President Eisenhower's Illness: Vice-President Nixon Informs The American People Of The Government's Intention To Carry on as usual -- Shortly after it became known that President Eisenhower had suffered a mild heart attack, the Vice-President, Mr. Richard Nixon, appeared before the movie and television cameras. Mr. Nixon stated that it was the Government's intention to operate on the same basis during the President's illness. October 19, 1955. (Photo by Camera Press).