The Public Papers of Harry S. Truman contain most of President Truman's public messages, statements, speeches, and
news conference remarks. Documents such as Proclamations, Executive Orders, and similar documents that are published in the Federal Register
and the Code of Federal Regulations, as required by law, are usually not included. The documents within the Public Papers
are arranged in chronological order. President Truman delivered the remarks or addresses from Washington, D. C., unless
otherwise indicated. The White House in Washington issued statements, messages, and letters unless noted otherwise.
(Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1966)
The Public Papers contain items such as the Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima
(August 6, 1945), the Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947),
the White House Statement Announcing Recognition of the Government of Israel (January 31, 1949), the Statement and
Order by the President on Relieving General MacArthur of His Commands (April 11, 1951), and The President's Farewell
Address to the American People (January 15, 1953).
December 3, 1945
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 1512 providing that retired enlisted men who have been, or may be, retired with credit for thirty years' service in the Army, Navy, or Marine…
August 14, 1946
I HAVE TODAY approved H.R. 5991, the Farmers' Home Administration Act of 1946. However, I feel compelled to call attention to a provision of that measure which causes me grave concern.
Section 9 of the Act provides that "Any conveyance…
September 9, 1949
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 3589, entitled "An Act to convey to the city of Miles City, State of Montana, certain lands in Custer County, Montana, for use as an industrial…
August 3, 1950
THE PRESIDENT. Be seated, please. Good afternoon, everybody.
[1.] I have one announcement to make. Mr. Harriman and General Norstad and General Lowe will leave tomorrow for Japan, for a political brief with General MacArthur…
September 24, 1948
[1.] SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (Lane Field, 9:15 a.m.)
Mr. Chairman, Mr. McKinnon:
I sincerely hope that you'll send this good Democrat to the Congress from this district. This great section of Southern California needs…
October 11, 1947
I HAVE received today the fourth volume of the report on Science and Public Policy, submitted by John R. Steelman in accordance with Executive Order 9791. This volume, entitled "Manpower for Research," deals with the shortage of…
August 28, 1951
Dear Jim:
I fully understand the importance to members of cooperatives of the tax questions now under consideration in Congress, and I appreciate this opportunity to reiterate the Administration's long-standing support of…
December 3, 1945
I HAVE TODAY sent a message to the Congress recommending legislation authorizing the President to appoint fact finding boards in industrial disputes involving nation-wide industries on the certification by the Secretary of Labor that…
July 16, 1952
I HAVE today signed S. 1310, a bill relating to the prevention of major disasters in coal mines.
This measure is a significant step in the direction of preventing the appalling toll of death and injury to miners in underground mines.…
September 24, 1948
Governor, Senator McFarland, Congressman Murdock:
I can't tell you how very highly pleased I am to be your guest here tonight, and I am sincerely sorry that I couldn't have gotten here sooner. But I am under the…
October 13, 1947
THE DESPERATE NEED of hungry people in other countries makes the success of our voluntary food-saving program an urgent necessity. I am therefore requesting that the Governor of each of the States designate an individual or a group to…
December 6, 1945
I FOUND much satisfaction in signing today the Government Corporation Control Act, for I have long believed in the principle it embodies. In requiring these corporations to submit their budgetary programs to the Bureau of the Budget…
August 30, 1951
My dear Mr. President:
It always gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome you to Washington and to have an opportunity of seeing you again. It is particularly so this time in view of the circumstances which I consider to…
September 9, 1949
I AM very happy you are here. I am glad of the privilege of meeting all of you. I hope you will enjoy your tour of our country, and that our hospitality will be what you anticipate.
I think one of the greatest things that we can do…
August 14, 1946
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING is the means by which we get food and fiber from our farms to consumers. Anything that increases efficiency in moving farm products to consumers is a material contribution to the nation's welfare. I note that this…
July 16, 1952
I HAVE signed H.J. Res. 446, relating to the continuance on the payrolls of certain employees in cases of death or resignation of Members of the House of Representatives, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners.
While I have no objection…
August 8, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I am presenting to the Congress certain considerations concerning the steps we need to take to preserve our basic liberties and to protect the internal security of the United States in…
August 30, 1951
Mr. President, distinguished guests:
I am very glad that it was possible for you to join us here today. Mr. President, we have witnessed the signing of a mutual defense treaty between our two great countries. The signing of…
July 17, 1952
I HAVE withheld my approval from S. 1271, "To permit employees of the Canal Zone Government and the Panama Canal Company to appeal decisions under the federal Employees' Compensation Act to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board."…
December 7, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. I didn't have any special announcements to make to you today, but since you haven't had a press conference in the afternoon this week, I thought I had better let you come in and ask some questions. You might have…
August 9, 1950
Mr. Secretary of Labor, Mr. Chairman, members of the Cabinet, and ladies and gentlemen:
I am glad to welcome you to this sixth annual meeting of the President's Committee on National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.
As you know…
August 14, 1946
I AM WITHHOLDING my approval of H.R. 4428 entitled, "An Act to adjust the rate of dividends paid by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation on its capital stocks and to decrease the premium charge for its insurance."
The…
October 15, 1947
THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT has informed this Government that a sum in excess of $80 million remains to be paid by the United States to France on account of procurement obligations incurred by the United States Army in France and North…
September 25, 1948
[1.] LORDSBURG, NEW MEXICO (Rear platform, 7:35 a.m.)
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the candidate for the Senate of the United States, and the Secretary of State, and all the other distinguished members of the New Mexico delegations…
September 10, 1949
I HAVE today approved H.R. 3829, "To provide assistance for local school agencies in providing educational opportunities for children on Federal reservations or in defense areas, and for other purposes."
This is emergency, stopgap…