UF00083773_00008.pdf

UF00083773_00008.txt

UF00083773_00008_pdf.txt

FROM: Press Bureau
Peter Finncy Advertising, Inc.
Universal Marion Building FOR RELEASE ON OR

Jacksonville, Florida, 32202 AFTER OCTOBER 62 1967

CONTACT: Peter Finney

(904) 356-4334

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Oct 5 v-Farris Bryant, former Governor of Florida, and,



for the past 18 months, Director of the Office of Emergency Planning in
the Executive Office of the President, returned to Jacksonville today to

rejoin his law firm and assume Chairmanship of National Life Insurance
Company of Flozi do, which he founded.

Nominated by President Johnson in March 1966,.and immediately
confirmed by the Senate. Bryant was accorded Cabinet status. He
earned simultaneously as a member of the tightly guarded National
Security Council, as top liaison between the White House and Governors
of the 50 states, as U. 5. Representative on the NATO Senior Committee
on Civil Emergency Planning, and as Vice Chairman of the President's
Cabinet Task Force on Travel. The assignments carried Bryant not only
into every State. but throughout Europe and the Middle and Far East.

In accepting Bryant's resignation; President Johnson said.

("Quotes from Johnson's Statement. ")

Bryant responded to the Presidential call at considerable personal
and financial sacrifice. His main concern. he said at the time. was his

insurance company. not then a year old; getting it off to a successful

start was solemn obligation .to the people who helped him form it and to

MIyA-leers.

FARRIS BRYANT 2-2-2

"On the other hand, Bryant said, "I don't see how anybody
can read the casualty list every day from Vietnam and yet, when the
President says the national interest requires you to serve. to turn him
down. "

What influenced him in the end, Bryant said, was having as
President of the insurance company one of the outstanding executives
in the industry, Oliver Wilhelm, who joined the in company at
its inception after many years with one of the nation's oldest, largest
and most successful insurance firms.

Bryant, upon his return. had high praise for Wilhelm, President
of National Life Insurance Company of Florida and its three subsidiaries,
Voyager Life Insurance Company, National Variable Annuity Company of
Florida, ande EagldaNational Life Insurance Company.

"Under Wilhelm's leadership." Bryant' said, "an inspired manage-
ment team accomplished results little short of phenomenal by any stand-
ards." Total insurance in force increased nearly 100 percent and' net
revenues rose 490 percent. By the year's end our insurance in force is
expected to be nearly a quarter billion dollars, with over $100 million in
ordinary life. As of September 30, 1967, our assets exceeded $14 million.

Bryant said his immediate concern at the insurance company would
be in the area of possible diversification and implementing an expansion
program already underway. Already licensed in 23 states, the company

now is aiming at nationwide representation. The intimate knowledge

BRYANT 3-3-3

gained in the past 18 months of economic conditions and the regulatory
climate of all 50 states would be extremely helpful, Bryant said. in
furthering this prOgram.

Although he has resigned most of his governmental duties, Bryant
said he agreed to remain on call to President Johnson and to continue as
Chairman of the Advisory Commission on Inter-
governmental Relations. a. body created by Congress with a. membership
of 2.6, which includes 3 U. S. Senators, 4 Governors, 3 Congressmen, 3
Mayors, 2 Members of the Cabinet, and other officials. Bryant will
continue to serve as Consultant to the new Director of the Office of
Emergency Planning.

As for persistent rumors that he will run in 1968 for the Senate.
Bryant declared that his work with his law firm, the insurance companies
and part-time governmental duties leave no time even to consider being

a candidate for any political office.

I have to spend some time," he said, "being a husband and a father."

I!




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