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Public Papers

The Public Papers of Harry S. Truman contain most of President Truman's public messages, statements, speeches, and news conference remarks. Documents such as Proclamations, Executive Orders, and similar documents that are published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, as required by law, are usually not included. The documents within the Public Papers are arranged in chronological order. President Truman delivered the remarks or addresses from Washington, D. C., unless otherwise indicated. The White House in Washington issued statements, messages, and letters unless noted otherwise. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1966)

The Public Papers contain items such as the Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima (August 6, 1945), the Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947), the White House Statement Announcing Recognition of the Government of Israel (January 31, 1949), the Statement and Order by the President on Relieving General MacArthur of His Commands (April 11, 1951), and The President's Farewell Address to the American People (January 15, 1953).

July 23, 1951 To the Congress of the United States: Our economic problems in this country are now based mainly upon world problems. Our economic tasks are heavy because of the weight of our world responsibility. To succeed in our economic…
July 14, 1946 To the President and the People of France: The French people are today celebrating their first peacetime Bastille Day since 1939. Two years ago, we were fighting against the Germans on French soil, side by side with the…
June 13, 1952 My dear Mrs. Cochrane: I want you to know that I am in complete agreement with the sentiments you expressed in your letter to me. The present insurance payments of the social security law are just plain inadequate, and in all…
July 30, 1948 To the Congress of the United States: On January 14, 1948, I transmitted to the Congress my annual Economic Report under the Employment Act of 1946. At the present stage in economic affairs it is again desirable that the…
June 16, 1950 IT IS with very great pleasure that I have today signed H.R. 4567, which amends the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. The improvements embodied in H.R. 4567 now bring the American principles of fair play and generosity to our displaced…
August 6, 1947 I AM withholding my approval from the bill (H.R. 673) "To repeal certain provisions authorizing the establishing of priorities in transportation by merchant vessels." The purpose of the bill is to repeal the Act of July 14, 1941…
July 29, 1949 SINCE the Reorganization Act of 1949 was passed, I have submitted to the Congress a number of plans to improve the organization and management of the executive branch. Other steps to further the recommendations of the Commission on…
October 12, 1945 WELL, once again I have had a very great privilege. I would rather do what I have been doing this morning than any other one of my arduous duties. This one is a pleasure. When you look at these young men, you see the United States of…
June 13, 1952 WELL, we are mighty happy to have you here. It is a pleasure indeed to welcome such a fine-looking group of young people who have been studying citizenship, apparently. I hope you have had a chance to see everything you want to see in…
July 25, 1951 I UNDERSTAND that you have had a very satisfactory meeting here. The Senator from Wyoming was telling me about the time you gave him with your questions, and one thing and another, and of your interest in government. He also told me that…
August 6, 1947 [Released August 6, 1947. Dated August 5, 1947] I RETURN herewith, without my approval, the enrolled bill (H.R. 1810) "To amend the Criminal Code and certain other legislation to permit part-time referees in bankruptcy to act as agents…
July 31, 1948 Mr. Chairman, Governor Dewey, Mayor O'Dwyer, Mr. Cullman, and distinguished guests: It is a great pleasure for me to take part in the dedication of this splendid airfield here in the city chosen by the United Nations to be…
July 15, 1946 IT IS a pleasure for me this morning to welcome you to Washington, particularly for the purpose for which you are here. We have heard a great deal about famine and malnutrition, and things of that sort. It is a very real situation to the…
June 17, 1950 To the Heads of All Executive Departments and Agencies: The Senate Special Crime Investigating Committee has been established to study and investigate whether organized crime utilizes the facilities of interstate commerce or…
October 12, 1945 Dear Congressman Powell: I have your telegram in which you inform me that your wife, Miss Hazel Scott, has been refused the use of Constitution Hall for a concert on October twentieth. Artistic talent is not the exclusive…
July 29, 1949 I HAVE today approved S. 276, authorizing "a project for the rehabilitation of certain works of the Fort Sumner irrigation district in New Mexico." Under this act, the Federal Government will rehabilitate, operate, and maintain, under…
June 22, 1950 THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements to make. I will try to answer questions, though. [11.] Q. Mr. President, I just wondered if you have any comment on Governor Lausche's indecision on the Senators' race in Ohio1-- THE…
July 15, 1946 THE APPROVAL by the Congress of the Financial Agreement with Great Britain is a major step in carrying out our program for reviving and expanding international trade. The wide discussion of the measure which has taken place on both sides…
August 4, 1948 [ Released August 4, 1948. Dated July 31, 1948 ] Dear Bob: Your ability and wide experience, upon which the Government has relied extensively in the past, can again play an important role in the development of a vital…
August 1, 1949 THREE YEARS ago I approved the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, which established policies to guide this Nation's development of atomic energy. For the past 3 years, the Atomic Energy Commission, in cooperation with the armed services, has…
October 16, 1945 To the Congress of the United States: It is the settled policy of this Government to promote the political, social and economic development of people who have not yet attained full self-government, and eventually to make…
July 26, 1951 Dear Dr. Taylor: On the basis of the information and advice submitted to me by the Office of Defense Mobilization and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, I am of the opinion that the dispute between the American…
June 13, 1952 Mr. President of the University, Mr. Ewing, distinguished guests: I am happy to be here today at this Howard University commencement. Dr. Johnson has asked me to come to your commencement several times, and I am glad that I…
August 6, 1947 I AM withholding my approval of S. 526, the National Science Foundation Bill. I take this action with deep regret. On several occasions, I have urged the Congress to enact legislation to establish a National Science…
May 1, 1945 I WANT TO SAY a word of deserved commendation for an organization which has been subjected to much criticism in recent weeks. I refer to the OPA. Probably no other government agency comes into such intimate contact with every citizen during…