I believe the time has come to bring that
investigation and the other investigations of this matter
to an end. One year of Watergate is enough.

And the time has come, my colleagues, for not
only the Executive, the President, but the Members of
Congress, for all of us to join together in devoting our
full energies to these great issues that I have discussed
tonight which involve the welfare of all of the American
people in so many different ways as well as the peace
of the world.

I recognize that the House Judiciary Committee
has a special responsibility in this area, and I want
to indicate on this occasion that I will cooperate
with the Judiciary Committee in its investigation. I
will cooperate so that it can conclude its investigation,
make its decision, and I will cooperate in any way I
consider consistent with my responsibilities to the
office of the Presidency of the United States.

There is only one limitation. I will follow
the precedent that has been followed by and defended
by every President from George Washington to Lyndon B.
Johnson of never doing anything that weakens the office
of the President of the United States or impairs the
ability of the Presidents of the future to make the great
decisions that are so essential to this Nation and to the
world.

Another point I should like to make very briefly.
Like every Member of the House and Senate assembled here
tonight, I was elected to the office that I hold. And
like every Member of the House and Senate, when I was
elected to that office, I knew that I was elected for
the purpose of doing a job and doing it as well as I
possibly can. And I want you to know that I have no
intention whatever of ever walking away from the job
that the people elected me to do for the people of the
United States.

Now, needless to say, it would be understatement
if I were not to admit that the year 1973 was not a very
easy year for me personally or for my family. And as I have
already indicated, the year 1974 presents very great
and serious problems as very great and serious opportunities
are also presented.

But my colleagues, this I believe: With the help
of God, who has blessed this land so richly, with the
cooperation of the Congress, and with the support of the
American people, we can and we will make the year 1974
a year of unprecedented progress toward our goal of building
a structure of lasting peace in the world and a new prosperity
without war in the United States of America.

END

(AT 9:47 P.M. EDT)