President Truman today tendered a luncheon to Israeli President Weizmann. The affair was a state function.
President Truman paid high tribute to the Israeli Chief of State, referring to him as “a great leader and one of the world’s greatest scientists.” Truman said that he had recently read “Trial and Error,” the autobiography of “this very modest man,” adding that “if you will read between the lines you will find in the book much more than the print itself says,”
In reply, President Weizmann said that he was “deeply moved” by his reception and expressed the thanks of Israel for the “great debt which we owe” the United States. Replying to a toast by Truman, Weizmann toasted the “prosperity of your great country.”
Weizmann presented Truman with a bronze plaque on which is inscribed the entire text–in English–of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The presentation was made “as a token of the deep and grateful appreciation of the government and people of “Israel” for Truman’s efforts in their behalf. The plaque was engraved by Moritz Gottlieb, of Allentown, Pa.
Other luncheon guests included Secretary of State Dean Aches on and Mrs. Acheson, Vice-President Alben W. Barkley and his daughter Mrs. Max Truitt, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Israeli .Ambassador Eliahu ELath and Mrs. Elath, Son. Margaret Chase Smith, Rear Admiral Robert L. Denison and Mrs. Denison.
President and Mrs. Weizmann will be guests of honor at a private luncheon to be given tomorrow by Associate Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter.
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