Diary Entry - 12/13/1984
Key Facts
The President and First Lady ceremonially light the White House's Christmas Tree.
President Reagan participates in a photo opportunity with athletes and committee officials of the 1985 World Games for the Deaf.
A lot of free desk time to clean up some odds & ends & a few desk drawers. I didn’t throw away half of what I should. Don Regan gave us his annual ec. briefing. It was a little down but still looks as though things are turning up. The all important thing now is to really get control of spending. Yesterday I called Mr. Schroeder the man with the new artificial heart. He ended up telling me he had a problem with Soc. Security. I told him I’d look into it. Today he no longer has a problem.
Late in the P.M. had a string of visitors for pictures etc. Judge Wilkey retiring after 27 yrs., the Nat. Officers of the Future Farmers of Am. Miguel Sandoval—Hispanic & Black who interrupted a press conference in Minn. during the campaign to tell the press (He’s one of them) how helpful I’ve been to Blacks, Sen. Byrd brought in the W. Va. Strawberry Queen, Cong. Jack Edwards to say goodbye & 3 athletes of the International games for the Deaf. These last are performing in L.A. in July.
Then it was time to light the Xmas tree. I had Nancy throw the switch & the tree way down on the Elipse came to life. We were surrounded by small children up here in front of the W.H.
Then it was time for the 2nd half of the press corps—another 700 hands to shake. We shook em.
