HENRY A. KISSINGER

March 2, 1996

At a White House meeting in 1976, there was some idle talk on how to stimulate the economy prior to the election. Alan, then Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, seized the floor in his characteristic unobtrusively insistent manner: "You will pay for it next year in inflation, Mr. President," he said. As silence fell upon the group at so unexpected (and unwanted) a comment, Alan added: "Besides, it won't do any good." Alan carried the day.

The episode is classical Alan Greenspan. He was right and he was practical. He was non-partisan and he prevailed by his integrity, not by flamboyance. Since that time, other Presidents have had the benefit of being rescued by Alan from their temptations and seeing their initial irritation turn into appreciation for being given another opportunity to do what deep down they knew was right all along.

Alan has been one of our national treasures. Every country needs a few men dedicated to service rather than ambition who chart a path through the complexities of the new and the intricacies of the tacticians. And all of us here know that Alan's capacity for friendship matches his acumen and his character.

Nancy and I count his friendship among the blessings and the permanent furniture of our lives. May all of us be able to celebrate many such occasions in the decades ahead.

Henry A. Kissinger

TWENTY-SIXTH FLOOR • 350 PARK AVENUE • NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022 • (212) 759-7919

At a White House meeting in 1976, there was some idle talk on how to stimulate the economy prior to the election. Alan, then Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, seized the floor in his unobtrusive manner: "You will pay for it next year in inflation, Mr. President," he said. And while a stunned silence fell in the room at so substantive a comment, Alan added: "Besides, it won't do any good." Alan carried the day.

The episode is classically Alan Greenspan. He was right and he was practical. He was non-partisan and he prevailed by his integrity and not [by] flamboyance. Since then, several others had similar encounters [and have been] encouraged by Alan to resist their temptations and to pursue what in the end they know to be right.

Every country needs a few men dedicated to service
rather than ambition who chart a path through the
complexities of the new and the appeal of the tacticians.
Alan has been one of our national treasures in this regard,
as well as a comfort to his friends.

Nancy and I count his friendship among the blessings of
our lives.