Hopes & Prayers

In addition to traveling the 2,500 miles to and from Texas for his Baylor speech, last week the President also:

Joined Mamie in entertaining 812 ailing soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines at the White House's traditional lawn party for hospitalized servicemen. For each of the 812 there was a handshake and a word of cheer and hope. "God bless you all," said Mamie to Airman 2/C Robert Marshall, a polio victim. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed and saying all sorts of prayers for you."

Contended that the expected $1.8 billion budget surplus does not justify a tax cut, should be used instead to make "some little start on reducing this enormous [$276 billion] national debt."

Guaranteed, in a specially issued press statement, that "those who have sought asylum" in the U.S. "shall have a free choice to leave," but made it equally clear that the Government will "satisfy itself . . . that the individual is leaving ... of his own free will. The right of asylum is one of the treasured traditions of free peoples."

Nudged Congress by releasing a list of 28 pending bills (including foreign aid, school and housing) that he considers "very important" to the country and on which he hopes for action before July adjournment. Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson scanned the list, said it was "always interesting" to hear the President's views, urged Ike to be patient.

Flew out of Washington at week's end in his twin-engined Aero Commander to join Mamie at their Gettysburg farm, then to play 27 holes of golf--his first 27-hole round since the day before his heart attack.

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