American Notes Gifts

Since Congress passed the Ethics in Government Act in 1978, Presidents and other top federal officials have been required to make annual disclosures of presents they accept that are worth more than $100. President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush released their 1984 gift lists last week. The 15 gifts for the Gipper, valued at $7,156, included the First Puppy, Lucky (valued at $400), a .44 Magnum revolver inscribed with Reagan's name ($263), four hearing aids ($3,000), a portrait of an American Indian by a favorite California artist, and a chain saw and accessories ($238) that were a Christmas present from the Secret Service. Bush listed among his 41 items (worth $8,989) 26 pairs of running shoes (most of which he gave away), a Steuben glass elephant and a leather flight jacket from Navy Secretary John Lehman, presented on the 40th anniversary of a bombing raid in which Bush was shot down at sea near Iwo Jima. In the self-improvement category, Bush received a 29-volume history of Ecuador (in Spanish), presented to him by President Leon Febres Cordero, while Reagan presumably had more fun with his gift of six movies on videocassette.