Diary Entry - 10/14/1981
Key Facts
President Reagan presents Representative Eugene Atkinson to the press after the Representatives switch to the Republican Party.
President Reagan meets with Members of Congress individually to discuss the sale of AWACS planes to Saudi Arabia.
Another busy day. I’ve discovered I hate those days where I have one meeting right after the other with no time to collect my thoughts between meetings & I’m supposed to make remarks or a short speech at every one. The best such meeting was before the press where I announced (and introduced) Congressman Eugene Atkinson, Pa. who became our 193rd Repub. in Cong. without a single vote being cast. He switched from the Dems. to the Repub. party. Lunch in the East room to meet with our task force on the Arts & Humanities. Rest of the day was 1 on 1 with Sens. trying to get votes for the A.W.A.C.S. sale. Got a few. Sen. Harry Byrd is pondering switching from Independent to Repub. He’s not fully decided. Called Dan Terra—he’s just learned his wife is terminal—cancer. They are such a devoted couple and so nice. It just doesn’t seem right. Quiet (welcome) night at home.
