Congressman Roger Williams: Shaking Hands with Presidents from Truman to Trump

A Unique Presidential Encounter

• 🎯 Congressman Roger Williams shares his extraordinary experience of shaking hands with every U.S. president from Harry S. Truman to Donald J. Trump.
• 💡 His journey began at age six with President Truman at a Kansas City A's baseball game.
• 🔑 A particularly poignant memory is meeting President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, just hours before his assassination.

Presidential Encounters and Personal Reflections

• 🤝 Williams recounts meeting Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gerald Ford at baseball games and golf tournaments, respectively.
• 🗣️ He describes Lyndon B. Johnson as a "fatherly figure" and the "original deal maker."
• ⚾ During his time with the Atlanta Braves farm team, he met President Richard Nixon in the locker room.
• 🤝 He also shares encounters with Presidents Jimmy Carter (while jogging without a shirt) and George H.W. Bush, whom he considered a "fatherly figure" and close friend.
• 🇺🇸 Meetings with Presidents Reagan, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump are also detailed, highlighting shared interests like baseball.

The Art of the Handshake and Political Observations

• ✋ Williams analyzes different handshakes, noting George H.W. Bush's as the strongest and Barack Obama's as the weakest.
• 🗣️ He describes Donald Trump's handshake as a "retail handshake" designed to assert control.
• 🤝 A memorable handshake with President Joe Biden at a congressional baseball game famously involved an accidental chicken spit.
• 🇺🇸 Williams reflects on the changing political landscape, the importance of civic engagement, and the need for Republicans to better articulate their message.
• 🏛️ He expresses a desire to return to a more collaborative political environment, emphasizing that agreeing to disagree is crucial for progress.

Legacy and Personal Values

• 🌟 Reflecting on his legacy, Williams hopes to be remembered for his honesty, hard work, love for family and country, and for living a life "worthy of being copied."
• ⚾ A prized possession is Mickey Mantle's autograph on a barf bag from a 1969 baseball banquet, symbolizing a unique personal connection.
• 🇺🇸 He plans to run for Congress again, aiming to continue serving and advocating for small businesses and conservative values.