death had been explicitly told by their superiors: "The official story is President Rockefeller was working inside his office at Rockefeller Center when the fatal heart attack struck".

This was one of the most successful cover-ups in history and it was working non-stop.

COMING UP SOON IN CHAPTER 6: Funeral arrangements announced for Rocky.

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Answering the Call to Serving the United States: Presidency of Linwood Holton
11:00 AM EST, Saturday, January 27, 1979
East Room, White House
Washington, DC

Holton's official portrait as the 40th President of the United States
​

It was 11:00 AM EST on Saturday, January 27th. An estimated 200 guests arrived inside the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC as news of the shocking sudden death of President Rockefeller begins to spread throughout the corridors of the nation's capital city and throughout the entire world.

Since the nuclear football was quickly confiscated the second Rocky was declared dead at Lenox Hill Hospital over in Manhattan, this ended the Presidency of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller even though Linwood Holton wouldn't officially be taking the oath of office for several hours. Life for Linwood and Jinks Holton dramatically changed upon getting the mournful telephone call from White House Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman earlier on Saturday morning around 1:30 AM while he was in bed over at the Number One Observatory Circle.

For the first time since James Monroe (1817-1825), a Virginian was occupying the office of the Presidency.

Going back to the subdued inauguration festivities, US Treasury Secretary David Rockefeller was seated in the front row representing the Rockefeller family following the passing of his older brother and the emotion he must've been grasping on what had happened was emotional as well as shocking because he had just gotten back from an economic briefing with Rocky less than 24 hours earlier at the Rockefeller Center.

US Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger came to the podium and addressed the crowd on the achievements and legacy of the late President Rockefeller, then called on America's new President to come to the podium to take the Oath of Office as Holton's wife, Jinks was holding the Holton family Bible.

"I, Abner Linwood Holton, Jr., do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States. And will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."
(Respectful mild round of applause ensues).

11:39 AM EST: Linwood Holton was inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States.

Chief Justice Burger took his seat next to the new First Lady Jinks Holton, who listened as her husband began his inaugural address.

President Holton: "Chief Justice Burger; members of the Presidential Cabinet; distinguished guests; your excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps and my fellow Americans.

Our nation has suffered a devastating enormous loss. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, who served as the 39th President of the United States for three and a half years with countless of accomplishments, achievements and lead this great country of ours out of the depths of the post-Watergate, post-Vietnam eras into the era of greatness, whose policies brought in millions and millions of jobs for all Americans; who brought economic stability, strong foreign policy and national defense including bringing peace with strength to millions throughout the world, has passed away.

To the Rockefeller family, whose grief we're all sharing today. This is a family with years of philanthropic work and public service: a family who lost one of its finest sons today. Please know that we're here with you and we're praying for you as we will always remember the 39th President of the United States. Will you please join me in a moment of silence.......

(Silence)

Like many of you, I've had the honor of serving proudly in this administration as the 42nd Vice President of the United States. I am proud of the record of the Rockefeller/Holton administration with record budget surplus; improving our economy with zero-based budgeting in tough times; successful foreign policy agenda such as the Good Neighbor Policy which has resolved long conflicts throughout the world such as Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asian Pacific.

Let the world know that under President Rockefeller's administration, we achieved the Middle East Peace Accords between Israel and Egypt, which has resulted in one of the most successful diplomatic endeavors that had previously eluded previous Presidents.

My fellow Americans, let's continue the work that President Rockefeller left us.

Despite having been elected to the Vice Presidency, I am acutely aware that you didn't elect me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers as I begin this difficult job. And I hope that such prayers will become the first of many.

If you haven't elected me to the Presidency by secret ballots, neither have I gained office with secret promises nor employment opportunities. I haven't subscribed to any partisan platform. I am indebted to no man, and only to one woman---my beloved dear wife, Jinks.

In all my public and private acts as the 40th President of the United States, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honestly is always the best policy in the end.

In 203 years since winning independence following the American Revolutionary War, this is the American spirit. It is the patriotic spirit of America that President Rockefeller believed in. Our Constitution works despite imperfections; our great Republic is a Government of laws. Here the people rule. But there is a higher power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy.

The outlined objectives of my Presidency will be further discussed in a joint session of Congress to be held at a later date; I have spoken with the congressional leaders of both political parties on working together because the American people sent us here to do the people's business.

Let's get to work! God willing, I will work hard everyday in not letting you down.

God Bless the Rockefeller family, God Bless the legacy of the 39th President of the United States Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller and God Bless the United States of America."

Holton signs executive order calling for 30-days of national mourning

Following his inauguration, President Linwood Holton walked into the Oval Office for the first time as the 40th President and signed executive orders which ordered all flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in all 51 States including US Territories of US Virgin Islands; Guam; Norrhern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.

President Holton asks Cabinet to stay in place.
Upon the sudden death of President Nelson Rockefeller in the late evening hours of January 26th, the Rockefeller administration became the Holton administration.

During a midday Cabinet meeting, President Linwood Holton asked all of the Cabinet Secretaries to remain in their current positions. They've all agreed to remain serving in their respective posts.

The Holton Administration (since January 26, 1979)
President: Linwood Holton (R-VA)
Vice President: TBD
Secretary of State: Malcolm Wilson (R-NY St)
Attorney General: Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)
Secretary of Defense: John Tower (R-TX)
Secretary of the Treasury: David Rockefeller (R-NY St)
Secretary of Commerce: Elliot Richardson (R-MA)
Secretary of the Interior: Cecil Andrus (D-ID)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patricia Roberts Harris (D-DC)
Secretary of Energy: James Schlesinger (R-VA)
Secretary of Labor: William Usery, Jr., (R-GA)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Joseph Califano, Jr., (D-DC)
Secretary of Education: Shirley Hufsteider (D-CA)
Secretary of Transportation: William Thaddeus Coleman (R-PA)
Secretary of Agriculture: Kika De La Garza (D-TX)
Director of the Office of Management and Budget: James Thomas Lynn (R-OH)
US Trade Representative: Frederick Dent (R-SC)
US Ambassador to the United Nations: Daniel J. Evans (R-WA St)
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Clarence M. Kelley (R-MO)
Director of Central Intelligence: George HW Bush (R-TX)
National Security Adviser: Brent Scowcroft (R-VA)
White House Chief of Staff: Ann C. Whitman (R-NY St)

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ANNOUNCED FOR PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER

*Sunday, January 28, 1979: White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen announced during a press briefing at the White House on the latest details of funeral arrangements for the late President Nelson Rockefeller. The following details have been released via the Rockefeller family:

Public Viewing:
Tuesday, January 30, 1979-Wednesday, January 31, 1979
Riverside Church
Manhattan, New York State

Departure Honors Ceremony:
Wednesday, January 31, 1979
Stewart Air National Guard Base
Newburgh, New York State
*"Hail to the Chief" will be performed by the US Coast Guard Band
*21 Cannon Salute will be fired by the New York State Army National Guard
*Soon afterwards, the flag-draped casket of President Rockefeller will be placed aboard Air Force One for the final trip to Washington, DC.

Arrival Honors:
Wednesday, January 31, 1979
Andrews Air Force Base
Camp Springs, Maryland
*"Hail to the Chief" will be performed as the 21 Cannon Salute is fired by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit.

Procession details:
*The flag-draped casket of President Rockefeller will be placed aboard horse-drawn caisson upon stopping at the White House.
*Long lines of mourners are expected to be lining up the streets of the procession route all the way toward the West Front Grounds of the US Capitol.
*The procession will stop on the steps of the West Front Grounds of the US Capitol.

Arrival Honors Ceremony:
Wednesday January 31, 1979
US Capitol West Front Grounds
Washington, DC.
*"Hail to the Chief" performed by the US Marine Band
*21 Cannon Salute will be fired by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit.

Service of Rememberance
Wednesday, January 31, 1979
4:00 PM EST
US Capitol Rotunda
*Speeches delivered by US House Speaker Tip O'Neill (D-MA); US Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd (D-WV) and US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson.

Lying in Repose
Wednesday, January 31-Saturday, February 3, 1979
US Capitol Rotunda
Washington, DC

State Funeral:
Saturday, February 3, 1979
11:00 AM EST
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC

Departure Honors Ceremony:
Saturday, February 3, 1979
Andrews Air Force Base
Camp Springs, Maryland

Arrival Honors Ceremony:
Saturday, February 3, 1979
Stewart Air National Guard Base
Newburgh, New York State

Lying in Repose:
Saturday, February 3-Tuesday, February 6, 1979
New York State Capitol Rotunda
Albany, New York State

Funeral Service:
Tuesday, February 6, 1979
10:00 AM EST
Empire State Plaza Convention Center
Albany, New York State

Final Resting Place
Rockefeller Family Cemetery
Sleepy Hollow, New York State
*Flyover conducted by the New York State Air National Guard
*21 Cannon Salute will be fired by the New York State Army National Guard

Nessen confirmed that upon completion of the Nelson Rockefeller Presidential Library in Albany, New York State; the late President Rockefeller will be entombed there at a later date in several years.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@The Immortal Watch Dog @bintananth @WolfBear @Buba @Tiamat @49ersfootball

COMING UP THIS WEEK IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Upcoming Installments will be heavily focused on the day-to-day basis of the ramifications of Rocky's sudden death.

Chapter 6 is likely heavily going to be focused on the State Funeral festivities for President Rockefeller and keep an eye out for the international guest list of Heads of State; Monarchs; Diplomatic Corps on who'll be attending Rocky's State Funeral. 😎

 

[Sergeant Foley]

MOURNERS PAYING RESPECTS TO THE LATE PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER

Flag-draped casket of President Nelson Rockefeller lying in repose at the Riverside Church.

Beginning in the morning hours of Tuesday, January 30th, mourners slowly filing past the flag-draped casket of President Nelson Rockefeller inside the Riverside Church in Manhattan. An estimated 3,000+ arrived to pay their respects to the 39th President of the United States. Among the dignitaries paying their respects: New York City Mayor Ed Koch (D); US Reps. Charlie Rangel (D-NY St); Jack Kemp (R-NY St); Shirley Chisholm (D-NY St); Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY St); United States Senator Jacob Javits (R-NY St); Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein (D); former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton (D); Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden (D); Staten Island Borough President Anthony Gaeta (D); Queen Borough President Donald Manes (D); former New York City Mayors John Lindsay (D) and Abraham Beame (D).

COMING UP NEXT IN CHAPTER 6: THE FINAL TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC FOR ROCKY

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Profile on Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and his wife, Farah Pahlavi

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Full-scale analysis on the accomplishments of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller as the 39th President of the United States
(September 5, 1975 to January 26, 1979)

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER LIES IN REPOSE AT THE US CAPITOL ROTUNDA

President Rockefeller lying in repose at the US Capitol Rotunda.

From the evening hours of January 31 until the early morning hours of February 3rd, approximately an estimated 6,773+ paid their respects to the 39th President inside the US Capitol Rotunda. This was an emotional moment for many people, who still couldn't grasp the reality of Rocky's sudden death.

Among those who paid their respects: British Prime Minister James Callaghan; French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; Mexican President General Oscar Robles; Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew; Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran; King Hussein of Jordan; Israeli Prime Minister Menachen Begin; Gabonese President Omar Bongo; Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley; Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet; Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel; King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain.

During the Lying in Repose period, there were thousands and thousands lined up down the streets leading up to the US Capitol West Front Grounds, where security was aggressively tight due to the large number of foreign Heads of State expected to be in attendance at the State Funeral on Saturday, February 3rd.

CBS News, NBC News and ABC News brought long full coverage broadcasting the services.

On February 1st, President Linwood Holton and First Lady Jinks Holton arrived to pay their respects to Rocky inside the US Capitol Rotunda. Holton placed a Presidential wreath near the flag-draped casket and bowed his head before saluting the casket and leaving. Members of the Rockefeller family arrived from the Blair House to greet hundreds of mourners thanking them for their prayers, letters and encouraging words of comfort. West Virginia Governor Jay Rockefeller personally greeted mourners face-to-face, hugging them who offered their condolences.

Large numbers of visitors paying their respects included huge majorities of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and women.

Members of the Presidential Cabinet paid their respects to Rocky as well: US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson; US Secretary of Defense John Tower; US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III; US Transportation Secretary William Thaddeus Coleman; US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Patricia Roberts Harris; US Agriculture Secretary Kika De La Garza; Director of Central Intelligence George HW Bush; US Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel J. Evans (who arrived in the late night hours of February 2nd from New York City).

 

[Sergeant Foley]

State Funeral of His Excellency Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller
39th President of the United States
11:00 AM EST, Saturday, February 3, 1979
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC.

State Funeral of President Nelson Rockefeller held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
​

On the morning of February 3, 1979, a large State Funeral in Washington, DC., was held in Rockefeller's honor at the Washington National Cathedral which was officiated by The Right Reverend John Thomas Walker, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral and The Most Reverend John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. The main speakers of the State Funeral were President Linwood Holton; US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III; US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson, a longtime personal friend of the late President. Happy Rockefeller, the former First Lady, also spoke before the packed congregation (an estimated 3,773 attended the State Funeral in the church's 4,000 capacity of seats which some of whom had to be vacant for security reasons) to honoring her late husband of 16 years.

Several political leaders from both political parties were in attendance as well: Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R); Illinois Governor James R. Thompson (R); Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards (D); former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, Jr., (D), the 1976 Democratic Party presidential nominee; North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., (D); Puerto Rico Governor Carlos Romero Barcelo (PNP/D); United States Senators Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), Daniel Inouye (D-HI); Ted Stevens (R-AK); Alan Cranston (D-CA); Lawton Chiles (D-FL); Sam Nunn (D-GA); L. Douglas Wilder (D-VA); Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY St) and Jacob Javits (R-NY St); Adlai Stevenson, III (D-IL) and Charles Percy (R-IL); J. Bennett Johnston (D-LA) and Russell B. Long (D-LA); Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) and Mark W. White, Jr., (D-TX); Luis A. Ferre (PNP/R-PR) and Juan Cancel Rios (PDP/D-PR); Henry M. Jackson (D-WA St) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA St).

Actors, actresses, businesspeople; sports stars and other rank-in-file individuals were also in attendance. Many of the foreign heads of state were in attendance as well: Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla; Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet; Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel; Paraguayan President General Alfred Stroessner; Uruguayan President Aparicio Mendez; Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvailier; Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley; Mexican President General Oscar Robles and his wife, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi; Gabonese President Omar Bongo; Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda; Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo; Liberian President William R. Tolbert, Jr.,; Senegalese President Leopold Sedar Senghor; Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Eric Williams; Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser; Colombian President Major General Seymour Quintero and his wife, Colombian First Lady Josefa Quintero; Egyptian President Anwar Sadat; Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin; Bahamian Prime Minister Lynden Pindling; Barbadian Prime Minister Tom Adams; King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of Belgium; Belizean Premier George Cadle Price; Bostwanian President Serestse Khama and his wife Bostwanian First Lady Ruth Williams Khama; Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain; Taiwanese President Chiang Ching-kuo; Republic of Korea President Park Chung-hee and his daughter, defacto ROK First Lady Park Geun-hye; Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos; King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan; Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco; Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran; French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (husband of Queen Elizabeth II), who represented the British Royal Family.

This was the most-watched State Funeral across the entire world which was ranked #1 at the time. Following the State Funeral, President Rockefeller's flag-draped casket was driven back to Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland for a final 21 Cannon Salute before being flown back to his home state of New York State on Air Force One for his final trip back home. From the evening hours of February 3rd until the early morning hours of February 6th, New Yorkers lined up the streets leading up to the New York State Capitol in downtown Albany on Capitol Plaza, where they paid their respects to their former four-term Governor and the 39th President. On the morning of February 6th, there was a final funeral service held for Rocky inside the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, where an estimated 5,000 were in attendance; eulogies were delivered by members of the Rockefeller family including Rocky's nephew, West Virginia Governor Jay Rockefeller (D).

Following the funeral services at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, the funeral cortege drove in a slow procession all the way toward the Rockefeller Family Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York State where a small circle of family and friends including President Holton and members of the Presidential Cabinet were present when Rocky was laid to rest with full military honors including the 21 Cannon Salute which was fired by the Field Artillery of the New York State Army National Guard and a flyover from the New York State Air National Guard (this was televised on all of the major networks including television stations across the world); President Holton presented the folded American flag (which was flown during Rocky's 1977 Inauguration) to Happy Rockefeller soon afterwards. At 6:00 PM EST, Rocky's casket was lowered into the ground following the Rite of Committal.

Four years later, in the Spring of 1983, following the dedication of the Nelson Rockefeller Presidential Library in Albany, New York State: Rocky's body was exhumed, embalmed and mummified: then placed in a new casket (silver casket) and secretly entombed in the private courtyard of the Rockefeller Presidential Library Grounds in the middle of the night. New York State government took elaborate measures to making Rocky's tomb secure. The tomb's marble floor included a trapdoor that leads to a compartment and under that compartment, there is a second trapdoor and second compartment and that is where Rocky's coffin rests.

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Full in-depth analysis on the Presidency of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.

FAIR WARNING: It will be super LONG 😃

 

[Sergeant Foley]

The following installments will focus on detailed analysis on the administration of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller as the 39th President of the United States from September 5, 1975 until his death on January 26, 1979.

ECONOMY:

Upon ascending to the Presidency following Ford's shocking assassination on September 5, 1975, President Rockefeller's first main priorities was tackling inflation, unemployment and the economic malaise that had grappled the country.

Fighting the inflation crisis, Rockefeller held a summit conference of economists and representatives of various segments of the economy in late September 1975 discussing ways of combating inflation, he delivered a Special Address to Joint Session of Congress on September 27, 1975, calling for enactment of tax increases and other measures to hold down prices.

He also asked Americans to join in the mobilization of volunteers participating in the revamped Whip Inflation Now Movement (WINM); he urged consumers to buy less and save more. In response to Rockefeller's urging of buying less, many consumers stopped purchasing new cars, TV sets and appliances. During this period, the inflation rate dropped from 12 to 6.6 percent; yet the cost to the economy was very steep as a result of these efforts. By October 1975, the hard-hit automobile manufacturing companies were closing down plants and laying off workers. By November, more than a million additional workers had lost their jobs plus Wall Street stock values plummeted by nearly 57 percent from the year's high.

When he delivered his first State of the Union Address on January 19, 1976 to a joint session of the 94th Congress, President Rockefeller put a blunt assessment on the inflation crisis, unemployment and economic recession: "My fellow Americans, I must say to you tonight that the State of Union is not good at all. Millions of Americans are out of work. Recession and inflation are eroding the money of millions more. Prices are too high, and sales are too slow. Tough decisions must be made right now!"

Reversing the appeal he had made four months earlier when calling for tax increases, President Rockefeller now asked Congress for an immediate tax reduction with rebates to taxpayers on their 1975 payments. Congress responded quickly with a $25.6 billion tax reduction that was signed by Rockefeller on March 25, 1976. Earlier, he had signed emergency $5.6 billion legislation to extending unemployment benefits and providing additional public service jobs.

President Rockefeller proposed a detailed specific program making the United States independent of foreign energy imports, setting the following goals:

*First, reducing oil imports by 1 million barrels per day by the end of the year and by 2 million barrels per day by the end of 1977.
*Second, ending the vulnerabilities to economic disruption by foreign suppliers by 1985.
*Third, developing our energy technology and resources so that the United States has the ability to supplying a significant share of the energy needs of the free world by the end of this century.

Urging fiscal restraint and a full financial review of New York City, New York State during its financial crisis, understanding similar times during his 14-year governorship from 1959 to 1973, Rockefeller announced in a nationwide Oval Office address, that he would be granting a federal bailout to New York City which was applauded by New York City Mayor Abraham Beame (D); New York State Governor Hugh Carey (D) and several members of the New York State congressional delegation. On October 29, 1975, he signed the NYC Seasonal Financial Act of 1975 that extended $2.3 billion worth of federal loans to the city for three years. In return, Congress ordered the city to increasing charges for city services, cancelling wage increases for city employees and dramatically reduce the number of people in its workforce.

Part of a program ro stimulating the economy and reducing unemployment, President Rockefeller asked Congress for a cut in income taxes that was approved in May 1977. The legislation reduced income taxes by about $37 billion over a three-year period, largely for low-income families. When the economy began improving in 1978, Rockefeller asked Congress for another income tax cut of $25 billion. Despite some dragged-out legislative gridlock because Congress wanted to encourage capital spending by reducing capital gains taxes, while the President believed most of the tax relief should go to middle and lower income families. Finally, Congress approved $49.6 billion tax reduction measure that Rockefeller signed on June 6, 1978. The tax reductions had some measures of success, as double-digit inflation continued to drop at a faster rate. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.0 percent by Fall 1978.
COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6: Analysis of domestic policies during the Rockefeller administration.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

DOMESTIC POLICY (Part I):

Upon ascending to the Presidency, Rockefeller began aggressively cleaning house inside the Executive White House staff and replacing several of them with his own replacements, particularly those from Albany.

James Cannon served as Executive Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council with Vice President Linwood Holton serving as Chairman of the Domestic Policy Council. Considering Rockefeller's dreadful experience during his time as Vice President under the Ford administration when Cheney and Rumsfeld including others took great joy of snubbing, sidelining and humiliating him by blocking Rockefeller's efforts of input of domestic policy.

Rockefeller made damn sure that he wasn't to repeat history again once Holton was overwhelmingly confirmed as Vice President in the Fall of 1975. Both having served as US State Governors in New York State and Virginia respectively, Rockefeller appointed Holton to the Commission on the Organization of Government for the Conduct of Foreign Policy and appointed him Chairman of the Commission on the CIA Activities within the US; National Commission on Productivity and the Committee on the Right of Privacy.

Rockefeller increased by nearly 57% the number of women; African Americans; Latinos and Asian Americans holding federal jobs; appointed women and minorities to serve on federal boards, commissions and government agencies; prohibited discrimination against women in education, employment, housing and credit applications; admitted women to the US Military Service Academies; initiated affirmative action programs for women and minorities in the federal government and strongly backed successful ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.

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COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6: Part II of Domestic Policies under the Rockefeller administration.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

DOMESTIC POLICY (PART II)

President Rockefeller switched to zero-based budgeting in which each person responsible for certain government function had to prepare a budget to perform that function. Each department or agency then had to arrange these separate budget requests in order of priority. This enabled functions with the lowest priority to be analyzed and reduced or deleted. The substantial savings resulted in providing the national treasury with $773 billion budget surplus during the Rockefeller administration.

Congress gave Rockefeller nearly a free-hand to reorganize the federal government by making it responsive to the American people. Legislation signed by the President in April 1977 reserved Congress the right to veto his reorganization plans only for a period of 60 days after they were submitted to him. First step in reorganization, the President cut down his own White House staff by 28%; abolished several agencies directly responsible to him and transferred the functions of other White House agencies to the executive departments.

The President included many women, civil rights leaders, consumer advocates and businesspeople among the 600,000+ appointments he made to key positions in government during his administration.

Upon Rockefeller's urging, Congress approved the first major Civil Service reforms since then-President Chester A. Arthur. The measure ended automatic job promotions based on lengths of service, making promotions and salary increases for federal employees dependant upon job performance. In signing the Civil Service Reforms Act into law on October 16, 1978, Rockefeller called it the main centerpiece of his administration's efforts to bringing greater efficiency to the federal government.

Following through on campaign pledges reducing government interference in private business, Rockefeller sponsored measures that were passed by Congress to cutting back the powers of agencies regulating the airlines, trucking and railroad industries.

Two new Cabinet-level departments were added to the federal government. Department of Energy came into existence in Spring 1977. James R. Schlesinger, who served as US Secretary of Defense under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, was named as the first Secretary of Energy to supervising the department's more than 21,000 employees and annual budget of more than $7 billion. Another separate department was created: Department of Education with more than 7,000 employees to administer annual budget of about $30 billion. Rockefeller appointed Federal Judge Shirley M. Huffsteider as the first Secretary of Education. With Education thus assigned to a separate department, the old Department of Health, Education and Welfare was renamed, becoming the Department of Health and Human Services.
COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 6: Foreign Policy under the Rockefeller administration

 

[Sergeant Foley]

DOMESTIC POLICY (PART III)

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African Americans:
President Rockefeller and his administration showed serious and real commitment of African Americans in the following:
*Total outlays for civil rights activities increased from $2.9 billion to $3.9 billion.
*Outlays for civil rights enforcement grew to $430 million, an increase of 26%; majority of the enforcement of civil rights laws was done by US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III and the US Justice Department, who successfully prosecuted federal civil rights cases including prosecuting the remaining surviving murderers of Emmett Till.
*Provided senior White House representation to major African American community events and initiatives.
*Signed federal legislation in Summer 1977 making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
*Outlays for equal opportunities in the US Armed Forces including the US Coast Guard totaling more than $41 million. Additional $19 million was expended for contract compliance, fair housing and Title VI.

Minority Enterprise:
*Part of the Rockefeller administration's continued strong support of efforts in expanding minority participation more than over $465 million in laws and loan guarantees to about 8,600 minority enterprises.
*The Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) continued to providing financial assistance at a level of $56 million supporting efforts in creating and expanding business ownership opportunities for minorities and stimulative private, state and local initiatives.
*Under the SBA's 8(a) procurement program, sole source contracts with minority firms increased from $32 million to $359 million.

Equal Employment Opportunities:
*Growing trend of more minorities in the middle and upper grade pay levels; over one fifth of Federal employees (25%) were from minority groups.
*Outlays for Federal civil service equal employment opportunity programs increased by 29% and towards $188 million.
*President Rockefeller directed Secretaries Coleman, Usery, Matthews and Attorney General Brooke on reviewing existing Federal Affirmative Action programs in making recommendations as how to the programs can be worked more directly and effectively without the placement of unreasonable burdens on federal contractors.

Educational Opportunities:
*The Rockefeller administration aggressively pushed for $119 million which will be obligated in supporting the improvement of developing institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
*$1.9 billion provided for disadvantaged students at the elementary and secondary school levels.
*The Office of Child Development activities primarily in the Head Start Program, received $437 million and served more than 461,000 children.

Anti-Poverty and Social Programs:
*Signed the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act which provided some 583,000+ training and employment opportunities for the unemployed and disadvantaged.
*$3 billion Child Nutrition Reform program went into effect, which eliminated complex and overlapping bureaucracy giving States more responsibility in meeting the needs of the poor.

Hispanic Americans:
*President Rockefeller provided support for the 1975 Amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which included support for specific voting guarantees Spanish-speaking and other language minority Americans.
*Appointed qualified Hispanic Americans to major boards and advisory councils such as the Presidential Clemency Board; National Council on Educational Research; Commission on International Women's Year; Corporation for Public Broadcasting of Directors.
*Provided senior White House representation to major Hispanic American community events and initiatives.
*Signed into law the Puerto Rico Statehood Admissions Act of 1977, which the US Territory the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was admitted to the Union as the 51st State of the United States.
*Sponsored White House meetings on Bilingual Education; Equal Employment Opportunity Programs; Minority Business Enterprise.
*Strongly supported increases in appropriations for bilingual education programs which ranged from $49 million to $73 million.
*Provided ombudsman-type services to Hispanic Americans seeking to participate in Federal programs and benefits.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

DOMESTIC POLICY (PART IV)

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Women:
*President Rockefeller emphasized the need to increase the number of women in high-level positions in the federal government. 25% of all new appointments have been women. Higher than all previous administrations.
*Among the President's appointments: Ann C. Whitman, White House Chief of Staff; Patricia Roberts Harris, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Carla Anderson Hills, Ambassador to Republic of Korea; Shirley M. Hufstedler, Secretary of Education; Marjorie Lynch, Deputy Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (later Health and Human Services); Juanita Ashcraft, Deputy Secretary of the Air Force; Anne Armstrong, Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago; Shirley Temple Black, Chief of Protocol (reappointed); Marquita Maytag, Ambassador to Nepal; Margita White, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission.
*Rockefeller signed and supported the following legislation:
*The Housing and Community Development Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in housing and mortgage credit lending.
*The Military Procurement Bill of 1975 (over the staunch opposition of then-US Defense Secretary William P. Clements, Jr.,) which permitted women to be eligible for appointment and admission to the service academies for classes in the calendar year of 1976.
*Directed Special Assistant for Women to maintain open liaison with over 300+ national women's organizations with combined membership of over 100 million.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PART I)

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*Rockefeller signed executive orders dismantling the Detente Policy with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China: the policy which had been going under the Nixon and Ford administration. He also terminated the SALT Treaty with the Soviet Union as well as blocking Soviet astronauts from participating in joint space shuttles with American astronauts.
*Relations between the United States and the Soviet Union deteriorated even further when Rockefeller ordered the removal of Soviet Embassy staff employees and deported them out of the country altogether. The Soviets responded by ordering public trials in 1978 of dissidents who complained of government interference with civil liberties, sentencing them to prison.
*Aggressively increased military and economic aid to Uruguay, Paraguay, Guatemala, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil and the Argentine Republic. The Rockefeller administration also staunchly doubled-down on sponsoring the controversial Operation Condor as well as supporting the Dirty War campaign launched by Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla.
*Implemented the Good Neighbor Policy, which was successful in fostering relations with lots of countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.
*Significance of the Good Neighbor Policy included some military governments released political prisoners and announced plans to reestablish civilian governments.

COMING SOON IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Profile on Farah Pahlavi

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[Sergeant Foley]

FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PART II)

*US Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel J. Evans managed to foster cordial and respectful diplomatic relations with majority of countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. He also won cordiality between the United States and black Heads of State in Africa through his daily contacts at the United Nations with foreign diplomats including his many trips abroad. Evans was involved in drafting a British/American plan for white-ruled Rhodesia (later renamed Zimbabwe) to turning over its government to black majority rule. Once white-ruled South Africa imposed aggressive, harsh measures on black activist groups by jailing more than 56+ black leaders, Evans cast the US vote in the United Nations Security Council on November 4, 1977, when it was unanimously agreed to declare a mandatory arms embargo on South Africa: The first time that the United Nations ever had taken such action against a member nation.

*In 1978, Rockefeller became the first US President to make State Visits to the black-ruled nations of Africa south of the Sahara, traveling to Nigeria and Liberia on a trip that also included stops in Venezuela and Brazil.

*Biggest challenge for President Rockefeller was the Panama Canal. For most of the 20th Century, US control of the Panama Canal Zone had been strongly viewed by a majority of Latin American leaders as flagrant symbol of Yankee imperialism dividing the sovereignty of Panama with the zone of American military occupation. Since the LBJ administration in 1964, American and Panamanian diplomats had been wrestling with wording of a new treaty in replacing that which had been imposed on Panama since then-President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. Despite unsuccessful attempts at turning over control of the Canal due to staunch conservative opposition in 1975, Rockefeller wasn't going to let this setback deter his efforts. With the skillful diplomacy efforts from US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson and his own persuasive lobbying techniques, Rockefeller managed to bring the long-dragged-out negotiations finally to an end in 1977 by signing new Panama Canal treaties on September 28, 1977 with Panamanian leader General Omar Torrijos during a televised ceremony in the East Room of the White House. This would turn over control of the Canal and the Panama Canal Zone to the Panamanians by December 31, 1999. Rockefeller out-foxed opposition from conservative Republicans and several conservative Democrats, who tried blocking the ratification, when Rockefeller amended the treaties to affirming the right of the United States to intervene with military force to protecting the Panama Canal if necessary in the interest of national security.
COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6:
*National Defense under the Rockefeller administration
*State Visits and International trips of President Rockefeller

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PART III)

*The most significant foreign policy success in President Rockefeller's administration was the Camp David Summit Conference between Israel and Egypt. When Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat came to Washington, DC in April 1977, to visit Rockefeller, the two had found the basis of mutual respect and friendship (considering Rockefeller had met Sadat in previous interactions during his time as Vice President including after his ascension to the Presidency on September 5, 1975) in their private discussions. In the months that followed, Rockefeller and Sadat kept in touch with each other with personal letters that Sadat later credited with influencing a dramatic turnaround in his thinking. Sadat announced in November that he would be willing to go to Israel if it would bring peace. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin quickly issued a formal invitation. On November 19-21, 1977, Sadat visited Israel, addressing the Knesset and meeting privately with Begin in first face-to-face talks between Arab and Israeli leaders since the Jewish State declared its independence three decades earlier.

Formal peace conference began on December 14, 1977 with Israeli, Egyptian and American representatives in attendance. Begin flew to the United States in mid-December to discuss his bargaining position with Rockefeller and then flew to Egypt on Christmas Day 1977 for another meeting with Sadat.

*Rockefeller invited both Sadat and Begin to join him in September 1978 at Camp David in Maryland. Sealed off from the rest of the world by walls of secrecy for 13 days, the three leaders bargained with each other while the world anxiously awaited the outcome. On September 17, 1978, the three leaders emerged from seclusion at Camp David to announce the successful conclusion of their negotiations. Sadat had been persuaded to give up his adamant demand for an independent Palestinian Arab nation as a preisquisite for a peace agreement and Begin had agreed to return to Egypt the Sinai Peninsula, which Israel had captured in the Third Arab/Israeli War of 1967. After flying on Marine One to the White House, Rockefeller, Sadat and Begin appeared on television to sign two agreements that established frameworks for conclusion of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel including principles for a general peace in the Middle East.

NATIONAL DEFENSE (PART I):

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*President Rockefeller continued the development of the modern B-1 international bomber and Trident strategic submarine.
*Streamlined conventional combat strength by shifting support personnel to combat functions.
*Continued the technical modernization of land and Naval forces and increased new chip construction.
*Maintaining military balance, President Rockefeller submitted defense budget for 1977 which provided major increase of $7.6 billion in total obligation authority in defense spending to buying new weapons system; improving readiness of existing forces and to increase selected combat forces.