An Evening With John Roy Price

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
West Branch, IA

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum will host an opportunity to discover insider details about the presidency of Richard Nixon from one of his senior domestic policy advisors.

On Thursday, November 9, at 7:00 p.m., the Museum will feature “An Evening with John Roy Price,” author of the memoir The Last Liberal Republican: An Insider’s Perspective on Nixon’s Surprising Social Policy. Price will speak on his memories with President Nixon, sharing less-told stories and experiences to offer perspective on Nixon’s policies and strategies.

In the White House, Price became a Special Assistant to the President, and succeeded Daniel P. Moynihan (later Ambassador to the UN and to India, and four term US Senator from New York), as Executive Secretary of the Council for Urban Affairs. The president chaired the Council. In this role, Price was instrumental in the development of President Nixon’s social policy. This included his guaranteed income for families with children proposal, the Family Assistance Plan, his dramatic expansion of the Food Stamp and nutrition programs, and his call for a universal health insurance program.

Price has Iowa roots, as he went to Grinnell College to study history, and then later served as a Trustee of Grinnell for 47 years. After his time in Washington, Price served for 19 years as a director of the Principal Financial Corporation in Des Moines and chaired its Audit Committee.

Leadership with the Library and Museum says the personal and political connections between Hoover and Nixon made the Museum a fitting host for this special event.

“Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon were the only Presidents of Quaker faith to be elected to the office,” said Tom Schwartz, director of the Hoover Library and Museum. “They also shared a rich political correspondence and relationship. Both sought to advance programs that supported strong families and protected children. John Roy Price is an eyewitness to a forgotten aspect of the Nixon presidency.”

Admission to this event is free and tickets are not required. Attendees can buy copies of The Last Liberal Republican and have them signed. Visitors are welcome to RSVP on Facebook for the event.