Some promising findings this year give new hope to cancer patients. Scientists reported a totally new approach to cancer treatment, an approach that activates the immune system to destroy cancer cells in some patients. Extensive studies are underway to refine and perfect the treatment so that it can become widely available as soon as possible.

We have set as a national goal reduction of the national cancer death rate by onehalf of its 1980 level by the year 2000. This can be achieved through the active involvement of all Americans.

In 1938, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution (52 Stat. 148; 36 U.S.C. 150) requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation declaring April to be Cancer Control Month.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of April 1986 as Cancer Control Month. I invite the Governors of the fifty States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all other areas under the United States flag, to issue similar proclamations. I also ask the health care professionals, communications industry, food industry, community groups, women's organizations, and all other interested persons and groups to unite during this appointed time to reaffirm publicly our Nation's continuing commitment to control cancer.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and tenth.

Ronald Reagan

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:28 p.m., April 8, 1986]

Note: The text of the proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 8.

National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 1986

Proclamation 5456. April 7, 1986

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Today, many Americans are working, attending school, caring for families, or resuming normal life in their communities after receiving a transplanted organ or other tissue. But many others still wait for such transplants in order to improve or even save their lives.

The need for donors far surpasses the supply. Current medical technology enables the transplantation of organs and tissues including kidney, heart, heart-lung, lung, liver, pancreas, skin, cornea, bone, and bone marrow. But the greatest obstacle to making these life-sustaining and life-saving transplants possible is the shortage of donors.

All Americans must know what they can do to consent to become organ and tissue donors. By completing a uniform donor card and carrying it at all times, anyone can give the gift of life to people in desperate need of organs and tissues for transplantation. It is especially important for would-be donors to make their intentions known to family members, so that appropriate action can be taken promptly when the time

comes.

Americans are a caring and giving people, so it is fitting that we as a Nation should encourage organ and tissue donation and increase public awareness of the possibilities and the need. I ask every American to consider organ and tissue donation, and I ask the media to assist in informing the public of the great need that exists. Together, we can make organ and tissue donation another expression of American generosity.

The Congress, by Public Law 99-203, has designated the week beginning April 20 through April 26, 1986, as "National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week" and authorized and requested the President to

issue a proclamation in observance of this occasion.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 20 through April 26, 1986, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. I urge all health care professionals, educators, the media, public and private organizations, and all Americans to join me in promoting greater and more widespread awareness and acceptance of this humanitarian practice.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and tenth.

Ronald Reagan

Mr. Stephens was graduated from Harvard College receiving an A.B. in 1968. He was the recipient of the Frank Knox Memorial fellowship to Oxford University (New College), Oxford, England (1968-1969). In 1973 he earned a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. He was born November 5, 1946, in Akron, IA.

White House Staff

Appointment of C. Christopher Cox as Senior Associate Counsel to the President. April 8, 1986

The President today announced the appointment of C. Christopher Cox to be

Note: The text of the proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 8.

White House Staff

Appointment of Jay B. Stephens as Deputy Counsel to the President. April 8, 1986

The President today announced the appointment of Jay B. Stephens to be Deputy Counsel to the President. He will succeed Richard A. Hauser.

Since 1985 Mr. Stephens has been an Associate Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice. Prior to the above appointment, he served as Deputy Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice (19831985); Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice (1981-1983); Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia (1977-1981); Associate General Counsel, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (1976-1977); Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor, Watergate Special Prosecution Force, Department of Justice (1974-1975); and an associate with the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (19731974).

He will succeed David B. Waller.

Since 1984 Mr. Cox has been a partner with the law firm of Latham & Watkins in Newport Beach, CA. Prior to that time he was a lecturer on business administration at Harvard Business School (1982–1983); an associate at Latham & Watkins (1978-1982); and a clerk to the Honorable Herbert Y.C. Choy, United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Cox was graduated from the University of Southern California receiving a B.A. in 1973. In 1977 he earned a M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School, where he was a member of the Harvard Law Review. He was born October 16, 1952, in St. Paul, MN.

White House Staff

Appointment of Robert M. Kruger as Associate Counsel to the President. April 8, 1986

The President today announced the appointment of Robert M. Kruger to be Associate Counsel to the President. He will succeed John G. Roberts, Jr.

Since 1982 Mr. Kruger has been an associate in the Los Angeles and Washington offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

Mr. Kruger graduated from Cornell University (B.A., 1979) and the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1982). He is married and resides in Chevy Chase, MD. He was born May 7, 1957, in Passaic, NJ.

White House Staff

Appointment of Alan Charles Raul as Associate Counsel to the President. April 8, 1986

The President today announced the appointment of Alan Charles Raul to be Associate Counsel to the President. He will succeed Deborah K. Owen.

Since 1981 Mr. Raul has been an associate

in the New York and Washington offices of Debevoise & Plimpton. From 1980 to 1981, he was a law clerk to the Honorable Malcolm R. Wilkey, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In addition, Mr. Raul was a consultant to ReaganBush '84 in New York.

Mr. Raul was graduated from Harvard College receiving an A.B. degree in 1975. In 1977 he earned a M.P.A. degree from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government and in 1980 a J.D. degree from Yale Law School. He was born September 9, 1954, in the Bronx, NY.

Contadora Negotiations With Nicaragua

Statement by the Principal Deputy Press Secretary to the President. April 8, 1986

We made note of Nicaragua's intransigence there in negotiations. It is regrettable that Nicaragua has not engaged in serious negotiations in Panama City with the Contadora countries. It is clear that other Central American countries were prepared to have serious discussions. The Nicaraguans refused to take part in constructive talks.

We note that the communique gives Nicaragua another week to reconsider its position. It is also interesting to note that the behind-the-scenes role of Cubans in advising the Nicaraguan delegation has come to light.

Note: Larry M. Speakes, Principal Deputy Press Secretary to the President, read the statement to reporters assembled in the Briefing Room at the White House during his daily press briefing, which began at 9:20 a.m.

Secretary of the Air Force

Nomination of Edward C. Aldridge, Jr.
April 8, 1986

The President today announced his intention to nominate Edward C. Aldridge, Jr., to be Secretary of the Air Force. He would succeed Russell A. Rourke.

Mr. Aldridge currently serves as Under Secretary of the Air Force, a position he has held since 1981. He was vice president, strategic systems group of the System Planning Corp. (1977-1981). Previously, Mr. Aldridge served on the staff of the Secretary of Defense as Director, Planning and Evaluation (1976-1977), and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategic Programs) in 1974-1976. Mr. Aldridge was a Senior Management Associate in the Office of Management and Budget (1973-1974); manager of advanced concepts for LTV Aerospace Corp. (1972-1973); Director, Strategic Defense Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense (1967-1972); and manager, missile and space division, Douglas Aircraft Co. (1961-1967).

Mr. Aldridge graduated from Texas A&M University (B.S., 1960) and Georgia Institute of Technology (M.S., 1962). He is married, has four children, and resides in Vienna, VA. Mr. Aldridge was born August 18, 1938, in Houston, TX.

United States Ambassador at Large

Nomination of Paul H. Nitze. April 8, 1986

The President today announced his intention to nominate Paul H. Nitze, of the District of Columbia, as Ambassador at Large.

Mr. Nitze was an accountant with Container Corporation of America in Bridgeport, CT, from 1928 to 1929; and vice president of Dillon, Read and Co., in New York, NY, from 1929 to 1938 and also from 1939 to 1941. From 1938 to 1939, he was president of P.H. Nitze and Co. in New York City. He was Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs at the Department of State in Washington, DC, from 1941 to 1942. He was Chief of Bureau of the Board of Economic Warfare (1942-1943), Director of Bureau of the Foreign Economic Administration (1943-1944), and Director of the Policy Planning Staff at the Department of State (1946-1953). From 1953 to 1961, he was president of the Foreign Service Educational Foundation in Washington, DC. He was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (1961-1963), Secretary of the Navy (1963-1967), Deputy Secretary of Defense (1967-1969), and a member of the United States delegation to the strategic arms limitation talks (19691974). From 1974 to 1981, he was a selfemployed consultant in Washington, DC. Since 1981 he has been with the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency as head of the United States delegation, Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces, with the rank of Ambassador (1981-1984); and since January 1984 he has been Special Representative for Arms Control and Disarmament Negotiations, with the rank of Ambassador. He has also been adviser to the President and Secretary of State on arms control matters. His foreign languages are German and French.

Mr. Nitze graduated from Harvard University (A.B., 1928). He is married to the former Phyllis Pratt, and they have four children. He was born January 26, 1907, in Amherst, MA.

Federal Labor Relations Authority

Nomination of Jean McKee To Be a Member. April 8, 1986

The President today announced his intention to nominate Jean McKee to be a member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for the remainder of the term expiring July 1, 1989. She would succeed William J. McGinnis, Jr.

Ms. McKee has been Executive Director, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, since 1983. Previously, she was director of government relations for the General Mills Restaurant Group, 1980-1983; a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy in 1979; and chief of staff for the minority leader of the New York State Assembly in 1978. In 1976 Ms. McKee served as the Deputy Administrator of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration in Washington, DC, and succeeded John W. Warner as Administrator through June 1977. She served on the staff of Senator Jacob K. Javits from 1967 to 1975.

Ms. McKee graduated from Vassar College (B.A., 1951), is single, and resides in Washington, DC. She was born June 20, 1929, in New Haven, CT.

President's Commission on Executive Exchange

Appointment of Four Members. April 8, 1986

The President today announced his intention to appoint the following individuals to be members of the President's Commission on Executive Exchange for terms of 2 years. These are new positions.

Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger, of California.

Robert A. Beck, of New Jersey, is chairman of the board and CEO of Prudential Insurance Company of America in Newark, NJ. He graduated from Syracuse University (B.S., 1950), is married, and has five children. Mr. Beck was born October 6, 1925, in New York, NY.

Donald J. Devine, of Maryland, is consulting director of Campaign America in Alexandria, VA. He graduated from St. John's University (B.B.A., 1959), City University (M.A., 1965), and Syracuse University (Ph.D., 1967). Mr. Devine is married and has four children. He was born April 4, 1937, in Bronxville, NY.

Constance J. Horner, of the District of Columbia, is Director, Office of Personnel Management. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1964) and the University of Chicago (M.A., 1967). Mrs. Horner is married and has two children. She was born February 2, 1942, in Summit, NJ.

Foreign and Domestic Issues

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With the American Society of Newspaper Editors. April 9, 1986

The President. I am delighted to have this opportunity to be with all of you today. I know the purpose of this get-together is some back-and-forth between us, so I'll try to keep my remarks short.

But this is a very influential group, and what politician worth his salt would give up the chance to make a few points to you this morning? It reminds me of a story that my friend Punch Sulzberger tells about the time he had lunch at the White House. That evening he went home and called his mother, who, as you know, is the most remarkable woman. And he said to her, "Mother, today I had lunch at the White House with the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, and the Secretary of State." "Yes, dear," his mother said dryly, “and what did they want?" [Laughter]

I didn't want this opportunity to go by without pointing to some of the enormous changes that we've seen in American politics during this decade. I don't have to remind those of you who report and edit the news of the scope of this change, but I do think it's a good idea now and then to take a moment and reflect on the meaning of that change and gain some perspective on a decade that is now more than half over.

I'm sure you all remember that when we took office in 1981, we faced appalling economic conditions, and that's not to mention the crisis of confidence in America's military strength and her international prestige. Our program for economic recovery was much criticized, and getting it through the Congress was the first of many tough struggles to come. We also faced opposition to our efforts to restore America's military strength and carry out a foreign policy that pursued peace while it also sought to halt Soviet expansionism and expand the borders of freedom.

Much of this opposition was understandable. A number of the people in policy and opinionmaking circles had trouble dealing with the new ideas that we brought to Washington. As Bill Buckley once put it: "Though liberals do a great deal of talking about hearing other points of view, it sometimes shocks them to learn that there are other points of view." But despite the parochialism of some of our critics, our programs, with the support of the American people, gain passage.

I think the results achieved thus far with the revitalization of the economy, our military strength, and the restoration of our international prestige bear out the merit of our conservative ideas.

A few years back, our simple efforts to get some aid to El Salvador so a democratic government could be firmly established there met with fierce opposition. But thanks in no small part to the Salvadoran people who braved guerrilla threats and gunfire to march to the polls, we prevailed; and so did the dream of democracy.

My favorite story is of an elderly woman standing in line waiting hours to vote in the hot sunshine in that first El Salvador election. And she had been hurt by the guerrillas because of her determination to vote, and they had told her that they would kill her and her friends if she went on and voted. And she said, "You may kill me, and you may kill my family, my friends; you can't kill us all." And so she went in defiance of them and stood and voted.

I can't help but mention the Grenada operation also in connection with these things. It was hardly underway when some of our critics took to the airwaves to denounce our