South Bend, March 24, 1979
The Town Meeting
Congressman John Brademas, who represents the Third District of Northern Indiana and who is also the Democratic majority whip in the U.S. House of Representatives, held a town meeting in the local Public Library. It was an open discussion with interested fellow citizens. Above all astonishing was the relaxed atmosphere of the meeting. The participants in the audience simply addressed the Congressman with “John.” The topics discussed centered on Social Security and pensions for disabled veterans, but also on Europe sharing the costs of the peace settlement in the Middle East. Brademas also talked about his upcoming visit with a Congressional delegation to Moscow to explore questions concerning the SALT II negotiations. This town meeting was altogether a typical example of open democracy.
March 26, 1979
The Peace Treaty
This afternoon in an unpretentious ceremony on the lawn of the White House, the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was signed. President Anwar Sadat signed for Egypt, Prime Minister Menachem Begin for Israel, and President Carter as witness for the United States. This brings to an end a 30-year long animosity and armed conflict between Egypt and Israel. It also provides the prerequisite for normal diplomatic relations between the two governments. In this peace dialogue, Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, and Jimmy Carter have risen above themselves. Despite sometimes seemingly hopeless negotiations and resistance until the end, peace has finally arrived. In the end, the spirit of Camp David has won.