Diary Entry - 07/21/1983
Key Facts
President Reagan makes statements to the press regarding the Nation's economic situation and the MX missile program.
President Reagan meets with members of the defense, space, and intelligence communities to discuss the Soviet Space program.
David Dodge, the former acting president of the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, is released more than one year after he was abducted on a street in Beirut.
Held a mini-press conf. in press room to announce new ec. figures. Growth in G.N.P. in real $ was 8.7% for 2nd Quarter. Not one question about the Carter debate papers. Lunch with V.P. The Multiple Sclerosis foundation brought in the Father of the Year & the Mother of the Year & her little boy. Both were in wheel chairs. The father is totally paralyzed from neck down. His family was with him. His 3 daughters wrote the nominating letter that won him the title. Cabinet Council meeting took up matter of lumber companies who contracted for Nat. Forest Timber. Their bids were based on expectation of continuing inflation. Lumber prices now make it a loss for them to cut the timber. Some of our team think we should extend their contracts but make them pay a penalty. I disagree—this would just make it even a greater loss or raise the price of lumber which would come out of the pockets of future home builders. I say, extend time, no penalty but make them agree to a timetable for cutting. Finished the day with 1 1⁄2 hours in the dentist chair—teeth cleaning time.
