Weekly Compilation of 

PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS 

Week Ending Saturday, January 9, 1971 

Bill To Provide Special Retirement 

Benefits to Federal Firefighters 

The President's Memorandum of Disapproval. 

January4, 1971 

I have withheld my approval from S. 578, a bill which 

would provide special retirement benefits to Federal 

firefighters. 

This bill would enable Federal firefighters to retire 

earlier than most other Federal employees, on the grounds 

that their duties are especially hazardous. While I am 

appreciative of the daily skill, devotion to duty and courage shown by these firefighters, I do not believe that this 

preferential legislation is wise or justifiable. Certain aspects of the enrolled bill cause me serious concern . 

-Federal firefighters already receive compensation for 

the hazards of their work in the form of higher levels of 

pay and higher retirement benefits. 

-there is no demonstrated need for permitting Federal 

firefighters to retire at an earlier than normal age. Civil 

Service retirement laws have limited early retirement only 

to those occupations such as law enforcement, in which 

there is a unique need to maintain a young work force. 

This is not the case with Federal firefighters who, because 

they work in a controlled environment and are exposed to 

a lower incidence of fires, do not face the same degree of 

hazard as employees of municipal fire departments 

many of whom are eligible for early retirement. 

-the bill would be an unwarranted extension of an 

undesirable and inequitable practice by providing preferential treatment through the retirement system to one 

particular group of employees with hazardous duties, 

when there are many other Federal employees whose 

occupations subject them to severe hazards but who would 

not be eligible for the benefits of this legislation. 

32 

I believe that barring compelling reasons for 

gence, a generally uniform policy for all Federal r

ment programs is desirable, equitable and just. I d

feel that in the case of Federal firefighters such diver

from this policy is warranted. 

Therefore, I am unable to approve S. 578. 

RICHARD NIX

East Pakistan Disaster Relief 

Statement by the President Upon Announcing Inc

of United States Grant of Food Grain to Pakistan. 

]anuary4, 1971 

The aftermath of the disaster that struck East Pa

over a month ago continues to be a matter of deep 

cern. It was probably the worst natural disaster o

century, if not of recorded history, and the survivo

need help. As part of an international effort, this Go

ment has contributed substantially to meeting initial 

gency relief requirements. So far the United State

provided over $9 million in emergency relief assist

including food, clothing, medical supplies, and assoc

transport and delivery services. U.S. helicopters in 

Pakistan have airlifted over a million pounds of su

directly to the disaster area. 

Now that the immediate emergency requirements 

been met, we are turning our full attention to susta

the lives of the disaster victims and to aid them to 

again lead productive lives. 

Many of the survivors have lost virtually all of 

possessions. Unless given the means to provide for 

selves and to protect themselves they may yet perish. 

dreds of thousands of tons of food grains have also 

lost, and unless there is substantial help from abroad 

will be an even greater human tragedy in East Pak