Richard Nixon Meets with Elvis Presley

Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley

Pol Light Moment #97 happened on December 21, 1970, when Richard Nixon had a meeting with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office of the White House. Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969-1974. He was previously the Vice-President of the United States from 1953-1961.

Elvis Presley paid a visit to the White House on the morning of December 21, 1970, and left a note requesting a meeting with Richard Nixon. Elvis wanted to help combat the drug problem among youth in the culture and specifically desired to become a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Other Dangerous Drugs.  Richard Nixon was able to meet with Elvis Presley at 12:30pm that same day.

There is a memo of the notes about this meeting revealing that Richard Nixon desired to have this meeting to thank Elvis Presley for his offer to help with the problem of drug abuse among youth in the United States. At the time. Elvis was told that he could have the title he wanted though no such position existed. As a follow up to the meeting Richard Nixon wrote a letter to Elvis Presley on December 31, 1970, thanking him for the gift of a World War II Colt 45 gun given to him by Elvis at this meeting on December 21, 1970.  You can read more photos and documents pertaining to the meeting that Richard Nixon had with Elvis Presley at the National Security Archives page on this historical event.

For other posts on Richard Nixon search with the "Richard Nixon" label at Pol Light. Richard Nixon was also mentioned in the post at Pol Light called Gerald Ford Pardons Richard Nixon published on October 11, 2013.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

---

Photo: Photo taken by Ollie Atkinson/Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and is in the Public Domain. Copies of this photo are requested more than any other from the National Archives.

Nancy Reagan's 'Just Say No' Campaign

Nancy Reagan

Pol Light Moment #39 occurred in 1982 when Nancy Reagan (1921-2016) created and promoted a campaign to discourage children from using illegal drugs with the phrase Just Say No. It was part of the United States' War on Drugs. Nancy Reagan was the First Lady of the United States, serving from 1981-1989.

Wikipedia says, "The phrase, 'Just Say No' first emerged when Nancy Reagan was visiting Longfellow Elementary School in Oakland, California, in 1982 and was asked by a schoolgirl what to do if she was offered drugs. The first lady responded by saying, 'Just say no'.  Just Say No club organizations within schools and school-run anti-drug programs soon became common, in which young people make pacts not to experiment with drugs (Wikipedia: Just Say No)."

Nancy Reagan continued the Just Say No Campaign during the 1980's while her husband Ronald Reagan was President. Nancy Reagan said, "If you can save just one child, it's worth it (Source: YouTube Video)."

Here is Nancy Reagan describing the Just Say No Campaign in 1986.


Wikipedia has an article on the Just Say No Campaign.

Nancy Reagan has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Nancy Reagan posts search with the "Nancy Reagan" label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Nancy Reagan is in the Public Domain.