
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 20, 1990                   TAG: 9007200308
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: YORBA LINDA, CALIF.                                LENGTH: Short

PRESIDENTS HONOR NEW NIXON LIBRARY

Richard M. Nixon dedicated his presidential library Thursday to the ringing applause of his three Republican successors and 50,000 spectators, proclaiming his belief in the American Dream but not mentioning the Watergate scandal that drove him from office 16 years ago.

The gathering marked the first conclave of four presidents in nine years and the first time ever that four American presidents attended a public event.

Bush and Nixon were joined by Gerald R. Ford Nixon's successor, and Ronald Reagan, Bush's predecessor. Each man was accompanied by his wife. Only Democrat Jimmy Carter did not attend, citing a prior commitment.

Seated in the sweltering audience were a "Who's Who" of the Nixon years and later Republican administrations, including four ex-secretaries of state - Henry Kissinger, William Rogers, George Shultz and Alexander Haig.

Nixon was the last speaker of the day, following Ford, then Reagan and Bush. As he did in his latest book, "In the Arena," Nixon spoke about the theme of struggle and the role it has played in his life from his childhood in Yorba Linda to his political victories and tragedies.

"It is sad to lose," he said. "But the greatest sadness is to travel through life without knowing either victory or defeat."

by CNB