Remarks to Reporters Following the Death of the President's Mother

THE PRESIDENT. I merely wanted to make a few remarks to you this morning. I couldn't hold a press conference this week, but I wanted to say to you personally a thing or two that I couldn't very well say any other way, so I asked Charlie ¹ to ask you to come in.

I wanted to express to you all, and to your editors and your publishers, appreciation for the kindness to me during the last week.

I was particularly anxious to tell the photographers how nice they were to me, and to the family, and I didn't know any other way to do it but just call you in and tell you.

I had no news to give you, or anything else to say to you, except just that, and I felt like I owed it to you.

You have been exceedingly nice to me all during the whole business, and I hope you will believe it when I say to you that it is from the heart when I tell you that.

Q. Thank you, Mr. President.