January 29, 1979

SUGGESTED OPENING REMARKS FOR HENRY KISSINGER

AT THE SILVER JUBILEE TRIBUTE
HONORING
THEODORE CUMMINGS

February 4, 1979

(After Applause) Thank you for your applause... It's nice to see we agree.

1. If my appraisal of my remarks is accurate, you should have remained standing...It would have saved you approximately 23 ups and downs during the next few minutes.

2. I am honored and privileged to join all of you to pay tribute to Theodore Cummings, who has spent a lifetime giving generously of himself to philanthropic causes here at home and in Israel... That brave and powerful democracy in the Middle East which I visited so frequently during those more rewarding days between 1968 and 1976 B.C....Before Carter.

3. The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is indeed fortunate to have Theodore Cummings as a friend for many reasons. Not the least of which is that your first fund-raising drive, initiated by Theodore in 1961, has resulted in raising more than 60 million dollars since then...which is more than double...more than double, mind you...the amount Mr. Sinatra receives for a week at Caesar's Palace.

4. Which has nothing to do with anything but I promised Frank I'd mention his name.

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5. Frank, as you all know, is the only shah who currently resides in Rancho Mirage.

6. Frank I want you to know, the last time I was in Israel I visited the Frank Sinatra International Student Center on Mount Scopus...a proud and fitting memorial to a man of your charity and humanitarianism.

7. I confess that as I gazed upon that mount I experienced a feeling of envy for you. Much the same envy, I imagine, you will feel for me when my likeness goes up on another mount... Rushmore.

8. Work on that will begin as soon as Betty Ford's doctor agrees to do it personally.

9. I congratulate you on your distinguished dais. In all truthfulness, I have not not looked on so much greatness in one place since I enlarged the rearview mirror of my car.

10. I am always delighted to be in the presence of President Ford and his lovely Betty, to whom our country owes so much.

11. I was delighted to read Betty Ford's book and I certainly look forward to reading Jerry Ford's book...just as I am sure they are /looking forward to reading my book...if I ever get it completed.

So far I have written 700 pages...all adjectives.

12. Before dinner this evening I had a very warm reunion with the former President and I gather he has no future plans in politics whatsoever since he confided in me that he plans to

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run in no Democratic primaries next year.

13. And speaking of primaries...I am also delighted to see Governor Reagan with us tonight...seated to the right of Mr. Ford. (make sure he is)

14. I also want to point out Governor Brown...who relieved Ronald Reagan of the burdens of public service in Sacramento in 1976 and hopes to do the same for Jimmy Carter in Washington in 1980.

15. And the distinguished and able senior Senator from California, Alan Cranston. I do not envy the long hours of debate ahead for Senator Cranston as he takes under consideration those goals closest to President Carter's heart...Ratification of the SALT II agreement...an austerity budget...new relations with the People's Republic of China...old relations with Taiwan... not to mention the confirmation of the President's new ambassador to Uganda, Bella Abzug.

16. And I know I voice the appreciation of all in this room for the grace and charm of our toastmaster tonight...the boy from Brazil...Gregory Peck.

17. Greg and I have a lot in common...I am often mistaken for him in Chassen's.

18. I know I speak for all of you when I congratulate Steve Broidy and Harvey Silbert who brought us all together for this marvelous evening...Steve, Harvey, you have my deep gratitude for inviting me to speak here tonight because like