White House Diaries

Friday, September 30, 1988

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Left the house for Marine 1 on S. Lawn. Left Andrews, A.F.1 on way to Chi. Arrived at O’Hare field 11:20 A.M. Chi. time. Marine 1 flew us to Meigs field. This was after I met with the Ruiz family on the plane. It was father (Peter Ruiz & his 4 children, Peter Jr., Irma, John & Philip.) They are the family who lost wife & mother a week or so ago. She was a Chi. policewoman murdered by a criminal who shot her down as she apprehended him.

We drove to Wozniaks Casino which is an old fashioned beer garden in S. Chi. There were about 1500 people—all ethnics—Italian, Hispanics, Polish—several slavic types etc. I addressed them after being introduced by Gov. Jim Thompson. Very well received. It was a Repub. rally. We had lunch there.

Then we were off to Wrigley field. I threw out the ball to start the game then went up to the press box & joined Harry Caray (sports announcer, WGN). I did some play by play during 1st & 2nd innings and had fun doing it.

Then we left for the hotel where I did some homework & signed some bills. We left the hotel at 6 (Chi. time). And went over to the Mercantile Exchange where I did a receiving line with about 80 couples of major donors—again I was introduced by Jim (Gov.). Then onto the floor of the exchange where 3000 had pd. $250 each. Again well received. Then back to Meigs field & Marine 1. A.F.1 at O’Hare & back to Wash. Going on 11 when we reached the W.H. Got a phone call a few mins. after midnight. The Cong. finally passed the appropriation bills at 2 min’s. to 12. I sign them in the morning.