Ambassador Strauss speech.

Senator Long speech.

Rep. Ullman speech.

President Carter: Carter calls this one of the most important and far-reaching trade agreements in the country’s history, an achievement of almost unprecedented cooperation between the branches of government, businesses, farmers, and other parties interested in the economic strength of the country. He specifically thanks Ambassador Strauss for a masterful job in the Tokyo round of trade negotiations and in negotiations with the U.S. Congress. Many thought the negotiations had reached a dead end, and their resuscitation would not have been possible without Strauss.

Ambassador Strauss: Strauss thanks his staff and the work of all those involved, and ultimately calls this a classy example of how the system can work.

Sen. Long: Points out, jokingly, that had he not fought to make the Special Trade Representative a cabinet level position, Strauss would not have taken the job.

Invocation: Dr. George R. Davis.

Remarks by LBJ School Dean Rostow.

Remarks by Lady Bird Johnson.

Remarks by President Elect George Bush.

Remarks by Howard Baker.

Dean Rostow: She remarks that leadership in the public sector is one of the ingredients that will help the country survive, and for that one needs a model of what public service means, and examples like Strauss.

Lady Bird: She expresses her and the LBJ Library Foundation’s gratitude for the generosity and help of Strauss in helping to broaden opportunities for students at the LBJ School.

George Bush: Remarks that it is a delight to be friends with Strauss, who has dedicated himself to the cause at the LBJ School.

Howard Baker: He pays his respects to LBJ’s memory and points to the common understanding shared between LBJ and Strauss on the importance of education. Baker also comments that there resides in few men and women a rare quality of understanding the things that make the nation great, and that Strauss is one of these individuals. Baker pays his respects to a great American, a great politician, a great upholder of the political system, and a great believer in the power of America’s future before us.

Sen. Lloyd Benson (TX) introduces Vice President Walter Mondale.

VP Mondale delivers speech honoring Ambassador Strauss.

President Carter delivers speech honoring Ambassador Strauss.

Ambassador Strauss gives speech.

VP Mondale: VP Mondale honors Bob Strauss as the ultimate political strategist and calls Strauss a passionate advocate, a builder of bridges, and a no-nonsense practitioner of the art of possibility. Ultimately, he honors Strauss as a man who has dedicated his entire life to making the country work.

President Carter: He applauds Strauss for the achievements of his public career, the role he has played in shaping the country’s present and its future, and for working miracles in putting together the multilateral trade agreements. Furthermore, he thanks Strauss for keeping the Camp David process alive and the Democratic Party together during difficult times. Carter uses two words to describe Strauss -- democrat and loyalty -- and calls him a great American and a builder of bridges.

Ambassador Strauss: Thanks everyone and points out that, in a moment of transition, the American system works.